 Pygmy nuthatch, frozen in place at the feeder   "Frozen in place" pygmy nuthatch, bravely peering with one eye | While out in the backyard with the pygmy nuthatches, I noticed all of a sudden that none of them were moving, they had frozen in place... This is a defensive mechanism which I have seen with cedar waxwings - if they perceive any danger, they just freeze where they are sitting - so maybe a hawk alarm had gone up, and the nuthatches froze - the hawks have been frequenting the back yard area... There were three of them, two on the branches and one at the feeder, it was so strange, it was as if time had stopped...it was for over a minute, and maybe as much as two minutes... Well, I thought, at least it is a chance to get some close shots, since one thing about bird photography, is that your subject is usually jumping around... |
When I brought my camera close to this frozen nuthatch, I noticed it had closed its eyes! If the hawk was going to eat him, at least he wasn't going to look!!
 Brown creeper | Past the lower orchard, there is a grove of old trees, where I saw this brown creeper - difficult bird to get photos of, they are so well camouflaged, the camera can't often "see" anything to focus on. |
Brown creeper - these birds forage in lichen covered branches and tree bark for insects and seeds.
Western bluebird at the nest box
(Above) One of the intrepid bluebird adults, bringing a bug to the nest box - baby birds are loud, and should fledge soon.
(To the left and below) Young finches approach adult (on far right in both photos) for a feeding. They were making a racket on the utility line above the nest box.
(To the left and below) Young finches approach adult (on far right in both photos) for a feeding. They were making a racket on the utility line above the nest box.
Two young finches approach adult on far right for food
Nesting or roosting hen turkey
As I was leaving the bluebird nest box area, I saw this turkey - also not moving as to avoid detection - when they are sitting like this, it can mean they are nesting, their nests are on the ground. Or else she is roosting here for the night as it was early evening - invisibility in both cases is essential.
Red-breasted nuthatch, back yard
Red-breasted nuthatch in back yard - it was not frozen like the pygmy's, they seem less shy with the camera than some of the other birds.
Juvenile or female black-headed grosbeak, back yard
This might be the juvenile grosbeak - feathers are damp from the birdbath.
Juvenile black-headed grosbeak? Back yard, early morning light
Another Anna's hummer portrait, from the back yard