Photo contest winners share their stories and tips
We asked our talented Photo Contest winners to tell us a little about their birds and about their wonderful images. All were so nice to write back--and they certainly just love their birds! Here's what each of them had to say:
First place winner Stacey D. talks about her birds:
I was so happy to win. Everyone always tells me I have a knack for photographing birds, I have such a deep love for them, I have over 30 feeders on my property and several bird houses and bird baths. I had my yard certified a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife federation. I enjoy all the visitors and rare visitors that stop by for food or drink or to raise their young. I am so excited that the prize is more bird items that I can add to my yard for my favorite little creatures.
Stacey's prize winning image:
Tied for first place was Sharon M. Here's how she kindly responded.
In the Blue Jay Family picture that was chosen, I feel that the bird bath and peanuts on the tray feeder are the main things that attract them to my yard. They do love any type of peanut that I offer and sunflower seeds. Smaller birds, American goldfinches, sparrows, house finches, etc., enjoy my bird pergola. I am a real bird lover and have just taken up photography more since I got my new camera last March. I moved here in 2005 and not a tree on the lot, so we have gone all out to make it bird friendly. The bird bath shown in the picture is heated for winter use and that draws so many birds and I try to keep it as clean as possible. I am always washing bird feeders right along with the bird bath. Sweeping the pergola area is done and pressure washing the wood off of all the droppings is a great way to keep them healthy...
Pam B. received our Second Place prize package. She wrote:
Thank you again, Winners, and thank you also for the tips you gave--that providing food, water and shelter in a bird-friendly back yard will bring lots of birds and lots of opportunities for great images like these!
- Posted at Thursday, September 25, 2008 12:28 PM
- In Wild Bird Feeding Category | Permalink
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I am new at feeding birds, and these photos of the cardinals (my favourites!) and the jays are inspirational. I have been feeding hummingbirds all summer for the first time, and am now interested in attracting cardinals. Photography is my hobby, and I think I may try feeding cardinals and other birds -- they make great models!
Posted by Carla on Monday, September 29, 2008 09:00 AM
Beautiful pictures! I have a wonderful cardinal family that is always in the feeder. The male, female and their young female are all so beatiful! I have always thought that the male cardinal was the most beautiful but the female has the most beatiful beak and colors on her. The feed that I have added to my regular feed is safflower seed that can be expensive but if you purchase at the local feed store you can get it for .99 cents a pound. My bird population is growing everyday and I just love it!
Posted by Teresa on Monday, September 29, 2008 11:29 AM