Almost Gone...

The oriole season is coming to a close...this is one of the late fledglings. So happy that we get to enjoy their shenanigans for about 5 months.

Aerodynamic

 

Before and After

 

Floof Alert

 

Toupee Warbler

Just kidding...this is actually a Wilson's warbler, migrating through town. Love its little black cap/wig!

Here it shares the fountain with an orange-crowned warbler, a species that seems to be around most of the year here. Love them!

Red and Yellow

 

Pomegranate and oriole.

Welcome

The darling bird on the left is a Swinhoe's white-eye. These birds seem to be rather newly established in Southern California (they are native to Southeast Asia). Adorable! Cute little female lesser goldfinch on the right...

Punk

Punk rock orange-crowned warbler...

Welcome Back

 

The hooded orioles have returned! Yay! 

Pretty Bird

 

Rump of Yellow

 

It's always fun to see the migrating birds this time of year...this is a sweet little yellow-rumped warbler passing through.

The picture above shows the "yellow rump" (or "butter butt," as birders like to say).

Interloper

 

Above, a bird giving a leaf the stink-eye.

Trapeze Artists

 

The oriole gang was going nuts yesterday evening, chasing and clacking...and hanging upside down on the feeder. Their time here is drawing to a close; they will soon be migrating. 

Four Orioles Hop Into a Fountain...

 

We have a most excellent crop o' orioles this year!

So Beautiful, So Comical

Every year, the orioles do not disappoint. They are such elegant birds, but these young ones are quite hilarious: there are clearly at least two siblings who bicker and chase each other. This one is striking a few poses (and looking a bit goofy/awkward). I love them!

One Small, One Tall

 

... both are finches (though one is a lesser goldfinch [not a judgment, the actual name of the species, LOL], the other a house finch).

Welcome Back!

 

The hooded orioles have returned! 

Warble(r)

 

I love this time of year because we get lots of migratory birds (or at least, birds migrating through our yard!). This little tiny beauty is a Townsend's warbler.  Welcome!

Not a Turkey

 

This orange-crowned warbler looks as if it is wearing a crown...

Backyard Bird Bonanza

   It was a day for birds I haven't seen before in the backyard.

A Bewick's wren (which I have heard many times but never seen before).

A song sparrow.

And what I think is a female orange-crowned warbler. 

Finches and towhees and hummingbirds, too! A good bird day!