Fox Sparrow

Under our big pine tree out back I noticed a speckled bird kicking away at the ground with both feet. I later noticed the same type of bird under the neighbor's pine, and one making a mess of our mulch in the front yard. They had a rusty color, with a patch of that color blushing under their eyes, and stripes along their bellies. I haven't seen one like this before so it took some investigating but I think they might be the red Fox Sparrow. The underbrush-kicking, rusty color, and tummy speckles seem to fit what my book described. If that's what they really are, then they are passing through to summer in northern Canada.

(Below, he's just above the snow line in the center of the photo, getting a threat from the robin).

Blackbird Spring

Each spring before they begin to mate, blackbirds descend on my yard in large groups. Some years it's a handful of red-winged blackbirds, and one year I had a whole gang of various different types including the red-wings, cowbirds, and grackles. So far this year I've seen a few cowbirds, no red-wings.

This year it's a grackle posse making the rounds.

I've always loved their almost electronic squawk. And since I've been appreciating colors, here is one showing off his iridescence. 

In the absence of a blue sky...

...a blue jay.

Bright spot on a dreary day

Cardinals are nothing new in our yard but it was so nice to see their bright colors on such a grey day.

The view from the top

It's been a busy week for the birds in spite of winter's reluctance to leave. These two geese were perched on the roofs of the houses across the street. Maybe they were scoping out the best nesting site on the pond. 

The ducks return

Last year around this time we had a pair of ducks in our backyard, right by the pine trees. This year another (the same?) couple arrived at the exact same location.

And back in 2009, during late spring we had these guests in our front yard.

Hoot-hoot!

Last week I found a dead mouse (or vole?) way up in our birch tree, and I figured it was left there by the owl I've heard hooting at night. 







The other night I caught a glimpse of the owl high atop a neighbor's tree. Such a cool sight, and a little spooky! I think it's a Great Horned Owl, judging by its size and cute little "ears." I watched as he swooped down with an impressive wing span, right past the house. 

Tiny Nest

When the bayberry bush shed its leaves I found a nest, about the size of the palm of my hand. It was made up of soft grass and a few small twigs on a bed of bayberry leaves and tiny feathers. There was one shelled sunflower seed inside. I wonder who lived here and if they enjoyed their stay.

Snow goose

On the lawn outside of Walmart, along a somewhat busy street, a flock of Canada geese raised their young and made their meals. In the spring I saw the goslings debut, and watched them get a little bigger everyday. Sometimes they even held up traffic as they crossed from one green patch to another. 

When I drove by the other day I saw a grey goose with the flock and I wondered if he had always been with them, or if he was only passing through. I went back today and he was there alone. After some researching, I realized he may be a young snow goose. Born in the Arctic tundra, heading south for the winter. 

Partial Albino?

It's a rainy fall day and our yard is busy with birds. I noticed a robin with some white feathers on him, and I think he might be a partial albino...

Double Date

Two pairs of red-winged blackbirds stopped by this morning.

Stretching those legs

Guys on the feeders, gals on the tray

Lovely Blue

I forgot to clean up the birdseed after we played outside yesterday. A couple of bluejays appreciated the mess and went to work sorting out all the corn kernels. 

Friendly chickadee

My Grandpa was a friend of the chickadees. Sometimes he'd sit out under one of his homemade bird feeders and wait for them, letting them perch on his shoulders or eat out of his hands.

While playing out in the yard this morning, I was able to get within a couple of feet of the bird feeder while both a sparrow and chickadee took turns eating. The sparrow was more cautious, often watching me from the tree and waiting for me to move a little further away before returning. Here he is peeking at me.

The chickadee was braver, though he did scold me a few times when I surprised him. Perhaps they have less fear because after swiping a seed from the feeder they fly to safety in the tree?

Sparrow Variety

It's so easy to over-look sparrows. Earlier this year I was super excited when I found a white-crowned sparrow who must have peeled off from the flock during his migration north. He was around for quite a while, so when I took this picture today I wondered if it was the same guy and he summered here, or if his flock is on their way south already.

I noticed another type of sparrow at the feeder this morning. He had stripes on his head but not as vivid as the white-crowned sparrow. Looking through binoculars I noticed yellow around his eye. My book says it's a white-throated sparrow. 

Northern Flicker

Well, look who stopped by today!

Tomato Treat

This tomato has been perched on that gate post for a couple weeks, long forgotten. I'm glad someone came along to enjoy it, though by the looks of it he may not have been the first.

Nuthatch

I've been hearing nuthatches all summer, and finally saw one! 

Geese at the park

This flock politely moved out of our way as we strolled past, but Linnea wanted to follow them.

Quiet Time

Rob noticed this mourning dove cuddling with her baby right before dusk. I watched them for a while; they hardly moved. Then the baby nudged and nipped at her, and she soon flew off (I assume to find food). He was a little nervous on that fence all by himself so he found a nice quiet bough in the pine tree nearby to wait for mama's return.

She saw me on the deck with my camera but didn't seem to mind that I was there.

"Mommy, I'm hungry!"

A little nervous, possibly chirping to her though I couldn't hear anything.

Safe at 15' above ground.

Crimson duel

Then there were none

First there were three...

Joined by another...

Two more stopped by...

And all left with a flutter.

Potato-chip

The next time I see a goldfinch painting imaginary scalloped trails through the air during his dipping flight, I will have to pay attention to his song which my bird book describes as "a cheery potato-chip." 

Silhouette

Feather

Found in the front yard. It's at least 3" longer than my hand from tip to tip. 

Cedar Waxwings