Before the shrike.
Three views of the shrike.
After the shrike.Birding at my bird feeder tree is over because of this robin-sized predator. Everyone has disappeared. The snow is unbroken now. No silly squirrels, no chattering chickadees, not even a sad mourning dove or brassy woodpecker, redpoll or blue jay. They know how bad this little bird is. He appeared on Monday. See my Northern Shrike post for more information.
Please click on the photos to see them full size in a new window.
Wordless WednesdayTechnorati Tags: Northern Shrike, Lanius excubitor
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Yep, happens here too. The little ones just vanish. Great shots by the way. Have a great WW. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots and very interesting too.
ReplyDelete--JB
Lovely shots - I can never get my bird shots right.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your advice re: my cat, Leo, and his psycho moods. Leo already spends much of his time outdoors, but the weather has been pretty unpleasant lately - lots of rain - so he's been hanging around the house a lot more. Also, he has an ongoing feud with a neighbor's ginger tom, which has recently flared up again. I think he may be transferring a lot of his aggression towards that cat to members of his household. He always seems to have a flare-up of aggression when the feud kicks off again.
In between these attacks, he can be very sweet. When he launches an attack, there's no growling or spitting - he simply sinks his teeth and claws in and refuses to let go. I think he has a very mischievous streak, which borders on malice. One of his favorite tricks is hiding in the bathroom and attacking people when they're using the toilet. It sounds funny - but he does it because he knows they can't exactly run away.
I've spoken to a vet about him - they advised euthanasia, but I can't do that to a healthy cat. Like you with your Buddy, I usually know when Leo's about to attack, and can intercept him. He got lucky the other night, because I'd just woken up and was in a bit of a stupor. I guess I'll just have to make sure the bedroom door is properly secured at night, so he can't sneak up on me.
Once again, many thanks for the advice - I truly appreciate it. I find it very distressing to have a pet who is adorable 95% of the time, and positively Satanic the rest of the time. On that note - happy WW :).
Why is this bird so mean??? He looks so calm and cute...We don't have them in the south.I have never seen one..
ReplyDeleteThis guy looks like he means business.
ReplyDeleteAw no! The photos you got were beautiful. Too bad the little guy can't share. :(
ReplyDeleteHappy WW nonetheless.
CrAzY Working Mom
What a difference a shrike makes!
ReplyDeleteThese photos are lovely! I love birds i love nature! Happy WW!
ReplyDeleteAh well, at least you got great pictures of him!
ReplyDeleteWow, beautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteYou always have such cute bird and squirrel photos ! I prefer the little squirrels I love them !
ReplyDeleteSuch an innocent looking bird...very interesting, and nice shots.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely in love. makes me want to go outside and explore. wow. Thx for the visit and happy WW :0
ReplyDeleteGood shots! But before you even know it, they'll be back. Happy WW.
ReplyDeleteI'm also keyboarding at
Crizematt.
Good job. I have no bird pic in my files - I really need to work on that.
ReplyDeleteI love your bird shots Andree. THey are always so good. Happy WW
ReplyDeletebeautiful shots. didn't know such birds are so aggresive (=
ReplyDeleteWill the shrike leave, or will you have weeks without other birds?
ReplyDeleteHe looks like a gentle little one but I guess he can be an aggressive predator as well.
ReplyDeleteYou can find my WW here.
Great shots!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots!
ReplyDeleteI never knew the Shrike was so mean! It looks like a cute little friendly bird.
ReplyDeleteHe may be a grumpy bird, but the shots of him are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely bird with such a horrible effect on your birding! I hope he moves on soon, so the others can return.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.
Oh, birds are my favorite! Very nice photos! Great job. :D
ReplyDeleteWell, he knows how to clear a room! Lol, happy WW!
ReplyDeleteOh Andree, dis iz anudder good shot of a nice lookin' birdie. I sure lovez birdiez!
ReplyDeleteBut he is a stunning bird and part of the web of life. He must eat too and play his part in the chain. Without him there would be a surfeit of other small birds and the balance would be tipped in the wrong direction.
ReplyDeleteThe laws of Nature may seem cruel to our eyes but everything has a purpose in that plan.
I've never seen a shrike of any type! Great photos but shame it drove all the wildlife away!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird. Very lovely indeed. Thanks for the visit. I feel a lil better now. Good day!
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago I used to get 15-20 goldfinches to my feeders. Then one day I saw hawk -- probably a red tailed. He was about 15 inches tall and was sitting on the wall behind some shrubs not ten feet away from the birds! I stopped feeding them immediately and didn't pick it up again until last summer. But I have had only one goldfinch the whole time until now.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are wonderful! You must use a good camera. I can't get bird photos nearly as good as that.
Your whole
I have never heard of these birds. I was thinking ok so what is a northern shrike some kind of Vermont term for a snowstorm! Very interesting. I just read your previous post on them.
ReplyDeleteMedelise
Why is that little bird such a monster to make everything disappear like that? Psycho-birdie??
ReplyDeleteYour photos are just beautiful, Andree, as always. You really are a talented photographer and I love your blog because of the beautiful photos you take.
Hugs xoxo