The old feeder, even without the hopper, seemed too small to accommodate doves comfortably.
So, I built a platform feeder from scraps of wood and screen. I'm no carpenter, and it looks pretty crude...but it works! I am thrilled that the birds appear to get along with each other and dine in peace and harmony.
In the three weeks the new feeder has been up we've only noticed four species of birds using it: Mourning Doves, White-winged Doves, House Finches and House Sparrows. All very common for this area, but after sampling their colors with Photoshop's eyedropper tool, I see these "ordinary" birds in a new light.Here are just a few of the colors lifted from the Mourning Dove:
A Baby House Finch:
Adult Male House Finch:
House Sparrow:
Male and Female Lesser Goldfinches:
Our little goldfinches have a new feeder too. We noticed that sometimes the cloth thistle seed sock gets holes in it and the seeds spill out. Now we have a plastic tube feeder up too, so the finches have seeds available while the sock is being mended.Thank you for letting me share these little backyard wonders of nature with you.
