In Search of Bugs

By the time the spring arrives, Anna's Hummingbirds are tired of drinking the sugar water everyday.  So they are out to patrol for catching little bugs.

"A bug in the air!!"

"A bug on the hedge."

Look at Me

Several Spotted Towhees live around here in winter.  Today I saw a couple of them.  A male Spotted Towhee just hopped onto the birdbath to detract my attention from the female Towhee at the feeder.

"Just look at me.  Don't bother my girl on the feeder."

"HOP!  I am swift and energetic."

Spring Bath

The daffodils are in bloom, a sign of spring arrival.

The birdbath gets crowded.   House Sparrows and Oregon Juncos are the usual bathers.  But today I found a couple of Golden-crowned Sparrows there.

"A clean water bath is very special on a warm day 

like this, thanks to the backyard owner!"

A Couple Everywhere

Spring is almost here.  My purple crocuses are in bloom.

I see birds in twosomes everywhere.  They have found their mate.  Here is Scrub-jay #1.

"The suet is a good winter food for me."

Here is Scrub-jay #2.  This must be a male with the darker blue feathers.

"Every morning, I have to compete with squirrels 

in grabbing yummy roasted peanuts,"  

Fretting Wings

Looking close to the branches, I can see the fretting of the little wings. The way it moves is different from other birds'.

"It's me!"

"I can get to the suet after the Oregon Juncos, 

Yellow-rumped Warblers, and all the bigger birds.  

I have to be super quick; otherwise, they will kick me out.  

Tough to be a wee little bird."

Guess Who Came?

One afternoon I was looking out to the backyard.  Then out of all the things, who came into my view?




A raccoon!   He is usually nocturnal and likes to roam around at night.  But this day he wanted to check my backyard walking from one end to the other.

I have seen a dead raccoon on the road, but not a real one walking.  He/she was big, the size of small dog, several times bigger than my cats that stay indoors.

After the rare raccoon's visit, birds came back and munched their lunch.

An advice from House Finch:  "A raccoon has sharp teeth and claws.  Stay out of their way."

Wetland Report

Today we stopped over at a nearby wetland which has been under renovation for sometime.  At a nearby pond we saw the works done by beavers.


The bark was peeled off from several small trees.

The beavers' teeth have to be used to control the growth of them.  Otherwise, the teeth get too long and curled to hurt the beavers.

Another larger tree was down with their teeth marks showing the minute and consistent work.

Nearby a flock of Canada Goose were taking a break amongst the reeds.

A male Mallard was just landing on the water to join the crowd.

We enjoyed a quiet, warm outing.

Spring Taste

Between the rains, the sky gets clear and sunny.  To my surprise, I found yellow crocus flowers ready to bloom.

On a tree top, a Black-capped Chickadee was busy pecking the leaf buds.

"I love the tender spring buds!"