Two Ways to Eat the Suet

When the weather gets cold, a Yellow-rumped Warbler appeares in my backyard.  It likes to nibble the suet.  

"I found a suet hanging here."

"See.  It's easy to nibble this way."

"Or, I can jump to the suet."

Pine Siskins

 In winter, Pine Siskins show up at my feeder in a big flock.  Today I saw a  couple of dozens.  They like to eat dry seeds.

"I have to wait for my turn since the feeder is too crowded."

"We are waiting, too.  We are hungry."

Lately it has been cold and foggy.  Thanksgiving Holiday is coming soon.  In Oregon, the Corona infection is going up so fast that the governor announced a week ago there is no more dining in at a restaurant, and all the gyms are closed for next  two weeks in my area.  When we go out for bird watching in a field, we always wear a mask and keep a 6 ' social distancing just for the safe side.  

A Tiny Bird

 One of the tiniest birds in Oregon next to a hummingbird is Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  Last winter I did not see any, so I thought I lost that one.  But last spring I saw another one frequenting here.  And, this one just returned to my backyard for the coming  winter months.

"You guessed right.  I like to hang around here during the cold months. 

 Right now I can find little bugs behind the old leaves."

"Next I can eat the suet."

"Third, I can come close to the patio to say hello to you."

Fall Colors

 In the fall, the leaves of blueberry bushes change into beautiful red.   The first year when we moved into this house, we did not know what kind of a bush has such a bright red leaf and in the summer we found out it was a blueberry bush.

The neighbor's maple leaves are now yellow.  Can you find a little Anna's Hummingbird perched on top of one small branch?

"I miss sweet flower juice, but I have a good 

backyard owner who feeds me sugar water in winter."

"This feeder is new and I am attracted to the red color."

Autumn Cleaning

 On a nice day, birds like to clean their feathers.  Dirt on the feathers increase their overall weight  affecting the flight.  Hidden bugs can cause skin problems.  So it is best to stay clean.

The other day, I saw a juvenile Red-tail Hawk perched on a tall pole, spending a good 30 minutes cleaning every feather on the tail.  Quite a few people walked by and some took photos.   But he was kept busy with the chore.

"A minute work on every feather counts.  I do not like a bug nesting on me."

"Flipping to make sure these are as light as feather."

"I am almost done.    Don't you think?"