Let there be light!

[Basil]

Well, after a record-breaking snow over the weekend, the sun is out and man what a beautiful day. Took the camera out and shot a few with all the snow and a sunny blue sky.

 

[Boink]

Love the bird shots!

 

[Basil]

Love the bird shots!

Thanks. We don't usually see the Thrashers in the trees, but when there's 26 inches of snow on the ground I guess they don't want to get their feet cold!

 

[pdplot]

Ok Basil - what kind of thrasher? Crissal, California, Curve-billed, leContes or Sage? We only have one kind out east and they are now rare and seldom seen. Brown Thrasher.

 

[Basil]

Curve Billed. Common in the Southwest (Colorado, NM, AZ, TX and Mexico). We have more than the usual numbers in our yard probably because of the feeders my wife has all over the place.

 

[pdplot]

Thanks. I got to spend a few days in Palm Springs for my 65th birthday some years ago and almost every bird I saw was a new one. I did see a California Thrasher (I think) and a Road Runner on a golf course. We got a dusting of snow last night and my feeder is crowded with the usual suspects - nothing unusual so far.

 

[GTP1960]

is the other one a western blue jay? impressive that you caught him in the instant of taking flight.

we have brown thrashers down here in SC, but no curved bill.

 

[pdplot]

That Jay is a Scrub Jay. Also found in parts of Florida where they are rare but very tame.
My feeder emptied of birds out this afternoon. I soon found out why - a Sharp-Shinned Hawk. I got a few pictures of him on the lawn and hiding in the bushes. I would post his picture here but I don't know how. He's a tough little guy - not much bigger than the birds he feeds on.

 

[GTP1960]

I don't know how to put pics in the text box either.

But this elusive neighbor has been keeping the backyard squirrel population down for the last 5 years.
(& he seems to be well fed)
he's a Barred owl, about 22" tall and will light in a tree above our deck & answer my pathetic calls if it suits him.

 

[pdplot]

Though more common in the South, we've got them here in CT too and you can hear them calling in February and March when they mate. Owls are more common then people think. You have to be out at night to hear them. I've heard 3 species right in my backyard - Screech, Great Horned and Barred.

 

[GTP1960]

I play this recording from a Bluetooth speaker sometimes & have had barred owl conventions in my backyard.
they can really raise a ruckus.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/BArred_owl/sounds

As many as four have come right in to get a close look at the intruder (namely, me).
However I live by a lake. Barred's prefer being close to fresh water.