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Northern Flicker Showing Off Its Yellow
January 29, 2025 A Northern Flicker (yellow shafted phase)(Colaptes auratus) proudly showing off his yellow. Sometimes I’m fortunate and get to see it, other times it is hard to tell why they are called yellow shafted. This a male. You can tell by the presence of that black mustache. He’s sitting at a cluster of…
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Often At The Birdbath
January 28, 2025 A winter resident here. One that thoroughly enjoys the birdbaths. A Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). Winter or summer they often find their meals as they forage on the ground. Insects during the summer and berries during the winter. No interest in the seeds I put out. But wonderful to see them so…
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Not Snow But Gypsum Crystals
January 26, 2025 One of many favorite spots in New Mexico, White Sands. Over many thousands of years many animals that live in this environment have evolved to match the white coloring of the sand dunes. Not necessarily seen during the day, they will often stay in their dens to avoid the heat of day…
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Perhaps The White-breasted Nuthatch Is Becoming An Irruptive Species
January 25, 2025 Yesterday I posted about the White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) and its absence from my garden during these past many snowy and very cold days. I’ve been reading about them today, and it seems there is an interesting and, to me, a surprising explanation. The White-breasted Nuthatch, which had been thought to be…
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Where Have You Been?
January 24, 2025 I’ve gotten quite a lengthy list of birds that have come by during this wonderful wintry weather, both for the birdbath and the food. This White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is normally a regular visitor, but not during these past two weeks, when there has been much snow and extremely cold temperatures. Seen…
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Peter-Peter-Peter
January 23, 2025 A Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor). One of the first birds to show up as I’m putting out hulled sunflower seeds and suet. Unafraid, they sit in the nearby Flowering Dogwood tree (Cornus florida) as I get things set up for them. Not quiet, they’ll let me know they’re there waiting by whistling…