20-APR-2014
Lesser Goldfinch (Male) (2822)
I liked the bright yellow breast feathers in contrast with the pink flowers and purple leaves.
18-APR-2014
Common Grackle (2730)
The Common Grackles are becoming more comfortable with their spring residence, and are now coming down from the trees and enjoying bathing in the waterfall.
17-APR-2014
Eurasian Collared-Dove (2666)
Eurasian Collared-Doves never congregate in numbers more than 2 or 3, which make them less of an
annoyance for us than the White-winged Doves. This one is thinking about a drink from the water bath.
16-APR-2014
Townsend's Solitaire (2604)
A surprise visitor for today, this Townsend's Solitaire dropped by for a drink in the waterfall.
The weather turned a bit blustery this evening, and that sometimes brings unusual birds around.
15-APR-2014
Pine Siskin (2358)
With the weather warming up, we need to start thinking about getting the vegetable garden
ready for planting, so I will be taking the birdbath (in the garden) down in another week
or so -- so I need to get all the reflection pictures while I still can.
14-APR-2014
Franklin's Gull (2288)
Franklin's Gulls are almost never seen in Los Alamos County, so when three of them turned up
this morning at a local pond in the middle of town, all the local bird-loving folks turned out
in the cold and snow to take a look. They hung around all day long, and disappeared by sunset.
For more pictures of these birds, you can go to the documentation gallerygallery.
13-APR-2014
Pine Siskin on Western Sand Cherry (2111)
It is nice when I do not have to find dead twigs for the birds to perch on. That makes
springtime much more interesting. This Pine Siskin is enjoying a Western Sand Cherry in bloom.
12-APR-2014
Cassin's Finch (2064)
A few years ago, we had a large flock of Cassin's Finches for most of the spring. This year, I have
seen only two, one a female, and this one a male. Superficially resembling
a House Finch, the Cassin's Finch has a different bill shape, is a larger bird, and its
feathers tend much more toward pink instead of the orange-red of the House Finch.
11-APR-2014
American Crow (2004)
American Crows are social birds, and in the springtime they are much more noticeably
active than they are at other times of the year. This one was flying circles around the
top of a tree next doors, either trying to impress (or be impressed by) another one that was also circling the same area.
10-APR-2014
House Finch, male (1959)
There are almost always House Finches around -- I thought this one was brightly colored, and
showed up well in the late afternoon light.
09-APR-2014
Common Grackle (1895)
Here is the first-of-season Common Grackle for us. Last year, they showed up about a week earlier,
but the appearance of the Grackles is a sure sign of spring.
07-APR-2014
American Robin takes a bath (1675)
There have been a few spring migration birds coming through, but not many. Robins hang around here
all year long, but we do see an increase in their numbers in the spring. We have had a few
rainy and blustery days, and most of the birds seem more interested in bathing in foul
weather than they do when it is nice outside.