Warming Up

The days are growing warmer, and we are seeing less of the travelers. But today's installment still offers a few. I'm also happy to bring you the best Painted Bunting pictures I've captured so far, as well as an unwelcome visitor to our office. Enjoy.


The male and female Lesser Goldfinch at the office thistle feeder.


It is rare to get the right lighting angle that will allow one to see the Lesser Goldfinch's eye, since it is in a black field of feathers.


Dusk on the porch with the flash set, and knowing this guy was coming to the feeder. The male Black-chinned hummingbird.


Back at the office, the Black-chinned hummer is guarding the feeder, and giving me some of that throat action.




A rare sight at our pond; the white phase of the Great Blue Heron. We have been excited to see a male and female with the standard coloring lately that are chasing around the pond. I'm hoping this means a nest nearby and an opportunity for photos.


The female Painted Bunting at the office feeder.


The male has been a regular visitor lately.


One day I happened to be standing at the window, with it open, when this guy came to the feeder and was not spooked by my presence.


He gave me quite a few poses there at the feeder.


Then flew over to a branch for a full-sun version. 'Nuff said!


This unwelcome visitor was sauntering through the conference room at the office. Dan decided he was spending too much time up there, or that we really needed some professional pest control. In case you are wondering, this is a Giant Centipede, or as Papa Wes would refer to it in a Pecos Bill story, a Giant West Texas Centipede. About 9" long.


We caught sight of a little yellow bird out in the oaks at the office.


I snuck out the door because I couldn't get a good angle on it from inside.


This Yellow Warbler accommodated me by preening for quite a while.


And let me shoot away to my heart's content. This is a migrating visitor, so a special treat to get to see him.