Male and Female Goldfinches

Cedar Waxwings

Tufted Titmouse

In addition to adding a hanging platform feeder to my son's property, I filled an existing suet holder with a no-melt, peanut variety, which attracted Downy Woodpeckers and Titmice. The Titmice were regulars at both the suet and platform feeder, and I was able to experience their friendliness. They almost always arrived in pairs and were quite vocal, often fussing at a squirrel who wanted to share in the 'feast.' The Titmice were perfectly happy to share food with Black Capped Chickadees and White Breasted Nuthatches, but not rodents.

Long Island Blue Jay

I was on Long Island to care for my son who had a tonsillectomy in late September. While I was there, during 'downtime,' I set up a hanging platform feeder in the yard (which is lush and surrounded by oaks, pines and red maples). This Blue Jay appeared the day before I flew back to California. I was amazed by the brightness and definition of his colors.

California Thrasher

One very hot day last week, we were privileged to spot a California Thrasher foraging for insects in the backyard. I've seen these birds in the chapparal but this is a first so close to human environment.

He's back.

Here is a bird that my youngest grandson would have enjoyed seeing. This Greater Roadrunner hung out in my backyard, today, while temperatures were in the triple digits. I saw him capture and eat a lizard, first, and later caught him drinking stagnant water out of a non-functioning water fountain.

How Lucky I Am

Camped with daughter and her family, Dan and the grandsons, at Serrano Campground in Big Bear and was delighted to get this shot of a Northern Flicker. It had been poking its beak into the dirt, finding and eating ants.

Glorious Sunflower

Even in this oppressive, triple digit weather, there is beauty in the bloom of this sunflower.

Still here!

Absolutely love seeing Bullock's Orioles! A brilliant male at my feeder enjoys some home-made nectar and a female bathes in my solar birdbath during the last stretch of June!

My Passion...22 years later.

Since Dan had his kidney transplant, I've been fairly busy with his care and trips to UCLA's transplant clinic so I haven't been a very good aviarian photographer lately. To celebrate my youngest grand daughter's 9th birthday, the family went horseback riding in Acton, on an intermediate trail with lots of varied terrain. (I did manage to spot a Great Tailed Grackle on the trek!) It was a 2 hour ride which, during the last half, I learned to fully understand why older people opt for knee and hip replacements. This was Wednesday and I still have some aches but have managed the pain well (however some family members say that I'm walking "bow legged.")

Earlier in the morning, I had made a mental note to take down the Oriole feeder and put it in safe keeping until next year, as I hadn't spotted any Oriole activity for quite awhile.

Later that evening, we were eating dinner and Dan and my daughter both saw a male, Hooded Oriole picking at the orange on the feeder. My hopes were renewed.

So, this morning, around 6:45, I took the feeder down, cleaned it and replaced the nectar, jam and added fresh orange wedges. Before I could get it back outside, I saw a female Oriole land on the feeder top and seem bewildered that food was not there.

The lesson: Just because I haven't observed much colorful bird activity, that doesn't necessarily mean they are not there! Needless to say, my Oriole feeder awaits its patrons, and I have moved my computer to the dining room where I'm most likely to see these beautiful birds!

Hangin' with the Gnomies...

Lately, male and female Brewer's Blackbirds have been visiting in both the front and back yards. Last year, when I moved into my house, I also purchased a nice, solar birdbath. Many a birdie has quenched its thirst, there, and bathed in it. The Brewer's Blackbirds, however, prefer to drink and bathe in the jacuzzi. You can see where the water 'waterfalls' out of it into the pool; and it is the place that the blackbirds love as they were there today. (I didn't dare move to get the camera--they would have flown--but I very much enjoyed their antics.)

A Few Wild Birds of Bouquet Canyon Park

To me, Black Phoebe's look like they are about to attend a Gala in their 'tail coats.' This one was in 'fly-catcher mode.' I was at the right place at the right time to get the shot of a Western Tanager. He is absolutely brilliant with his peach face and yellow breast! Below is a handsome, Western Bluebird on the grass.

These are difficult to photograph as they are shy, fly catchers and always on the move.

A Few Wild Birds of Bouquet Canyon Park

House Finch

This little House Finch was watching me and listening while I was taking photos in the backyard. Just love its expression!

Interesting but 'cuckoo' visitor.

This California Roadrunner dashed around the backyard, today, probably looking for a nice, juicy lizard-treat.
He also seemed to be trying to figure out how to get to the suet. What a treat to see such a character!

They're back!

I was thrilled to see that the Black-Headed Grosbeaks were still in the neighborhood as I had thought that they had begun their journey south. The male, of course, is the most brilliantly colored. Neither male nor female have been as visible, lately. I'm thinking that they are busy pairing up, building nests and tending to nestlings.

A Pretty, Little Thing

This looks very much like a Song Sparrow.

A Minor Bird, or Two...

I haven't seen a Black-Headed Grosbeak or Bullock's Oriole in about a week, so I'm thinking that they have begun traveling south; however, my grand-daughter, Savannah, said she saw a Grosbeak two days ago. Perhaps they are just busy with their nestlings...

Here is a mixture of Sparrows and Finches, very ordinary, brownish birds with extraordinary songs.

Baby Squirrel

My son-in-law, Rob, also suggested I post the photos I take of squirrels in my yard. This baby is eating sunflower seeds from a ground feeder. What I've noticed about squirrels is that, upon arriving, they first check the squirrel feeder's offerings. Then, they move to locations underneath bird feeders. When those areas do not excite them, they raid the bird feeders themselves, whether or not they are hard to get to. I have seen squirrels jump from atop our large, house-like feeder, two and a half feet, to a shepard's hook which holds a medium sized, gazebo type bird feeder. I've also seen squirrels slide down those shepard's hooks, unable to grasp the slick, cylindrical surfaces. They are quite the aeriolists!

My recent creations

This is my latest interpretation in felt of a Western Bluebird. I've been in the process of making a series of felt birds that I call "Backyard Birds of Santa Clarita, CA," mostly for my daughter's front door wreath decor. My son-in-law suggested I photo each one and post, so here is my first. I'll photo and post the ones I've already finished soon.

The Oriole food is in the baby squirrel.

Recently, I've been in an unfocused funk. My fiance just had a kidney transplant, which is good news, and is doing well; I have been back and forth to the hospital and have not spent much time at home. The "funk" comes from the fact that I haven't seen many, colorful birds at all when I have been home. That's not to say that they are not here; however, I now know why the blackberry jam is always gone and needing to be refilled...There are, at least, two baby squirrels visiting all my bird feeders, daily. Little imps.

So many birds, so little time!

I could literally waste each day just looking out the windows of my home, or communing with Nature in my front or backyard! Lesser and American Goldfinches, House Finches, House Sparrows, White Crowned Sparrows,Bushtits, California Towhees, California Thrashers, California Quail, Brewer's Blackbirds, European Starlings, Bullock's Orioles, Cassin's Kingbirds, Black Phoebes, American -Robins, Common Crows and Ravens, Cedar Waxwings, Black-Headed Grosbeaks, Brown-Headed Cowbirds, Scrub Jays, Bewick's Wren, Western Bluebirds--all seen at my home within the last 11 months!

Unbelievable Diversity

Lesser and American Goldfinches, House Finches, House Sparrows, White Crowned Sparrows, Scrub Jays, Bewick's Wren, European Starlings, Bullock's Orioles, Brown-Headed Cowbirds, Mourning Doves, California Quail, California Thrasher, Bushtit, Black Phoebe, Black-Headed Grosbeaks, Crows, Common Ravens, Cassin'sKingbirds, American Robins, Brewer's Blackbirds, and Western Bluebirds--all seen at my home within the last 11 months!

Colorful, Wild Birds

I have had an Oriole feeder, stocked with homemade nectar, oranges and blackberry jam, for about three weeks, but only glimpses of these beauties have been possible up until now. Each time I walk to the front window, I carefully check to see if there is any activity at the feeder, and this strategy paid off, I'm happy to say. This male looks like he's wearing sun glasses.

Spring in Los Angeles County

I'm absolutely amazed at how many different wild birds I see in my own backyard! Here is a male, Black-Headed Grosbeak eating at one of my feeders. Things look fairly peaceful at the moment, but this bird was clearly being 'bullied' by the Mourning Doves already at the feeder. Each time he would set [bird] foot on the floor of the feeder, a dove would gesture a 'peck' at him, and he'd move to the frame. And I thought Mourning Doves were gentle, docile creatures!

Spring Birds

A male, Black-Headed Grosbeak visits one of my feeders. He's gorgeous!

Robin in the feeder

American Robin

Bad to the Bone

Male Western Bluebird

Western Bluebirds

Western Bluebirds

Cedar Waxwings

Wild Bird Diversity in SC

Black-Headed Grosbeak