January 30, 2010

I have seen them eating snow for moisture, but they also really love my fountain.

Winter visitors

Just a couple of shots of the juncos and white throated sparrows in my yard.   They were getting water by eating the snow (and snacking on thistle seed with the gold finches).

Flicker Visitor

I've always spotted flickers in my yard - usually too far away or high in the trees for any good photo opportunities - but this one came right up to the patio the other day.   He was really loving an ant hill out there...YUMMY !!! 

Pineapple sage is a HIT !!

Looks like everybody is enjoying the pineapple sage today ... especially me !!!

Enjoy them while you can...I know I am

Just wanted to share a couple of shots I took on Sunday of this sweet little juvenile hummer at my window feeder.  It looks like he is as fascinated by me as I am by him - I doubt it, though.

Not a great picture, but fun to try and spot the fat, little hummingbird! With his tongue sticking out! Bittersweet time of year, when they're fattening up for their migration. They're slowing down and sitting still so it's a great opportunity to take pics. But it also means these summertime jewels will be leaving soon, and that really means the end of summer for me. And then I'll wait for their return next year...

Window Strike!!

It is so distressing when a bird strikes the window. It happens to us on a too regular basis. Seems that it is always the nice birds, never a Grackle or Starling. One year it was a black throated blue warbler and a kinglet. This migratory season we are starting off with a black and white warbler. This one I believe will survive. The migrants sure do have it rough.