A Symphony of Beautiful Feathers: Two Hours at the Feeders Revealed

A Symphony of Beautiful Feathers: Two Hours at the Feeders

There’s a kind of quiet wonder that settles in when you let the world slow down around you. Standing near a trio of feeders on Guemes Island, one with mixed seeds, two packed with suet, I spent just two hours in stillness, letting the rhythm of the wild come to me. One by one, birds appeared from the surrounding trees like living brushstrokes: flashes of gold, rust, crimson, and charcoal, brilliant reds, each arrival bringing a new vibrant procession of birds.  

The Feeders 

Mixed Seeds Bird Feeder

The setup is simple: a mix of suet cakes and traditional seed blends in hanging feeders spaced just right to avoid squabbles but close enough for easy viewing.

Suet Bird Feeder

Suet, rich in fat, drew in the insect-eaters and woodpeckers, while the seed blends proved irresistible to finches, sparrows, and other seed-lovers. 

The Burst of Colors 

In just one location and a short span of time, I photographed the following species: 

• 
  Hairy Woodpecker - Male

• Purple Finch - Female

• 
  

     House Finch - Female

• Pine Siskin - Right side of feeder - There are no differentiating features male vs female.

• Black-headed Grosbeak - Female

• Black-headed Grosbeak -Male

• Red-breasted Nuthatch - Female

• Orange-crowned Warbler - immature 

• Spotted Towhee - Female

• Mourning Dove - There are slight differences between male and female, unsure.

Each bird brought its own rhythm to the moment. The nuthatches darted in with acrobatic flair, while the grosbeaks perched in regal stillness. The doves were the quiet heavyweights—unassuming but steadfast below the feeders. And the woodpecker always methodical, always heard before seen. A Pileated Woodpecker flew across the sky, avoiding all the commotion.  

Why Feeders Matter 

Putting up feeders serves not only as an act of support for local ecosystems but also as an opportunity to see and learn about bird behavior. During migration or in harsher seasons, feeders provide essential nutrition. Observing birds as they feed can offer insights into their habits and roles within the environment. 

They also offer exceptional opportunities for photography and species identification. For individuals with a profound appreciation for wildlife behavior, it allows for the documentation not only of the birds present but also of their interactions, feeding habits, and hierarchical establishment within such a dynamic community. 

A Note for First-Time Feeders 

If you're thinking of putting up a feeder, consider a blend of suet and seeds to attract a broader range of species. Clean your feeders regularly, keep them safely placed away from predators, and most of all—be ready to pause, watch, and marvel. 

© Chris LeBoutillier

“Photographs are silent; one’s thoughts give them life.” ™ -Chris LeBoutillier