The Other Side of the Fence

Although I do like walking Nisqually Refuge just for the walk, the main reason I walk there, particularly with the gas prices so high, is to see new birds.

Judging from this week, though, it might be best to just stay home if I’m mainly interested in bird pictures. When I stepped out on the front porch yesterday afternoon, a rather large shape scurrying away from the deck startled me. Luckily I had my camera with me or I would have missed this shot

of a Ring-necked Pheasant who apparently had dropped in for an unannounced visit, even though he was somewhat camera shy.

Today’s visitor wasn’t nearly as shy. This Black-Headed Grosbeak landed on the roof right outside my second story den window to announce her arrival. She was even polite enough to stick around the bird feeder long enough that I could get several good shots:

I missed shots of several other visitors today because I didn’t have my camera handy, but still enjoyed close encounters with the local Merlin Falcon and the Flicker while walking in the park.

I continue to be amazed by the number of birds I’ve seen recently and wonder if they’ve always been there and I’ve just been too preoccupied with making money to notice them or if there is some hidden force making them appear as I’m ready to see them.