jmorth said:Is that the new camera?

Yes it is J.

Great pictures! I love the looks on their little faces. Oh, and that sparrow is so fluffy! I just want to hug it! I'm no help with ID but I want to know what that pretty bird is, too.

Thanks Melanie!
It's an Oriole for sure but I can't decide which one. Either Baltimore or Orchard & there's 1 more -- I forget --- had to go to several sites & some seemed conflicting. Immature male or winter male or female or juvie male. It got confusing and I figured I was too close to the subject & other opinions would be needed.

@jmorth, I don't know what those conservatory birds are but they sure are pretty! Some for comparison the Eastern Kingbird or Eastern Phoebe: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/... or the Gray Jay: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/... They also remind me of a bird found in Europe or Asia called the Common Whitethroat. There's also one called Lesser Whitethroat but neither are found in the U.S.A. If you go back again, you should ask around to see if an employee may be able to ID them and try to get more photos. I'm always curious and would love to know what they are.

Melanie, nice shot of that Eurasian Collared Dove and the Mockingbird! I've noticed in some of my photos too that the Mockingbird seems to have a yellowish tinge to the breast and belly ... don't know if it's the lighting or if they do indeed have that pale yellowish underbelly.

Ann, awesome shots with your new camera!! I really wish I could see more of those pretty little Eastern Bluebirds down this way ... but sightings have been very rare for me over the years. I do believe that beautiful unidentified bird may be the Baltimore Oriole, check out this photo for comparison: http://www.bing.com/images/sea...

I think you're right Lin. You found a site I had not. See? it pays to have other people search!
I think it's a fall immature male. See:
http://animals.nationalgeograp...
What do you think? Actually it looks slightly more like the 1st spring male but it's not spring!

@plantladylin
I called the conservatory and inquired about the birds there - the birds are Zebra Finch.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

J, Aaah I never thought about the Zebra Finch .... pretty little birds! http://www.bing.com/images/sea...

No pictures but I've been seeing lots of different birds.

The bright red cardinals are more apparent now that the leaves are falling from the trees.

Been seeing huge flocks of blackbirds lately, it's been about six or seven years since I've seen so many of them. They're so fun to watch as they move across the tree tops. Loud too, just like the movie.

Another neat sighting ~ uesterday on the way to town, a roadrunner ran across the road in front of me. I watched it travel into a field, it appeared to be after something maybe a lizard or snake.

It's still very warm here but we are seeing the Red-winged Blackbirds arrive in our area.

These are from yesterday and today ...

Anhinga .................................................... Finch


Northern Cardinal ............................... Warbler ................................................ Grackle


Red-bellied Woodpeckers, female ...... male

Most people don't care for grackles but I think they are a neat bird.

plantladylin said:

Red-bellied Woodpeckers, female ...... male

I enjoy those guys. They come to my Suet cake feeder often during the winter.

I like grackles too. But, I don't see many of them around the house. I think they are the ones I see in parking lots in town, hopping around picking up french fries and such? Yes, I've been known to drop them some scraps...

Did I hear someone say Birds? In December?

Here are a few geese last Sunday at Squaw Creek Refuge. Estimated total was ~ 400,000 (they now count them via satellite).



Between Squaw Creek and Big Lake (a few miles away) and the intervening farms in between, the current total is estimated at 1,000,000. At its peak, the total at Squaw Creek alone is usually well over a million.

It takes yer breath away. Particularly when they get spooked and take flight.

What an awesome sight that must be.

Oh my gosh, David ... that is an amazing photo, what an awesome sight it must be to see in person!

Oh, yeah ... it may be December but it's still 80º here! I mowed the lawn yesterday and hubby did the edging, trimming and blowing. Unfortunately, we probably won't get a break in yard work until late January or early February time frame. I look forward to the 6 to 8 weeks when we don't have to mow on a weekly basis.

From yesterday afternoon, Great Egret and Tricolored heron

A few from my backyard today, lighting isn't the best on a couple because of shadows.

Mourning Dove ................................... Grackle


House Finch


Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler

A terrible storm. We lost power for 25 hours. I worried about my Bush Stone-curlews but here they are.

Glad all's well.
Great pic Glen!

Adorable picture, Gleni. Glad you have power back.