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This Woman Set up Backyard Bird Cameras at Her Feeders and Captures Incredible Photos

A little dose of nature is good for the soul, even if that “nature” comes from just looking at photos. Case in point: The wonderful Instagram account run by a Michigan woman named Ostdrossel.

She set up cameras at the many bird feeders in her yard. Now, she’s posting the photos captured by those cameras and they are seriously gorgeous! AND funny.

You can see the various birds’ beautiful feathers up close, as well as glean a sense of their little individual personalities.

Some of them look like they have real attitudes!

1. Three’s a Crowd

Check out these starlings!

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Meet the Starlings.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #EuropeanStarling #Starlings #SturnusVulgaris #invasivespecies #Stare #goofballs #babybird #birdfamily #birdsofMichigan #birdsofnorthamerica #birdwatching #birdlovers #nature #birdphotography

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2. Beautiful Hummingbird

How gorgeous is she!

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This little lady showed up in the evening yesterday. She seems to have some difficulty with the insect guards that I put over the ports, so I took these off today to help her getting used to it. It also looks like she has some spider webs on her tail, so hopefully she is building a nest somewhere.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #RubythroatedHummingbird #hummingbirds #kolibri #tiny #birdsofmichigan #birdsofnorthamerica #pureMichigan #birdwatching #birdlovers #nature #Birdsy #birdphotography

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3. Spa Day

He sure looks right at home!

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The Orioles have returned! After they arrived in large numbers in May, they soon seemed to disappear. Many people wondered where they went and if they would return. And yes, they do. They weren’t gone, they have been busy raising babies. Now they are back, enjoying the amenities of the “Ostdrossel spa” with all you can eat buffet and a huge pool. Soon enough, they will bring the babies too. I am always fascinated by the variety of their looks.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #BaltimoreOriole #Orioles #birdsofmichigan #birdsofnorthamerica #birdwatching #birdlovers #thegoodkindoforange #nature #GitUp #birdphotography

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4. Baby Robin

“Mom! I’m hungry!”

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There are baby Robins all over the yard right now, and they are so much fun to watch. They have a certain proud little man attitude that comes through in these photos too. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #AmericanRobin #Robins #Michiganstatebird #pureMichigan #birdsofMichigan #birdfamily #birdwatching #babybird #birdlovers #nature #birdphotography

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5. Ruby Red Chin

Look at this stunning hummingbird!

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I guess nature listens when I complain 😜😁 Yesterday, I saw two Hummingbirds again! Here is the male, showing off that beautiful ruby red throat. If you look closely, you can see that he has pollen on the beak too. My flowers aren’t really there yet, but it feels like things are finally picking up. I also saw a Cedar Waxwing on the bird bath twice in the last two days, and I hope it comes back and sticks around a bit more so there will be video. The internet issues with the live stream should be resolved now, too. Wohoo!⁠ #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #RubythroatedHummingbird #hummingbirds #Kolibri #tinywingedjewels #pureMichigan #birdsofmichigan #birdsofnorthamerica #birdwatching #birdlovers #nature #GitUp #birdphotography

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6. Yummy Buffet

Mmmm mealworms!

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Feeder activity is down, as you might have noticed too, and that is because everybody is busy building nests or taking care of offspring. The birds do make quick trips to grab beaks full of goodies for the babies. Grackles are especially talented when it comes to taking large quantities 😀 While it is always odd to have less activity after the spring migration rush, it frees up time, at least for me. I have used it to get my veggie garden in shape, and things are looking very good this year. #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #CommonGrackle #Grackles #CountGrackula #BlueJays #corvids #RedbelliedWoodpecker #woodpeckers #nestingseason #birdsofmichigan #birdsofnorthamerica #birdwatching #birds_adored #pureMichigan #pocket_birds #nestingseason #birdlovers #nature #GitUp #birdphotography

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7. Bad Hair Day

Even birds have them!

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A very windy day created fuzzy portraits of the King of the Yard, a Blue Jay and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The MoDo’s feathers remained flat, so it showed off its wing and smiled for the camera. #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #NorthernCardinal #Cardinals #Kingoftheyard #JoshHomme #BlueJay #BlueJays #corvids #bluelove #RosebreastedGrosbeak #Grosbeaks #birdsofmichigan #birdsofnorthamerica #puremichigan #windyday #fuzzy #feathers #GlobalBigDay #birdwatching #birdlovers #nature #GitUp #birdphotography

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8. Nesting Season

“Thanks for the material, lady!”

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After seeing Orioles with nesting material in the yard, I decided to try and capture them taking it. I filled a suet cage with sheep wool that is sold as nesting material, and added pieces of natural string that I disintegrated into pieces that are less than 9 inches long and rip at an instant. (You can see this too when the bird takes off.) The blue and white plastic ribbon was something an Oriole brought to the yard. Captured with @birdsy_tv. I am excited to see if anyone else will go for it. Please do not use dryer lint or pet hair from pets that have been treated with meds or flea/tick stuff. The baby birds cannot tolerate the chemicals. Thank you. #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #baltimoreoriole #orioles #thegoodkindoforange #nestingseason #nestwatch #springmigration #puremichigan #birdsofmichigan #birdsofnorthamerica #birdwatching #birdlovers #nature #ostdrossel #birdphotography

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9. Bath Time

Ahhh, nice and clean!

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I am loving the new bird bath setup! There has been a constant flow of visitors, and some really funny scenes happened. This Cardi lady finally decided to go for a bath after a long inspection of the whole place. But then all of a sudden, a cheeky Blue Jay appeared and spoiled the fun for her. She was not happy. This went on for quite some time, but unfortunately an internet outtage cut the recording short. #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #BlueJays #corvids #Cardinals #birdbath #poolbattle #birdsofmichigan #birdsofnorthamerica #serenity #puremichigan #birdwatching #birdlovers #nature #Birdsy #Ostdrossel

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10. Couple Goals

Look at these two mourning doves, in love!

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Mourning Doves are so good with the couple photos. I swear they know what they are doing. They can be quite aggressive but always come across so serene in their photos.⁠ And #serenity is what I choose as my #Thursdaymood. 💪⁠ ⁠ #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #MourningDove #doves #MoDo #borb #birdsofmichigan #birdsofnorthamerica #birdwatching #birdlovers #pureMichigan #nature #birdphotography

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11. Curious Critter

Hey, that’s not a bird!

12. Nature’s Rainbow

Wow, look at these hues!

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What weird weather. One day you want to walk around in a t-shirt outside, the next day it is snowing. But I guess that is April. Snow days always mean good traffic at the feeders too. While I have prepared the Oriole and Hummingbird feeders because there are reports that at least the latter are already in Michigan (journeynorth.org is a fine ressource for that), I have yet to see or hear any of the two. The Finches, however, are having the time of their lives right now. The House Finches are flirting, the Goldfinches are fighting, and in between, they sit down for a peaceful snack. I loved this House Finch, he is so wonderfully round. #birds #birdstagram #birdsofinstagram #housefinch #americangoldfinch #finches #gimpel #nestingseason #puremichigan #michiganweather #michiganspring #birdsofmichigan #birdsofnorthamerica #birdwatching #birdlovers #nature #birds_adored #birdphotography

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13. Fuzzy One

What kind of bird are you?

14. Great Shot

Action!

15. Pretty Birdy

Lovely colors!

If you haven’t taken up backyard birding yet, these photos are proof that you should consider giving this hobby a shot. It’s easy to start with just a little birdseed and a table, no fancy feeders required to start. You can look up different birds online, without needing to buy a special birding book, either.

What is your favorite species of bird? Why?

We’d love to hear from you!

Let us know in the comments!