April 10th - Wing Watchers

Morning Coffee

     Dreary day; not much action; 80% chance of rain with more of the same tomorrow.  The birds are elusive right now; with the exception of the Juncos, who seem to be eating non stop in preparation for their journey.  The shabby molting Gold Finches remain on the feeders, as they do throughout the year; a few have appeared in their bright yellow glory.  Oddly enough, the rain will start a flurry of birds heading in and out of the feeders.
     Mornings bring the sounds of a jungle with the various calls of the Woodpeckers and Doves.  We need a telephoto lens for a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers working on a nest in the hollow of an old tree.  The male has been busy all week, and the female joined him yesterday.
     This week has seen many of our feathered friends flitting about with the promise of spring.  The few new arrivals have been a Palm Warbler, Brown Creepers, and our first Great Blue Heron flying over the creek.  I've just been told that a Golden-crowned Kinglet is hopping around our vine.
     Time to get back outside.  Hope you enjoy lunch.  Maybe we'll have something good for desert.

Well wasn't sure how today would fair. Weather reports thunder storms off and on all day today and tomorrow. Late start around 9 am. Very dreary this morning. With that being said, I've decided the birds like the rain. Each time it rains heavily the birds retreat the the trees and then seem to come out with a vengeance as the rain slows again. It's lunch time now and my day has already been made. A golden-crowned kinglet followed by a ruby-crowned kinglet. Then, to my delightful surprise, I heard the call of a northern flicker. I put up my binoculars and focused in on him. Why do i feel like an explorer discovering an ancient buried treasure every time I see this bird. And to think some people call birding boring. It is the one thing I find completely peaceful and exciting simultaneously.