Right Wing Flutter

 I was fascinated to watch the birds learn how to use the bird feeder that i put out with the first snowfall. 

I woke up to 6 inches of snow, so i shoveled the deck and threw out a few sunflower seeds, which were promptly covered with more snow. I installed the bird feeder, but the birds kept looking for seed in the usual places--on the deck or on the deck railing.

After about 10 minutes, a titmouse experimented with the bird feeder. Success! A couple of minutes later, the first chickadee flew away with a seed from the bird feeder. Meanwhile, the cardinal--usually a shy visitor--kept looking and looking for seeds. He flew to the back of the bird feeder. He perched on the top of the bird feeder. He landed on the bar in front of the seed buffet and fluttered his right wing to balance, then flew away. Is there such a thing as a right-winged bird?

A dozen chickadees, several titmouses, two house finches, and a junco were all enjoying the common wealth of seeds in the bird feeder, but the cardinal didn't seem to understand how to join in with everyone else.

Finally, after several more minutes, success! The red bird joined the party.