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.

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?

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!

Alicia's a JD!

It was a long walk across the green to get in line for the graduation ceremony.

She had her mortar board and her hood! Ready for rain and for doin' a little brick work!

One last dance with the chorus line!


Inside, she couldn't help do a little shaka with the poly bro!

Ok here is a little clip!





That's right my little girl is a Doctor (of Juriprudence). It really is an amazing thing, and she deserves a great deal of credit for hanging in there through some very tough times. I am told by her colleagues and the faculty at the J Rueben Clark Law School that she finishes as one of the most well rounded and balanced students they have seen in a long time there. (Well they actually used words like, "she does a million things at once", and "what isn't she into?") I know she will be great at whatever she decides to do with her life now, and I am glad she is coming to the firm to do it.

The video clip shows the traditional "hooding" ceremony. The hood is a big deal since it has certain colors and depending on it's length show which cool academic department you belong to. The doctoral hood is the longest. (I have actually never seen anyone wear it with the hood on, and it is kinda small.)

Here is a bit from Wikipedia about the hood:

"The hood was originally a functional garment, worn to shield the head from the elements. In the English tradition, it has developed to an often bright and decorative garment worn only on special occasions. It is also worn by clergy and lay readers of the Anglican Communion in choir dress, over the surplice, and it is common in cathedrals, churches, and chapels for the choirmaster and/or members of the choir to wear an academic hood to which they are entitled during services, over their cassock and surplice, although only for the choir offices (Morning and Evening Prayer) and not for the Eucharist.

The colour and lining of hoods in academic dress represents the rank and faculty of the wearer.^[20] In many Commonwealth universities bachelors wear hoods edged or lined with white rabbit fur, while masters wear hoods lined with coloured silk (originally ermine or other expensive fur). Doctors' hoods are normally made of scarlet cloth and lined with coloured silk.^[21]"

She honestly couldn't wipe the smile off her face!


She had gotten the piece of paper!


Mom and I are pretty happy too.


Truly a couple of babes.


So can I retire now?


Grandma may have been the proudest of all!


So now we have the lawyer and the photographer!

It was really nice that Tuckers family made the effort to come as well. His mom and dad drove over from Madras, Oregon, and his sister and her little boy came down from Ogden.


Grandma is really the classiest, and was a champ to sit through the long ceremony.


So in a couple of weeks the next chapter will be written.


Wedding May 16. Whew!

Elder Kevin is Home!

Last week we went to Utah to pick up Kevin who just finished his mission in the Utah Ogden mission. We went to Grandma Wright's house first, and woke up on April 16th to this!


We had Kevin's Honda Passport, which Alicia had been driving for a bit at law school, and it was nuts to see what I had to clean up before we could go.


We go up to Ogden about 9:30 and had a fun time meeting some companions and the mission president and his wife.


On the far right is Elder Millett, who we had actually met before Kevin went into the MTC while shopping for suits in Provo a little more than 2 years ago. They were good friends throughout their missions.


His mission president if from England and has a fun Cockney accent. She is a kick and was great for Kevin.


He has kept us continually spell bound with his stories.


Hoa enjoyed the story about the bike wreck at Utah State, Hoa's alma mater that left Kevin's companion in a heap on the pavement.


Nate is a bit dubious about Kevin's description of a mission as being fun!


Grandma is just amazed at the heritage that she and Grandpa have fostered!


Older brother Nic can't believe how big the guy is!


Mom is just happy to have him home!


He seems to be adjusting well!


Meanwhile the weather in Oregon is a bit different that in Utah. Try 80 degrees!

(Thanks to Hailey for the close up shots of family members. She was using my camera, but practicing as she is getting an SLR in the next few days)