Yesterday morning I was out photographing flowers in the yard. I noticed a lot of birds, but did not have the best lens on the camera for that type of photography. So, this morning I got up early and went out to see what birds were out today.
This is a juvenile scrub jay. The jays love peanuts, but will come for the water in a bird bath. This summer has been so hot and dry – New Mexico is in the midst of “extreme drought” – that many birds will come for the water, even without food being put out.
This is a white winged dove, keeping a wary eye on me. The pine tree shows damage from both drought and disease (dry trees are more susceptible to disease), but that tree is home to several birds. I hope it manages to survive.
For as long as I have lived here, a variety of birds have used this juniper as a type of “look out.” Birds also nest in this tree. This image shows a robin and a scrub jay. Scrub jays do not like to share, and the jay soon chased the robin off.
House finches, goldfinches, road runners, sparrows, hummingbirds, and mourning doves are also seen very frequently here, so expect more bird photos.
So much to see when we look.
Susan, I’ve got a big bag of peanuts I bought especially for Terra. Great idea fro how to use them up. I assume they can deal with the shells?
I used to shell and snack on peanuts at the computer. One day I came in from the garden to find the bowl on the floor, and Terra cracking the shells open with her mouth and freeing the nuts, copying what she’d seen me do with my fingers.
Very nice photos, especially love the young scrub jay, such pretty coloring.
Hi, Christine. Yes, the jays just crack the shells with their beaks, and then eat the peanuts. They are actually fun to watch. Curve bill thrashers will also do the same. I have had doves grow up watching the jays, and some will try to get to the peanuts – they just cannot do it. But, they do try to copy what they have seen, which is amusing to watch. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the pics! Thanks for stopping by!
What an eye you have, Susan –and talent for capturing details.. You show such a discriminating eye in all your work — including anthropology.
Hi, Pearl. Thank you so much!!! I’ve gotten to know these birds – or their earlier relatives – well over the years. Some of them are almost like family to me. Thank you for coming by and taking the time to comment!
The scruffiness of the juvenile scrub jay seems characteristic. I have bunches of juveniles this time of year, all scruffy looking. I’ve seen juvenile red bellied woodpeckers, titmice, phoebes, cardinals, white breasted nuthatches, and chickadees.