The Wanderer Returns

The Mockingbirds disappear from my yard during the summer months, they are in the area, just not in my yard. Quite mysterious. Last weekend I heard a familiar squawk and sure enough, the wanderers had returned and they will now be a regular fixture around my feeders through the winter and spring.

Blue and Grey

What a beautiful morning. I wonder what was going on between this female Phainopepla and Northern Mockingbird. Maybe she was asking when he was going to start his migration?

Kitchen Window Birding

It is COLD! Usually at this time of year the gulf stream dips down round the great lake region delivering an icy blast direct from Canada to folks in the Midwest. But just to be different, the gulf stream is currently way further west and bringing a big chill right into the Southwest.
The birds are eating a lot in order to fend off this cold weather and it is a full time job keeping all the feeders filled. I have several feeders outside my kitchen window so I can still enjoy my feathered friends even when I don't feel like braving the elements.

The Cardinal and the Pyrrhuloxia usually visit together. One will fly in, grab a couple of seeds and then be chased off by the other and so they go back and forth, back and forth.

The Northern Mockingbird pushes all the other birds away when he visits and stands proud to have his meal.

But even the mockingbird takes cover when this guy swoops in.

All these photos were taken at my kitchen sink - very distracting and guaranteed to make washing the dishes take twice as long!

Tea Break

Having a bird bath in your yard can make you into a very lazy birder, especially in the desert because the parade of birds that come for a drink seems almost endless.

Of course it is wonderful to provide an oasis of clean, refreshing water during the long hot days.

If you sit quietly the photo opportunities are very varied

And occasionally you get a big surprise!

Bath time

The mockingbird is a daily visitor to the newly installed bird bath.