Blue Jay

This isn't the first time I've seen these vibrant Blue Jays in my backyard, but I see them so rarely that I welcome their beautiful blue color!

Bushtits!

This was a first sighting for me! I thought they were baby Chickadees until I learned that they were, in fact a group of Bushtits! Cute little things and I've only had them visit this one time that I'm aware of. Sort of a "now you see us, now you don't" kind of visit!!

Molting Northern Flicker

Birds can look so scraggly when they molt! I just want to go pluck all those feathers out for her!

Chipping Sparrow

This photo was taken in my backyard on Sept. 30, 2011. About the same time every afternoon for about a week, a fairly good size group of Chipping Sparrows fluttered to and fro amongst the trees, chittering and chattering a happy tune. Little buggers were difficult to get a photo of, though. This was the best I could do, considering the rapid movement of my target. Not a great focus but at least enough I could figure out what kinds of birds I was listening to!

Common Grackle

About mid September, I had a whole large flock of common Grackles race through my yard like a motorcycle gang! There must have been a hundred of them. In that last photo above, I can count over 20 and the rest were in my trees. They didn't stay long but they sure made a lot of noise while they were here!

American Robin with Crossed Beak

I noticed this little fella amongst my Elderberry bushes. I didn't notice his crossed beak until I got close look at him. I sure hope he can learn to grab worms with that beak. He seemed to be able to eat the berries and he certainly looks like a well-fed bird. He may still be getting food from his parents at this point but I'll keep an eye out for him next summer to see if he makes it through the winter.

Unfortunate House Finch with Avian Pox?

Howdy!!! If you still follow this blog, you're in for a treat because I have lots of pics to post ans will be getting to it very soon I promise!!! I will start with the most recent and eventually work my way through them all for you to enjoy.
This unfortunate female House Finch showed up at my feeder a couple of days ago (Oct 4th) and I immediately noticed something different about her behavior. First, she was alone and this time of year the finches are starting to really gather in flocks for protection but this gal was sitting on my feeder, not eating, just sitting. OK, she did eat a seed or two but not much. I sat and watched her for the longest time. I got out my camera to see if I could see signs of eye disease but I think her eyes look fine (maybe not? ). Eventually, I moved a little closer and she flew to the fence where I spotted her ailment...a bad foot. She then flew up into the tree where she stayed, perched with one foot and sleeping at times, for at least another half-hour. I had to leave for a bit and when I cam back she was gone. In general, just by her behavior, I don't think she was a well bird. She seemed to be in pain but there was nothing I could do. I called a bird rehab and they said if she can fly away, there's nothing they could do and the hope it that she will eventually heal. I hope so!!!!
Edited to add that according to some opinions on my Flickr page, this bird seems to be suffering from Avian Pox. The best thing for me to do is disinfect my feeders to discourage spreading of this contagious disease.

On another note....the squirrell is still trying to figure out how to get the seed out of that feeder. He gets his fair share of dropped seed and suet plus the corn and apples I give him. He's a well fed squirrel!!!