Signs of fall.

[MN Shutterbug]

Yep, won't feel like it come Tuesday, but the birds know it's coming. The blackbirds are really flocking up.

I even came across a small flock of Western Meadowlarks. According to my Sibley Guide, this one is a non breeding one. I saw quite a few Northern Flickers on telephone poles, too.

[Jim Almquist]

Most of our Goldfinches and Hummingbirds have left already. We do have some stopping by the are migrating. This past week we have had a hen turkey and her chick coming up to the deck and feeding on the sunflower seeds that have been dropped on the ground.

Love the Meadowlark shot!!!

[MN Shutterbug]

Thanks Jim. We still have no shortage of gold finches and I still see the occasional hummingbird. Then again, I guess our gold finches never leave. Just one of the advantages of living down south.

[Jim Almquist]

That is just like our Red Breasted Nuthatch. I have them around all of the time so to me they are no big deal. People come up to the bog and they don't have them around and they shoot heck out of them and I just smile. Just wonder what this winter will bring in terms of different birds. Hopefully some cool birds will choose a different migration path and hang around for a while.

[MN Shutterbug]

That is just like our Red Breasted Nuthatch. I have them around all of the time so to me they are no big deal. People come up to the bog and they don't have them around and they shoot heck out of them and I just smile.

Were you watching me shoot the heck out of them last winter when I was up there? It took me years to get a good shot of one, so quit poking fun.

[Jim Almquist]

Sorry about that

Did not mean to throw salt into any wounds. I have seen it more than once when shooter come from southern Mn or even out of state and they get all excited. I guess I get the same way when I see a Pheasant

[Dotch]

Kind of a bittersweet time of year, isn't it? You get to see things like Mike's great shot of the meadowlark and then you suddenly realize the orioles are gone. And yes, when a red-breasted nuthatch shows up here it's an event. Pheasants? They just cruise through our backyard whenever they get the urge, picking up the corn the squirrels left behind.

[Sturg]

Nice Meadowlark! The color pattern looks very similar to a hen pheasant from this angle. I was at the cabin last weekend and did not see a hummingbird but I still have a couple of females around home. I had two males around but haven't seen them for a few days now. The fall change is underway!

[flipper]

Our hummingbirds have been feeding like crazy here. It seems there are always two or three buzzing around the feeder. If only they would let each other drink......

[MN Shutterbug]

After not seeing a Chipping Sparrow for a couple months, I had 5 of them land in my backyard last evening.

[eyeguy 54]

had a bunch of song sparrows here I think.