One was probably my all-time favorite bird - the Cedar Waxwings.
I just love their markings (especially on the eyes!), the crest, and probably adore them more because I only get to see them for a fleeting moment each winter. I only saw them around for a few days, basking in the treetops on a warm winter's day.
This guy is so cute - reaching for a berry on the tree. I plan to add more berry-bearing shrubs and trees to my yard over the next year to hopefully keep them around a bit longer.
The second star was a giant hawk that I spotted across the street in my neighbor's yard, hanging at the top of a very large tree, close to a squirrel's nest, no doubt looking for his next meal. When I first spotted him, I actually thought he/she had a kill in the tree, considering the big clump of feathers that I saw. Nope - it was just the hawk's massive tail. This hawk was much larger than the Cooper/sharp-shinned hawks that have been hanging around my yard over the last month or two. I'm horrible at hawk identification, but I think it might be a red-tailed hawk. Please help confirm/correct my ID!
The past few weeks have been chilly and wet in Central Texas, with temperatures dipping into the 20s (F), accompanied by wind and sleet. The Inca doves tried to keep warm on a dreary gray day by fluffing out their feathers.
Yet, I know that spring is on the way, as indicated by this American Robin, likely starting to make the journey back North for breeding.
Then there are the "regulars"... first, this Carolina chickadee.
Then there is a cluster of female red-winged blackbirds. It is strange how I see the females hanging out so often and haven't once yet spotted a male.
I couldn't have the post only cover the pretty birds in the garden, so here is a wasp, pollinating my peach tree to close out this month's wildlife recap.
Thanks to Tina over at My Gardener Says... for hosting Wildlife Wednesdays on the first Wednesday of every month!
Such beautiful photos, Rebecca! You know, I think your hawk is also a red-tailed--I know you don't think it's big enough, but the coloring just looks right to me. I guess the other possibility is that it's a red-shouldered, but I'm voting for red-tail!
ReplyDeleteI've also had a little cluster of female red winged black birds, though I did see on male, one day.
The Incas are adorable--they are, no matter what, adorable. And the shot of the wasp on your peach blossom was so nice! Thanks for participating in Wildlife Wednesday!
I'll stick with a red-hawk then. The red-shoulder pictures online look like the breast is too rusty colored while this one was mostly white. I think the Incas are so cute, too. I probably have 40-50 white-winged doves and maybe 3-4 Incas, so I appreciate them more since they are more of a novelty.
DeleteBeautiful pictures again this month! Your hawk is just gorgeous. They do tend to find the highest spots to perch to get a "birds-eye view" of the surroundings! And the Inca Doves can look so pitiful when its cold. You had quite a few different visitors last month. I need to keep an eye out for the chickadee! Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anna. The hawk really was breath-taking. I was headed out the driveway to work when I spotted him and HAD to run inside to grab the camera so I could appreciate him in a captured moment forever.
DeleteGreat shots and such variety! I looked and didn't spot a single cedar waxwing this year - now I know they must all have been hanging out at your place. : ) Gardening for wildlife is so rewarding and your posts are proof of that. Looking forward to seeing who shows up once the weather warms up.
ReplyDeleteIt looks to me like Tina was hoarding all the waxwings, they just visited me for an afternoon or two ;-) Now that I've gone about a full year logging the wildlife in my garden, it is a lot of fun to go back to last year to see similar creatures in my garden at the same time of year, and to look ahead to what I have to look forward to in the coming month.
DeleteNice photos! I like how the dove feathers look like a bit like slate formations.
ReplyDeleteThey do! I love the ruffled look. Just looking at the picture, I can almost feel how cold and miserable it feels outside.
DeleteHi Rebecca, I wish I could help with your raptor ID, he or she is very beautiful. And great photo too. Naturally, we have far fewer raptors in the UK, they are magnificent birds and I can imagine the excitement you had spotting this one, even though your squirrels were obviously alarmed.
ReplyDeleteThey really are beautiful birds. I see them most often during mid-late winter, since their prey tend to hang out in the yard more, eating at the feeders, so they can be spotted pretty frequently now. I'm not sure if they often go for the squirrels, but they do find the numerous white-winged doves an easy and delicious meal.
DeleteOh Rebecca were are both loving the Waxwings this month....they are happy with you and I hope soon in a couple of months we will see them here. I have never seen an Inca Dove. They are lovely.
ReplyDeleteI'm always so thrilled to see the waxwings each winter. I just wish they would stick around a little longer. The Inca doves are precious, much smaller and rarer than the white-winged doves that we have so many of here, so it is a special treat to see them from time to time.
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