Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) on fence
Although Juncos live here in central Ontario year-round, I rarely see them except in winter. Most of the year, these sweet, gentle birds forage in forests, but when wild food is harder to find, they hop around at the base of bird feeders cleaning up after fussier birds.
Junco on tree branch
Although I usually see Juncos on the ground, the top photo shows a Junco that flew up onto a fence to get treats. The second photo shows a Junco on a limb where it could survey the area to make sure it was safe to eat seeds it could see on the snow-covered ground below.
I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
FYI City Daily Photo bloggers: The February 1st theme - If you had to leave forever the city from where you usually post, what would you miss most?
I am learning from you Camera Girl. I would have thought it was a sparrow. Starting today I am going to start pay more attention to what what is going to my bird feeder. They look like sparrows to me... maybe not.
ReplyDeleteI used to see Juncos frequently at my feeders, as you say, in the winters where I lived formerly.
ReplyDeleteTo me this looks like a very little little bird. Great shots of it.
ReplyDeleteYour little Junco is so sweet EG.. He looks a little like a 'gumnut' baby bird :)
ReplyDeleteReally nicely captured in close-up.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Cute shots of the Junco.. They seem to like eating at my feeders along with those eating off the ground.. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteThey do tend to scrabble on the ground. Interesting behaviour.
ReplyDeleteVery nice shots! We have a few juncos at our place every year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicate and quietly beautiful bird, and you've captured it so perfectly!
ReplyDeleteNice shots of a pretty little bird. I wonder if we have them in our yard. We have birds that look similar. I'll have to look closer.
ReplyDeleteDarla
They are such a pretty little bird. Like you, I seldom see them in warmer weather.
ReplyDeleteTerrific captures! I've always liked them- they seem to have such personality.
ReplyDeleteI thought I saw one of these the other day in my backyard- but it was a sparrow. I need a longer lens...LOL! Nice shots!
ReplyDeleteAlways have found that a funny name.
ReplyDeleteWe used to get tons of them at our house in Utah. So fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sharp images!
ReplyDeletei like the way the top feathers hang out over the white bottom feathers. looks like he was dressed by a professional... such a sweet cute bird
ReplyDeleteOur feeders are alive with Juncos and chickadees right now. It seems like zillions of them---a wee bit different but still Juncos.
ReplyDeleteMB
Love the rake in the previous post.
gorgeous shots! really great detail!
ReplyDeleteBoth of these are fantastic portraits.
ReplyDeleteAwesome captures and such a beautiful little bird, EG!! You always get such incredible detail! Portraits they are indeed!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful junco photos. We always know that when juncos arrive under our bird feeders, winter cannot be far behind.
ReplyDeleteI like his parka over the pants. Or so it appear with his fluffy top and smooth feathers on bottom.
ReplyDeleteThe juncos here also come in winter. Interesting since our winters are more like your summers!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of the juncos. They are sweet little birds.
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful portraits! The depth and the light are perfect! We have the Juncos, we call them snow birds. They only appear in the deep winter when it is time for snow. It is so curious to me that they do the opposite of most birds. Most birds migrate and fly away from the cold. But the juncos fly toward it. A mystery.
ReplyDeleteI love the first photo. It shows all the details on his back perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI always know that it is winter when they appear or when I first hear them in the fall!
ReplyDeleteIn that second image, he looks like he is wearing a hood!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful soft and subtle variation of colours in this sweet little character.
ReplyDeleteGreat bird pics! I love your second photo. The little guy looks so alert.
ReplyDeleteGreat close ups, they are such a cute little bird.
ReplyDeleteThe juncos are so cute. I see them come through here in fall and again in early spring.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting and beautiful bird. Regards.
ReplyDeleteThat's another bird I didn't know about. A cute couple of photos.
ReplyDeleteThe small birds are always so sweet and clever too :D)
Such crystal clear photos...gorgeous!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteVery cute birds! They seem to be posing for you.
ReplyDeleteSo adorable!
ReplyDeleteLovely snaps, Tina!!
Peace :)
What a cutie.
ReplyDeleteYou take such clear photos of birds. I am -- once again -- impressed.
ReplyDeleteSuch crisp shots!! You are so lucky he posed on a limb for you. Ha, you could say he actually went out on a limb for you. Hope we see these cute birds soon; they should be migrating soon.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully captured.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dear! You are such a competent photog
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
<3
Wonderful shots, pretty bird!
ReplyDeleteWe see these in Oregon (even in the summer) and my first thought was that I've never seen them anywhere but on the ground, eating up the spillage. They are really a pretty bird though and your pictures are fabulous..
ReplyDeleteLovely birds, aren't they? Pretty flighty, pun intended!
ReplyDelete