Here, birdie, birdie, birdie

Even though the weather here is more wintery than springy, there was enough Spring in the air to bring on the birds.  Sadly, for the past year and a half that we've lived in this house, our yard has been a cold spot for birds.  We tried bird feeders last year, but they remained full.  

This year we thought we'd try a bluebird house.  Since the good people at Lowe's had already made some, we bought one of theirs and a four by four to hang it on; we dug a hole in the yard and placed our new structure in the ground.

Based on our past experiences, we didn't expect much.  However, within two days we noticed a couple of bluebirds flying back and forth to their new home, obviously building a warm nest. 

We sat on the patio and watched them work. 

At times, I think they watched us back.

After a while, we heard the tell-tale tapping of a woodpecker.  Yes!  And there he is in the neighbor's tree.  We've heard them before, but this is the first time we've spotted one in action.  

I think this is a red-bellied woodpecker.

The same day we hung the bird house, we also hung a couple of bird feeders in another part of the yard.  From what we've read, bluebirds do not like much company.  

It seemed that these feeders were just as unpopular as previous feeders in our yard.  That is, until Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird moved in.  Alas, a few days after discovering our new tenants, we started to see some more birds at the feeders.

Chipping Sparrows? 

Have we finally found chickadees in Alabama? 

I love the way these friends cling to the bell.

In the middle of all our bird-watching, a chipmunk was sneaking into and out of our yard through a secret, under-fence passage, taking pieces of our yard with him.

It doesn't get much better than this.