August 2018 - Catching up: Birds

Wow, can't believe how long it has been since I have added a post.  This is my life now: I go birding and when I can, I get out in the shop and print something. 

August is always fun because the world is full of baby birds. Fall migration begins in August, so there is always so much to see. Here is a baby Black-headed Grosbeak baby (on top) getting fed by Dad (below). 

I'm also fond of Black-necked Stilt babies.  Their legs are so long in proportion to their bodies. And you have to love those bright pink legs. 

Here are the adults: very black and white with the lovely pink stockings. 

In my bird outings, I often find myself playing the Where's Waldo game. You will be looking at a huge swath of gulls for example, but will be looking for the one bird that's different.  In this photo there are Common Terns, Caspian Terns, Forster's Terns. There were many Black Terns as well, but just out of this photo. In addition there are Franklin's Gulls and Avocets. 

I am always amazed by what a bird can eat. This little grebe swallowed a fish that was bigger than its head. 

While this Loggerhead Shrike took a while to get an uncooperative baby snake down his gullet. 

Two baby osprey

One of my favorite things about August is that the purple thistle starts going to seed which attracts bright yellow goldfinches.  It's a lovely combination. 

August is not only filled with baby hummingbirds, but the tiny, feisty Rufous Hummingbirds start showing up as they migrate back south. 

Below is a Broad-tailed Hummer

More babies: two Great-horned owls. 

It is always fun to see a bird living up to its name. In this case a Cattle Egret is hanging out with the cows. They love to pick ticks off the faces and backs of cattle. 

Great-tailed grackles continue to be one of my favorites. They are fairly recent residents, only showing up in the last ten years or so.  

Iridescent feathers are wonderfully complex. This white-faced ibis is a rainbow of color when he is in the right light. 

Lazuli buntings show up along fence rows, busy with the grassy seed heads. 

As babies fledge, you often see family groups hanging together for a little while. These are Lark Sparrows. 

So, there is a quick bird walk through August. Lots of fun to be had wherever you look.