28-FEB-2010
House Finch #6308
Why do I show more House Finches (and Juncos and American Goldfinches) than other birds? Because about 95% of the birds that hang around are among these types, and some days I don't get any pictures of other birds that I find interesting. I liked this fellow because his coloration is really a bright red (unlike the pinker colors that the Cassin's Finches show).
27-FEB-2010
American Goldfinch #6128
Not many "unusual" birds showed up today -- mostly the finches, Juncos, and sparrows. This Goldfinch is delicately perched on a blackberry cane.
26-FEB-2010
House Finches, Coming and Going #5991
I had so much fun yesterday trying to get pictures of the interactions around the seed feeder that I did some more of that today. The House Finches congregated around the feeder in the later afternoon, and while there was plenty of posturing going on, this picture shows a relatively tame exchange at one of the feeder perches.
25-FEB-2010
American Goldfinch Food Fight #5469
As I mentioned yesterday, the weather is warming up and the birds seem to be getting more colorful and as this picture illustrates, they are getting grumpier. I see the birds chasing each other around a lot, and fighting over perches on the feeders.
24-FEB-2010
Cassin's Finch #5385
It's been a few days since I have noticed any of the Cassin's Finches. The weather is warming perceptibly, and I suspect that many of the winter birds will leave and head up into the mountains. The other thing I notice is that the coloration on many of the birds is getting stronger -- this bird has a definite yellow tinge to the feathers on the head and wings.
23-FEB-2010
Dark-Eyed Junco (Oregon) #4650
We had a 5-6 inch snowfall overnight, and the sun came out this morning. The first birds to come out exploring are the Juncos (they are often called "snowbirds"). The dark black head, pink bill, white belly and buff coloration are typical of the Oregon group of Juncos. Grouping the Juncos is no simple matter, for they do interbreed. We see mostly Pink-Sided Juncos (very closely related to the Oregon Juncos), then Oregon Juncos, Gray-Headed Juncos, and only rarely see a Slate-Colored Junco.
22-FEB-2010
Canyon Towhee #4532
We had a snowy day today. The birds that like to feed on the ground have a rougher time when the snow covers up their seed. This Canyon Towhee is perched on a little rock and checking out fresh seed scattered (by sparrows and finches) from the hanging feeders.
21-FEB-2010
White-Breasted Nuthatch #4258
This is the first time I have seen a White-Breasted Nuthatch in our back yard. They are easier to find up higher in the mountains. The ponderosa forests near here are from 7500-8500 feet (2400 m), and our back yard is 6400 feet (1940 m) in elevation. This bird is inspecting the ash tree.
20-FEB-2010
Eurasian Collared Dove #4080
Today was cloudy/overcast most of the time. Snow expected tonight and tomorrow. The doves are discovering the seed feeders, and will monopolize it if I let them. This one has his "eyes on the prize."
19-FEB-2010
American Robin #3758
This Robin took advantage of a relatively warm afternoon (45F) for a water bath. Robins stay here all year long, and especially enjoy combing the ground of the vegetable garden when we plant in the spring. They have a field day with the earthworms.
18-FEB-2010
Pine Siskin #3589
Pine Siskins are more common in the Northern and mountain West of the USA, breeding in coniferous forests in spring. They are not anywhere as common as American Goldfinches or House Finches, to which they are related. Nevertheless, they appear in great numbers from year to year, apparently depending on local weather variations, and how the weather affects the seed-based diet they depend on.
17-FEB-2010
House Finch Drinking #3205
Not many birds showed up today -- some days are like that. We had Juncos, Finches, and Sparrows today, and little else. I was not able to get outdoors early enough to catch some of the early-morning visitors.
This House Finch took a break from the seed feeder long enough to get a drink. He must have liked the water, because after this he proceeded to splash around taking a bath until he got thoroughly drenched.