The rest of the birds

Back a few weeks, Blogger was misbehaving and cut me off in the midst of loading a group of bird pictures. Here are the pictures that did not make the post on October 28.

What could be more obvious in a portfolio pix than sparrows and their ilk (LBBs). Such as the perching fellow (more likely, a lady) above from friend Bob, as is the little guy about to take a drink below. The image at the very top of the page is from a nesting box at the antique store out in the Dells.

In the western states, the house finch is said to take the place of the English sparrow back east. You'll find these pretty little birds nesting in among the display signs at tourist shops and bars on Whiskey Row.

I don't know the species of this little guy; he was on the roadway in front of the house one morning looking quite lost. Probably a youngster fresh from the nest.

I've no idea where the hummer up there is finding nectar in a sunflower; maybe what he's really after is insect life, his big source of protein -- necessary if he is going to perch on a stick, beady-eyed, and ready to chase off any interlopers in his very own turf.

Usually the rufous (i.e., rusty colored) towhee is busy on the ground, like the dove below. The towhee kicks backwards as he rummages amongst the leaves for goodies, which habit earned this bird the name of rummage in our household. The towhee is one of the major inhabitants at Chez GrannyJ. Thanks to Bob for the tohee and the perched hummer above.

Another very major inhabitant is the western blue jay. You wouldn't know it from this picture, which is one of only two I've been able to catch, as the officious jays hop nervously about while you try to focus and, only too often, hide behind a shrub as you're about to click the shutter.It took an extreme zoom to catch this image.

Cat Link: This video is great fun! Calico cat vs. printer.