Got Birds? Meet the VIPs of My Backyard BirdBar
Heads Up: The videos ahead come with a language warning—apparently, I’m as fluent in ‘excited expletives’ as I am in ‘birding’. Viewer discretion is advised, especially if little ears are around or your parrot’s in the room (trust me, you don’t want them repeating this!).
Avian Adventures Brought to You by My BackyardLanai
Welcome to my avian paradise. Who knew that a few innocent bird seeds would turn my backyard into the hottest bird bar in town? There I was, sprinkling birdseed around my yard, aiming for Snow White vibes — then, the word got out. And all of a sudden, my tranquil backyard lanai became an avian mosh pit. It felt like a casting for an Alfred Hitchco*ck film.
The guest list? Oh, all the who’s who of the bird world. Just call me The Bird Whisperer.
Meet the Feathered Celebrities of My BackyardAviary
The birds came in droves. Majestic, quirky, graceful, and loud as hell. I’m talking about the whole avian spectrum. From the majestic raptors to the tiniest songbirds. Every species in town joined in on my impromptu birdseed happy hour.
Now, as your self-appointed avian aficionado, I’ve chronicled some of my backyard birding experiences for the world to relish. And if you are a bird lover like me, then you will certainly enjoy a walk through this VIP lounge.
Without further ado, let’s stroll down this feathery runway. The stars of the show await their close-ups. I promise — each snapshot comes with its own story — candid captured moments of wild, winged wonders that turned my backyard into the talk of the treetops.
Meet the Snoop Stork: My Avian PeepingTom
In my backyard — the hotspot for all things feathered — a wood stork decided to drop by for a peek into my humble abode. I named him Snoop. There he was, pressing his beak against the glass like a nosey neighbor. His bald, scaly head tilted from side to side as he peered curiously into the human world inside.
Now, brace yourselves for a slice of this mystique creature caught on camera. Below, you’ll witness one of these majestic beings, starring in a bit of homespun magic.
Disclaimer: I’m behind the lens, channeling my inner Steve Irwin, so indulge me as we roll the footage.
Wood storks aren’t just any backyard bird. They’re the only storks breeding in North America. They’ve got this oddly human way of scrutinizing their surroundings, almost as if pondering the deeper meanings of life. In folklore, the stork is an omen of things to come. A promise of new life and prosperity.
Dancing with the Roseate Spoonbill
Next up, is the Roseate Spoonbill. Such an interesting bird. With its flamboyant pink feathers, spoon-shaped bill, and unique foraging dance — they’re truly a sight to behold.
When I see the Roseate Spoonbill, it reminds me that often, life’s treasures are found in the most unexpected places. Just like me seeing this rare bird in my own backyard. It’s a lesson in persistence and the promise that even when things get muddy, there’s always the potential for something beautiful to emerge.
Check out this clip of the Roseate Spoonbill doing its thing. And keep an eye out for his bird bro, the American Anhinga, catching some rays right next to it. Anhinga’s are underwater acrobats, diving deep to snag their dinner. It’s super fun to watch them in action.
Meet Gary: The Great Blue‘Ninja’
Ah, the Great Blue Heron. A creature so still it could be mistaken for a statue, only to strike at its prey with the precision of a ninja. That’s Gary — my name for the local Great Blue Heron who frequents my backyard lake.
But there’s more to Gary than his ability to out-pose a royal guard. In many cultures, herons symbolize self-reliance, determination, and the ability to evolve. This makes sense because to evolve, you’d have to be still long enough to contemplate your life choices, right? I mean, that’s what Buddha did.
Check out, Gary, taking on a largemouth bass with more gusto than grace. Brace yourselves for a cinematic experience that’s, well, less than stable. You can even hear my hubby offering words of encouragement for my questionable camera work.
Fair warning: this is raw footage folks. It’s shaky, authentic, and yep — amateur.
This little gem has gone a bit viral on YouTube. I’ve already been trolled for my crappy camera work. But hey, being trolled is a rite of passage on the web. I’ll wear that badge with honor. Now feast your eyes on Gary in all his glory.
The Sandhill Cranes ofSuburbia
Make room for the Sandhill Cranes. My favorite of them all. They’re the true prima donnas of the bird bar. I called the pair that visit my lanai Disco and Diva because when they dance, it’s like a Studio 54 flashback.
They remind us that everyday life is elegant. A rhythm and flow that’s pure and natural. And sure, their trumpet-like call could shatter glass. Imagine being woken up by the sound of this in the morning. But hey, no one’s perfect. Right?
Just got some fresh footage of ‘Disco’ and ‘Diva’ today — seems they’ve taken a liking to my tomato plant. And get this, they swung by just as I was typing up this article. If that’s not a cosmic wink, I don’t know what is.
Check out Disco and Diva grazing in my backyard oasis, a serene moment — well, serene until my kiddo’s plea for a burger catapults me from bird nerd bliss back to mom mode. Kids sure know how to make an entrance.
Saluting Abe: The American BaldEagle
And then, there’s the eagle. Not just any eagle. No. The AMERICAN BALD EAGLE. Nothing screams ‘freedom’ like the freakin’ AMERICAN BALD EAGLE. I named this one Abe, for obvious reasons.
There’s something about seeing this powerful bird and those fierce eyes that ignite a fire of pride in me — and a bit of terror. I’m pretty sure Abe had his eye on my neighbor’s adorable Pomeranian. But let’s be honest. Having an AMERICAN BALD EAGLE visit my own backyard, is the ultimate bird nerd bragging right.
Here is a closeup of Abe. I had to zoom in with my phone so it isn’t the best quality, but what a beast! Right?
The Bird Whisperer SigningOff
And that, my feathered-fanatic friends, concludes our exclusive tour through the avian aristocracy that graces my humble backyard oasis. I hope you’ve found delight in these winged escapades just as much as I have.
The why behind this gang of unique visitors? I’m convinced the universe is sending me tweets (pun intended). Each bird has a message, a story, a secret. Things have been a bit more quiet around here lately, but I’ll keep my eyes peeled. The show at the Bird Whisperer’s lounge is far from over.
So, tell me, have you had any recent brushes with the spectacular world of birds? Your sightings, your stories — I’m all wings and ears! Drop a note, share a picture, or simply sing their praises. Fellow bird nerds unite!
© 2023 Evelyn Ann Rose. All rights reserved.
