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| Ceonothus |
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| Paintbrush |
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| Lupine |
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| Yucca |
Blooming wildflowers, yuccas and shrubs are not the only colorful sights on the mountain. New birds are showing up every day! Spring migration is in full force!!
Some of the birds that recently arrived will be here all summer. Last week, the Black-headed Grosbeak arrived in our yard with his beautiful voice.
The Ash-throated Flycatcher with his soft referee whistle also arrived last week. His whistles will fill the air until the end of Summer.
Western Kingbirds perched on barb wires represents the start of Spring for me. They are some of the earliest arrivals for the season.
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| Nashville Warbler |
There are plenty of birds that still have a long journey before them. If you want to witness the spectacular migrating warblers, you need to grab a pair of binoculars and look up high in the trees or in a "watering hole". If you have a water dish with moving water, your odds are increased for seeing one of these amazing birds. Unlike birds that come to your feeders filled with sunflower seeds, warblers prefer devouring insects, spiders and worms to sustain them on their journey north.
We returned to the Cedar Springs trail in hopes of finding some warblers. We found lots of them! Black-throated Gray, Townsend's, Hermit, Orange-crowned, and a Wilson's Warbler.
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| Black-throated Gray Warbler |
Since most of them preferred to be gleaning insects from the leaves high in the trees, it was tough getting a decent photo of these active birds. We were happy to even spot them through the foliage.
We were both shocked and thrilled to find the same warblers the next morning in the Black Oak tree outside of our window. No hiking necessary...Lucky us!! The Townsend's Warbler has not been recorded breeding in California so this little bird is on his way to the Pacific Northwest! He still has a lot of miles to cover!
The Hermit Warbler has less miles to cover since he may end up in the Sierra Mountains. When he arrives at his destination, he will spend most of his time at the top of the tallest trees. I was quite fortunate to get his photo!!! It is both exciting and sad to see these warblers. Sad because most of them will only be here a day or two before heading on.
On the same day and in the same Black Oak tree, a couple of these absolutely gorgeous Western Tanagers showed up!!! Instead of continuing north, they will make these mountains their home for the summer. Yeah!
Welcome Back!!!
Click on photos to enlarge them.
Photos and content copyrighted. Robin Roberts
