A Cardinal Day

The cardinals in our yard are usually very skittish, and I'm lucky to catch any picture of them--even a blurry one.  This morning, a pair visited the feeder, and the female engaged in a lengthy grooming session on the fence.  Who knew they were so flexible?

Male Cardinal

Female Cardinal

Shaking a tail feather

Mr. Cardinal was not welcome, and she quickly chased him away so she wasn't interrupted again.

Cleaning under this wing...

Cleaning under the other wing.

Still looks rough

At the same time, the bluebirds were back checking out the nestbox, which is encouraging!  If eggs aren't laid somewhere yet, they are much later than last year.  The female was clearly annoyed about the sparrow spooker ribbons and didn't stay long.  Oh well!

Robbin' the Backyard

Robins have taken over the backyard this year.  If they must hang out, then I hope they nest here, particularly since my bluebirds are apparently nesting elsewhere.

Bad Birds

I'm on the hunt for a redeeming quality in the brown-headed cowbird.  They hog my feeder.  They have an ugly name.   They aren't particularly attractive.  They have an annoying trill as a call.  And, worst of all...they are brood parasites who steal eggs from other nests and replace them with their own so that the surrogate parent bird will feed and care for their young. 

Feeder Hogs

Cowbird Enjoying the Rain

Zoo Birds

We took a trip to El Paso last year and visted the zoo while we were there.  I'm sorry to say that I can't name all the birds in these photos--and these obviously aren't MY backyard birds, but maybe they are someone's?

Roadrunner

I can't remember the name of the fellow below other than that it includes the word "screaming."  These birds were screaming loudly and thats the only reason I remember that part of the name!  This is the male, and he is standing on a nest.  He fussed with arranging the sticks for a while.

Screaming ____________

Parrots

On the Bright Side

Lots of activity in the backyard this morning--including me getting locked out of the house in my pjs and fuzzy slippers with my camera!  On the bright side, I got a few good bird pics while I was out there! 

Nice variety of birds.  Two of my favorites only came by for a quick "hi" and I couldn't get a picture--the Tufted Titmouse and a Bluebird.  Lots of Robins perched on the fence, and several other birds visited the feeder.

Robin

House Finch Mesmerized by the Sun Pattern on the Feeder

Another Robin, wearing a toupee?

Black-capped Chickadee

Mockingbird

Robin with an unruly feather

Shy Cardinal?

"You looking at me?"

Singing House Finch

Special thanks to my bird spotters, even though they were no help at all when I was locked out!

Calm Before the Storm?

The backyard was super quiet yesterday.  I hope that means we will have a lot of action this weekend!
The sparrow spooker seems to be effective as a bluebird spooker too.  I haven't seen the bluebirds in a few days, and I fear that they have chosen a new nest spot this year.

Some past photos:

Group Shots

Still waiting for a hummingbird appearance this year!  In the meantime, enjoy a few group shots.

The bird on the right has yellow pollen on its head.