The nice summer weather makes it a wonderful time to sit outside and practise photographing birds, which hopefully will make it easier when out in the field.  

Although my backyard is small, I have managed to find a number of places to hang various feeders from.  

I have positioned most of them so that when I sit comfortably on my deck, I can see the feeders. Then, with my camera set at the parameters of my choosing, I can wait and watch, coffee and a good book, handy. 

Feeders are a personal choice. They come in various sizes, types and of course, cost. I have a niger feeder, a few squirrel-proof feeders, peanut and suet feeders. Some of the feeders hang from shepherd's hooks and elongated metal S hooks. There are various seeds to choose from. Squirrels do not like safflower seeds but a number of birds do. A mixed seed covers a fair number of species( but I do not use those with corn as the corn ferments when wet). Niger is liked by the finches as well as mourning doves.  Chipped sunflower seed is popular and there is little ground mess from discarded shells. Niger seed and chipped sunflower seed do not germinate but many others do. If you want to cut down on the germination process, bake the seeds on a cookie tray at 350F for 10-12 minutes in the middle of the oven. Let them cool and store them until needed. 

Water is a great drawing feature for birds - not only for a wee sip but also for bathing. Again, birdbaths are a personal preference. The above birdbath is one that my father and I made years ago, using clay pots, a drip dish that fit over the top pot(with holes drilled in it), an aquarium pump, a minature sprinkler head and a plug with waterproof glue to seal the drainage hole of the round bowl. It doesn't stay out for the winter and has lasted years. For the winter, I have a heated birdbath!!!!!(Honestly, I do) . Another form of bathing for some species, is having a dust bath. You may have seen birds in dry loose dirt, covering themselves to help get rid of ticks and lice.

Above, this scruffy looking chickadee is feeding on chipped sunflower seed that is in a soda pop bottle. One can get the attachment at various garden stores or feed stores.

At this time of the year, birds are not only molting but can also have feather ticks or lice. It seems that this little one has all of that right now. As an aside, I took this image with my macro lens.  

The above adult redwing blackbird also seems to have a problem with ticks and/or lice. This feathers will come back in when he molts. The redwings are starting to make their way south.

This male goldfinch is on a squirrel-proof feeder. As winter comes, you will notice that he becomes very drab in colour-similar to the female goldfinch.

Some birds, such as the chipping sparrow, like to ground feed. Nice to have those that clean up after the messy ones. They too, will be heading south soon. 

Even sitting in your backyard, you may see strange things with the birds. This is a male house sparrow that has leucism. This is a condition where the pigmentation cells do not develop properly and leaves the bird lacking colour in varying degrees. It is not albinism as the bird still has a dark beak and black eyes.

Sitting in the backyard with camera ready can be fun and relaxing and as I said earlier, a great way to hone your techniques for photographing birds. And you never know what will show up-that is always the surprise.

Til the next time I fly back to this column, have fun birding and post any pictures that you think are interesting.

Sue