Northern Flicker in my Yard

This beauty was whistling to his companion.

Nice profile on the roof.

 

Another Large Buck in the Preserve

This large buck was stalking a doe this morning. 

The second buck does not appear to have a white patch on it's face.

Large Buck in the Preserve

This large buck was in the preserve this morning. 

Goldfinches on Cosmos Seeds

 

Goldfinches on a bucket of cosmos seeds ready for the yard waste bin.

Dove in the Rain

This dove sat on the fence all hunched up in the rain.

As soon as I opened the door it turned around and took off.

Eagles Soaring in the Wind

On this windy day I saw several eagles soaring over the forest area.  

Hawk on the Fence

This hawk landed for just a few minutes. 

Junco's and Sunflowers

We took down all the tall sunflowers around the back corner garden.

I put some really full head onto the fence and love watching these juncos enjoying them. 

 

Squirrel Eating Sunflower Seeds

A squirrel has discovered the sunflower seeds. 

Juvenile Goldfinch Taking Cover

This little goldfinch took cover under this bull statue during a heavy rain shower. 

Bird Nest in the Shasta Daisy Plant

This perfect bird's nest was in the middle of the large Shasta daisy.

When I clipped back the spent flowers it was revealed. 

Owls in Arizona

These two great horned owls did a lot of hooting in our AZ neighborhood.

I wish we had some in Ovation. 

Northern Flicker Silhouette

It is hard to get a picture of a Northern flicker.

I see and hear them often in the preserve.  

This was taken last January.

 

Spotted Towhee

 

Caught this illusive spotted towhee in my back garden.

Flora of the Pacific Northwest

Fascinating book on collecting and cataloging plants for British Botanical Society.

Lovely neighborhood dogwood blossom. 

Library books that I am enjoying. 

 

Trillium in the Forest

Laura, Robyn and I found this trillium on the main path near the entrance. 

Date on photo is April 6, 2021.

This one is on the path that leads to exit #3. 

It is just past the place where the trail narrows.

 

One Deer Down

I think one of the deer was hit on Marvin Rd. this week. 

Stellar Jay

Got a nice silhouette of this Stellar jay at the entrance to the Preserve.

There was a small flock of them squawking.   

Hawthorn Trees

There are many hawthorn trees on the south east side of Ovation.

These are great for the birds.

They will be beautiful when in blossom in spring. 

Common hawthorn, also called English, is an introduced tree 

that has naturalized in the Pacific Northwest. 

Hiking up to the Forest

Mindy and I took two bird watching benches into the forest. 

Mindy collected some native salal, kinnikinnick (bearberry) and a sword fern. 

We hid our benches near the forest trail entrance. 

We learned the name of another native plant.

Pussy Willow Starts

Last spring Laura and I planted several rooted pussy willow starts in the preserve.

Three are still standing.

 

Mourning Dove

This mourning dove has been in my garden for a few weeks. 

Sometimes there are 2 of them.

They are very skittish. 

Here it is sitting on my potting bench. 

Here is walked by me as I was gardening. 

Making Birdwatching Sit Spot Benches

These two little benches are in the Preserve. 

These two will go into the forest.

 

Today's Deer Family

A doe and her triplets, 2 bucks and a female.

They were very tame this morning, let me walk right up close. 

Owl in the Preserve

This owl was seen in our preserve recently and the picture was posted on our Ovation FB. 

It could be a barred owl, which has only recently arrived in the NW. 

They are invasive in that they may displace our native owl. 

Downey Woodpecker

This Downey woodpecker visited my sunflowers.  

The wall of sunflowers that the birds loved. 

Goldfinches - Juvenile

We have had flocks of juvenile goldfinches all over the fountain.

They love the sunflower seeds.

Every day there are flocks of goldfinches in our garden. 

They also love the seeds of the echinacea, rudbeckia, and Liatris. 

Wrens

I don't get many wrens but this one got my attention.

 

Junco

These little ground creepers are very illusive. 

They are common here year round.

Hummingbird

Hummingbird enjoying the blossoms on my hosta.