It was quite cold this morning, but I wanted to get out and look for birds here in Old Trail. I ended up with 26 avian species in about 2 hours, and most of the birds were sparrows, including my first-of-year Eastern Towhee. I also saw a couple of Chipping Sparrows coming to our bird feeder. Although common here during the summer, this species is uncommon during the winter months.
Eastern Towhee
Eastern Towhee
Eastern Towhee
Eastern Towhee chasing a White-throated Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow and House Finch
House Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Adult White-crowned Sparrow
Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow
Eastern Bluebird
White-breasted Nuthatch
Canada Goose and Mallards
Near the end of my hike, I saw one of our two resident Red-shouldered Hawks perched high in a tree.
Red-shouldered Hawk
A minute or so later, its mate flew to it, and began mating. The entire sequence lasted seven seconds. I guess I will be on the look-out for little ones in a couple of months.
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Cigarette?