Prescott Mills

There is a subdivision not far from where I live that has a pretty big pond.  Several birds check it out on a regular basis.
Yesterday I needed a little down time and decided to see what was there.
I love to watch the Pied-billed Grebe.  They have the softest call that is interesting to hear. 

There were at least 5 Great Egrets in various places around the pond.

One of the places I walked I saw American Coot. As I continued walking the suddenly took flight.  They did not go far though.  They hop on the water before actually taking flight.  

Somehow I manage to get the Blue-winged Teal with their heads in the water.
The pattern of their feathers is so pretty.

I felt like every Canadian Goose in the United States was here.  The park area was covered with them.  Watching them coming in for a landing is so interesting.

Greater-yellow legs

Killdeer were present around the edges of the pond.

Two American Finches were talking up a storm with each other.

This one was enjoying the sun.

House Sparrows are flocking up.

This one tree was full of sparrows.

Better picture of the Blue-winged Teal.

Great Blue Heron seemed to be hiding from the other birds.
There were lots of Mallards along the shore area.

A closer look at the Heron, you could see Mallards resting in the background.
Have a wonderful Fall day.

Share my excitement

Ron and I have been noticing this nest.  We thought may be it was in use, as we had wondered what would build one that appeared so big.

Friday, I finally decided to check it out.  I had driven by it earlier and it sure did look like something was in it.

Imagine my surprise to see a Great Horned Owl. This is a cropped photo, as I wasn't sure.
I was in awe.  I have not seen an owl in the wild before.  I found out by reading my books, that owls will take over a previously owned nest.  This could have been hawk, or a crows nest in a previous time.

What an amazing find.

Lesser Yellow-legs in a huge puddle by our house.

The first goldfinch of the spring.

A killdeer in the same area as the lesser yellowlegs.

Blue-winged teal

My little corner of the world.

Have a great week.
Mary

American Gold Finch

Here are a couple of pictures of the female, American gold finch.

You can just see the male peeking out behind the  sack of seed.

Another picture of the female with a male behind the sack.

American Goldfinch

 

The American gold finch is about 5 inches long. (To me they seem smaller.)  The male is a bright yellow with a black patch on forehead. They have a black tail with white rump.  Black wings with white wing bars.  No making on the chest.  The male has a major in color in winter. Then they look like like the female.

No pictures of a female this time.  The female builds the nest and has only one  blood a year.  They can migrate.  We have seen them at our house all year round.  They male becomes dull, and blends in to the drabness of the winter.

They like small seeds and will come to feeders.  Usually I hang a special cloth bag on a tree with seeds in it.   We always referred to them as wild canaries.  They love the Nyger Thistle. They do appear like they are flying a roller coaster.  They twitter during flight.  They have a beautiful song.

Right now in the spring they are blending with the new green of trees.  They can be hard to find.

American Goldfinch

Look hard, he is there.  They are just beginning to get their golden color back.  In the winter they turn light brown to blend in with the surrounds.

He is described as a perky yellow bird with a black patch on forehead  Black tail with conspicuous white rump.  Black wings with white wing bars.  No marking on the chest.  Dramatic change in color during winter.  They become similar to female in winter.

Again some of these pictures were taken through a kitchen window.   The female is described as a dull olive yellow without a black crown, brown black wings and white rump.

The female builds the nest.  They only have one brood each year.  The incubation is 10- 12 days.  The male and female feed they young. They like to come to feeders. They love the Nyger Thistle.   They are called Wild Canary. 

You can see they are changing color.