The end of 17 and the beginning of 18!

Curve-billed Thrasher

Altamira Oriole

Clay colored Thrush

Olive Sparrow

Scaled Quail

Lucifer Hummingbird

Cassin's Finch

What an eventful year I have enjoyed in 2017.  I have several adventures in birding to share with you as we begin the new year.  I have come to realize a year seems to be gone in a blink of your eye. One day your packing up your Christmas decorations and before you take many deep breaths you are out shopping for family and friends and trimming that tree once more.

I added several life birds this year. The Altamira Oriole, Olive Sparrow, Clay colored Thrush, Cassin's Finch, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Lucifer Hummingbird.  The Olive Sparrow, Altamira Oriole and Clay-colored Thrush were seen in the Rio Grande Valley. The Cassin's Finch was seen in the Davis Mountains and Curve-billed Thrasher was enjoyed in several locations in Texas. The Lucifer Hummingbird was an exciting bird for two reasons, the beauty of the bird and the beauty of the Christmas Mountain Oasis where we photographed it. A rugged trip up a narrow road to a lovely green oasis in the dessert. Oh, I forgot to mention the lovely Scaled Quail and Varied Bunting at the Oasis. A quick look was all I saw of the Varied Bunting.  I was very happy to see it and look forward to capturing it in a photo.

The Curve-billed Thrasher has become a yard bird for us. He visits our woodpecker seed cake as well as our platform feeder. The Lesser Goldfinch are here all year. We have had many Pine Siskin this year but not many American Goldfinch. For sure we enjoy our chipping Sparrows, Yellow-rump Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Carolina Wren and Bewick's Wren.  We have a multitude of Dove and Several Woodhouse Scrub Jays.  The Carolina Chickadee and the Black-crested Titmouse are a daily delight. We have one Mockingbird that comes to bathe about 4 P.M. each day. Birding Joy to you!