Hummingbird at the bubbler

We installed a new bubbler fountain, mainly so we could enjoy the sound. As a bonus, the birds found it, and enjoy cooling off in it.

Escaping the heat: A trip to Grassy Hollow

It's been hot in Riverside and even the beaches, so we drove to the mountains to get cool. Grassy Hollow is one of our favorite places for a wide variety of mountain birds. The most surprising was the Lewis's Woodpecker, which took a long time to identify because it's a juvenile and not in full color.

There were also three chipmunks scurrying around.

Green-tailed Towhee


White-headed Woodpecker


Pygmy Nuthatches


White-breasted Nutchatch


Lewis's Woodpecker (Juvenile)


Stellar's jay


Mountain Chickadee


Chipmunk

Another Bonus of the New Landscaping

This morning there were a lot of finches at the fruit on one of our new cactus plants. Even the cat was having a great time watching all the activity through the window. Later in the afternoon after Chris got back from errands, she noticed the Orioles were joining in on the fun. She got some pictures with our non-bird camera since it was close by. It seemed better to capture something instead of missing the shot while looking for the bird camera. Often when Chris is doing the photographing, her intent is merely to have photographic evidence for Mike so he doesn't think she is making things up. The Oriole did bump the finches off the fruit and take a turn eating, but those pictures weren't as clear. That's okay - this one is much more amusing since the finch has its entire head in the fruit!