WHITE BREASTED NUT HATCH

The nut hatch is a constant presence at the feeders along with the red breasted nut hatch and the mountain chickadee.  I watch them when outside and they are constantly throwing out the seed they don't want in order to get to what they prefer.  The thrown out seed is gobbled up by the pigeons and mourning doves.  They are also bug eaters and clean the bark up from bugs.   Another treat they enjoy is the peanut suet I put out.

WON'T BE LONG

In another week or so the Black Headed Grosbeaks will leave not to return until next spring.  I have to say I've had my fill of taking their photos.  I still do because they are so cute and the juveniles are really beginning to get that yellow in various parts of their body - you can see a little yellow near the gold by the wing on some pics.

The Mountain Chicadee black and white bird on the tree branch....will stay here through fall and winter take over the feeders which they are already trying to do.

The goldfinch will be hanging up on the nyjer socks again come winter - they will be more protected up there under the eaves, when it rains or snows.

The flicker will be here all year as will the chipmunks and squirrels.

I didn't plant anything but pots that I keep on the deck this past summer because of the drought but also my neighbor's yard right over the fence has a beautiful garden and I always spend time looking at it during the summer to see what's blooming.  She knows I love to take photos and that I enjoy her garden so she likes that someone can see it.  I can see more of her garden than she can out her window.

All I do in my yard is keep the dirt raked as much as possible and keep the birds water filled and seed out for them.

I'm real happy with my Christmas cactus which was just a little itty bitty thing when I bought it in the spring.  It looks happy and healthy on my deck as do all the other flowers.

I pamper them and love them and the geraniums which I have about six pots of seem to like it up here.  I do have to take them inside during the winter when it gets really cold - but I was happy to see they made it through the winter last year and thrived when I put them back out.

Another photo of her garden over the fence.


I have flower boxes/beds but didn't plant anything at all - they just sit there looking ...empty except for some weeds..

Chipmunks, birds, squirrels, stray cat that comes here - they are all looking happy outside and I'm glad to be able to feed them.

This beautiful Norther flicker is a frequent visit to the suet baskets.

and that's it for today.

Have a great week.

NEVER QUITE SURE

When walking down a path and u look up and find out the dogs are free to come up to you..


My heart skips a beat for just a moment..


Are they nice.

They were ....

A FEW SHOTS FROM BEAUTIFUL AVILA BEACH OFF THE PIER

During our last visit to the coast in July I was happy to get these shots.

Laura - I'll probably be posting more shots from this area on this blog.

YOUNG BLACK HEADED GROSBEAK

I have been taking so many photos - these young ones are really coming in to the yard lately and i'll be posting more cute poses when I get the time.

WHITE EGRET IN MILL VALLEY, CA

A PRETTY SCRUB JAY -COUSIN TO THE STELLAR JAY AND HMMMM...MAYBE BLUE JAY NOT SURE

BLACK HEADED GROSBEAK

He is not so sure about the orange - he eventually stuck his beak in the orange and I think he tasted it - but I don't have a photo of it.

On second thought -

Nah don't think he's interested.

Strange orange thing.

WESTERN TANAGER FINALLY VISITS THE YARD THIS SUMMER

For me anyway, they are hard to photograph - they move in quickly and leave quickly - but I think they are feeling more confident to stay longer.  I've been getting quite a few photos of them.

I'm excited because this summer is the first time except for one quick sighting last year and one photo - ....that I've been lucky enough to have them come to the yard.  They usually stay up high in the tops of the trees and don't really come to the bird feeders.  I've read they do like oranges which I have now put out but so far they haven't eaten any of it.

This is a male Western Tanager.

TWO AT THE BIRD BATH

I enjoyed watching these two Black headed Grosbeaks at the bird bath today.  Our weather is warmer - we did get about a 40 minute walk in and that was it - wanted to get back home and cool down.

Hot temps in store through the weekend - so -...  I'll just be content to be home or in the jeep going on little rides.

I'M SURE THEY THOUGHT I WAS A CRANKY OLD LADY

When we were up at Morro Bay state beach - I saw these girls throwing rocks at this seagull.  I couldn't help myself and yelled down to them to knock it off.

They looked up at me and I told them - hey I have your picture - I'll call the seagull police on you!!  I saw them from fairly far away as I was heading toward this area to walk up the rocks and get back on the path.  They did this a few times but I have to say - the seagull must have thought they were playing with him because he kept coming back for more. He probably thought it was bread being thrown.  

Ornery kids.... (nobody hurts seagulls and gets away with it if I'm nearby,)...lol  -true story.

He looked down at them finally as if to laugh at them for being scolded ...