(Not So) Purple Finches

Got my first purple finches yesterday! I don't understand why so many birds have colors in their names that don't properly describe them. Purple martins aren't purple, either. To me, the coloring of purple finches is reminiscent of strawberry ice cream.

Holiday Weekend Birding

Okay, so this great blue heron was doing this weird undulating motion with its throat. I was super curious about what this means, so after doing a little bit of research I learned that it is called "gular fluttering," the purpose of which is to shed excess heat. The more you know!
I have a murder of crows that comes 1-2 times each day now for peanuts. I'm not always able to get a very good picture, but occasionally I can steal one if I open the window. They're still too skittish to come around if I'm outside. We'll work on that. I didn't even start getting any robins until last week but now I'm covered in them! I also didn't get any pine siskins until recently (nor did I even know they existed), and now a large flock seems to come by daily. The tufted titmouse is one of my most favorite backyard birds, so I'm very pleased to have finally gotten a few presentable photos of them. 🙌 I always think chickadees seem like such sweethearts. ❤️️ My bluebird crew is eating me out of house and home, I have to refill the mealworms just about every day!

Backyard Birding (with a bonus Chika)

Backyard Birding

Just some random backyard birding photos. :) Rose-breasted grosbeaks are back!