wildlife – Craig Connects

Folks, it’s been a great year for wildlife at my “home office” as I’ve had lots of visitors. I thought the beginning of a new year was a great time to share some of my favorites, especially since I recently posted some tips about how to attract feathery friends (and squirrels, too) to your yard. These photos are all by the Mrs. and myself, and were pulled from the #Crileen (that’s Craig and Eileen) Birdography Spectacular. A Special thanks to Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eBird.org for helping out with some bird IDs, they do great work!

Hummingbird, Anna 2 — Anna’s Hummingbird

Goldfinch, Lesser — A pair of Lesser Goldfinches

Grosbeak, Rose-breasted, juvenile male (a vagrant from the East) — Rose-breasted Grosbeak, juvenile male (a vagrant from the East)

Hawk, Sharp-shinned (note blue-gray upperparts and long banded tail) — Sharp-shinned Hawk (note blue-gray upperparts and long banded tail)

Hummingbird, Anna 3 — Another Anna’s Hummingbird

Hummingbird, Anna — And one more Anna’s Hummingbird

Sparrow - House and Robin, American — American Sparrows – House and Robin

Sparrow, House, female, feeding a Cow Bird — Female House Sparrow feeding a Cow Bird

Brewer's Blackbird (AKA Swoops the bird.) — Brewer’s Blackbird (AKA “Swoops” the bird)

Warbler, Townsends — A pair of bathing Warbler Townsends

Woodpecker, Downy, male 2 — A busy Downy Woodpecker

Woodpecker, downy, male — And another busy Downy Woodpecker, male

I have a feeling that 2014’s going to be a busy year at the “home office” so make sure to stay tuned, and let me know what your local wildlife looks like. A nerd’s gotta do what a nerd’s gotta do.

Okay, so my “home office” extends to the deck, and I have a bunch of feathered and furry friends who stop by. The wife and I have created the #Crileen Birdography Spectaular (that’s Craig and Eileen…) to document the visitors. We’ve identified 48 species as of September 2013.

As a nutty connoisseur, here are my suggestions to attract birds and squirrels to your yard:

1. Provide clean-ish open water.

2. Use a “squirrel-resistant suet palace.”

This squirrel defeated Squirrel-Proof Suet Palace. I’m okay with this, he can only eat so much at a time.

3. Feed squirrels to attract hawks. (see #2, note “resistant”, they see it as a challenge)

4. Have glamorous new wife fill the feeders and water. Then have her do so for the birds. They appreciate it.

5. Go outside and act like a nut. (Mission accomplished)

Hey there – here’s the deal: my team and I worked with the good folks at National Wildlife Federation this past summer to help raise money for their org (with #Squirrels4Good & @common_squirrel). It’s about that time of year when birds are migrating and changing their nesting habits, and we really want to continue helping out the good folks at NWF and the little critters. Since the birds will be out and about, it may not be a big deal to just snap a picture of them.

We want you to #Hoot2Give for the holidays. Each time you share a photo of a bird (maybe an owl) or describe one you have just seen, and use the hashtag #Hoot2Give, I’ll give $1 to NWF, up to $5k.

I see birds (and squirrels) every day in my backyard (there’s often a bird party at Craig’s house), and you’ve probably seen my photos on Facebook or Twitter. I’m guessing you see birds too, and I’d love for you to share them for a good cause. I’d like you to join me, and #Hoot2Give to raise money for NWF. You can give us a hoot on Facebook, Twitter (@craignewmark), and my #Hoot2Give Pinterest board.

I’m not an outdoorsman, I’m just a nerd who’d really like to see some good bird pictures – and maybe even some hooting videos. NWF offered to take me owling, but I won’t have a chance to get to Washington, DC – so I hope that some of you have some good owl photos to share! Will you #Hoot2Give to raise some money for NWF this holiday season?

Tag: wildlife

20 Awesome Bird Photos

5 Ways to Attract Birds & Squirrels to Your Yard

Will you #Hoot2Give this Holiday season?