Townsend's warbler on coast Douglas-firDendroica townsendi on Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii
Pinaceae
Well, she's not as striking as her boyfriend, but he's off chasing a flashy goldfinch. For me, these bird pictures are not too shabby. I really enjoy watching the Townsend's search through the Douglas fir tree next to our balcony for food. Insects? I don't know. Sometimes they hover like a hummingbird and pick at the tree, which I've learned is called hover-gleaning. I'm amazed at how many birds and insects use this coast Douglas-fir tree. It helps that our balcony is 3 stories up, so I'm able to get an eye-level view of the top of the tree to witness all the action.
I'd like to add that the Townsend's warbler is not mentioned at all in a recently-purchased CA bird guide book, which shall remain nameless until I get a better handle on whether it's a decent bird book or not. I bought it because it was the same style that my mother-in-law uses up in WA. At $20-30 a pop, I've been disappointed with my field guide purchases lately.
I'd like to add that the Townsend's warbler is not mentioned at all in a recently-purchased CA bird guide book, which shall remain nameless until I get a better handle on whether it's a decent bird book or not. I bought it because it was the same style that my mother-in-law uses up in WA. At $20-30 a pop, I've been disappointed with my field guide purchases lately.
11 comments:
Close birding encounters are great, aren't they? And such a gorgeous specimen too. Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Graeme
Great shots! Beautiful tiny birds!
I'm impressed. Glad you managed to get them. They are quite challenging.
I can't believe your book didn't include the Townsend's Warbler. They are not unusual for California. I prefer the Western Sibley field guide. However, I also sometimes like to use lesser but more local field guides as there are less choices and often more information are the birds behaviors and habitats. I sometimes even use the plastic picture cards for quick guesses .
Nice pix!
I have many many field guides including the 3 volume Audobon and specialty raptor books, but since I bought the first edition in the series, my first "go to" guide is always The National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America.
She's such a little beauty, and I love how you caught her really watching you in the first pic:-)
Ah...a tree's sweetest ornaments!
Beautiful warbler there. I miss them already but they won't return here to Bluff Country till spring.
btw my favorite field guide is the new pocket sized Sibley. Very handy indeed.
Nice shots. I like the seting in the fir tree
Graeme, I really enjoy having a balcony a few feet from this tree to watch birds I may not otherwise notice.
Thanks, twg.
Sandy, I've been trying to collect "local" guides, but they often miss things. I'll check out Sibley.
Janet, you're going to make me a birder, yet. I've heard NG's is like a bible to some birders.
Thanks, Erica. I still don't know how you get such incredible bird photos.
Jeannette, I love the visual of your words.
Mr. T, we only get these from mid-Oct to mid-Feb. Vote #2 for Sibley.
Thanks, Joe. Almost all my songbird pics are from this tree.
What a delightful species to be able to watch as it seeks a meal.
Nice shots Katie. FAB.
Thanks, Frank. I like it when great birders, such as yourself, appreciate the few birds I can capture on camera and identify.
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