Our Fine Feathered Friends

We have a number of birds that have decided not to migrate south over the winter, but stay with us the entire year. Some of these have been shown previously like the Cardinal and the Carolina Wren. The following five pictures show some more of these birds.

The Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is the only eastern jay and the only blue-winged jay with white on wings and tail. Common call familiar to everyone is the loud jay, jay. The Blue Jay is about 10" in length.

The Red-Breasted Nuthatch

This is our only nuthatch with a white stripe above and a black stripe through the eye. The Red-Breasted Nuthatch is smaller than a sparrow, about 4" long. Their call is a tiny yank, yank, higher pitched and more nasal than the call of the White-Breasted Nuthatch.

A Male and Female House Finch

These birds are common at our bird feeders and like to sit their for up to 5 minutes if another bird doesn't drive them off their perch. The House Finch is about 5" long, with the male having the red plumage around the head and throat while the female is brown in color. They like to sing for long periods of time in a clear warble.

The Black-Capped Chickadee

The Black-Capped Chickadee has markings similar to the White-Breasted Nuthatch, but is shorter and stockier, being about 4" long. It is easily attracted to bird feeders and is quite tame. It's call can be a buzzy chick-a-dee-dee-dee or a clear, whistled fee-bee, the second note is 1 full tone lower.

The White-Breasted Nuthatch

The White-Breasted Nuthatch is 6" in length an is often observed creeping on tree trunks, often downward headfirst. Their call is a low yank, yank and can sing with 5-15 low rapid notes given every 10 minutes.

Amish Country

Living in Holmes County, Ohio means that one lives within the largest Amish community in the world. The city of Mt. Hope is the center of activities holding a weekly auction where one can buy or sell most any kind of farm animals plus garden produce in season. The more conservative Amish (Swartzentrubers, Old Order, and New Order) are characterized by the use of horse drawn buggies and farm equipment. The following seven photographs capture the Amish use of horses in their everyday lives.

He delights not in the strength of the horse; He takes not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in mercy. Psalm 147:10-11.