John Hamil Photographs

March 2010
Birds on Johnson Creek

March has been cool and wet and I'm noticing that behaviors have changed a bit. Siskins and bushtits are no longer flocking to the feeders like they did in January and February. I'm seeing pairs now where I was seeing eight to ten birds at a time.

Chickadees and Juncos have not altered their behavior or their plumage. They are getting used to the flash and I am trying to get closer for better detail.

Catching the Pileated Woodpecker through the kitchen window could almost make a birdwatcher out of me.

I've missed catching the scrub Jays in the yard but I have noticed that the Steller's Jays have more pronounced eyebrows.

I've been confusing female House Finches with Pine Siskins because I was not always noticing the Siskins yellow wing flash.

Male House Finches have brighter colors and are coming to the feeders in pairs and not in flocks.

I have several families of Song Sparrows flitting around my garden. They get plucky, flying under my arm when I'm leaning on my shovel. The singing's started.

They have also brightened their plumage since last month.

The only ones happy about the rain and the creek raising three feet are the ducks.

Male Green-Backed Goldfinch

Female Green-Backed Goldfinch