WBW - Common Raven

This was the first bird I took a picture of in my recent visit to Yosemite.

They are a joy to watch and I love the rough croak sound they make

 and the sound of the wind whipping through their wings as they fly!

This one spent alot of time in this fire pit and alot of time on the edge pulling and tossing burn logs around.

Kristi

WBW - Yosemite

I've been away for nearly 2 weeks and have lots of new birds to share.

We were in Disneyland then Yosemite for 4 days.

Birdwatching was not planned for the trip but of course I made it happen.

My first new bird was actually in Anaheim,

 I knew from it's mannerisms it was a flycatcher of some kind.

Here is a Black Pheobe!!

Then on our last day in Yosemite I finally captured the Acorn Woodpecker.

I'd been hearing them quite a bit then found a place where there were lots of photo ops.

The top bird was exhibiting alot of baby behavior.

They almost look like reflections don't they.

I didn't think I caught it in flight until I got home and began to look through all the pictures.

I had my camera on continuous mode most of the time

 so I didn't really always know exactly what I captured.

I honestly think I could have wandered this area all day and kept watching and taking pictures, these Acorns are a joy to watch!

I'll have more new birds to share in the weeks to come.

Kristi

WBW - Nuthatch Etc.

My first photo of a Nuthatch, I've never seen them at my feeder

 so I'm thrilled to not only see one but get his picture!!!

Here is one with a Finch I believe on the other side,

the Finch is very comfortable but the Nuthatch keeps moving around like it's thinking "this thing is broken", he wants to hang upsidedown and snack lol

Not long after I caught the first one on Film, I saw 2!!!

So cute!

Now this Spotted Towhee was exibiting what to me was weird behavior.

At first I thought there was something wrong with him,

he was eating then he'd stop and sit there with his mouth open and he kept listing to the left,

a little more and a little more.

Then he'd have a little more to eat then he listed even more!!

Then he got up, everything was fine. Maybe he was just sunning himself, I've never seen it before.

One of my Stellar's Jays showing me his beautiful feathers.

I think this is one of the babies almost fully feathered out now,

 at another angle you could still see some fluff sticking out to the side.

I got another cute picture of this little Spotted Sandpiper when I was on the neighboring property trying to get a good picture of the young Red Tailed Hawk.

I heard the Hawk numerous times but by the time I get over there with my camera he's nowhere to be seen.

And I'll finish with this crazy kid, just out of the bird bath.

This little one had so much fun and I had fun watching him!

Kristi

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Wild Bird Wednesday

WBW - Backyard Birds

My young Stellar's Jay, more blue and less fluff every time I take his picture.

More blue less fluff, might not even be the same one.

I see a dozen or more flying around at one time so there's bound to be several juveniles out there.

Love his mohawk, he's soooo cute!

And this one speakin it's mind!

And here's one ransacking my feeder.

Here's 4 lined up at the suet feeder,

 there was another one in the branches on the left but I just missed getting it in the picture.

Young American Robin!

I finally got a picture of a Northern Flicker in my yeard, above is the male.

And the pretty female!!

This Grosbeak freaks me out every time I see him at the suet feeder from a distance,

my heart races and I think it might finally be a Woodpecker.

He's taunting me!!

I chuckle every time I see one of these little ones in the chain link doing the splits.

Lots of young ones around.

Here's a very demanding young Starling who outweighs it's parent

 but is very clear what it wants.

They both barely fit on the top of the post.

Kristi

WBW - Hawks and Flickers

I'm starting my post with what I believe is a Red Tailed Hawk.

There were actually 3 of them but this was the only one that got close enough to photograph.

Even with my 500mm he was way up there and it was a challenge to get him in to focus,

I swear I quit breathing I was so intent on catching him on "film"

I had to stop for a minute to concentrate on breathing or I would hve fallen over.

They were making alot of noise and in this last one he's in the middle of one of those calls,

I was lucky I clicked at just the right moment.

Earlier the same day I was out watering flowers and I heard the distinct voice of a Flicker.

I dropped the hose and high tailed it in the house to get my camera!

I've seen and heard the flickers around but this is my first picture.

I wish this dead tree in my neighbors yard was just a little bit closer.

At first they were to the left in the branches and I couldn't see them,

then they moved to this dead tree.

They were making lots of cooing and kissing noises, obviously talking about going steady!

The picture below was the only one I caught of them dancing around,

the one on the bottom was swaying back and forth

the one on the top spreading it's tail feathers and I caught both behaviors!!!!

Kristi

WBW - Hummingbird hangin out

This little cutie was hanging out on my Butterfly Bush for probably 10 minutes, just sitting there

And sitting there...

And sitting there...

Then I guess he decided it was time to move on, he started stretching his wings and tail feathers and then...

I got the flash!!!!!!!

That incredible blazing gorget!!

And lots of adorable stretching and then

Zip zip zip it was gone!!!

PS, I've recently been told about this great site for keeping track of your bird sightings.

 You can also see what others in your area or wherever you want to know about have spotted.

EBird.com

This little Rufous hummingbird was the first one I put in my personal database.

Kristi