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.