Black-headed Grosbeak

I still remember the first time when I saw this bird on my patio one summer.  Wow, my Adrenalin rushed and I crossed my fingers so that it would stay for a little while.

Female Black-headed Grosbeak in 2010:  "I am a new kid in the block.  It's already in August, so I don't have much time left in Oregon.  But nice to find a new feeding spot."

Starting September, Black-headed Grosbeaks begin migrating back to the south to spend warm winter somewhere in southern California or Mexico.  Come spring, they return to the north, some even going all the way to Alaska.

Male and female in 2011:  "This summer I brought my husband.   I like it here."


This May,  I saw one male a few times.

"Yuk, your backyard was overcrowded with Evening Grosbeaks this time.  I had to wait for a while and sneak in when they were gone."

Black-head Grosbeaks are a little smaller than Evening Grosbeaks, so he might have been overwhelmed and later took off  to somewhere else.

Just remember whenever you need to stop over on the way back to the south, you can take a rest here with your favorite sunflower seeds.  Because I am planting sunflowers again this summer.

 

Return of Nashville Warbler

At the end of last April,  I saw a Nashville Warbler.  Through a camera lens, it looked like Orange-crowned Warbler.  Only when I looked at the computer screen, I realized it was another bird.  Through a bird book, I finally came across the Nashville Warbler.

"Let me introduce myself:  I am a Nashville Warbler.  My chest is lot yellower than the Orange-crowned Warbler and I have a grayish head with a complete white eye ring.  For the male, the top of the head has pinkish dots."

"I like eating plum blossoms here."

This spring I have been wondering on and off if the bird would ever return here.  And finally the other day I noticed a yellowish bird on the plum tree branch.

"This year I am already a week late because of the cold spring here.  And I am disappointed to find no more of my favorite plum blossoms left.  Well, that's life, ta, ta... I am on the way to the north."

That was a very quick, short visit; nonetheless, I was happy to see you this year.  Next time when you come, I hope you can find plum blossoms in bloom to stay a bit longer.

Birdbath Basics

A birdbath is almost as important as bird food.  Why?  The water is first for drinking, and, second, for bathing.  Especially when you don't have any creek or river nearby. 

When placing a birdbath in your backyard, please follow these guidelines:

1) Keep nothing within 2 feet around on all sides since the birds are vulnerable with wet and heavy feathers.  No preditors are allowed nearby.
2) Have a small tree within a few yards for an emergency refuge. 
3) Change the water daily, and scrub the algae and droppings as needed.

Now your birds are ready to enjoy the birdbath just like my backyard friends:

Black-capped Chickadee:  "On a hot day, it's nice and cool."

Oregon Junco:  "When it gets very hot, I'll escape to the mountains.  But until then, I can take a bath here to cool down."

Evening Grosbeak:  "Daily glassful of water is good for health - I heard it on the bird news."

House Finch:  "The fresh morning water can't be underlined enough.  Do I look sound and well?  Certainly I am."

Scrub Jay:  "Ummm, good.  I just saw the backyard owner changed the water.  A taste of fresh water!!"

American Goldfinch:  "I'll send you a kiss to the conscientious backyard owner.  Hurray!!"

I hope your bird friends will love the fresh water this summer to stay clean and healthy.

The Stories of Blue Sky

In Oregon when the rhodies begin to bloom, it is the beginning of summer. We can see more blue sky while the birds crisscross it. 

Under the bright sun, a European Starling feathers begin to shine blue and purple. 

"I am most attractive in the sun."

Three Banded Pigeons gathered at the top of the neighbor's sequoia tree to chat.

"We are deciding where to go for lunch.  Which backyard do you want?  This house with the big yard?  Or that house with the tall tree?  We will take a vote."


On another tree, a couple of Mourning Doves were in a rush to get to another chore.

"Everyone is gone there, so we'd better land and munch the seeds."



An American Crow and a Red-tailed Hawk were enjoying flying around, sometimes being chased and the other time chasing the other. 

Red-tail Hawk:  "Hey, am I being chased or not?"

On a nice, sunny day, birds can dry up the feathers,  find food easier,  and so on.   Literally, they can enjoy flying.  I wish I could fly like a bird as free as can be.

A Friendly Anna's Hummingbird

Anna's hummers live around here all the year round.  The other morning I was right in front of one hummer, only a couple of meters away.

"What's up?"

"Busy right now with daily scratching and twisting exercises."

 "I just love the blueberry nectar. See, I have to go around the branches to get to the inside of little flower bells.   That's why the twisting Yoga exercise counts."

"You can't resist such sweet wisteria flowers, either."

When I was sitting in the middle of the backyard with a flower hat on, they don't get bothered much by my presence.  They come close and start buzzing and sipping from whatever flowers are around.  A happy time of the year to see flowers in bloom and find bees and birds appreciating them.

A Long Waited Western Tanager

Yesterday afternoon when I looked out between the camouflage curtains, WOW, I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES.



A male Western Tanager, which I have longed to see for sometime, just landed on the wisteria vines.

And then onto the neighbor's hedge to check on the bug availability.
Their main staple is insects such as bees, wasps, grasshoppers, etc.  They also eat fruits.

"Umm... there are some little bugs inside the hedges."

"I'm in a rush.   Now I need to fly to the fruit trees."

I hope you will come back for my blueberries, pears, plums, and apples.

"Yeah, I will consider that option."

In the past, I have seen a female Tanager a couple of times in the backyard.  But a super gorgeous male Western Tanager is my first time to see!!!  He just returned to Oregon after spending the warm winter in Mexico or Central America.   Welcome back to Oregon.  I hope to see you often from now on.

Summer Migration

Last several days I have seen hundreds of Canadian Geese flying to the north.  Each flock of geese counts about 2-3 hundred of them, forming a V-shape flying pattern.  The strongest one's at the head, and the rest to follow.  

Have a safe trip to Alaska!

A honey bee was getting busier with the new pink honeysuckle.

One of the summer birds here is Roufous Hummingbird.  Yesterday trying to get attention from a female hummer, he made a diving display from about 20 m high up to straight down close to the ground in a couple seconds.  Of course, a photo shot of such a supersonic dive is totally impossible.  But there is another way to get attention for him.

"I can be as orange as I can be!!! I am the prettiest bird in the backyard."

Another summer bird who is getting comfy these days is.

Orange-crowned Warbler: "Now I got the guts to get out of the bush into the open air."

I need to show you a new arrival for summer in the backyard.  He is a Yellow Warbler.  I have seen one for last couple of years, but taking a clear photo of him is quite a challenge.

"I 'm the quickest and shyest bird in the neighborhood.  That's why you don't see me much!! Ha, ha."

I hope I will see more of you this summer.