I got quite a few good photos of Red and Mrs. I saw them every single day, but not a glimpse of their fledglings. I wonder if they flew the nest and are living life without mom and dad?
We had an amazing evening with Red. I spotted him on the fence to our courtyard outside our front door. I talked to him, calling “Hey Red.” I went inside and told my husband. He suggested we sit in the courtyard and hang out with Red. We enjoyed the sun with Red flitting above us. Red flew into the tree we were sitting under. He flew to the wall, the fence and back up into the tree, singing to us. He called for Mrs. and she joined our group. We hung out with them for half an hour and finally went inside.
I took this with my iphone, so the quality isn’t that great. But you can see how we got to hang out with our friendliest bird Red.
Here’s one of the photos I took of Mrs. this week. I’m liking this week’s photos because of the clarity of my subject birds (not the ones in the background.) This is thanks to my photographer friend Gary Gruber. He suggested a few weeks ago that I change my settings to a faster shutter speed.
A gilded flicker stopped at the birdbath in the morning light.
A White-winged dove was hanging out for a day.
The resident bully bird, a Curve-billed Thrasher, loves to throw his beak around and intimidate the other birds.
Papa quail with his babies having a word with Red.
I had a first time visitor to the birdseed block. This is Albert’s Towhee. I used his call on my Merlin app to identify him and then went to All About Birds to ID him according to his looks.
I got this closeup of a quail dad’s face and fluffy feathers.
Which photo or photos are your favorites?
What are your weekend plans?
Do you have anything special planned to celebrate July 4th plans?
What a collection of birds you’re getting Elizabeth. I enjoy seeing the birds I’ll probably never see
Thank you! I enjoy seeing your birds, that I may never see unless we visit Australia with our Aussie friends who live in California.
Great pictures EA! I think Red and Mrs are looking for an invite to come into the house 🙂 Daughter has a friend here from WA who is finishing up her Masters degree, or maybe it’s a PhD? I’m not sure but I know she has a summer intensive every year but this summer is also graduation for her. Her campus is in northern CO so she’s only here for a few days right now.
I’m glad you like the photos. Yes, I was thinking Red and Mrs. wanted to come inside and get out of the heat!That’s nice to have a visitor from Washington.
Wow, this is a very beautiful set, Elizabeth! Well done! Beautiful birds… ❤️😍
Thank you! It was nice to get a variety.
The last one is my favorite. Mike and I have complimentary tickets to see LifeHouse and Warrant in concert. I know them a little but he knows them a lot. Complimentary tickets! After July 4th but in a beautiful venue in St. Pete. Looking forward to it. Enjoy your 4th!
I’m glad you like the closeup of the papa quail. I haven’t heard of either of those bands. Complimentary tickets is alway nice! You have a happy Fourth, too.
I hadn’t either, Mike played them for me. He likes different music than I do but I liked some of the music. It will be fun to go.
Have a great time!
Papa quail “having a word with Red” made me grin. Too funny. Your photos are fabulous, but your captions and quips are fun, too! I absolutely love the visit you and the hubby had with Red and his Mrs. Two couples enjoying each other’s company. What could be more perfect??? xo, Elizabeth! 😊💝😊
Papa quail looks protective of his babies, doesn’t he? It was an amazing evening. The weekend before, my husband was barbecuing in the backyard and he said Red was with him, playing hide and seek. Red would make an appearance, disappear, sing and come back out in sight.
Love these connections you’ve both made. So fabulous when nature comes close…doesn’t feel afraid, right? Sending Friday love to you! 💝💝💝
It’s wonderful!!! Happy Friday to you! 💕
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Wonderful!
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How interesting to spend a half hour “hanging” with your bird friends. I wasn’t sure I’d seen an Abert’s towhee, but I checked my bird book and I noted seeing one in the Mesa area. Long time ago!
It was an amazing evening. My husband sits outside before sunset in our courtyard. I was so delighted to share that time with him along with Red and Mrs. I spotted Red on our neighbor’s rooftop chirping away on one of my walks. He’s the friendliest bird, but also so noticeable compared to the rest. I’ve had Albert’s towhee on my Merlin app for awhile in our neighborhood, but haven’t seen one until yesterday.
I really like the top phot. I think the contrast is really nice, it seems subtle which is cool because the colors are so different. I’m attending the writers conference this weekend so it’s all about that. We will be in town for the 4th. it’s actually a busy work time for my husband. I’d like to say I’ll be partaking in local.activities but I fear crowds
I love taking photos of Red. He’s so eye catching compared to all the brown and gray birds. I can’t wait to hear about your writer’s conference. I don’t like crowds either. COVID made me fearful of being in crowds. I never got over it.
I get it
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So many great photos! I can see how a faster shutter speed made a difference with these moving birds. My favorite is that quail with his babies talking to Red. You have quite a menagerie right outside your door. Beats anything on TV!
The faster shutter speed was a game changer for me. I had another new bird stop by but I wasn’t quick enough to get a photo. I’m hoping to see a few new birds. I’m glad you enjoy the quail, babies and Red!
Love the quail and babies talking to red!
Worthy of framing.
Brava!
Thank you so much! I just hung two my photos today that were of Mrs. (Red’s wife). I took them a few weeks ago.
They are all good but I think I have to go with the gilded woodpecker this time in the morning light. Lovely capture!
I wonder if Mr and Mrs Red miss their fledglings 🙂 I miss my son but he is doing well so I am happy. 🥰
I liked that photo too. We are going to visit our kids in a couple weeks. I can’t wait!
Yay! Hope you have a wonderful visit! 😊
I’m very excited!
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Beautiful photos! My favorite is Papa quail having a word with Red. I think Red is going to get in trouble if he gets closer. 😀
It does look that way! Yesterday I sat outside and Red and Mrs. landed a few feet from me. Normally, I’m inside taking photos through the window. It was amazing!
That’s awesome. I’m telling you, they are getting used to you.
It’s such an overwhelming experience to have them so close.
Oh, I bet. After watching them for so long, it’s nice to see them up close.
It’s other worldly.