Hawk Sighting

Today I was glancing out my window like I do a hundred times a day and to my surprise there was a hawk sitting on the water bowl. It seemed to be staying awhile so I grabbed my camera and took some photos through the window blinds. I wish I had a better camera, but here are the best photos I could get. I've never seen one low to the ground before. And I can't get a good photo if they are on the power pole or up in the trees. Fantastic!

Everyone Wants To Get Into the Act

Contact Juggling Practice

Yardwork Day

We were helping the neighbor remove dead trees and the quail were squirting out everywhere. So I got a photo as one of them ran from bush to bush.

Nest in a mulberry tree. I've walked under this branch countless times and never spotted it before.

First tree down.

California quail running for cover.

Christmas Eve Bird Spotting

Today I spotted a small flying bird backlit by the sun. The wings were definitely red. It landed high up in a tree and I didn't recognize it's call.

Then an hour later I spotted a robin in the yard. I've never seen a robin out here, and certainly wouldn't expect one in the cold of winter. I could be wrong, but it had a red breast and dark wings.

A friend left us a bale of straw on Sunday. On Monday the guinea fowl were all over it. They kept sitting on it while pecking and scratching it to pieces. By afternoon, it was clear they just weren't going to leave it alone so I had to stack stuff on top of it. I don't know if they were after insects or seeds but they were making a terrible mess of it.

Last week a cold snap dumped snow on the hills. Now it is warm again in the days but cold at night.

The snow hasn't reached our yard yet. Does this count as a white Christmas or not?

Bacon Grease For the Birds

I've been collecting bacon drippings for the birds. I have a metal can on my stove top. I layered the bacon grease with wild bird seed and corn meal. I finally had enough gathered to hang it from a tree today. Tomorrow, I'll see if they went for it. It's another idea I got from the bird reference book from the library.

Neighbor's chicken. Can't wait to get our own.

Hummingbird Feeder

Pinecone, Peanut Butter and Birdseed

This rainy morning I was delighted to see the birds had taken to my new peanut butter pinecone. I saw a mockingbird hovering next to it.  It flies up, pecks once or twice, then lands. Then repeat. About ten birds had gathered on the ground waiting to eat whatever fell off, like a pinata. A bit later I would see a sparrow sit on top of it. But the seeds on top are already gone, so it's tricky to get to the peanut butter section.

I realized the quail weren't going to get any so I stood on the porch and threw some stale tortilla pieces on the ground for them to eat. I was wearing my fuzzy warm socks. I looked down and the cat has slipped out somehow and was standing on the porch mat. So I had to step on the soggy thing to get the cat back in and my socks got all cold and squishy. Yuck! So once we were back inside, I had to change socks. By the time I got back the quail were snatching up their tortillas and making a quick escape back into the bushes. I'm almost out of birdseed so I'm glad I had old bread. The bird feeding book says go ahead and give them bread, so I don't feel bad about it anymore.

I'm also saving up bacon grease layered with cornmeal for their next treat. And I got a salt brick to put out for them as soon as it stops raining.

Holding the peanut butter pinecone the day I hung it up.

Today's Birds in My Yard

The yard is full of white crowned sparrows. I'm glad I finally found out the name for them. I've been admiring their black and white racing stripes ever since I moved here. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/white-crowned_sparrow/id I also spotted a pair of mourning doves eating the seed I scattered on the ground.

And yesterday out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a roadrunner run behind the far side of the house.

I wish I still had my old camera with the zoom lens. My tiny digital camera doesn't do justice to birds that are far away.