Spring Visit

Spring is in full swing.  My hanging cherry tree is beginning to bloom.

The other day a couple of Band-tail Pigeons came down to visit my backyard.

"Between the showers, we stopped over for a quick visit."

"I like this stand to look around better."

A Gentle Landing

Now that our evening time is still light due to the daylight saving time, we visited the nearby wetland around 4:00 pm.

The pink wild flowers are in bloom.

As I walked along the reservoir, I looked back to find in surprise a Great Blue Heron landing just behind me.

"A perfect landing indeed!"

"Better than an Olympic gymnast!"

Spring Visitor

In the backyard, white pear flowers are beginning to bloom.

Early this morning one Cedar Waxwing stopped over for a few seconds just to check what's been going on in the backyard with little birds flying around busily at their breakfast time.

"Well, I don't see any food for me here."

"I'd better get back to my usual field."

Spring Cleaning

March weather is changeable.   The magnolia in the front yard is about to bloom.

When the sun comes out and warms up, birds love to do their spring cleaning of their feathers to get rid of dust, bugs, and everything else.

A dive into the water:  House Finch

Splash, splash in a little pond:  Oregon Junco

A swimming practice:  House Sparrow

"I'm a good swimmer!"

Everyone is clean and happy with the light feathers after the bath.

Two Days Later

A female Rufous Hummingbird arrived here two days later.  She usually comes after the  male arrives.  I first spotted her on the pear tree branch showing its bright, white chest.

"After a long flight from Mexico, I need to rest up now."

After a little while, she flew onto my feeders as she used to last spring/summer.

"Hi, I'm back!"

Early Return

This spring must be warmer a little early.  The daffodils are about to open.

On March 7, a male Rufous Hummingbird returned to my backyard one week earlier.  For past 3 years he returned on Mar 14.

Happily he wiggled the body and drank the sugar juice for rather a long time.  It is fresh because I just made it for his imminent return.

 "This is my feeder."

"This is a new feeder here, but I've used one 

elsewhere.  I know exactly how it works."

Spring

Since I get in and out of the house through the car garage, I often miss out what flowers are in bloom right in front of my house. The other day I was surprised to find out several purple crocuses were already in bloom.

A Spotted Towhee usually hides behind branches so that no one will see him/her.  In the spring, they seem to come out more often.

In the blueberry bush

"It's still dark.  I can sneak out here for a little while."

On the fence

"Ta, da,  spreading my pretty tail feathers."