12-JAN-2014
American Goldfinch (4034)
I like the soft golden colors of the American Goldfinch even when it is not sporting its bright canary yellow breeding plumage.
11-JAN-2014
Dark-eyed Junco (Male, Oregon) (3955)
Juncos are very common winter birds, and most of our Juncos are of the Oregon type. With this
bird's very dark hood and narrow buff flanks, he is almost certainly a male.
10-JAN-2014
Bushtit (Female) (3927)
Bushtits are another bird that never holds still for very long. They arrive in swarms of a dozen or
more, and mob a suet feeder. I was able to get a picture of this female (yellow eyes) while she
patiently waits her turn and chatters on a twig in the neighboring sumac shrub.
09-JAN-2014
Brown Creeper (3900)
Why do I do this? Does the world need more pictures of finches, doves, sparrows (our most
common seed-feeding visitors)? No, occasionally, an unusual bird will pop out of the trees
and present himself for a nice photograph, like this Brown Creeper did today.
Usually, these well-camouflaged birds are content to circle the tree trunks, looking for
morsels. And while sitting outside watching the finches and doves, I saw some movement in
the pine tree next to me, and it wasn't quite "right." By its circling motion, I suspected
the Creeper, but it never got into the clear for a picture. Then it dropped out of sight
-- where?
To my surprise, right in front of me on a rock, of all things. He didn't stay for more
than two seconds, and he was off for more familiar surroundings. But encounters like this
is why I sit outside for hours -- occasionally, something good happens. Call it luck.
08-JAN-2014
Dark-eyed Junco (Pink-sided) (3833)
One of our most common winter birds are the Dark-eyed Juncos. We are fortunate to have
several different varieties. The most common are the Oregon Juncos, followed by the
Pink-sided Juncos, the Gray-headed Juncos, and the eastern-like Slate-colored Juncos.
The problem with Juncos is telling them apart, and that is further complicated by the fact
that many of the races interbreed. There are many good web-based sites that talk about
the Juncos, some very interesting research (especially, see the
Indiana University project).
This particular visitor I think is a Pink-sided Junco -- based on the silvery
color of the hood, and the broad pink coloration below the wings.
07-JAN-2014
Lesser Goldfinch Female (3788)
There are a few Lesser Goldfinches that reliably overwinter here in Los Alamos. They are
distinguishable from the American Goldfinches by brighter yellow plumage on their breast and belly in the winter.
05-JAN-2014
American Robin (3662)
Robins stay here all year around; there are frequently seen except in August and September.
In the Spring, they go after worms, and in the summer they are happy to take grapes or blackberries.
In the winter, all they ever want is a drink of water.
04-JAN-2014
American Goldfinch (3549)
This American Goldfinch stopped by for a drink on a birdbath I made up for the winter months.
03-JAN-2014
American Goldfinch on Snowman Seedcake
My daughter gave me a snowman seedcake over the holidays, and I promised her a picture of the birds enjoying it...
02-JAN-2014
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3389)
An infrequent visitor, this fellow is proudly showing off his red crown feathers.
01-JAN-2014
White-winged Dove (3264)
Probably the most common bird in the back yard, these doves have an unbounded appetite.