Thursday, May 14, 2009

Evening Grosbeak in a Mixed Flock

After not seeing Evening Grosbeak for about 10 years, I woke up a couple of days ago to this pair at one of the feeders. I couldn't believe my eyes. Within about an hour there were upwards of 50 individuals of various ages on and around the feeders, and on the ground under them. Many other birds were in the flock as well, and we are talking hundreds of birds!


I don't know about the "evening" part, but the "grosbeak" is pretty apparent. From a distance, the yellow forehead blends into the beak, and the whole thing looks huge.


The shades of yellow, brown, grey and white are amazing on these birds. Though the male and the female are very different, both are beautiful.


This young female had a very greenish beak which really stood out. The distinctive yellow on the neck of the female is also very apparent on this individual.


Because the beak is so large, you can really begin to identify individuals by distinctive marks on the beak. This one was around all day, and was easy to identify by the dark blue spots on the beak.


This female was always watching guard, and would only occasionally quickly jump out to grab some food, but always return before she had even swallowed.


Also for the first time in many years, a brown headed cow bird appeared at the feeder. Once very common, these have also been scarce the last few years.


This one was very tame, and stuck around for several hours, allowing some close up shots.


Mr. Downey was not fazed in the least by all the new visitors, and had a field day hammering on a feeder all day long.


He really is a fairly handsome fellow. the ivory patch right on his nose is very distinctive.

Friday, May 8, 2009

More Rainbow Birds


Mourning Dove


American Goldfinch


Black-Headed Grosbeak


Spotted Towhee (formerly Rufous Sided Towhee)


Rufous Hummer


Female Downey Woodpecker


Red Winged Blackbird (Female)


Hungry


Hungry


Hungry


Angry?

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Windsor Worx

Took the opportunity to head on over to Windsor last Wed. for a couple of days. We are trying to complete the acquisition of some properties, and I wanted to see how the Inn was coming. (Great by the way!) While there, I attended several meetings including this one of Windsor Worx, the family property management and maintenance company.

Held in the Wine Room (formerly a dingy dark porch like area transformed by the very Windsor Worx itself, this addition to the famous and becoming more so Windsor Station is a classic family gathering spot.


Though this was the only classic car that showed up for classic car night (weather was very iffy), Nate (the Godfather) Larson nevertheless presided over this meeting with class.


Nate, who is looking at farm property and thinking about cows even provided me with a chance to do a little off road in the Cheese Block.


But the highlight of the trip had to be the chance to go birding with Anders.


This kid is seriously curious, and in addition to noticing every bird around, saw each and every ant, new bud etc.


A week or so ago, Aunt Chris on her blog posted a picture of a new plant emerging (see http://graphic-my-day-away.blogspot.com/) and Anders must have seen it because he couldn't pass one up.


Oh yeah and we saw some awesome birds. Anders loved the mud eating Robin!