Moments in Time: April 2011

Thursday, April 28, 2011

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!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

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!