By Mary Drew pedaling around the Golden Isles on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 04:57 am:
The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a tiny, but resilient little bird who lives in coniferous trees, where it runs about, up and down beneath looking for insects and spiders. They also eat pine seeds, which is a major factor, determined by the abundance of pine cones, whether they stick around the area or migrate further south in search of a better patch. Ken Scheibach has discovered the other weakness these little creatures have when it comes to nourishment. They are attracted to suet, as evidenced by the photos here. A hidden talent which is not listed in any of the reference guides, is the ability to snatch snowflakes right out of the air with the flash of a beak and gently cradle them for your viewing pleasure!
There are quite a number of different and somewhat exotic birds here on the coast of Georgia, where I'm recharging my Pasty Cam batteries. Scanning around with my laptop, I have been surprised to realize we actually have better broadband wireless Internet coverage in the Keweenaw, courtesy of Pasty.NET. Thank goodness for our trusty Pasty.NET Nationwide Dial-in to stay in touch with home!
By kosk in Toronnto on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 05:22 am:
Thanks for the wonderful pictures.
Nuthatches and chickadees have always
been among my favorites.
Enjoy Georgia, Mary!
By craigM Macomb,mi on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 05:24 am:
Good morning. Mary you sure are up early for being on vacation. (or late?)
By smf in troll land on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 05:39 am:
Adorable pictures!
By Yooper in Westland on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 06:21 am:
Fantastic pictures!
By Tamara in WI on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 07:13 am:
These pictures are awesome!
By Margaret, Amarillo TX on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 07:16 am:
Love the birds.
By Missin the UP from NJ on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 07:55 am:
Good Morning!
Remarkable!! Leave it to the Photogs at Pastycam to "catch" a wonderful nature photo like this!
So-o-o Cool! THANK YOU!
By Marsha, Genesee/Aura on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 08:14 am:
I've read that nuthatches are the only birds that walk down a tree head first. I hope they're watching out for hungry bear! They like suet feeders, too, but aren't nearly so graceful. Have a good day all!
By Ken, Washburn, WI on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 08:17 am:
Nice winter photo. How about a photo from Brunswick, GA to remind us what green looks like?
By Sarah, Central WI on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 08:32 am:
My parents get this cute little birds at their feeder all the time. I've never seen them up close. Wonderful pictures.
By Lori... Commerce Twp on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 08:40 am:
WOW... Amazing pictures in Ken Scheibach's album and these shots above of the adorable little birds are so sweet! A snowflake in her beak! My goodness... Thank you for sharing. I would love to know where the heron rookery is that you took the shots of the herons last spring. There is a rookery here in lower Michigan that I enjoy visiting. It is almost like Jurassic park when you get there. The herons are so loud and look so prehistoric.
By Yooper -Deb on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 08:43 am:
Awesome pictures! Watching the birds at my feeder while I enjoy my morning coffee is one of the best moments of the day. I have never seen any red-breasted nuthatches at my feeder, only the white ones. My favorites are the chickadees, they don't fly away when I go fill the feeder. Thanks for sharing the photos.
By Barb in Jacobsville on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 09:29 am:
I just came from viewing Ken's album. EVERYBODY should go
there and look. What a spectacular collection of birds, flowers,
and even a drawing of a bird (one of my personal favorites).
Nuthatches are one of my favorite birds too. You can't have too
many pictures of them! Thanks Ken for sharing your wonderful
photography with all of us!
By Cheryl, IL on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 09:30 am:
Ken, You're pictures are absolutely awesome. The clarity and color are perfect (as are the subjects!) Would you mind sharing what kind of camera you use? For anyone who is a bird lover check out the live eagle cam at friendsofblackwater.org. An eagle pair currently have 3 eggs in the nest which should be hatching in the next week or so. A Good Day to all!
By Herb_NW_Wis on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 10:16 am:
I had a nuthatch hit the window the other day and I
thought surely dead. But I held it in my hands and
it came around and was fine. Lately one's been
visiting the feeder and acting extra tame. I'd like to
think it's the same one.
By Marsha, Genesee/Aura on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 11:07 am:
Nice shots, Ken!
By Missin the UP from NJ on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 11:21 am:
I just had to add my Cheers for the work in Ken's album! WOWEEEE!
I still think the BEST pictures on the web are here on Pastycam and in the guest gallery. All the publications out there- heck the world- is missing out on some great art because they're not aware of these GREAT photographers! We are so LUCKY to have this site.
BIG thanks to all who keep it up and running!!
By Fred, Three Lakes on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 12:01 pm:
Great photo album Ken!
By Kathy from Whitmore Lake/Cheboygan on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 12:02 pm:
I've never seen a red-breasted nuthatch, aside from these photos. I see a lot of white-breasted nuthatches at a local nature area. Their call sounds, as a friend says, "as if they are laughling at you". There are also a lot of very tame chickadees; they'll feed from your hand, provided you stand very still and near bushes.
By CC gal on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 01:24 pm:
I thoroughly enjoyed Ken's album ! I look forward to the coming spring and summer so I can see alot of his subjects in real life . Many of them are just outside my back door.
By maijaMi on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 01:38 pm:
I agree: wonderful, colorful pictures for winter-weary folk. Thanks, Ken
By WCW, WA on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 01:49 pm:
The bears are in hibernation.
WCW
By ert, GA on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 01:50 pm:
You folks who want green pictures from Georgia need to understand that we don't have green here except for evergreens trees and bushes which you also have. Below freezing temperatures kill the grass and deciduous tree leaves even on the coast. Winter here can be very dreary looking.
The early, early flowers and flowering bushes are starting to bloom now but are not widespread.
But at least we have dirty snow only seldomly! :)
By EAH, MICHIGAN on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 01:55 pm:
KEN,
GREAT PHOTOS! THANKS FOR SHARING THEM. EAH
By Ken Scheibach on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 04:53 pm:
Thank you all for your kind critiques on the nuthatches and album. I can assure that in this instance the subject matter has made the photographer. How can you go wrong with birds and flowers. I am a novice and have only recently pursued this as a retirement hobby. For Lori.. Commerce twp. I too get that Jurassic feeling when watching the Herons. When you visit your rookery please take your camera and share the results with Pasty fans. This is truly the best site on the web.
By walter p tampa on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 04:53 pm:
nothing can beat a visit from a red breasted nut hatch in the morning
By Lowell MO. on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 05:35 pm:
I have both varieties that come to my feeder. They get quite tame and I have one that when I go outside and there isn't any sunflower seeds in the feeder it will holler and raise a fuss until I give it some. I have so many different birds that come into my feeder its hard to keep track of them. Had a Grackle and a pair of Red-Winged blackbirds in the other day also a Male Cowbird so I guess spring must be real close and the birds are starting to return. Always enjoy pictures of birds. I have them from all over the world on my computor.
By YOOPER LOVER on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 05:46 pm:
HERE BIRDY BIRDY HERE BIRDY BIRDY BIRDY HERE BIRDY BIRDY BIRDY BIRDY! I SHOULD HANG ONE UP AT MY HOUSE SO I CAN SEE THE BEAUTIFUL BIRDIES! I LOVE THEM THEY ARE PRETTY! LOOKS LIKE THEIR FOODS A BIT FROZEN FROM THE COOL TEMPS...BUT I BET THEY MANAGE TO GET IT OUTA THERE! YUM! WELL FOR THE BIRDS!
By Ken's Daughter, Michigan on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 07:04 pm:
Dad,
It's about time you share your incredible talent with others! I'm(we're)proud of you.
Love you,
Anne Marie
By gusu on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 08:44 pm:
Cheryl Ill. To find out what kind of camera is used for one of the pics, just click on photo properties, upper right corner of pic.
By Cheryl,IL on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 09:45 pm:
gusu, Thanks for the tip!
By Ken ja Mimi from da UP on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 10:16 pm:
We have nuthatches, chickadees, sparrows, finches, etc. etc. We like the chickadees and nuthatches the best, they are so tame. They'll sit right on the branch or wire that holds the feeder and wait 'til I have filled it. When I step off the stool, they'll chirp as they light on the feeder, just like they're saying, "Thank you!" We had a Pine Grosbeak (red) the other day. I had to look in da book to see which it was. Haven't seen the red-breasted nuthatches here in Cornell.
By Mary Ann, WY on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 01:59 am:
What great photos of the nuthatches. They are such a fun bird to see. Every once in awhile we have them at our feeder, but not often enough.