Deep Fog

Last week, the road to the wetland was flooded and blocked for traffic.  The morning fog still hung around.

Only a few ducks were paddling around in the deep fog.

A tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet was there looking for her breakfast.

Return after Several Years of Absence

 Due to much development in the neighorhood, some birds no longer can make it to my backyard in town.  Nowadays we often have to go out to the wetlands where birds safely land  and easily find food.  

But last week I had a lucky day.  A bird who had disappeared from my backyard for several years returned to my surprise.  

How delighted I am!

"I love to peck your suet."

"You never forget me.  My superior mask."

"On a rainy day, I appreciate your replenishing

 the suet.  A short flight to find the food."

Fog and Sun

 The wetland in winter is desolate with bare branches and cold wind.

"I am getting ready to catch a fish."

But once in a while, the sun comes out to dry the ground and  feathers for birds.

"A sunny day is a blessing in winter."

The rosehips are still around the reservoirs.

Water Fowls

 After a week of rainy weather, the weather finally cleared for us to stop over at the nearby wetland.

Crackling goose:  "I am glad to see the blue sky!"

Common Mergansers:  "We are a big block of a couple of dozens."

A male Mallard:  " I have a pretty green head."

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?"

Autumn Birds

 At the wetland, there are not many birds at this time of the year.   Most of the birds must have left for their migration.

Here is a male Anna's Hummingbird who stays here all the year around.

"I am lonesome since most of my friends are gone to south."

A male House Finch shares the same feeling:

"Me, too.  I soon have to go to the backyards to find seeds."

Many sparrows are halfway migrants who move between the woods in summer and the coast in winter within the Northwest or just Oregon.  One of them is a White-crowned Sparrow.

"I am on the way to the coast.   I usually 

visit this area in autumn and spring."  

Return to Backyard

 Cooper's Hawks returned to town from the woods where no food is available now.  On a sunny fall afternoon, I saw one hovering high in the sky.

"I feel so good!😊"

"On a nice day like today, it's ok to fly 

together.  Usually we bully each other, though."

"Who could be a better flyer?"

Fall Day

The day is getting shorter, but the fuchsia flowers are still in bloom.  

 After all the summer birds are gone, there are some birds who stay here all year around.  Anna's Hummingbird is one of them.

"This is my favorite flower."

So do American Goldfinches.

"I stay here most of the time whenever I can find food."

Lesser Goldfinches were here everyday last winter.

" That's right.  You know me. "

A Crowded Bath

When the weather gets cold, Bushtits fly in a dozen or two at a time.  They come in like a grey cotton ball blown in by the wind.

"We are four right now.  But a lot more are coming in."

"We are taking a bath in the sun."

"Too crowded!"

Back at the Wetland

 Now the summer heat is gone and the fall weather is in.

Last week we stopped over at the wetland after a month.   As soon as we arrived,  I spotted a hawk up on the tall evergreen.  He often perches there at the entry to the wetland.

"You already saw me!"

As I anticipated, all the summer birds are already gone.  The quiet trails...

"We are still here," answered a female Redwing Blackbird.

Autumn Arrival

Oregon had been dry.  Big forest fires have been going on and the smoke even invaded the northern area where I live.  Finally,  the other day the long-awaited rain storm came with thunder during the night.  Now the summer is gone.  So did the summer birds flee right before the storm hit here.  A lonesome backyard remains.

Hummingbirds fight for their territory.  Lately Anna's Hummingbird was bullied by the summer hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbirds.

"Now, I got my flowers back.  Yeah! 😜"

Some birds returned to my backyard from the woods.  A Song Sparrow is one of them.

"I am back.  I will see you more often."

Just to confirm the change in temperature, I found the Japanese maple leaves changing its color.

Return to South

 More summer birds are passing by here on the way to south.  

I saw this bird perched on a branch where not many birds do, so I took a photo.  Sure enough it turned out to be  a Dusky Flycatcher.  Last fall I found one stopping by.

"Hi, I remember your backyard."

In spring, I saw Wilson's Warbler a few times and on the return to south he again stopped over.  

"Hi, I am back, hungry for your bugs."

A rare visitor:   A 1st year Western Tanager,  who is a bit bigger than a House Finch and House Sparrow.  They all wanted to take a bath at the same time.

"I am new here and hope to return next year."

More Rufous Hummingbirds

More Rufous Hummingbirds arrive on the way to south.  This one remembered my fountain.

 "I just spotted my favorite fountain."

"Yeah, this is it.😜"

"This is my clothesline.😍"