First bloom from my beleaguered Showy penstemons. More than typical winter rains and poor draining soil. Some did not make it.
But that bloom! The colors!
Native plants Southern California

Acorn Woodpecker seen recently at Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. #Birds SeenIn2024 #Birds #Birdwatching #MyBirdPic #Wildlife #Nature #Birding #Birds OfTwitter #Arizona #TeamSony

A bit of a Scootie blast from this morning - all close ups, some cropping.
Some crest high, some crest down.
Most give a hint of green iridescence , sometimes at the base of his tail, and on his back. 🥰
Greater roadrunner #birds SoCal

A new visitor! Long-tailed weasel (pretty sure). Did not stay still! Habitat is from Canada to upper South America.
I think this one is a male.
SoCal #mammal Stoat

Tree sitters this morning:
Ca Scrub jay
Mr Black-headed grosbeak
First year male Hooded oriole

Hi, Gary..
A quick visit, he’s looking around and sees nothing to his liking. He’s the only bird in the yard.

Cooper’s hawk #birds SoCal
Cooper’s cap

I decided to go for a late afternoon walk… then this happened! So glad I kicked myself out the door. I’m still in shock. More photos to follow!! #waxwings
#lifer

Golden Oriole at South Milton Ley this afternoon. I didn’t expect this when I was driving there to see a different lifer! 100% bird of the year for me so far!! Not sure what could beat this!

Early birds next to a couple feeders this morning. Definitely giving me the “Hey, our feeders are very low!! Hop to it!”
Yes, yes. On my way with refills 😊
Each one looking at the feeder they want 😄
Hooded orioles #backyard #birds

A view of patchy valley fog below with Starvation Mt and Mt Woodson behind. Quite clear early, but no worries, clouds already increasing and rain due this evening 🙄
San Diego county

Two good reasons to leave those dandelions alone in the spring. 🐝🦋 #naturephotography

Costa’s Hummingbird

Isn’t it crazy that FOR FREE you can sit in a chair next to native flowers and these guys just come say “what’s up!”?
What a life man

📷 Nikon D500
🔭 Nikon 200-500mm 5.6
📍 The Driveway

#birding #tucson #arizona

Wildlife sightings behind my house! Two muley #does , mama great-horned #owl still on nest, papa great-horned nearby in tree, earless #lizard .

#waspnest2024

The paper wasp on right just arrived back at the nest and passed some nectar to other wasp. It has since flown off again perhaps to procure more nectar for its nest mates.

Mr Sunshine on the not very sunny Saturday.
Hooded oriole #birds SoCal 💛🖤

I’m up in the air on this one (appropriate since it’s a bird 😂).
Could be a male fledgling, pretty early though. Could be a late last year male not in adult plumage yet. Looking for the fledgling gape, maybe 🤔
Cute regardless! 💛 Hooded oriole

Mr and Ms Black-headed grosbeak in the ‘hood 😄
#BackyardBirds SoCal