Rain after the Dry Summer

The last few days it's been raining on and off.  Summer birds already left for the south.  My backyard is now quiet with the winter birds only.


Anna's Hummer just found a new feeder.

"Summer flowers don't taste good any more; I like this feeder."

A matured Spotted Towhee showed up after a long absence.

"Not so noisy today.  I just sneaked in."

The other day I saw four Golden-crowned Sparrows, too.  Here is one of them.

"I like the chilly morning in the fall."

Fall Visitor #2

This weekend the annual air show is going on.  In the afternoon with the swishing white smoke against the clear blue sky,  the Canadian Air Force jets were roaring high above.

One came right above me with the deafening noise.

Earlier today I saw an Orange-crowned Warbler.  He/she makes a short stop on the way to the south for the winter.  This must be the one I saw in the spring.

"I can't drink any more blueberry nectar like in the spring, 

but I can still find some bugs around here."

Fall Visitor

In Oregon, it has been dry.  At the nearby wetlands, the reservoirs and marshes have been dried up. Luckily a creek next to them is still running.  I hope the migrating birds can find water to drink on the long flight back to the south.

Wild roses are still in bloom to form a rose hip later.

Others have already changed into the rose hips.

Back at my backyard, I noticed a Golden-crowned Sparrow returned for the fall.

"I'm back.  More to follow me."

Bright Full Moon

Last Monday was the bright Harvest Moon Day.  Since I missed it, the next day I took a photo of it, which was as bright as the day earlier.

My sunflower seeds are being harvested by birds and squirrels at this time.

American Goldfinches raise their young often in August, so I notice there are many of them around picking dried sunflower seeds.

"We are three sisters and 

like to drink water here."

"I am a Lesser Goldfinch.  I see another bird on the water."

Ready for Winter?

Ready or not the seasons are changing.  I can feel it in the coldness of the early morning air, and in the changes that have been taking place in birds.

Goldfinches have changed into their winter coat.  Their beak is already dark; their coat less bright; the black top of the male is almost gone.

 "I now have less conspicuous coat, which will protect 

me from predators when the leaves are fallen."

Rufous Hummingbirds are getting ready for their migration flight to the south to spend a warm winter.  Before the long flight, they have to fatten up.

"I will be leaving in a couple of weeks."

Some birds do not migrate, but just return to the lower elevation to spend winter.

Song Sparrow:  "I just got back from the woods."

Lo, behold!  Someone else is back, too.  Here comes a Cooper's Hawk.

"I am on the trial run today.  I checked all over inside 

these apple, plum, and pear trees."

Loyal Residents #2

School just started.  Parents are happy to see their kids back at school after the long summer break. The morning breeze is now a bit cool to chilly sometimes.


A pretty Western Scrub-Jay is always around here.  Early in the morning sun, his/her blue coat is shining metallic blue.

"Take a good picture of me."

A Red-breasted Nuthatch is also around here.  This morning he/she came right next to me, tooting a horn.

"I have pretty bluish grey feathers."

A hyperactive Black-capped Chickadee is seen here all the year around.  But very difficult to take a good photo due to his incessant movement.

"I'll let you take a picture just this instant!"

Not a Dead Bird

House Sparrows roost in my neighborhood.  As soon as the sun rises, they are here to have their breakfast. On a hot day, they are ready to take a cool bath.

"I have to finish my bath before a Robin shows up."

After the bath, they've found an ideal place to dry up on the rooftop of the neighbor's shed.

"We are not dead birds.  Just drying off and 

taking a nap at the same time."