at one of the feeders. One can’t help but photograph these gorgeous finch-like birds.
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).
Hanging on during buffeting winds...
this tiny hummer rode the bucking rabbitbrush like a pro.
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).
Bright breeding plumage...
provides frequent flashes of color at the feeding stations these days. Here are a couple of the showiest.
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus).
Talons unlocked...
and ready to launch, this Spotted Towhee leaps with extended wings and grabs its first bite of air.
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus).
Another colorful arrival...
at the feeding stations this spring. They sure love sunflower seeds.
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus).
The blink of a hummingbird's eye...
caught in a pair of images, capturing the moment when the nictitating membrane extends across the eye.
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).
The opaque nictitating membrane extended across the eye, for about 1/60th of a second.
A standout in the bush...
with its bright blue head, this is hands down my favorite bird at the feeders. Here’s the first arrival, caught in muted light.
Breeding male Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).
The first hummingbirds...
arrived yesterday and they’re already zooming the feeders. This one is taking a rest after doing the aerial sexy dance for a while, displaying for a female at one of the feeders.
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)
Probing the nooks and crannies...
that smaller birds can’t reach with their tiny beaks, this determined blackbird is richly rewarded with a bounty of out-of-reach seed and grain.
Non-breeding male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).
This sparrow with the distinctive topknot...
has invaded the feeding stations in great numbers this spring.
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys).
The melodic chirpy song...
of this striking sparrow with the bloodshot eyes is one of my springtime favorites.
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus).
A vigilant sentinel...
on watch duty from a high perch this morning.
Common Raven (Corvus corax).
Half-dressed for breeding season...
as the winter coat is changed out for more brilliant breeding plumage. Gotta look sharp for the ladies.
Male American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis).
Knocking on wood and a flash of color...
in the cottonwoods signals the presence of a woodpecker.
Male “Red-shafted” Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus).
A snowy surprise...
greets the breakfast visitors at the feeding stations this morning.
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta).
Relaxing on one leg...
while its head turns on a swivel, Sharpie visits at dusk.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus).
Blue birds against a blue sky...
as a small flock of jays noisily announced their presence this morning.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus).
Lying in wait...
with infinite patience at the feeding station this cold and overcast morning, Sharpie sat nearly motionless for about 45 minutes.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus).
Shopping the breakfast menu...
early this morning at the feeding stations, but Sharpie flew off unfulfilled on this visit.
A puffed up, winter-jacketed Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus).
If the Grinch was a bird...
it might be this grumpy-faced yet colorful member of the blackbird family. Perhaps not getting its fair share at the feeding stations on this Christmas Eve day?
Frowny-faced Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta).
Here’s a list of birds seen at the feeding stations around the house in Castle Valley this Christmas season:
House Sparrow
House Finch
White Crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Spotted Towhee
Common Raven
Inca Dove
Collared Dove
American Goldfinch
Pine Siskin
Western Meadowlark
Magpie
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Scrub Jay
Western Bluebird
Northern Flicker