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.