Tuesday, April 27, 2010

O is for....

O is for ORNITHOLOGIST

I have been watching birds in my back yard for about 10 years now.  I keep track of the different varieties as they appear.  I have seen 25 varieties over the years and am always on the lookout for new ones. GOLDFINCHES are always favorites.  In the first photo they were waiting for us to go inside so they could get back on to their feeder.  We mostly have the lesser goldfinch which is not as pretty as the true American Goldfinch -- not as much color. 


These two below are the common house finch and the white crowned sparrow. LOTS of these around  We have counted as many as 20 at any one time -- all looking for seed from the feeder.
                                                                                                                






This bird is a new comer this year.  It is the black-headed grosbeak.  My friend Brenda took this wonderful photo in her yard.  He also came to visit us too but I couldn't get a good photo before he flew away.


This is the common yellow throat.  I call him Zorro because of his black mask  He is often around when the house finches and house sparrows are nearby, but doesn't mix with them.



The California Towhee is quite different from the eastern towhee.  Ours is less colorful and has a brown speckled patch on his throat and a brown patch on his rump.




The Scrub Jay is a beautiful blue but has a harsh shriek to announce his presence.  He is also very common around here.




Everybody knows a crow, but I posted this picture because this one was so cheeky he came so close and started pecking at stuff I was looking at on the patio,  so I was able to get a really good photo.  But in the end I went inside because I think he was after my glasses.




The red tailed hawk is always around but does not visit our yard as much as...


...the Coopers hawk who comes at least once a day, causing quite an uproar among the little birds and frequently catches one as they fly away.  He comes as close as several feet to the house perching on a low fence or on the feeder.



Feeding time !



Waiting for us to go inside.

Some of these photos are better than others, partly because I have become better at taking them and partly because I got a new camera for Christmas.

If you want to see really good bird photographs visit Abe Lincoln's Bird Blog 


13 comments:

Wanda said...

Oh how I love your bird pictures. We are just beginning what you started years ago. I guess that why I'm trying to put all the new birds in my sketch pad.

This was a perfect "O".

I can't upload any pictures yet, so I'm hoping the problem will be fixed so I can post my ABC "O".

Sylvia K said...

Such marvelous photos of such beautiful birds! Really delightful! And such a perfect word for the O day! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!

Sylvia

photowannabe said...

Love your birds too. I agree that the crow is pretty cheeky wanting your glasses.
We have most of these birds here in Northern California too. I love hearing them twittering in the morning.

Cherdecor said...

I understand why the hawks are around. You have a lot of beautiful birds in your yard!

On my walk today, several pretty little goldfinch played in front of me while they flew back and forth. They are so pretty.

Tumblewords: said...

Absolutely beautiful photos! The crow portrait is awesome - I'm glad you went inside before he got any closer!!

Roger Owen Green said...

great word.

wonderful shots

ROGER, ABC Wednesday team

dragonflyl lady said...

I too did birds, but then I'm trying to target all the alphabet...

http://www.gardenersreach.com/post/O-is-for-Owl.aspx

LisaF said...

Fantastic shots of your birds! Love the hummers. Ours should be back anytime now. Finches are some of my favorite feathered friends.

claude said...

Nice post, Chris ! And beautiful birds !
I go on Abe's bird blog everyday.

Mara said...

Oh, that crow is so beautiful! It looks as if he posed for the shot! I am quite jealous of you: the only birds in my garden are the occasional sparrow, finch and blackbird. Mind you, I do have quite a collection of cats coming through my garden every day: that might have something to do with it...

Autumn Leaves said...

Each of these photos is a delight, Chris. So lovely!

x_pEpPeRoNi_x said...

They are very beautiful. I don't see these very often where I live.

It was definitely fun to come across your post!

Elizabeth said...

What beautiful birds...how blessed you are to have these visit you. x