A Very Birdy Christmas

This Christmas was a very birdy Christmas.  I saw many many birds, both at my house, and in California.

As gifts, I received a couple of nice birdfeeders and seed, which have added to my (and the cats) viewing pleasure.  I noticed when we first moved in that the owners had left a little platform outside the family room window, and a container full of birdseed.  I put some out and was astonished to see how many different little birds were coming to visit.

Cats Bird Watching

When my parents came to visit, I think we counted 11 different species in one short time period.  So for Christmas, I asked for more bird-feeding related items so that I could have even more little visitors.  I put it out…and they come!

Chickadee at Feeder

We have a loveseat in the “sky room” and sitting very comfortable I have a great view of this new feeder.  I just sat with my camera and waited and recorded all sorts of activities.  A little later, I plan on putting out a new bird house I received, and maybe find a few more little feeders.

In California, I saw thousands of birds at the Colusa Wildlife Refuge just north of Sacramento.

Calusa Wildlife Refuge

It was a beautiful day and the scenery was just gorgeous.  There was an area that you drive around, and also a short walking path.  We drove first, and saw…

Great White Heron

…a very large Egret….

Green Herons

…a whole bunch of green herons nesting by a river…

Green Herons Sleeping

Flock of Snow Geese Flying

…a flock of snow geese flying in…

So many Snow Geese

…so many snow geese…thousands of them winter here…

Detail Snow Geese Flock

Red Tailed Hawk Keeping Watch

…and a red tailed hawk making sure no one intrudes.

We then took the short (maybe a mile total?) nature trail, and saw more geese flying in…

Flock of Geese Flying at Calusa Wildlife Refuge

…a bunch of vultures hanging out…

Vultures

…and we saw a Great Horned Owl resting in a tree.  I did not get a good picture of the owl, as he was in the shade and a little too far away for my camera.  Someone in the parking lot tipped us off that there was an owl sighting, which was very cool.  There were not that many people there, and we got there fairly early in the morning (for vacation time), so it was nice and relaxing and pleasant.  I highly recommend visiting!