Morning: After I put out some peanuts, the American Crows came through, mostly one at a time, to grab them. However, I also had a much larger visitor: this time the larger bird was definitely a Northern Raven! Such a different facial profile when seen from close up. YAY! The image below is two photos stitched together, to see the size difference between the raven and one of the crows.
The Oak Titmouse was back, along with a Dark-eyed Junco or two. Plus, a few of the crows are getting bolder near the window. I didn’t put peanuts there this morning, but a couple came to nibble at the finish mix I’d spread out on the ledge.
Afternoon: On my way back to SMN, I saw a hummingbird (not sure of the species, but probably Anna’s) visiting the California Fuchsia growing in the courtyard. I did get a hummingbird feeder to put up in the window, but it’s still at home, and I’m not sure if I want to put it up now, or wait until the spring. But it is good to know there are hummingbirds around!
This afternoon after lab, I put out more peanuts (around 3:30), but the birds have been acting a bit strange about them. Right after I put them out, a couple of crows swooped by, but as they circled to land, they swerved away, as though there was something that made them nervous. Then, a whole bunch more birds did the same thing. At least a dozen came by, looked like they were coming down for peanuts, and then decided not to land at the last minute. Eventually, one bird did fly down and snatch one up without landing, but it’s been almost an hour, and most of the peanuts are still on the ledge. It makes me wonder if there is some predator out there I’m not seeing (a cat? I’m not sure how one would get up on the roof, and I certainly don’t see anything). But it’s kind of uncanny. Maybe they’re just not used to multiple peanut feedings in the same day?
A few minutes ago, an Oak Titmouse came to the white feeder (although I wasn’t able to get a photo),
Oh! A crow just landed and picked up a couple of nuts. And now two more. Good. The peanuts weren’t sabotaged, I promise! I wonder if maybe the rooftop is hot from the sunlight? It’s not all that warm today, but the sun has been shining all day. They seem to be landing in shady spots, so maybe that’s the problem? I do notice some heat waves (or some sort of anomaly in the air) coming up the side of the building, so perhaps I’m right about the temperature (or maybe a weird smell from what I think is HVAC equipment below that section of roof.
I do love the crows. They’re so gorgeous and majestic, and it’s fun to watch them swooping around. Sometimes they sit on the rail very near my window. There is one that has a couple of feathers that are bent out on its shoulder – at least I think it’s the same crow that I’ve seen a few times. They are out there again right now, along with about 5 others – the peanuts are getting eaten. (YAY).
Ah, and a Mourning Dove just landed on the railing, although not anywhere near the food. I wonder what sort of seeds they might like. I might add something to the menu for the doves. AND a little female House Finch just came to eat from the seeds on the ledge beneath the feeders. I am very optimistic that pretty soon, it’s going to be birds galore out there! 🙂
More house finches and juncos. And I got my very first photos of an actual bird ON THE FEEDER OH YEAH!!!’’
One of the juncos is a bit territorial – I’ve seen it defending the ledge against other juncos. And just now, I think it might have been a bit peeved with the house finch, but I don’t think it scared the finch away. On its own, the finch flew away and landed in one of the tall pines (ponderosa? I’m not sure) next to the Performing Arts Building. (Not the tallest of the trees, but the second-tallest).
Oh, and now a junco and male house finch have shown up, and a mourning dove hopped over to eat some of the seeds on the ledge. YAY! So, I guess I already do have food that they like. So gorgeous! I feel like mourning doves might be some of the most underrated birds in terms of just how beautiful they are. Their colors are so soft and pretty, and they have gorgeous faces. And now two more doves have arrived on the railing, and one more just hopped over to the ledge. Actually, make that three. 🙂 Oops I think I might have scared them away by taking a picture.
And a little tail-less junco who I’ve noticed several times before is here, for the first time today (at least that I’ve seen).
5:37 – A California Scrub-jay just landed beneath the window to grab a peanut. Gorgeous! And now a second one. This one is the most gorgeous blue! (The other one was also pretty, but the second one’s color seemed a bit richer).
0 Comments