Window to Spring... 03-20-2023

Today may be the first day of spring, but it sure didn't feel or look like it outside. I thought I heard rain and went to the patio doors to check. It wasn't raining. I think the wind was making a tree branch lightly tap somewhere. Anyway, while looking out, I saw one solitary Mourning Dove eating the seeds under the feeder. Miss Olive was sitting at my feet, so I knew I couldn't sneak out for a photo. Instead, I went to the dining room window. I ended up standing there for a while taking pictures. What I am posting today are all "through a dirty window" shots that have been reduced by 50% and had their contrast, saturation, and sharpness adjusted. Don't zoom in too close, because they will get really pixilated.

This is the first Mourning Dove I have ever seen in my backyard. I have seen them in the neighborhood, but not in the yard. He was later joined by about three more. I noticed that he was really aggressive when other birds came to feed. He ran off some cardinals and white-winged doves. He tried to run Woody off, but he squawked, lifted his wings, and charged the dove. Gosh, I love that little guy!

Woody suddenly appeared on one of the feeders. When he saw that it was near empty, he dropped to the ground.

Woody was quite at home with the other birds. None of them, including this much larger white-winged dove, intimidate him.

I know Woody prefers the feeders. But today was a designated clean up day. There is more than enough bird seed on the ground thanks to the messy eating habits of the birds looking for a certain seed.

This little female House Sparrow was just chilling in the tree.

There was one Inca Dove out there today.

Okay... This shot shows all three varieties of doves that are in my area. Going clockwise from the tiny guy at the bottom, they are an Inca Dove, a Mourning Dove, and a White-winged dove.

There were some Titmice out there, too.

He's banging his seed on the branch to open it up.

Couldn't resist taking some shots of this pretty male Northern Cardinal.

This is the same guy. I watched him change perches.