Sharing the Sugar Water

Sharing is something to learn for everyone.  So with birds.  Hummingbirds have a territory and when two show up around the same time, one will usually chase away the other in my backyard.   Here is an example of a confrontation.

"I just don't like the other girl!"

But one sunny day in the front garden where there is only one feeder, there were two hummingbirds sharing the same  sugar juice.

"I don't like the other girl looking at me, 

but it's nice and warm here.  I can share the juice today."

"Slurp, slurp.....  tastes so good.  We are both happy."

Berries for Winter Food

In late fall, only a few leaves are left on the neighbor's maple tree.  

In my backyard, an American Robbin flew in to eat the Beauty Berries.  Last year maybe the same Robin was munching these berries, so it returned again for the same treat.

"People say these berries are a bit tart, but I like 

these when no other berries are around."

Frozen Bird Bath

It's been below freezing.  The bird bath water is frozen and melts some by noon.

"A nice, but cold day.  Any drinking water around here?"

"Knock, knock... on the ice.  Well, I can lick a bit then."

"Oh, no....  It's frozen all over."

A Predator Watch

In winter,  predators return to town to look for food.  The other morning I heard a crow squawking loudly.    There he was, busy harassing a falcon.

"I am a Merlin, a small predator."

"Just leave me alone, Mr. Crow."

"There's no chance for me to find any food here."

Cold, But Sunny Day

Today the blue sky appeared after two days of gusty wind.   Around 9:30 am, the sun begins to hit my backyard.  Many birds come over to find seeds and suets at the feeders.

A male Northern Flicker stopped over for the suet.

"I haven't been here for a while.  I'm

 glad the suet is here for our winter food."

A few Anna's Hummingbirds visit here throughout the year.  One of them stayed in the sun for a long time after slurping the sugar water.  She can let me come very close.

"I just like the warm sun."

First Freezing Temperature

Winter has arrived here.  The freezing temperature this morning caused the local schools to delay the starting for 2 hours.  When I went out to feed the birds, I felt the small pellets of ice falling on me.  The colorful leaves are mostly fallen, covering the ground.

Now I saw a winter bird that stopped over.

"Hi, I am a Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon). 

 I will be visiting here often during the cold months."

Late Autumn Friends

After a week of rainy and cold days,  our weather finally cleared for a day.  The birds are busy taking a bath to do cleaning.

"I don't mind taking a bath in the cold weather.  I really need 

to keep my feather light and clean for the ease of flying."

Finding bugs in every corner of the bush.

"I need to find bugs before they die out with 

the freezing temperature."

Looking far and wide to assure his territory clear of any invaders.

"No other pink helmet can be flying around here."

"See my beautiful pink helmet.  The 

chickadee behind is in awe of this color."

In a Little Town

One day on a country side, we had no scheduled plan, so we strolled around the town to find the roaster and the hen pecking the seeds at a cafe ground.

"Don't disturb my breakfast."

At nearby famous ruins, there are many kitties freely promenading on and near the priceless broken marble structures.  Since the ancient times, cats have been revered as a god.  Therefore, Turkish people too inherit the tradition of respecting the cats.

"I am a queen of the ruin.  I am well fed and everyday I let 

people take my fabulous photo.  Don't you like my golden eyes?"

On the Aegean Sea

In the past I've heard a lot about the beauty of the Aegean Sea, but I did not pay much attention to it.   One day during the trip, we made a stopover at a coastal town more like to kill time and, lo behold, unexpectedly discover the meaning of that praise:  a clear indescribable blue green sea water,  accented with little guppies swimming around.

Over the distance, Black-legged Kittiwakes (seagulls) and a Marbled Teal bobbing and hunting on the water.

"Hey, this will be my catch."

And on top of a nearby fisherman's shed, a Rock Dove was staring at me.

"I bet you are fascinated by us just like all the other tourists."