Maybe it was because my caregiver came early and I was up and away from breakfast sooner than normal, but there seemed to be a surprising number of birds flitting past the window today. And later on in the morning a very active small flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers, my first warblers of the year passed through.
The first bird I noted was the Mourning Dove, perhaps because it's so big and obvious!
It stayed around for awhile, letting me get more pictures. This I blew up as much as I could and it was still remarkably clear. I love the feather pattern on the doves. This picture is hugely cropped, probably more than it should be!
A House Finch visited the feeder, and earlier a pair had stopped together briefly. I expect they're nesting somewhere close.
There were also 3 or 4 Dark-eyed Juncos around. They usually leave in the spring to nest in the boreal forest.
But the big sighting of the spring so far was a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers flitting through the canopy of our big trees. They hardly ever sit still for more than a second, and it was a challenge to get a picture that would show the flash of yellow in their wings. These photos are enormously cropped, but I was using my big Nikon, so they stayed relatively clear.
We still have a Downy Woodpecker and the Chickadees, but they too will soon disappear to the woods to raise their young. The only birds I didn't get a picture of were a Robin and a Song Sparrow, but I'm sure they're both nesting nearby.
Wonderful shots! The dove is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great assortment! I love the House Finch!
ReplyDeleteCropping is necessary. I had to crop my moon photos a little even though I was shooting at 400mm. Ya dun gud. And you know your birds.
ReplyDeleteThe Mourning Dove, such beautiful feather colours all arranged to show the darker ones off so well. And a great variety of feathered friends. lovely to see them after your winter is almost done.
ReplyDeletei see my juncos made it safely to you, i miss them already. the warblers are beautiful. i am glad you have a nice variety there to keep you company!!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. In recent years we have juncos staying and nesting here. We had one nest in a hanging basket which made watering it a challenge. I never get tired of listening to mourning doves.
ReplyDeleteLovely bird pictures. I've always like mourning doves.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely feathered visitors you have. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteAll of them are birds we never see here, so nice to make their acquaintance. Being able to crop photos is part of the reason to have an expensive camera.
ReplyDeleteGiven that you are not able to chase the birds, the combination of patience and the long lens brought good results. Well done.
ReplyDeletePretty birds!
ReplyDeleteI've not seen the warblers here, but the others are familiar to me. There are still a few juncos around, lots of sparrows and finches, and the ones I dislike, the grackles. I had a pair of Hungarian partridges in the backyard yesterday as well.
Yellow-rumped warblers are the earliest of those to return here; but they don't stay, they head your way.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful??!!
ReplyDelete