Took a Walkabout---

[Al Hansen]

All shots taken around the yard either in the early morning or later on in the afternoon.
Al

 

[Dennis Johnson]

Thanks for the pics. Al. I love the second pic, looks like he's wearing a hat like the flappers of 20's era. Keepem coming!
Dennis

 

[Eddie Kershaw]

Al
Those are beautiful pictures the clarity is out of this world thanks for posting them.
Take care and God Bless
Eddie and Amber
Its allabout Building that Bond.

 

[Kevin Weir]

Al,
Great pics as usual. Thanks for sharing. Could you tell us what the birds are except the quail, got that one, I think. Gambels?

 

[Eric Dellamater]

Al,

I love the fact that you post all these pictures. Thanks for sharing them. I love the intensity of that American Goldfinch (guessing here but I am probably wrong) in the 3rd picture.

thanks.

 

[Steve Froelich]

Any idea the species of Cholla Plant the Pyrrhuloxia is perched on. It looks to be a Tree Cholla, but maybe a a bit thin

 

[Hitch]

Sweet photos Al!

Hitch

 

[D Behrendt]

Very nice, love the shots of the quail.

 

[Al Hansen]

Thank you, Dennis. Glad you like them. My father had a hat like the one you talked about with the flappers. He was born in 1905.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Eddie,.
The good news is that the lens is fast enough so that I can still hand hold the camera. I would imagine that one of these days, I'll have to start using a tripod.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Kevin,
Thanks for the reminder. Sorry that I forgot.
pictures #1 and #2 would be Gambel's quail
picture #3 is a female black-chinned hummingbird
pictures #6, #7. and #8 Wilson's warbler
picture #9 female Gambel's quail
pictures #10 and #11 are of the male pyrrhuloxia
picture #12 is the male lesser goldfinch
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Thanks so much, Eric. That little yellow bird is a Wilson's warbler. I was thrilled when he came by for a drink because this is the first time I have been able to capture one in good light.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Steve,
My wife has a painting lesson with a gal from town who is a botanist. She already has the question to ask her! I looked it up and believe the one we have here is known as "optunia leptocaulis" which might be a form of the tree cholla. The reason for the thin look is that we don't get much rain here. 7 inches of precip per year is not much. Most of the time recently we have had less, however, so far this year we are doing very well.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Glad you liked them, Hitch. Thank you.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Hey, Don, glad you liked the shots.
Al

 

[Kevin Weir]

Thanks Al,
pyrrhuloxia? heck of a name.

 

[Al Hansen]

Kevin---the pyrrhuloxia is related to the cardinal. In fact, their song is indistinguishable from it.
Al

This is a male Bullock's oriole. We have been attracting them with "grape jelly". They love it and right now we are feeding a 2 pound jar of jelly every other day. That original pair from 4 years ago, has grown into around 8 pairs or more. We also found out that pyrrhuloxia and the house finch also like grape jelly.

 

[Kevin Weir]

Amazing Al,
Thanks for the pics. Grapejelly? whodathunk

 

[Dick Sargeant]

Great stuff AL - grape jelly reminds me of peanut butter and jelly which reminds me of how much my various labs liked peanut butter. I liked to put a big dab on a cracker and the pups would instantly get that stuck to the roof of their mouths. The ensuing sounds would drive the boss out of the room and I would laugh until I cried.
sarge

 

[Al Hansen]

Good story about the peanut butter, Sarge. Just about ten minutes ago, I took these two shots. One is out of focus on purpose so you see what we get to look at in the evening when the sun is setting.
Bev and I enjoy being outside as much as possible.
Al