A young birder's dream come true (Lots of pictures!)

It is no secret that my little 6 year old LOVES birds.  He keeps a running list (up to 76) and is often looking towards the sky for a feathered friend to fly over.  He's so active and at full speed all the time and birding always him a chance to slow down and be patient.

We had been told about the birds eating out of your hands before while on a nature walk, crouched down on the gravel path, peering into the brush, by a nice couple.  They told us to go out to Kensington and they will eat right out of your hands.

Then this article/blog (scroll to November 9th) was in the paper 2 Sundays ago and I knew we had to make a trip out to this park.

We made plans to go on a Saturday so the four of us could go together (plus a few friends) and we talked all week about the chickadees that would sit in our hands.  We were blessed with a beautiful and sunny crisp November day and made our way to the park about 30 minutes from our home.

From the minute we stepped foot into the nature center the kids were high energy excited!  I stopped in the library to ask what the best trail was to feed the birds and he told me any path around the nature center and when you start to see the birds in the trees to stop and put your hand out.

We told our active children (who went screaming down the trail) that we had to be quiet, look, and listen for the chickadees.  Sure enough after about 2 minutes we heard one off in the distance and stopped to wait.  We told them to stand like a statue.

Then within another minute the boys had a tufted titmouse snacking out of their hands.  Which I missed because I had to adjust my camera settings.  Those birds are quick!

I had fun taking pictures of everyone else and watching the excitement on their faces.  They urged me to try because I was a little leery.  Call me chicken.  I'm terrified of my brother's nasty bird that likes to fly at you and bite.  How I could ever compare a cute little chickadee to my brother's bird is beyond me.  I wanted to scoop it up and bring this little guy home with me.  They are such sweet little birds and weigh next to nothing.

We spent a few minutes in this spot and then moved along the trail to follow the birds.  We came across a few other families trying to attract the birds as well.  I gave my sunflower seeds to a little boy who was standing next to me because the little chickadee kept landing in my hand to snack and even think about what seed to pick.

Jason found a hot spot where the birds were literally flying right at us and fighting for a prime feeding spot.  He had 4 birds on his hand at one point and I of course did not get a picture because I was feeding my own little friend (see above again).

I've never seen Brendan act so quiet or be so still as he was on this nature trail.  He could have stood in one spot all day long and feed these birds.  Lila on the other hand was not so fond of the birds flying around her.  At one point she stood and shouted at a little chickadee at her feet to "Go Away!"  Poor bird.  With a little coaxing and help from me...

It was truly a magical experience for the kids and adults.  It never got old or boring and each time a little bird landed in your hand it was the same excitement as before.  We got an extra special treat this afternoon when two other birds came and found us for a treat. 

 Two sandhill cranes (maybe wanting a snack before they begin their journey south for the winter) pecking along and eating our seeds dropped on the ground.  Jason was the brave one who first approached these two birds and they were eager for a snack.  Soon the boys joined in on the fun.  Lila wanted to pet them because she thought they looked so soft. 

Here is a little size comparison for those who do not know how tall these birds are...

The boys standing next to one (and notice it is down off the trail a bit) and its impressive wing span...

Is this crane showing off for us or what?!?  We found out later while we visited the farm at Kensington that these cranes like to be friendly and snack from the visitors on the trail.  We also found out (when a group of loud 7 year old girls came screaming down the path) that they will send you a warning call and start "clacking" at you.  We stepped away from them at this point.  Clacking birds and screaming girls...not a good mix.

Here are a few more of my favorite pictures from this day...

Brendan is already planning our next trip back and wants to train our backyard birds to eat out of our hands:)  That should be fun since sometimes they fly right at your head while putting out the birdseed...