Winter Mix II

We experienced some extreme temperatures for our parts a few weeks back, but Spring seems to be coming on strong right now. We are still enjoying our Winter visitors, but it won't be long before they'll be gone. Enjoy this installment, from the Office deck and from the Home porch.


Plenty of fruit and nut mix at the office deck have kept the Blue Jays interested.


The American Goldfinch has continued to be busy around the office feeders, and don't mind sharing with the House Finch, as long as they stay on 'their side'!


This American Goldfinch was bold enough to come to the table just outside the window. You see the evidence of the black forehead that he will develop. Just wish he would hang around long enough for us to enjoy his full yellow glory.


At the same time, the male Lesser Goldfinch was enjoying the table scraps.


The Black-crested Tufted Titmouse.


Oops! I have been identifying this as a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. If you compare it to the pictures that Linda Jacobson got at her back window, you can see it is a different bird. I believe this is an Orange crowned Warbler. The coloring around the eye is distinctly different, among other things.




A couple of shots getting just a hint of that orange crown. It lays low most of the time.




On most days we hear the pecking at the window in the conference room, and know it is the male Cardinal. But one morning the pecking was not quite as pronounced, and were happy to see the Yellow-rumped Warbler taking up the habit. Of course, this produced way too much lost labor time on the part of this employee. But the employer said it was O.K. Right, Dan?




Just as at the house, the winter crew of Sparrows at the office is plentiful.




On some of those frigid days at the house, the Cardinals were putting on a show, and sharing time with the Sparrows.


Yes, that is a rare Central Texas ice cycle on the limb, as it were. I think the Cardinal is as confused as we were. (What IS a 'Texas ice cycle'? Kinda like a bi-cycle? Jan caught it; icicle- guess my spell check doesn't catch made-up words!)


The photographer appreciated the posing.


Some of my viewers are huge Cardinal fans, so I know they are enjoying these. It's amazing how something so spectacular in appearance can be taken for granted, just because they are always there.


The ducks have been on the pond for weeks now, and continue to bless us with viewing pleasure. But I have to say, they are skittish. It doesn't take much to get them to fly, so I'm sneaking around if I want any shots. There are about 18-20 Gadwalls, and a few American Widgeons.




The morning porch has gone from complete stillness, to a chorus of songs, or a literal cacophony of disparate calls, as my favorite blogger would say.