Leftovers

Sometimes there are no unique birds, but there's always something to see. This is a ragtag group of things seen during March, leftovers from the days when I saw essay-group subjects. These were first selection out-takes, but posting-worthy.

I like talking to the birds and they seem to listen.

The mourning dove.

The junco. Lots of seeds and bits in moist ground, too big a feast to be worried about my presence.

Huge flock of song sparrows also gorging on bits.

The downy woodpecker was near the raccoon. This dining tree had already been worked over by a yellowbelly sapsucker. Note drill holes.

House finch.

Elusive flicker.

Bug-hunting phoebe.

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So pretty, so noisy

The birds look so fresh and bright in spring, all busy eating, also hormones running amok.
Lots of territorial squabbles.


The brown creeper zoomed right by my face and became a fine photo subject, bugging silently, one tiny treasure.

The downy having a go at bugs-in-bark.

The waxwings can be heard, lots of high pitched calls on high, delicious seeds.

There was a convention of male redbelly woodpeckers, all hormonal, great chases, a symphony of calls, went on for hours, translation = MY TURF!

And why shouldn't the grackle add to the glorious noise.

Finally, poor Pale Male being screamed at and mobbed by blue jays. It was that kind of day, lots to listen to.

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Grooming

I first saw this little squirrel bouncing from ground to low limb, doing wheelies, swinging, rolling in dirt, a hyper little thing bouncing too fast for me to get pictures. Video would have been good. Squirrel with ADD??? I've seen the zanies, but this squirrel was cuckoo. Finally it ran up to a branch and relaxed, looked at me and began grooming.

Clean your tail.

Clean your toes.

Clean your face.

CLEAN YOUR........ WHAT??????????

And what would a day be without more worms, glorious fat creepy crawlies.

Good to the very last inch.

All pictures from Riverside Park.

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Good for a smile

I can't take my eyes off this operation. Food capture. Some worms are nanosecond captures while some are monster meals. There are going to be lots more worm pictures, because, while there are few warblers to watch , I have to watch worms.

Delicious! Down the hatch.

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Food fight

It was cold today, signs of spring, but winter cold.

I stopped by the feeders. It's all about being in the right place at the right time. Coconut frenzy. The coconut is filled with a delicious mash of peanut butter, suet and seeds. Dan supplies the catering service. The pictures speak for themselves. Very funny to watch. No manners. No decorum. Strongest intruder wins. For a little while.

The reality: pigs with wings.

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