Month: March 2025

Life is Good: Pine Siskins on my Hand

Lynn E. BarberLeave a comment

Pine Siskins arrived in great numbers in our central Wisconsin yard along with a huge snow we had a few weeks ago, and have mostly stayed around, even when most of the snow melted. Yesterday we received nearly 3 inches and the Siskins were again famished. Some even hopped on my hand to eat seeds today, as a couple of them had done after the last snow. There is something amazing in having a wild bird sit on your hand. Previously I have had Black-capped Chickadees (many years ago in WI) on my hand, and when we lived in AK, Common Redpolls and Steller’s Jays did so. I guess it takes a combination of birds hungry enough to forget to be afraid, and warm enough weather so I can stand to stand motionless outside for long enough for them to find me and my offering.

Update: Birding Times, A Life in Rhymes

Lynn E. BarberLeave a comment

My box of softbound/paperback books has arrived! I have shipped out a couple and sold a couple in-person, and am open, of course, to taking more orders. I am currently charging $15 each for signed copies, which includes postage. My hardbound books are still being printed, but I assume they will arrive soon, and I am charging $23 each. I realized yesterday when I did a mailing that postage is more than I realized for books, so I expect I will raise the price at some point. Email orders to dalybar@aol.com or call me at 682-365-6531.

Pileated Woodpecker

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I know that woodpeckers eat lots of things, but their visits to our feeders are almost always at the fake or real suet blocks. Somehow I often forget that they like nuts even though I do regularly see Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers at my peanut feeders. Yesterday’s visiting Pileated Woodpecker was one of the first times that I had seen one of these lovely monsters on the peanuts. Before this male came to the feeder, he and another Pileated Woodpecker did a round-and-round-the-trunk dance on our spruce tree.

My New Book is Published — BIRDING TIMES, A LIFE IN RHYMES

Lynn E. BarberLeave a comment

Please consider ordering a copy from me (signed, soft or hard cover; email me at dalybar@aol.com to inquire about ordering from me) or order from Amazon.com (also can order eBook there). Also, please let EVERYONE you know know about this book. Thanks!