Look! A bird!

[mamselle]

I saw what looked like an Angel Fish, in terms of its flat, vertical body, but all silver, at that time--but no birds.

Was it diving, or is there an above-water view as well?

M.

[Thursday's_Child]

I saw what looked like an Angel Fish, in terms of its flat, vertical body, but all silver, at that time--but no birds.

Was it diving, or is there an above-water view as well?

M.

It was diving, swimming just above the rocks from L to R, looking between them for small fish.  Sorry you missed it!

[Parasaurolophus]

My partner saw a peregrine falcon eviscerating a living grey jay yesterday.

[cathwen]

My partner saw a peregrine falcon eviscerating a living grey jay yesterday.

I can now hear my older daughter's voice, dripping with sarcasm, saying:  "Isn't nature byooooo-ti-ful?"  When she was a teenager, she loved to point out the more horrifying aspects of the natural world. 

[mamselle]

I once saw a hawk rising above an historic marker site with a bloodied rabbit dangling from its talons.

I had a similar response to that of your daughter.

M.

[mahagonny]

Well, we had snow awhile back so wife made sure the bird feeders were full. Some of the seed gets knocked to the ground though, attracting rats. So I'm making coffee again and raising the blinds for some more rat watching.

[nebo113]

Lots of bluebirds.  A kestrel.

[Puget]

The red-winged blackbirds have returned, so spring is coming!

[Parasaurolophus]

My partner saw a peregrine falcon eviscerating a living grey jay yesterday.

I can now hear my older daughter's voice, dripping with sarcasm, saying:  "Isn't nature byooooo-ti-ful?"  When she was a teenager, she loved to point out the more horrifying aspects of the natural world.

I once saw a hawk rising above an historic marker site with a bloodied rabbit dangling from its talons.

I had a similar response to that of your daughter.

M.

At my FIL's house, we once saw--from the kitchen--a hawk drape at least five feet of rat (?) intestines from a branch. 0_o

[Thursday's_Child]

It is spring, complete with impending hard freeze!  The chickadees have nearly completed their very deep and detailed nest in the downy woodpecker box.  I don't think the early eggs will be harmed by to cold - not with that much insulation around them.  I just hope that no starlings decide they want that box....

[Langue_doc]

I saw a merlin swoop down on a smaller bird in the scrubby area. He flew up again, birdless, and then swooped down into another part of the underbrush. I've never seen a merlin at such close quarters.

[mamselle]

Did he have a dripping, bejeweled sword under one wing?

;--》

M.

[Thursday's_Child]

Migration has started!  Male Black and white warbler foraging around the patio on Saturday - right before the really cold night.  I hope it handled that ok....

[Langue_doc]

It was a good birding day. There were several mute swans, solos and pairs in the various ponds. The highlight was a swan flying in a wide circle overhead, honking the entire time. This was just an appetizer of sorts as soon afterward there were other swans flying and honking--probably a mating ritual. Then a pair of honking swans swooped quite low and were just a few feet above my head, much to my dismay and the amusement of the people nearby. They made several circles and then flew past the ponds and trails I could see. There were also several egrets, assorted ducks, warblers, a heron, and only three birds of prey despite this area attracting several species of birds of prey. At another location nearby, I saw several sapsuckers, warblers, nuthatches, bluejays, sparrows (not the common ones), cardinals, one of which had the reddest head I'd ever seen, and a host of other birds. Carolina wrens were everywhere as were the robins.

[nebo113]

To Langue_doc....WOW!  Would have loved to have been with you.

Ospreys are nesting here.