Birding.

[MikeandRong]

 

This Male House Sparrow lives in one of the bird houses here and is our garden protector from insects. First thing in the morning he is in the chives picking off the ever emerging Cicadas. This one didn't even have a chance to uncurl its wings to start to dry and he got it.

 

 

Not 10 feet away in the cucumbers I caught sight of this Male Cardinal eating a Cicada too. I thought they only ate seeds and nuts but apparently not. That hole in the side of his neck is his ear.

Edited July 21, 2017 by MikeandRong (see edit history)

[MikeandRong]

 

Here is a White-breasted Nuthatch on the left and a Female Downy Woodpecker on the right. You can see how small the Downy really is when they are side by side like this.

[MikeandRong]

 

It was so hot and hazey out this morning I moved up a little closer than usual when this Male Cardinal came in singing up a storm. As soon as he spotted me with the camera he hunched down and went silent. The flash going off scared him away.

[MikeandRong]

 

Two hours later is was much more clear outside, the haze gone. This pair of Hairy Woodpeckers showed up and were together the whole time playing and eating. They must be brother and sister as it's long past breeding time for them to be that friendly together.

[MikeandRong]

 

 

This Male Brown-headed Cowbird was just enjoying the morning sun and the at the sound of the shutter on the camera turned his head and stared me down before flying away.

[MikeandRong]

 

 

The top Male House Finch was totally quiet and just watching all the feeding action going on to the side of him, refusing to join the noisy crowd at the feeder.

[MikeandRong]

 

A Hawk flew over the house and this White-breasted Nuthatch absolutely froze in place for the next couple of minutes refusing to even move its head, let alone fly away.

[MikeandRong]

 

These two birds, a yearling Female Hairy Woodpecker and a yearling Female House Sparrow were very relaxed while together at the feeder. Usually the Woodpecker will not tolerate another bird species near it while feeding.

[MikeandRong]

 

This Male Cardinal was under the pine tree resting on top of the fence pole and grape vines. Singing up a storm and looking so red, but would not come any closer than 30 yards from me.

[MikeandRong]

 

This Mourning Dove would only stay in the sun and refused to walk or feed in the shade this morning, maybe the grass was too wet with dew for him to want to get extra wet by venturing into the shade.

[MikeandRong]

 

 

 

This yearling Bluejay was eyeballing the garden from 30 yards away in the 1st photo. He swoops down and grabs a Cicada and flies up and lands over my head in the 2nd photo. The 3d photo shows him ripping off the wings before he eats it.

 

These Bluejays must have incredible eyesight, because I have seen them spot food or an insect from 30-40 yards away and dive right to it with no fumbling around and score a direct catch.

[amberjack1234]

Their eyes are like when we look through the scope of a rifle.

[MikeandRong]

Their eyes are like when we look through the scope of a rifle.

Then I can relate to that perfectly, thanks for confirming.

[MikeandRong]

 

Another big rainstorm rolled through in the late afternoon today. When it finally cleared up and the sun came back out this full size adult Male Red-bellied Woodpecker showed up soaking wet and hungry. It's too bad he is so wet, if dry he would have looked even bigger and more colorful too. Not afraid at all and acting very confident while feeding.

[MikeandRong]

 

 

 

Storms again last night but this time it both dropped the temp from 88 to 63 by this morning. Birds are relaxed and feeding heavy. Here are 3 different Downy Woodpeckers. First photo is a yearling Female alongside a young female House Sparrow. 2nd photo is a really small baby Male, looks about just 3" big. The 3d photo is a good looking yearling Male.