After Christmas Day

It is cold lately.  The other day there was an early morning fog and it stayed cold all day long even though the day is getting longer a little by little.

 

"It is raining today.  You can see the rain drops falling from the little branch.😉"

"It is still dark in the morning.  I just want to nibble the suet😋."

"Now I can see better in the evening.  I hope you had a Merry Christmas😋😍."

Sunny Winter Day

 After the flooding, we stopped over at the wetland.  As we walked along the trail, we saw two Bald Eagles perched on a tall tree.

"A super day today.  We want to dry out the feathers.😎"

A Great Egret was standing still at a corner of a big pond.

"Everyone is happy today😊."

A Pied-billed Grebe was fishing by himself as usual.

"I can easily spot a fish on a clear day🤩."

Winter Visitors

 For a couple of weeks, it rained on and off.  The water level in a nearby river has risen to cause the flooding near the wetland.  So for a while, I can not to go to see the waterfowl there.

At my backyard, I see Pine Siskins come often in a dozen.  They like to eat the dry seeds from my feeders.

"Thanks for your seeds.  We don't get starved.😍"

"Thanks a million😋😁."

"We are friendly birds.  Rest assured, we do not fight."😊😊

Back to Rain

The rain returned after a couple of weeks' cold spell.  Now that it is warmer, the snow in the mountains is melting and can cause flooding.

 

"I like the rain, but not the flooding. "

"I definitely do not want flooding."

"Rain is ok, but not too much, please."

The fog and the Sun

This time of the year, the wetland sometimes  becomes very foggy.

"You can take my picture.  But the fog may hide me."

After a few days, we revisited the area.

"I am glad you are back for a better one."

"I like the clear sky a lot better."

 

Backyard Friends in Winter

 In my backyard, the winter friends have returned.  

Lesser Goldfinch: "we come here during the winter months.😋"

Northern Flicker: "I am a regular visitor during the cold months, too😊."

Ruby-crowned Kinglet:  "I come here whenever I can sneak in."

(The Backyard Owner:  I see Oregon Juncos often chase out the Ruby-crowned Kinglet😥😥.)

The Two Kinds of Chickadees

The backyard is pretty with colorful leaves.  The Black-capped Chickadee was picking up the old rose petals.

"These petals may taste good.  Don't you think😅?"

The Chestnut-backed Chickadee has returned to my backyard.

"I come here often to nibble the delicious suet😋."

"I am a regular visitor here for the winter months😍."

 

Wetland After Rainy Days

 On a sunny morning, we were at the nearby wetland.

Pie-billed Grebe said, "Hi, I see you often."

Then, I saw a Common Merganser.

"Hi, I am all by myself, and my friends are at another pond."

An American Bittern was still here.  He/she is almost ready to leave for a warmer area.

"I will probably leave for the coast soon."

Cold, but Sunny Day

 On a very cold, but sunny day, we went to the wetland.  People and birds were all happy with the weather.

"We all like the weather.  It's nice and warm."

(Pied-billed Grebe: From the left, second and fifth)

"We do, too."

(Green-winged Teal: second from the right)

"I can see a fish a lot easier."

A Foggy Day

 A foggy day at the wetland.

Great Blue Heron:  "I cannot see anyone.  Can you?"

Gadwall, female:  "I have to make sure not to bump anyone on the water."

In the deep fog, a young Northern Harrier was on the log.

Northern Harrier:  "I cannot find any food this morning."

Ready for Winter

The blueberry leaves are changing colors to red.

 

A winter bird, Yellow-rumped  Warbler, is back for winter.

"I am back in the backyard😊."

Also at the wetland, I saw several Yellow-rumped Warblers.

"I am back at the wetland🤩."

Fall

 Now in October the sunrise is quite late.   It is dark in the backyard  when early birds come around for their breakfast.

        "Surprise!  These flowers (Crocosmia) are still in bloom here😍. "

 

Northern Flickers have returned to my backyard.

"We are back from the woods.  I like your suet👀😊."

"We like your thistle seeds and sunflower seeds😋."

All the Year Around

 It is getting cold in the morning.  But when it warms up,  more birds come and visit here.

"I still prefer the fresh flowers.  Soon I have to switch to the sugar water."

Black-capped Chickadees are busy eating seeds at the feeder.

"I like the seeds, especially the roasted sunflower seeds."

Oregon Juncos are here all the year around.

"I like them, too.  I also eat the suet when I can jump to the feeder."

Season is Changing

 The weather is gradually getting cold.  This week will be rainy everyday.  Before the rain came, I took this photo of the bug.

At the wetland, birds are getting ready to move onto a warmer area.  I saw a flock of Cedar Waxwing early in the morning.

The berries in the woods are almost gone.  The cold weather is arriving soon.

"We can go to the coast where the temperature is mild."

Fall Visitors

When I was taking care of roses,   I saw this cute  little butterfly.  I rushed into the house to grab my camera.

"Am I pretty?"

It is getting chilly early in the morning and the Chestnut-backed Chickadee returned to my backyard. 

"I am very hungry for the suet."

Several young American Goldfinches returned to my feeder.  They also like to eat the seeds on the ground clovers.

"We have to come here for the coming months."

Moving onto South

It is Autumn now and everyone is now back at school (except college kids).  At the wetland, summer birds are getting ready to leave for south.  One day I saw a young Turkey Vulture resting at top of the dead tree.

  "I am ready."

A flock of Cedar Waxwings were busy munching whatever berries they could find.

"We will be ready soon."

A Warbling Vireo was seen in the bush.

"I am going through here on the way to south."

Summer is Over

 At the wetland, there are many Goldfinches munching the weed seeds at the end of summer.

"Fall is a nice time of the year for the seeds.  Munch, munch...😄"

Early in the morning, I can see one or two Belted Kingfishers catching a fish.

"My eyes are super good to see a fish moving👀😎."

On a lucky day, I can take a close up photo of an Osprey.

"I have a better vision to catch a big fish👀👀😁."