Goldfinches

Despite the fact that it is a beautiful, even balmy, day today, I seem to have lost all momentum and am feeling slightly pitiful. I don't suppose I really thought I would be cured overnight, but my recovery seems to be more la question of  two steps forward and one step back. The good thing is that my doctor has been very patient and has talked me down off the ledge a couple of times already.

Although I haven't gotten past the driveway, I was able to sit on the porch almost all day, watching the birds. It's almost as if different groups of birds have their own reserved time slots. Initially, a handsome jay with brilliant blue wings vied with an acorn woodpecker with a red skullcap for exclusive rights to the suet feeder.

The bigger birds were replaced by the finches, dressed in gold and red. Generally they feed quite amicably in large numbers, but today there was quite a bit of squabbling going on. Although they look a bit like autumn leaves waiting their turn on a nearby branch, it is clearly spring judging from the budding leaves.

When the collared doves fly in everyone else leaves because there simply isn't room. These doves, too big for the feeder perches, squat in the bottom tray,.  OilMan took the trays off which kept them away for awhile but the mess underneath the feeders which is usually caught by the trays was, well, a mess.

The hummingbirds have reappeared after a short sabbatical in warmer climes. Since they have their own feeders they come and go as they please and are quite fearless. By the end of the season last year, however, they did have to share with an oriole pair and about ten thousand bees.

 I'm still full from the fish tacos OilMan got for lunch, so it's not easy to choose which Blue Apron meal to make for dinner from the box which arrived today. Looks like it might be Pretzel Burgers, whatever those may be….