Camera Critters #151

The Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon subspecies, is a common bird here during the winter.  Known locally as “Snow Birds,” they spend their winters in the low lands, and summer in the higher elevations.

In the fall, it’s easy to tell when winter arrives, as the snow birds show up right around the same time the temperature starts to fall.

Then in the spring, they disappear right around the same time the temperature starts rising.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critter #150

One of the sure signs of spring for me, is the return of the breeding males.  Normally, this begins in late March.  However, spring has sprung early this year in my world of birds.

I had originally grabbed my camera to get a photo of yet another new ‘yard bird’ for me…a Red-tailed Hawk.  However, as I lifted my camera, he got nervous and flew off.  But shortly after he departed the area, the little birds returned and I was able to capture several male Lesser Goldfinches and one male House Finch.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #149

Western Meadowhawks are a common dragonfly in my area.  I guess they like the hot, dryness of the high desert as much as I do.

However, when I shot this guy this past summer, I didn’t know the hitchhiker on the tail end.  Looks like mites will latch on to anything.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #148

Last week, I presented a new yard bird for me as my entry.  This week, I’m doing it again.

Towards evening last Monday, I stepped outside with Lacy.  As always, I glance around to see what’s going on.  Up on the telephone pole just behind the house, I noticed a bird, dining on something.

I went inside, got my camera and began shooting.  I thought at first the bird was a Sharp-shinned Hawk.  Later when I put the image on the computer, I couldn’t decide whether it was a Prairie Falcon, or a Peregrine Falcon.

Unable to decide, I sent the image to a friend of mine who always helps me with bird photos.

It may be a messy photo, but at least I know what it is now.  8v)

The bird, which was dining on a field mouse, I found out, is, abracadabra…a Merlin.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.