Winter Hangin' On

Another blustery day on the office deck, as old man Winter refuses to go graciously. The usual suspects were hanging around the deck for the smorgasbord. Enjoy.

 The Scrub Jay has left off pecking at the window, and taken to just hanging around the suet cake.

 The Ruby-crowned Kinglet comes every day to the suet cake, and every day I try to get a pic in the oak tree.

 And he does spend time hunting around on the deck.

The Lincoln's Sparrow also pops up on the deck. Otherwise, he's spending time down below on the ground, foraging for what drops off the deck.

 Female Cardinal. She's painted up her lips and rolled and curled her pretty hair.

 Lincoln's Sparrow getting a sip.

White-crowned Sparrow about to dive off the deck.

Back to Blustery Cold

Briefly beautiful, sunny and crisp this morning. But this is Texas, so it didn't last long. Enjoy a few of my hungry cold birds.

 American Goldfinch was willing to share the feeder with the male House Finch.

 The Scrub Jay was hunkerin' down and puffin' up against the cold wind.

And the Ruby-crowned Kinglet was more nervous than ever.

Here Comes the Sun!

We seemed to be so close to Spring, and then Winter returned. But today, the sun came out and warmed up the deck. Enjoy our sunning birds.

 Never quite get why the Carolina Wren comes to the seed, but not complaining!

 This White-crowned Sparrow pops up on the deck and scurries around.

 I was hoping to catch a shot of his mate, but no such luck today.

 Ruby-crowned Kinglet was teasing me from the tree foliage.

 Nervous little bird, never still for long.

The Lesser Goldfinches are always around in abundance.

Cold Day at the Office

The cold seems to bring all the variety of birds out, and most of our regulars at the office deck were showing up for the offering. Enjoy.

 Lesser Goldfinches were plentiful at the thistle sock all day. And those girls can

get a little testy!

 The Ruby-crowned Kinglet was off and on the deck all day, not bothering with the suet cake as per his usual habit.

 Papa Cardinal came right up to the table at the window for a close-up.

 Male House Finch is all puffed up.

 We'll camp out here for a while.

 Carolina Wren all over the deck, looking for something small.

 Lesser Goldfinches kept this feeder pretty occupied all day.

And graced us with a close-up as well. Not sure how they keep from freezing, 

must be the metabolism!

Pics of the Day

A little cool and wet to stay on the porch. But for a moment, caught the Dark-eyed Junco on the ground near the bottom porch step.

We enjoy our winter visitors while we have them. Won't be long until they are headed to their summer homes. 

Pics of the Day

A beautiful almost Spring-like Saturday, with time to sit and wait on the birds. A good variety available today. Enjoy.

 Harris's Sparrow hanging around the water dish.

 Hm, something about the Cardinal running the show at the church house!

 Blue Jay just has to make a mess.

 White-crowned and Harris's feedin' on the ground.

 Male Cardinal just brings a splash of color.

 The Woodpecker was nearby, but not as bold as the Titmouse.

 The Dark-eyed Juncos are still in the yard in abundance.

 Some young volunteers helped pile broken limbs strategically for burning later, and the Red-shouldered Hawk liked their arrangement.

We close with the Cedar Waxwing. The tree was full of them, but I just couldn't get close enough for a clear shot.

Pic of the Day

It was a cold, wet, blustery day on the office deck. But that seemed to bring out the birds, looking for my breakfast smorgasbord. We had a first-time visitor.

The window was closed, so this is through glass. I knew I had something different, because I had never seen a white chin on a sparrow. So this is the White-throated Sparrow, and does winter in our region. Just never showed up on my deck before. Woo hoo!

Pics of the Day

Overcast Sunday afternoon, but lots of activity in the yard. Still enjoying our Winter visitors.

 I've never seen the Dark-eyed Junco so plentiful. And therefore, I am hearing their call for the first time. Barely audible.

 Thought I had a rare Sparrow. Yes, this is the very unique Field Sparrow. Apparently we don't get a lot of them around here.

 More signs of Spring, the Carolina Jessamine budding and blooming.

 This Rosemary has been blooming all winter.

 Don't recognize it? Probably because you harvest your broccoli before it goes to bloom and seed! AAAAaargh!

 We had the male yesterday, so today the female Ladder-backed Woodpecker visited the suet cake.

 White-crowned Sparrow still abundant in the yard.

And we close with a last look at the Dark-eyed Junco at the church feeder.

Signs of Spring

Some signs of Spring are undeniable. Enjoy a few observed around our place.

 The Eastern Phoebes have been very active around the back porch lately in the morning as we head out for work. Today they were lighting on the beam where they have historically built their nests.

 Buds and blooms on the peach trees mean Spring is approaching. Just hold off on the late freezes please!

 Mama and daddy Phoebe hanging around the back porch checking out the nesting possibilities.

 Dropped a fresh suet cake in the feeder, and this male Ladder-backed Woodpecker immediately showed up. 

The Red-shouldered Hawk was very active on the other side of the pond today. I needed to stalk, but Valentine's Day activities called!

At the Waterin' Hole

Just a few captures at the office deck watering dish this afternoon. The sun effect was different, and our regulars were posing. Enjoy.

 Female Lesser Goldfinch, dropping in for a sip.

 And where the female is, you will find the male Lesser Goldfinch.

 Male House Finch, showing off his red rump!

The birds were busy on the deck today. It was a sunny, cool day, with lots of variety at the office deck smorgasbord!