Fountain Creek Nature Center

It's always a nice walk at Fountain Creek. If we get to see some birds - all the better!

There are always lots of Barn Swallows flying around the Visitor's Center.

The Red-winged Blackbirds are certainly noisy!

This one had me stumped - but I've decided it is a female Yellow Warbler. What a cute little face!

The Yellow Warbler from the back.

I think I take this bunny's picture every time we visit.

This woodpecker really caught our eye because she was so big - much larger than a Downy. It must be a Hairy Woodpecker.

Another view.

No sooner did we tentatively identify the Hairy when we spotted this Downy so we could compare the two. I was amazed at the difference in size - a good 3 inches.

The White-breasted Nuthatches are cute little energetic birds.

I love listening to the House Wrens. They may be plain birds - but they sure can sing!

Lots of Phoebes hunting for insects.

A female Mallard and her babies.

So cute!

We saw other creatures including this unidentified butterfly....

...and this small lizard.

Another look at the House Wren. I wonder what she is pondering.

Back at the homestead, I decided I'd better take some pictures of the yard. We are having storms almost every afternoon with threats of hail and tornadoes. A good hail storm and these flowers would be done. Bill says he hopes these pics are not the "before."

We like to keep the yard somewhat rustic as it draws more birds.

We are seeing more House Finches than anything else these days. Yesterday, I saw only one Cedar Waxwing - so the major influx has ended. We are seeing a couple of Lesser Goldfinches - but certainly not the quantity we've had some years. But we keep looking!

Cedar Waxwings, Plumbeous Vireo, Black-headed Grosbeak and more Adventures!

We continue to see quite a few Western Tanagers in the yard every day - but not in the numbers as last week. The males that are here seem to have less red on their face. Perhaps they are younger or non-breeding. We are seeing as many females as males.

Yesterday we again walked at the Fountain Valley Nature Center. The Red-winged Blackbirds are pretty - but boy are they noisy!

This is a lousy picture - but it is proof that we saw a new Life Bird - a Plumbeous Vireo. I would not have had a clue what it was but there were a couple of other birders in the area who identified it for us.

The House Wrens were thick. They have a beautiful song and I really enjoyed watching them flit around in the trees.

The Yellow Warblers were also out in numbers. They too have a wonderful song. The woods were alive and it was wonderful.

There were more White Pelicans on the lake. This one must be a pre-breeding adult as indicated by the growth (keel) on his bill (culmen}.

With so many birds in the yard, I put out another feeder - but it only lasted a couple of hours before it was discovered by one of our little 4-legged friends. Our other feeder has a squirrel and raccoon baffle that keeps them away from the goodies.

Another first for the year in the yard - a Black-headed Grosbeak. Bill raised the dome on the feeder for him...

...and he quickly came over to investigate.

This is a Eurasian Collared Dove (see the black collar on his neck?). I only took the picture as reference. They are loud and obnoxious birds.

What a wonderful surprise last night! We were overrun with Cedar Waxwings! We haven't had them in the yard for about 9 years - so this was a real treat.

We had about 3 dozen fly in.

 They are so beautiful! Look at the yellow on the tail and the red on the wing.

The group sat in the tree for the longest time while I sat on the patio waiting (hoping) they would come down.

While I waited, I enjoyed the flowers in the yard.

The male Black-headed Grosbeak came back for a snack.

And the waxwings stayed in the tree. I continued to wait not-so-patiently, camera in hand at the ready.

We always see lots of Chipping Sparrows.

...still in the tree.

FINALLY, my patience was rewarded!! The waxwings came down for a drink!

Dozens came down to the pond and filled the bushes.

I snapped away.

They are gone today - but maybe we will see them again.

 I don't know what these bushes are that we have in the yard - but the birds love them.

...and I love the birds!

Birds, Birds & More Birds

 The last couple of days have been amazing! We can't look out the window without seeing Western Tanagers (half a dozen at a time), Bullock's Orioles, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warblers and a nice variety of other birds. I've taken too many pictures. The Western Tanagers decorate the bushes in our backyard, but I know they will only stay for a short time before moving on.

To add some variety, we decided to see if the warbler migration extends beyond our backyard. We went walking at the Fountain Valley Nature Center. They have made quite a few improvements since out last visit including a large viewing patio behind the center and lots more feeders along the main trail. This House Wren was foraging for insects to feed his youngsters.

I believe this is a Veery but welcome discussion.

Another view of the Veery showing the upper chest markings.

The House Wren found a tasty insect to feed his family.

I don't get the chance to photograph a House Wren too often so bear with me.

And look who popped out while I was looking at the Wren!

I think I take this same picture of a Barn Swallow every year at the center.

There were a couple of Downy Woodpeckers playing in the pines.

Down by the lake, the Red-winged Blackbirds are all over - yelling back and forth to each other.

Well, my sister is right: Yellow-rumped Warblers are everywhere! This one is a "Myrtle" variety with a white throat.

The Yellow Warblers like to stay in the tree tops.

But every once in a while I can catch one closer.

I always forget how colorful the Song Sparrows are.

Another Yellow-rumpted - but this one is an Audubon's variety with the yellow throat. He was no where near as colorful as the ones in our yard.

This pompous looking female is a Red-winged Blackbird.

I believe this is a Hermit Thrush. He looks very similar to the Veery.

A nice group of White-crowned Sparrows. We only saw them in one spot - down by the river.

These bushes were beautiful and smelled delicious - but there were no birds on them.

Our find of the day - a Great-horned Owl! We talked to another birder along the trail (thanks Luis!) who told us where to look.

The Yellow Warblers are just so cute.

I thought this was an interesting shot.

Just a common American Robin - but isn't she beautiful?

I didn't expect to see White Pelicans on the lake! One of the other walkers told us there were about a dozen earlier in the week and they huddled together during the cold & snow - looking like an iceberg.

American Avocets way on the other side of the lake.

This one came a little closer.

Bill spotted this Wood Duck almost out of reach of my camera. I need a new lens like my sister has!

I was excited to see a Spotted Sandpiper on the island.

...and a very common Killdeer.

This one had me baffled until I posted the picture on one of the birding sites on FB for identification. I was looking for thrush and was directed to warblers. It is a Northern Waterthrush - a new life bird for both Bill and me. I wish the picture was better, but he was sneaking along the shore of the creek hiding under brush.

Another Yellow Warbler.

I started this entry yesterday and today (again) the Western Tanagers are everywhere. I literally cannot look out the window without seeing one or more.

At some point I have to stop taking their picture - but they are just so beautiful!