Bird Bath

Our birdbath continues to attract migrants. We hope the townsend's warb;er spends the winter.

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Townsend's warbler

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White-breasted nuthatch


Yellow-rumped Warbler

Western Tanager and Black-headed Grosbeak

Here are some photos that Chris took of some of our favorite migrating birds.

Western Tanager

He's a little early, but we aren't complaining.

Spring migrants at the drip

The spring migrants have been trickling in. We spotted a new yard bird, a red-breasted nuthatch, who visits the drip daily.




The black-headed grosbeaks are earlier this year. Here's a female before and after a bath







The hooded orioles have also returned.

Return of the Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings feast on our Toyon berries every year, but they don't have a set schedule. Some years, they come by late December. Last year, it was March. This year, late February.

Bushtits at the bird bath

The bushtits are adorable little birds that are always in small flocks. We see them flying from shrub to shrub on a daily basis, but have never seen one at the birdbath. Today, they came by for a group bath.

The migration has started: yellow-breasted chat and Nashville Warbler

We didn't see many migrants the spring. The fall is picking up. First we had a yellow breasted chat which is quite rare in our yard waste.



Next, we got a Nashville Warbler.

Cooper's Hawk harassed by mockingbird

He's back: Western Tanager

The Western Tanagers spend only a short time in our yard during their migration, but we are always happy to see this colorful bird.

Hummingbird time

The Allen's Hummingbirds are particularly active this time of year.

Backyard birds, spring 2017

Wren

Black-headed grosbeak

Hooded Oriole

Backyard Bluebirds

We don't get bluebirds in the yard much, but some have been coming by this week. Maybe they'll find the Bluebird house we put up a few years ago.

Backyard Hawk

Lazy Saturday

Other than getting a latte and a donut, and making pastrami for lunch, we sat around waiting for birds to come by. The Hermit Thrush is a special guest.



Hermit Thrush


Scrub Jay


Nutmeg Mannikin

Hooded Orioles at home

It seems the only bird I photograph at home in summer is the Hooded Oriole.

Hooded Oriole on a Rose

Mike slept late on Saturday, so Chris photographed a Hooded Oriole when it landed on a rose.

Oriole at the cactus

It's been fairly birdy around our house, mainly at the bird baths. A few birds are starting to eat the cactus fruit including this hooded oriole.

Western Tanager in the birdbath

Oriole at the hummingbird feeder

We like these little hummingbird feeders. So do the Hooded Orioles.

Spring Migrants

Black-headed Grosbeak


Lawrence's Goldfinch