His Eye is on the Sparrow: Summer's End

Our summer ended in a spectacular way this week, 4-3/4" of rain. Glory! The pond is full again, and I'm believing just in time to welcome our in-coming winter water fowl. But for now, enjoy a few more hummingbird pics and assorted others before they head south.

What a difference 4+ inches of rain makes! From bone dry to virtually full! The varmints are happy, as well as a few flowering plants.

The Giant Swallow-tail butterfly visiting Jan's zinnias.

They just keep comin', the zinnias, that is!

Mornings at the office deck, this little Carolina Wren pops up. I don't see how that tail helps much in flight!

But somehow he gets around fine.

The Chickadee gives me a proud pose.

This Titmouse was enjoying the watering dish.

And sayin' grace before eating.

Who does your makeup?

The Blue Jay displaying his spectacular array of blues.

And we must include the Lesser Goldfinches, still fighting for the thistle seed.

Rarely does the Mockingbird drop in at the office, so it is a treat to capture a shot.

And the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher also showed up in the oaks just off the deck.

He flew around quite nervously hunting bugs, and seemed to get his fill.

I must apologize to the female Ruby-throated hummingbird. Seems I have been identifying the juvenile male as a female. My apologies to both!

But nobody mis-identifies Papa Ruby-throat!

Even when he's hiding his true colors.

Here's the juvenile male Ruby-throated hummingbird. He's the one with the 'bling'.

Also showing off jewels on his back.

So the male and juvie havin' it out at the feeder. Looks like Jr. is holding his own.

Another treat of a traveler visiting the office deck. A Baltimore Oriole.

Back at the house, the Golden-fronted Woodpecker checking out my peanut mix. He should be here for the winter.

Today's afternoon sun gave me the light to capture some parting shots. Since no hummingbird id mentions gold dust on the head, I'm assuming this is pollen!