The weather has been warm, as high as the low eighties on occasion. There is green grass, plants are budding, and it seems like there might be a more normal spring after 3 years of drought. I can't wait to see more reptiles emerge, flowers blossom, and the all the spring bird activity yet to come.
Two days ago, I spotted this greater roadrunner at our local hiking park. Today, I went back with my good camera, and sure enough, it was in the same area.
To me, their comical motions are mesmerizing. They are powerful runners, and hunt lizards and snakes in open areas where they can run them down.
I haven't seen a roadrunner at the park for a number of months, so was glad to see this one.
After a pretty good show, it was back into the brush for cover.
Look out, western fence lizard, the roadrunner is not far away!
There were also two red-tailed hawks circling around the park today.
On my return loop, the roadrunner was out running on the road, naturally.
We have gold finches almost constantly on our thistle seed feeder.
Mourning doves are also frequently in the yard, usually on the ground.
We are frequently visited, also, by cooper's hawks, who pick off one of "our" birds every now and then. When a hawk nears, all the birds explode into deep hiding, and you don't hear a peep for about 15 minutes. It is amazing how they know the difference between an approaching dove versus a hawk. I'm often fooled at first glance, but not the finches, sparrows, and others.
Recent visitors have been cedar waxwings. They are feasting on ficus berries in our neighbors huge ficus tree that overhangs our yard and drops hundreds of berries on our cement each day during the winter.
A western kingbird high on the neighbor's antenna.
The cedar waxwings are great at hiding near the tops of tall trees.
And lastly, a new visitor, a song sparrow, I believe.
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