Daily pics vol. 299

She is just nuts about this guy...spends lots of time waving and chattering to him.

Last one...an American Goldfinch from earlier today.

I would love to have an invasion of Meadowlarks. Remember them from my childhood in Wisconsin.
Not enough open ground here,. there are pastures, but often cut for hay.

Iris...we wait until the Meadowlarks fledge before we cut our hay. DH used to cut earlier until we learned about the Meadowlarks and Bobwhite Quail nesting in the fields. We were once so ignorant it is sad just thinking about it. This year he has a large spot that he is planting just for the birds...sunflowers, milo and other stuff for them.

Hey, Rose....if I were a female Bluebird I would be waving and chattering too! He's gorgeous! I would love to see some.

Thanks GP...I still can't believe I get to see these gorgeous birds. I love to listen to them too,...they sound so sweet and love to pose for the camera!

Congratulations on the hay routine. Just heard a robin scolding outside--what a great sound.

Such beautiful photos Rose....congrats on the 5 BB eggs!

The Blue Jay had just gotten a drink from the gutter.

Indigo Bunting.

Catbird again.

Goldfinch stopped by.

The Mockingbird.

Cedar Waxwings. I have a separate thread concerning these guys.

I think female cardinals are beautiful - love their muted colors. At the new house, there is a drop dead gorgeous lady cardinal. I finally got her pic.

Female Cardinal and Bluebird at the feeder.

Duc, traditionally Coots will leave the area when the temp. warm up. We do have a few Canadian Geese that decided to stay year round. Yesterday I returned to the Eagle's nesting site and got a few more pics. It's a special treat. My very first Eagles sighting, I was beside myself. I didn't know that the Eagle looks different when younger than 5 years of age! We saw a pair, one look to be mature, and the other a juvenile. (Its head is brown and not 'bald' looking).

Rose Nice looking Meadowlark! Your bluebirds already have eggs? I'm so happy for you.

GP, your Buntings and Cedar Waxwings are gorgeous. What do you do to keep those CW around for extended time? I only saw a flocks of them passing through last year when they came to pick on previt's berries.

GG, lovely female Cardinal! To find Blue Bird at the feeder! Wow, that's the first. Congrats.

Yesterday we had sun shine after a couple cloudy days. This cutie was showing how she appreciated the sunshine, by fluffing her feather while going up tree and playing peek-a-boo with the human with a camera beyond the window. lol


editted for typos.

This message was edited Mar 25, 2010 8:29 AM

Lily...that is such a cute RB Woodpecker...I love it when they puff up like that. So glad you are getting to see the Eagles nest...we have some local ones that do flyovers of the farm but I've never seen a nest...lucky you!

GP..Very pretty shots...love the Indigo and Waxwings. I still have only seen a Catbird one time!

Gazergirl...I agree that the female Cardinal is beautiful and yours certainly is. Your Bluebird is nice to share the feeder, ours chase the other birds off!!

Rose, we arrived at the nesting site yesterday as the sun was setting low in the horizon, the Eagle was seen on the ground, presumably was after something (?), but I was not quick enough to snap a pic. Here he was on taken flight. Heading back up to the nest.

Back on the nest. He has his tail facing our view.

Soon later, it left the nest and perch on this tree. What a magnificient bird!

Back home, my Blue Bird is checking out the flatform feeder below for mealworms. No nesting sighting in the garden though.

BB next progress.

Didn't know BB's made nexts, did you? :) A shot of an Eastern Meadowlark. Lots of them out in the Canadian River flat.

Red. LOL about the BB's "Next" thingy. lol. Just spotted this pretty Northern Flicker. But he wouldn't stand still for a good pic. :(

Rose, that Meadowlark is beautiful. Perfect, clear captures of the mocker, the bluebirds and goldfinch! You sure take great photos! Your DH is so sweet to plant for the birds-tell him thanks from me too!

GP, more great birds. Love the jay and that indigo is gorgeous.

Gazergirl, love your Ms Cardinal-I agree, they're beautiful.

Lily, I was shocked when I, too, saw my first juvenile eagle. As they get older, it's hard to think all the white sploches will get brown. So glad you get to see them. What a great photo with the eagle and cows.

Red, the nest looks cozy. Love that Meadowlark-wow.

We found some Bushtits the other day.

This pretty House Finch was singing to us from the neighbor's apple tree.

Here's our pretty male Bullock's Oriole in the apple tree too.

He was watching my DH take down my birdhouses which were above the hummer feeder. The House Sparrows were fighting too much with my Tree Swallows and I couldn't stand the thought of the sparrows killing my swallows.

Here's a good looking male California Quail looking for seeds.

Some Tree Swallows.

I love photographing these friendly birds.

Whoohoo! It's spring! My first migrating bird showed up for coffee this morning, a beautiful Hooded Warbler. Not the best shots, but I'm so excited that I must share!

I also don't think that I've commented on the wonderful photos in this thread. GP, that red-bellied woodpecker shot is just perfect. It's so hard to get their red bellies especially in a natural shot. I love it. Duc, those oriole pics are beautiful. Rose, kissing bluebird?! How amazing is that?!! Everyone, really nice. White mallard? I didn't even know that there was such a thing.

One more of the Hooded Warbler. He's still in the shade darn it. Best I could get.

Wow! My jaw dropped when I saw your pretty Hooded Warbler, Elphaba. So pretty.

Isn't he pretty? I just love Hooded Warblers. They are among my favorites. Spring is definitely here -- hooded warbler and I have a blind date tonight!

I just saw a Rock Dove in the yard. I've seen them on telephone poles but never in my yard. They're much bigger than I thought and much prettier.

Wow is right, that Hooded Warbler is one I have never even heard of and it's just gorgeous. Congratulations Elphaba, hope we'll be seeing more photos of this beauty!

OOOOOO...pretty warbler Elphaba!!! I haven't seen any warblers here yet. I have only gotten a couple of mine in the spring. I find it easier to spot them in the fall here.

I have beem watching for the Meadow Larks.......none yet that I have seen anyways!

Some from last week...

Male House Finch on the fence.

The male & female Red-bellied Woodpeckers are coming very regular now. Just hope we get some babies! Here is Apolo...the male.

This message was edited Mar 25, 2010 2:07 PM

And a piggy Blue Jay...LOL