I everyone...I haven't visited in awhile and am enjoying reading all the posts I've missed.
I think fall and winter are my favorite birding times. For one thing, the grackles are gone. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
The other "black" birds are gathering into huge groups. The goldfinches have turned olive and are not as nearly abundant as the house finches. I seem to have tons of them this year.
Angie ...its really hard for me to tell them apart too. I know the purple finches have more red, and a darker red, but I have to look close and use my field guides to be sure sometimes. Its pretty easy if there is a mixture of both, at the same time, but otherwise its confusing.
It seems a little chipmunk is taking up residence under my neighbors deck. He makes dozens of trips from my sunflower seed piles...little cheeks all puffed out. He's so cute to watch.
Angie...did you used to belong to Bird Chatters, on Delphi forums?? I seem to remember someone there with a red-shouldered hawk too, and I think her name was Angie. I have a Coopers that has lunched on the sparrows for a few winters now. I wrote a story about it that was published in WildBird magazine a couple years back. That was quite the thrill!!
Lisa...it amazes me how a tiny hummingbird can make that long flight. It sounds like you had a great summer and lots of hummers. Your pics are great. Don't the Monarch butterflies make that long flights too?? There are still lots around, so I wonder when they leave.
Joanne
