I finally managed to catch video of one of the clever Gila Woodpeckers.


It has figured out how to sit the feed ring on the feeder and how to lever it open for a seed.

Cross posted to backyard_birds

My kids
and...

This goofy ass photo of a snowy owl.


I can totally hear it saying "Durr...."

I finally managed to bring my camera with me when I walked the kids to school. This hummingbird has been taunting me for weeks now. Every morning he is up on the topmost twig of the tree singing away. He looks plain enough until the light hits him just right then his feathers light up like rubies. I am immensely pleased that I was able to capture images of it under both lighting conditions.

normal lighting

iridescent

Cross-posted to backyard_birds

You have toys and food and shreddies, and a huge cage inside out of the cold.

No more screaming at times after 9PM, you know how to say "goodnight" please do so.
No screaming over the most important piece of plot dialogue, and especially no screaming over the same bit after I've rewound the scene just to hear it over you and the kids.
And most importantly NO SCREAMING during an incipient migraine. You only make it worse and significantly improve your chances of instantly becoming an outside parrot...

in the cold
with no food
no water
no toys

and a great big hawk who would like you for lunch.
Am I clear?
good

Came to visit again. I was tipped off by a pair of doves being VERY still on the ground below the feeder, and looking up. I grabbed the camera and headed outside carefully. The doves did not move in the slightest, so I began scanning the pine tree for the hawk as I did not spy it on the line or power pole. After getting down on the ground and looking up I finally got the right angle to see it and snap a couple shots.

(Click for larger)
It has one of its feet tucked up into its belly feathers which is why they look that way.

( Then I walked a couple yards away from where I was and snapped this shot. )

cross posted to backyard_birds

I have added 2 more birds to the list of visitors to the yard. The first is a Southwest native, Albert's Towhee - Pipilo Aberti. Seeing this one under the feeder was at first confusing as I could not immediately identify it and was wondering when cardinals stopped having crests. Silly me, it wasn't a cardinal and it has been a fairly regular visitor to the yard.


( more of Albert's Towhee )

The next visitor is an escapee I am fairly sure. He appears to be doing tolerably well with the feeder and will chase sparra off it if need be. For the most part the Sparra ignore the Blue Budgerigar - melopsittacus undulatus.

( more budgie )

This is the big reason I keep reminding my neighbor to keep a good eye on her tiny chihuahua dog when it is in her back yard. The hawk is sitting on the back fence that separates our yards.

Ladies and gents meet the local Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter Cooperii) - feeds on small birds and mammals caught in surprise attack.


( show me more of the hawk )

Get a bug lamp and leave it plugged in.
I have discovered that my bug lamp is just the most favorite feeder for the cactus wrens that frequent my yard.
It took a while to get photos of them but I managed. They like to get on the outer screen and pluck the toasted bugs out of the inner screen. I guess they like bar-b-q as much as we do.

While no hawks or falcons have come to visit recently, the other birds have taken it upon themselves to make themselves at home in the yard.

This is a picture heavy post
( show me the pretty birdies! )

Follow up on my Saturday post.

The charming little Kestrel boy came back this morning. My first clue was the local Mocking bird going absolutely mental.

His call was non-stop and agitated. I took the cue and headed outside with the camera. A quick search of the surrounding area and I spotted the Kestrel on the power line.


Not long after, the Mocking bird went on the attack and chased him off. I spotted the kestrel and one other of the brood on the power pole a couple houses down a few minutes later. That mocking bird may end up dinner if it isn't careful.

Best ever in a long time.
The kids were playing and giggling. Mark and I were having leftover curry and enjoying life. I glanced out the glass door to the back yard and my first thought was "damn those are some big doves." This thought was followed immediately by my sub-conscious smacking me in the brain and screaming "those are Kestrels doofus!" In point of fact the ones I saw first were the 2 standing on the lawn, then I saw the one on the fence. I make noise at Mark to grab the camera there are rare birdies out back. It sounded more like "guh... falcons! No not falcons. Um... look!" Of course his camera was the closest at hand. this is a good and a bad thing. Bad because it is not an SLR so there is a delay between the press of the button and the photo being taken. Good because it can take short 15 second videos.
In the process of him getting the camera the ones in the yard flew off. Me = disappointed. That was until I looked at the porch fan... and noticed the Kestrel perched on one of the blades riding it around in circles. Mark got photos and a video of him.



( 2 still photos )
cross posting to backyard_birds

Saw a couple of Vermilion Flycatchers at the park today. Cool looking little birds. Like little streaks of red flying in arcs to catch the bugs in flight. One was kind enough to sit on the fence long enough for me to get a good look at him before he set off after another bug. No photos 'cause I'm a dork and was more concerned with chasing my kids than what birds I might see. Maybe next time.

cross-posted to backyard_birds

Cross posted to backyard_birds

My back yard makes me happy because it allows me to indulge in a favorite hobby of bird watching. The feeder is a way station for a large selection of birds. Many more than have ever visited in any other place I have lived.

( lots of photos back here )

He has a hen
and brought her by the feeder yesterday afternoon
I took pictures and will post them later
She is a cutie, but has a funny leg

This charming boy has been under the feeder off and on all day. I am sure he will bring his hen once he finds one.

cross posted to backyard_birds

Go Vote!
you've only yourself to blame if you don't vote and hate the outcome.


I spotted my first cardinal of the season today. Little female taking a bath in the wet grass.

Female Northern Cardinal photo by Ron Day.

I love cardinals, so this makes me happy.