Ordinary Birds

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A House Finch at the bird bath.

I saw Red and Mrs. over the weekend. Plus, an intruder, another male Cardinal. There was a chase between the two bright red birds and it didn’t look friendly. Mrs. was on the fence sitting between her Mourning Dove friends watching the show. The Cardinals dashed around and flew out of the yard. Mrs. flew away, too and I haven’t seen a Cardinal since.

I haven’t been taking many photos, because I only have “ordinary birds” in my yard. But yesterday I sat outside and watched them and decided they are all beautiful in their own way. That reminds me of a song that I posted below.

A Sparrow in the Fire Stick plant.

Mrs. Gambel Quail with her spouse.

A Mourning Dove sat on a branch floating in the air.

A Gila Woodpecker took over the Bird Buddy AI feeder. The blur on the left hand side is saguaro cactus spines.

Mourning Doves on the fence.

Quail playing King of the Mountain, or king of the rock!

I hope you enjoy my backyard “Ordinary Birds.”

Here’s the Grammy Award-winning song by Ray Stevens from 1970. I don’t think this song would be produced today with the opening of children singing “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”

I have one more week of recovery and then my post op appointment. I’m not in pain, but am unusually tired! I guess that is to be expected.

What’s on your calendar this week?

Do you have any favorites of the ordinary birds?

What birds do you view as ordinary where you live?

46 thoughts on “Ordinary Birds”

  1. Well, we have snow here, so not sure how that will affect things. I do have a new volunteer project for Thursday. And then meeting my husband afterwards, but otherwise mostly second draft stuff. Didn’t a few months ago you see a cardinal that you weren’t sure if it was new to the area? And pigeons…..

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  2. All birds are worthy of getting their pictures taken and shared. That’s how we get to know habits and yes, even personalities! During our blizzard yesterday I just sat and watched a sparrow sitting on the front feeder nibbling seed but also so carefully positioned to be as protected as possible from the snow. It was so windy and he was smart enough to know to sit still versus getting blown into something harmful.

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    • I can sit and watch birds all day long. You do get to know their personalities. That’s fascinating about the sparrow knowing exactly where to be to be protected from the wind and storm.

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  4. I knew you were talking about this classic from Ray Stevens, I looove that song! Your photos are very beautiful, Elizabeth! Such sweet birds. I wonder how far away the Cardinals flew.

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  6. In one picture of the feeder, it looks like you have a camera set up? I think you remember you saying your son helped you with this. We also have cameras in the backyard but I don’t often look at them.

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    • Yes, it’s a bird feeder that comes with a camera. It sends videos and photos to my phone. It also has a solar panel roof. My son worked with the company to bring this product to the market. He raised money through campaigns and did fulfillment. I was an early contributor, so I got a discounted price on the feeder (that was part of fulfillment). The bird feeder doesn’t hold up well in our heat, so you can see I have the sides taped! I know to bring it inside in the summer! If you want to look it up, the website is mybirdbuddy.com.

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  7. Oh, Elizabeth, all these birds may be ordinary for you because you see them around all the time, but for me the are so beautiful- made even more beautiful by your photography. Thanks for sharing.
    Hope you regain your strength quickly. Hugs.

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  11. I have a book club meeting and some Zoom calls (family and friends). The usual stuff of dogs, research/writing, household.

    Common winter birds are juncos, chickadees, magpies, house finches.

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