07-MAR-2014
American Goldfinch (9974)
While I was waiting for something interesting to happen today, this Amercian Goldfinch
peeked around from behind a tree stump to see if anything interesting was happening also.
01-MAR-2014
Dark-eyed Junco, Gray-headed (9769)
The fourth race of Juncos that are reasonably common here are the so-called Gray-headed Juncos,
distinguished by the lack of a contrasting hood and the orange-rufous feathers on the bird's back.
28-FEB-2014
American Robin eating a Grape (9703)
I can tell that spring is on its way, since the local Robins are showing
an interest in eating grapes again. They are also doing a lot of one-on-one chasing.
27-FEB-2014
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon (9668)
Today I had an Oregon Junco hop up onto the winter pond and have a short drink. This fellow's
dark black hood and narrow, cinnamon-colored flanks suggest he is a male.
26-FEB-2014
Dark-eyed Junco, Pink-sided (0091)
During the winter months I set up a shallow pond on a piece of plywood, lined with pond liner,
so the birds can get water and bathe on sunny days. This Pink-sided form of the Dark-eyed Junco
hopped up this morning for a quick drink.
25-FEB-2014
Red-winged Blackbird (9910)
Back at home, there are definite signs of spring coming. Although they are common almost everywhere
Red-winged Blackbirds do not often visit our suburban back yard. This female is surveying her food
and drink options from the top of the neighbor's plum tree.
17-FEB-2014
House Finch visits the Fountain (9734)
After we returned from our trip to Costa Rica, we visited family in Texas for a week or so.
Here a House Finch enjoys a drink from a back yard water fountain.
04-FEB-2014
Scarlet Macaws (9473)
The blue wing feathers of these Scarlet Macaws identifies them as members of the Central American subspecies,
which live in small isolated populations in Costa Rica, along the Pacific Coast. That is
where we ran into a flock of them, noisily preparing to roost in trees right along the coastal highway.
03-FEB-2014
Golden-naped Woodpecker (9168)
The Golden-naped Woodpecker is native to Costa Rica, and a pair of them were hopping in
a nearby tree while we were having a late morning snack.
02-FEB-2014
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (8802)
Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii
The large and spectacular birds frequent the trees around our third stop on our Costa Rica vacation,
at the Hotel Cristal Ballena resort.
01-FEB-2014
Collared Redstart (8654)
Also called a Collared Whitestart, this very personable and attractive bird follows hikers
around the forest, looking for insects stirred up by our hiking.