A Rare Visitor #3

Before the stormy weather last weekend, I found a Purple Finch visiting my backyard.  It is difficult to tell one from a House Finch.  Only when I enlarge the picture, I could tell the difference:  Purple Finch has the deep pink color and the white eyebrow.

"I stopped over to quench the thirst on a nice day."

"I look like a House Finch, but my color is deep pink."

A Rare Visitor #2

The blueberry leaves are getting red.

Under the old fruit trees, I discovered another rare visitor: Fox Sparrow

"I like to be hidden.  I need to kick the ground to find some bugs."

"A  Towhee was bullying me because he, a resident,
also kicks the ground to find food."

An Rare Visitor

The autumn colors are showing up in the backyard.  

Japanese Maple

Once or twice a year I see a Stellar's Jay in my backyard.  My area is a Scrub-Jay territory, so Stellar's Jay, an invader,  is super vigilant.

"I have to be careful in the new place."

"Together with other birds, I am gabbling up the seeds."

Winter Birds

When the temperature goes down, so with the winter birds coming down here in the backyard.

"I'm the first returnee.  I can find plenty of seeds in the cold weather."

Here is a Chestnut-backed Chickadee, a little smaller than the other chickadee.

"The woods are already cold and have no food to be found."

Another winter bird:

"I'm Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  I just stopped over here

this fall and may come back later in winter."