A Yellow Shafted Flicker!

Wonder of Wonder miracle of miracles!

On my afternoon run (I'm training for the 1/2 marathon) I was wishing that something would take my mind off of the fact that I waited tooooooo long today and the sun was a killer.

It was at that moment that I then spotted distinctive flight of what could only be a flicker. I followed her down the street...kind of unavoidable with the whole running thing...she'd fly down the street, find a spot and dig away until I got too close and then repeat the pattern.

At one point I stayed on the far side of the street and managed to get withing about 10 feet of her while I jogged in place and watched her beautiful unmoustached face.

Eventually the chase pushed her onto my street and onto my front yard before she was scared off by pedestrians.

I can't believe that there was a flicker in our development, never mind in the front yard! Somehow suburbia isn't there usual stomping ground!

The Fox Sparrow

This evening provided a pleasant surprise for me! It's size caught my eye first...it was substantially larger than any other sparrow I'd seen as of late. I first though that maybe is was some sort of thrush, but looking back I think that I was just really hoping to make it something new and exciting.

The picture doesn't do it's colour justice. So red, so beautiful. His breast was so creamy, it made the streaks look even more amazing. That combined with the grey, made him seen so unique!

I think this means that good things are headed my way. Thank you daddy. I miss you.

The Mourning Doves have returned!

This morning I was greeted with a very pleasant surprise...as I sat down to have my breakfast I noticed that there was a pair of mourning doves wandering around the yard much to my delight!

They wandered around pecking away to their hearts content. The yard was a very harmonious blend of Sparrows, Juncos, Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles & Mourning doves.

I see this a yet another sign of spring and encouragement that the storm system heading our way will just bring us rain and not the snow that southern Sask. is scheduled to receive!

Just out for a stroll to find the good bird seed!

Beautiful Junco's

The Juncos having been flocking to the yard in greater numbers as each day progress' and I have to say I have a whole new love for them.

Their song is like no other...songs so beautiful that it actually moved me to tears one afternoon as I sat outside surrounded by about 35 juncos all singing & vying for the best spot on the feeding stations.

I've never noticed the beautiful brown they sport before and every time the sun hits them just so, I think that they are one of natures truly amazing creations.

Wondering what he's supposed to do with the apples.

The Chipping Sparrow has arrived!

A quick note as I'm in the middle of Easter Dinner....I looked out the patio door and noticed that there was a chipping sparrow hopping around the yard!!!

Yay Spring!!

What's better than 1 robin? Why 6 of course!

This is been a beyond amazing bird day, full of things indicating spring. After seeing the red winged blackbird return a few hours later I looked out back and to my surprise there were half a dozen robins hanging out eyeing up the rotting apples I'd put out for them.

Hopefully this means that I'll start to get more and more sightings everyday...or at least that I'll be able to catch a good picture of my red breasted friends! Never before has it been so clear that I really need to invest in a good lens. I guess we'll have to wait and see...big budget purchases like that are out of the question these days.

I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Red-winged blackbird returns

What a birdtastic morning it's been...on my way to let the dog out I looked up and noticed a red winged black bird eying up the peanuts! Yet another sign of spring!!!