between meals.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
A noisy aerial invasion...
of the feeding stations is occurring by a nomadic gang of jays. The image below captures only a few of the blue brutes and the regulars don’t stand a chance when they’re around.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus).
Vigilant on the winter solstice...
from a high perch, this raptor is now being observed several times a day near the feeding stations.
Cooper’s Hawk (Astur cooperii).
A parched woodpecker...
stops by the watering hole this morning to tank up.
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus).
Talons and all disappear down the gullet...
of this successful hunter as it enjoys a luncheon consisting of dove tartare. Everybody’s gotta eat.
Well fed Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus).
This pint-sized predator...
just flushed several finches from the feeder, failing in its ambush late in the day. Small but fierce.
Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis).
This large and sooty bird...
is populating the valley in great numbers this winter, with a large “conspiracy” visiting the feeding stations on a daily basis.
Common Raven (Corvus corax).
A flying predatory Cyclops...
spies a potential target this morning.
Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
A band of screeching Pinyon Jays...
has assaulted the feeding stations, numbering nearly 100 voracious individuals. Here are just a couple.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus).
All fluffed up...
with its winter coat on in response to the first hard freeze overnight as it stakes out the feeding stations the following morning.
Juvenile Cooper’s Hawk (Astur cooperii).
A handsome hawk sits for its portrait...
in the bright sun, presenting perfectly posed profiles to the camera this afternoon. It’s also quickly becoming tolerant of my close by presence.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
With focused determination...
this patiently perched raptor isn’t leaving without breakfast. This handsome bird is now a near daily sighting around the feeding stations.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
An early morning shower...
is being enjoyed in the bird bath. Unfortunately this opportunity won’t last much longer as the irrigation system is being winterized tomorrow.
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta).
Look who's lurking...
near the feeding stations this morning, waiting patiently to grab brunch.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
UPDATE: The following morning, with the Sun at its back, hunting for breakfast.
A bowl full of bluebirds...
gathers around dusk. They’re pretty regular visitors at the birdbath late in the day.
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana).
There's an increasing population...
of Common Ravens in Castle Valley this year, or so it seems.
Common Raven (Corvus corax).
The jays have discovered...
the replenished feeding stations while the rock squirrels enjoy the bath.
Western scrub-jay (Aphelocoma californica).
Rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus).
Do not disturb nesting raptors...
on Parriott Mesa for the first eight months of the year advises a new sign at the trailhead to the mesa top. How ironic that one shows up off season?!
A high viewing perch...
for a fishing Osprey on a ponderosa pine snag, observed today attempting to grab breakfast from a wetland pond, though unsuccessfully.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
Well-coordinated carp-herding pelicans...
working a wetland pond for breakfast as a united flotilla, seemingly surrounded by glistening diamonds due to strong backlighting by the Sun. Between these and the Osprey, the fish that occupy these pools don’t stand a chance.
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos).