Back for Summer

A week later than last year, I saw a female Rufous Hummingbird.  Yesterday I finally saw a male Rufous at my feeder.  To avoid scaring him, I took photos thru the 2-pane patio glass door.  

He was happy to be back here.

Welcome back to Oregon.

Summer Birds

 A spring sunrise.
 The weather is changeable:  a few days of warm days followed by very cold rainy days.

At the nature reserve,  Tree Swallows, summer birds, already returned from the south.

They have decided which nest box to use and now are busy stuffing the nest.

A Hunting Lesson

One day at a Natural Reserve just out of town, we witnessed a Red-tailed Hawk hunting a rodent for the first time.

That sunny, warm morning, he was sunbathing and cleaning the feathers earlier.  After we made a walk around and upon our return,  so did the hawk return back to the same tree.

Then, he was ready to jump off the tall branch right in front of our eyes.

Just for a short moment he hovered over the field.

And he darted to grab a victim (a rodent) and gulped in a second.

"Ummm, delicious!"

Red Hairdo

One day at the nearby wetland, I saw a female Common Merganser swimming in the morning sun.

Upon noticing my camera stare, she dashed splashing the water.

On another time, she was with her mate floating in the distance.

"Stay away from us."

Spring Time

Despite the chilly wind, the purple crocus began to bloom.

This winter I have not seen many Yellow-rumped Warblers as in the previous years.  This one is the only one I saw earlier this winter.   With the white spots on the head,  I identified it quite easily.

"I think I am an ugly duckling, different from

the majority of the pretty yellow-rumped"

Today I finally took a photo of another one.  Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle Warbler with the white front neck).

"Too much development around here.  That is why

I could not get here like before.  I still like your suet."

Snowy Days

This past week we had a few snowfalls.  I hope this coming week will be warm and rainy.

Both male and female Downy Woodpeckers visited here a few times to peck on the suet on cold days.

Little Bushtits came in a big flock to nibble their share.

Out of all the little birds here,  Oregon Juncos look best with snow.

"We love the cold temperature."

Cold Wind from Alaska

For a week, it's been chilly with the northern wind from Alaska.  One sunny day, off we went to the usual wetland.

Canadian Geese were waking up.

Northern Pintails were swimming  across the pond.

Altogether we saw several hawks.  At the end of our stroll, a couple of  juvenile Red-tailed Hawks came out for our close-up view of their flight.

"I am not mature, so my tail is not red yet.."