Yasyn's Backyard Birds

My bird findings within a 100 foot radius of my teeny tiny apartment patio in Northern California. I have a simple dish as a feeder, and an even larger and deeper dish for a bath filled with small stones for the birds. All photos are taken by me. Please ask before use.

[meangirlnurse]

i have no self-control

[meangirlnurse]

two people unfollowed me for this and honestly i don’t really blame them

[fat-birds]

this is the best thing i’ve ever seen

[yasynbird]

The best.

[yasynbird]

This House Finch is cracking them black oil sunflower seeds with such ease. I hope to attract more of these delightful singing birds. I am planning to hang up a tube feeder soon as I think that’ll be more attractive to them than feeding on the ground.

[yasynbird]

This Yellow-rumped Warbler found its way into my patio. This particular bird is an infrequent guest. I don’t think any of the food I have out is attractive to this species... but for some reason, this little one seemed very interested in my basil plant! Next thing I know, it is nipping off some of my basil flowers and eventually hopped into the plant XD. These aren’t the best photos, but it was such a cute moment, even if in a low light setting. Watching this bird stretch its little body out trying to nip at the flowers was so cute.

[yasynbird]

This American Crow knows how to successfully collect nuts. I don’t even know what nuts those are, but gosh it is carrying more than one!

[yasynbird]

Ready... Set... ATTACK! This Bushtit uses its cute little legs and feet to help it find food this morning. :)

[birdcheese]

Some birds for the next few weeks.

[yasynbird]

Just what I needed. :)

[yasynbird]

I’ve mentioned before that male house finches can come in some color variations from yellow, to orange, to red. This one is kind of a yellow-orange! (Perhaps not easily seen in this photograph). Although female House Finches seem to prefer males that display red, I still think the other color varieties are just as lovely.

[yasynbird]

Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca

Now that it’s gently approaching winter, I get to see new faces in town! This is a Fox Sparrow and from what I’ve seen, they spend the winter season in my region. I didn’t expect their size to be larger than that of the White-crowned Sparrows. However, they are smaller than a Towhee.

At first I had difficulty identifying it as I am not familiar with any other bird with a sparrow-like shape and spotted breast. Turns out Fox Sparrows come in different color varieties. This particular one is called “Sooty.” Just look at those feet, they are massive!

I thought I was seeing just the one, but turns out there are two! I’m so glad they found my area. they really love to eat! More Info @ AllAboutBirds.org

[yasynbird]

Earlier in the day, I saw this young White-crowned Sparrow just... sitting there. Observing and looking around. It was pretty cold outside, too.  There was just SOMETHING about its breast and stomach that was just so... pleasing. So soft... so round. So smooth and light! :)

[yasynbird]

This Crow is taking food to-go. :)

[yasynbird]

There’s just something about the shape of the body and the way he turned his head that is just SO GOOD.

[yasynbird]

These birds have a habit of preferring to drink from less convenient places. I place the birdbath/drinking water in my patio for a reason... but it seems they rather drink from splashed droplets that hang from the table or... this random droplet hanging off of my plastic bag that is responsible for creating ripples on the water XD. Look how far that Lesser Goldfinch is stretching just to get that drop!

And the House Finch in the top photo can’t help but intrude on another White-crowned Sparrow’s bath time.

[yasynbird]

The California Towhee is very good at looking LARGE. :) This is immediately after a dip in the bath.

[yasynbird]

Since the first day where a single Lesser Goldfinch found my bird bath.. and then brought the rest of its friends, they have been revisiting ever since! I really like that single large bead of water on that young male’s back!

[yasynbird]

Lately, this Yellow-rumped Warbler has been making appearances more often around my patio. It takes a drink once in a while. :) I wish I had the chance to see its spring time or breeding season plumage!

[yasynbird]

Once ONE Lesser Goldfinch finds its way to the watering hole... you can be sure the rest will follow! Poor White-crowned Sparrow did not seem very happy that tis bath time was being intruded upon, but I think the Lesser Goldfinches were so excited for a communal bath time!

[yasynbird]

This sparrow is doing the one-legged thing! Time to conserve body heat!... 

“Winter is coming,” says the sparrow.