The Dish network

The converted satellite dish continues to be a backyard hit. The sparrows and finches are particularly fond of this feeder. I have even seen a couple of mourning doves scratching around in the dish, although usually they are content to eat the scraps that land on the ground below.

Camo Bird

My family is always surprised that I am able to spot birds so easily, but your eye gets trained to spotting movement. For example, I was excited to spot this guy and add him to my bird list. This is a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) and as you can see, he blends in very nicely with the silver maple he is climbing. These fellows will drill parallel rows of small holes in live trees and return later to feed on the sap.