Wonderful Birds

The birds of winter are different than the birds of summer - but just as exciting - and they do add such pretty color to our cloudy, rainy days here in the Pacific Northwest

 We have one hummingbird that hangs around all winter - we keep the feeder full and clean to insure a return - and some days he spends all day sitting on the hook that hangs the feeder - dipping down now and then for a sip

 Spotted on the Skagit flats in December - at first I thought it was a small owl - but it was an American Kestrel, the smallest of all our raptors.  It can hover and dive quickly - looking for insects and small prey.  Their feathers are brilliant!

 There is a tree in a yard in Bow, WA - we call it the eagle tree - this day - in December - we saw 9 eagles perched near the giant nest - not sure which pair will use the nest this year.  Maybe they are having a conference to decide.

 Nine eagle - in different positions.  There are almost always eagles in this tree when we visit.  Soon there will be a nesting pair.

 My little hummingbird flits about - flashing the bright colors.  I take these photos from my chair in the living room - it is across the room from the window - which faces the deck. With my fabulous camera I can get close ups in the winter 

rain 

or snow 

 or shine.

 And of course the Stellar's Jays (locally we call them Blue Jays but know that is not the proper name - but they are our only "blue" jay - so we feel we can do that - but we do use the proper name now so we don't confuse our eastern friends - who have the real Blue Jay)

Another bird spotted on one of our rides in December was Red Tail Hawk - our most plentiful hawk - and always a thrill.  They soon will migrate to their nesting area and we won't see much of them until next Autumn.

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