Wild Birds

This Common Grackle with its lovely irredesicent colors paid a visit a couple of weeks ago. In the summer my feeders can get overrun with them but I see them only occasionally in the winter.  It was spitting very fine snow when I took this so that's why he looks like he has dandruff. :)

Our grandchildren all visited for Thanksgiving and doing the festivities this Pileated Woodpecker showed up. All the kids (ages 4, 5, and almost 7) were fascinated by him.

This guy landed in a walnut tree outside my window this week. By the time I retrieved my camera he was taking off. Can anyone help identify him for me?

Linking to Wild Birds with Stewart.

Wild Birds

I always see hawks flying around the field between me and my neighbor. Ever since the first of March I have often seen a pair. In the five years we've lived here this is the first time I've seen two at once. Last Tuesday I saw this guy. He was too far for a close up but for the record I wanted to know he'd been here. I didn't download my memory card until yesterday. Do you see what I did when I examined the photo? Look closely at that walnut limb that got in my way. See the feet and tail feathers? Yep, his good ole matey was right there.

 

This Eastern Towhee has also been around for a couple of weeks. It's the first winter they have visited the bird feeders. He's a little shy and hangs back in the wisteria vines so I haven't been able to get a good portrait of him either but he's a welcome addition to the flock.

EDITED: The comments indicate I should provide more info on where to look in the first photo. Look at the bottom of the dark limb on the right where it seems to jut into the photo and you can just barely see the feet and tail feathers of the other hawk.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday (on Tuesday).