Comings

The flock has welcomed two new members, Northern Pintails! The drake is a stunning male whose colors  conjure up images of milk chocolate and white chocolate, layered with toffee. Okay, I might be pushing the poetic license here but, he does look yummy.

Pintail drake. Layers of yummy chocolate.

The hen is a plump collection of toffee colored feathers. Also, very yummy. Unlike other dabblers, the Pintail hen has the longest, most elegant neck. She is a beauty.

Toffee colored Pintail hen. Yum!

Dabblers like Mallards, Pintails live in similar environments and eat similar food — in this case Cheerios and cracked corn. They’ve been with the flock for over a week and don’t appear to have any interest in moving on. Perhaps they’ll stay and nest come Spring. That would be way cool!

The Common Mergansers are still around. I didn’t have my camera ready for yesterday’s show. One of the males had a fish and four other males were in feverish pursuit. Kind of like a Fast and Furious scene, without cute Paul Walker. (I’m sure he’s dragracing somewhere in the Universe.)

Two Red-bellied Woodpeckers have arrived at the feeders. They’re getting along well with the other birds. In fact, all the birds are polite and respectful of each other. Each wating patiently for a turn at the tastey suet.

Female Red-Bellied Woodpecker.

Male Red-Bellied Woodpecker.

Wren, wating for a turn.

Goings, sigh.

Tweety, my Parrotlet of 12 years passed away this morning. A sweet bird, with the heart of a larger parrot, she kept Cleo (our tuxedo cat) in line. My companion whenever I sat at my easel, I will miss her chattering in my ear.

Tweety.

Soar, Tweetie, soar.

So, with parting words from Longfellow, “All things must change to something new …”

I bid you adieu. Blessed be :/

Blue Jay