Here are some photos from breaktime at Tri-County Humane Society. There's a nice copse of Aspen and Cedar behind the building that the birds enjoy. This page will be updated as opportunities come along.
Click the thumbnails for high-res versions.
American Goldfinch
While a few of these hardy birds winter in central Minnesota, we see many more arrive in spring. The males have their bright lemon plumage now, which really looks striking against their black trim. See more photos and info.
American Robin
Our most familiar backyard bird. Photos here until I capture one of ours.
Black-capped Chickadee
Our little resident darlings start their two-note spring celebration in January already, once the days start getting longer. "Hi-ho". No pics yet, but soon. They move so fast! Here are some from the area.
Blue Jay
They've been heard hollering their name in our back yard, but no photos at TCHS yet. I'm sure it won't be long. Here are some from our area.
Chipping Sparrow
There's quite a bit of size range in sparrows, and the little chippers are among the smallest. They sure don't have a small sound, though! You can hear their stuccato call in our back yard. You'll find them halfway up the trees, perched out on a limb tip, staking their claims in full voice. More photos and info.
Common Grackle
The bird that feeder fillers love to hate, these raucuous members of the blackbird family show amazing irridescent color in males. See photos and info until I get a shot of one of ours.
European Starling
While non-native and disliked by some for that reason, I don't blame them for being and find their speckled, irridescent plumage quite handsome. They're found in small chatty flocks all around town. See more photos and info.
House Finch
Common year-round in our area, these birds provide some of the sweetest songs you'll hear. Males develop bright red upper feathers in spring. See more photos and info.
Mourning Dove
Anyone who's spent time in quiet spaces near home has heard the lonely call and squeaky wings of this special bird. Their long, tapered tails distinguish them from their non-native cousins, the Collared Dove. More photos and info.
Northern Cardinal
You know them, with their Star Wars laser gun songs. They're with us year-round and stand out like smooshed thumbs in winter. Here are more photos of local cardinals.
Red-winged Blackbird
A person can hardly live in Central Minnesota and not know these cattail dwellers. Here's a young male staking his territorial claim in our back yard, though he probably won't find a mate there. More photos show the vivid mature male and the cleverly camo'd female.
Song Sparrow
Song sparrows also have a familiar tune, but it doesn't have lyrics. Often dismissed by casual observers as just another LBB (little brown bird), they have lots of charisma when singing from the tops of small trees. More on them.
White-throated Sparrow
If you listen to the birds like I do, you're probably familiar with this little one's song: Oh sweet Canada Canada Canada! They're on their way to Canada, in fact. We see them in spring and fall as they pass through in large numbers. See more local photos.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Butterbutts! Rumpies! A favorite of birdwatchers in our area, these tiny birds are among the first local nesters to arrive in spring, long before most of our other many warblers. Better photos show their bright hind patch, most visible in flight, making four in all.
Thanks for looking!
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