michelepix

These Common Mergansers seem such an unlikely pair. In fact, for much of the year he looks a lot like her. His slick, gallant appearance emerges for just a few months. Once eggs are laid, she takes full responsibility and he fades back into anonymity in the merganser crowd. #birds_matter #birds

A Red-winged Blackbird shows off those marvelous epaulets. No wonder the ladies love him. And he loves them - lots of them - in return. #birds_matter #birds

Better than Home Depot! A Green Heron finds the perfect area to gather quality construction materials.
#birds_matter #birds

Just a simple portrait of a little Yellow-rumped Warbler. These butter butts are everywhere all winter but soon they’ll be gone. Migration is one of nature’s most fascinating mysteries. #birds_matter #birds

A Phainopepla was singing to his lady when an Anna’s Hummingbird objected, antagonizing the phaino into departing. This revealed his secret: white wingtips, visible only when he flies. His lady watched the episode with disdain. He will have to prove himself in her esteem. #birds_matter #birds

Northern Flickers are common in California. But ours are red-shafted. This yellow-shafted flicker, native to the eastern US, was a special sighting. #birds_matter #birds

The tiny Marsh Wren is a noisy presence but one that can be hard to see. As Spring approaches and the wrens perch more boldly, in hopes of attracting mates and repelling competitors, opportunities for sightings increase. #birds_matter #birds

A Common Goldeneye takes to wing. After a long winter visit here they’re now heading north to subarctic breeding grounds. Bon voyage! #birds #birds_matter

😊🙏🏼

A Great Horned Owlet, branching out from the nest. It will be flying freely in another week or two but will need parental feeding help for a few months. On this day it napped, preened and stretched, to the delight of a small group of adoring fans. #birds_matter #birds

Portrait of a Northern Shoveler, a bird so common in some areas during winter months it is easy to pass by. Soon all will be gone, off to subarctic breeding areas. I’m trying to share final photos of our winter visitors before the official arrival of Spring. Just 19 days to go! #birds_matter #birds

It was a Cedar Waxwing post-rain puddle party! Shooting conditions weren’t ideal, but the action was too fun not to share. #birds #birds_matter

Mini drama on my doorstep! An American Robin and Cedar Waxwings engage in a territorial dispute over a tiny post-rain puddle in the street near my front door. What made it so desirable? Only the birds know for sure. #birds_matter #birds

A final fond farewell to our Sandhill Cranes. I’ve seen skein after skein flying north for a couple of weeks now, their distinctive call a constant. This bird, on a misty February morning, was fueling up for the journey. Bon voyage! I’ll see you in October! #birds_matter #birds

Portrait of a Lark Sparrow. This little bird is large in my awareness but I like the way the spent dandelion stalk illustrates how small it is in actuality. #birds_matter #birds

A handsome Ring-necked Pheasant struts his stuff on a sunny day. #birds_matter #birds

A first year Bald Eagle surveys the territory. As recently as 1963, Bald Eagles were listed as endangered. They have recovered, but only one in ten chicks makes it to breeding age. Most dangers this bird faces are manmade-poisons, electric wires, collisions. Best wishes for its safety! #birds_matter

The Yellow-billed Magpie is a unique California treasure. Rated Vulnerable and Uncommon, it is still struggling to make a population comeback after being devastated by West Nile Virus two decades ago. Signs of success, like this Herculean effort, are reason for celebration. #birds_matter #birds

Tree Swallows are back. But why were they doing their zoom zoom thing over a roiling river rapid? I had to look on my big screen to see the bugs … there is prey in each of these pictures! #birds_matter #birds

The weather may be terrible but that doesn’t change a key fact: birds gotta to eat. Flying takes energy! A large bird may need to eat up to 20 percent of its body weight each day while a tiny hummingbird consumes 100 percent. Here, a Greater Yellowlegs forages in heavy fog. #birds_matter #birds

Sandhill Cranes dance on a very misty winter morning. This winter’s exceptionally foggy, rainy weather has made crane photography a challenge, and now these wonderful birds are departing. I’m already looking forward to their return next fall. #birds_matter #birds

A Golden-crowned Sparrow feeds on willow catkins. I wondered if this activity might help with pollination. It doesn’t. #birds_matter #birds

A California Thrasher sits prominently and sings its heart out, likely in hopes of attracting a mate. The strategy seemed to work as a second thrasher appeared nearby. The two flew off in the same direction. Ideally they are of opposite genders and romance will ensue! #birds_matter #birds

Sweet!

For Valentine’s Day, a pair of Western Bluebird lovebirds. Love is in the air! #birds_matter #birds

The Lincoln’s Sparrow is uncommon, elusive and usually quite solitary. But on a recent misty day I saw several, hanging out together and posing inquisitively for the Big Eye. Further proof that, when it comes to birds, it’s always best to expect the unexpected. #birds_matter #birds

On a gray February day, a lady Bushtit gives me her “go away gaze” as she forages in a plum tree in spectacular bloom. Nice! #birds_matter #birds

A leucistic California Towhee was quite happy to strut its stuff. Leucism, in which pigments are blocked from reaching feathers but eyes and bare body parts still show color, is not quite as rare as true albinism but is still quite unusual. #birds_matter #birds

A Double-crested Cormorant shows off the crests - just starting to appear as courting season begins - for which it is named. And those eyes! Like sapphires ringed with diamonds! #birds_matter #birds

Portrait of a California Quail contemplating the buffet on offer in a bird-friendly backyard. #birds_matter #birds