Cedar Waxwings!

A huge flock of Cedar Waxwings swooped in for a drink at our birdbaths on their way north this morning.  They also searched the trees for berries but there isn't much left as we've had several visits from these very social birds already this year.

Distinguished by their bright red wing tips which are waxy secretions and those yellow tail tips look like they've been dipped in paint.

Their visits create quite a commotion.  If you've ever hear their high-pitched squeals in unison you won't be surprised to learn grouping of waxwings is called an "ear-full." 

So happy to accommodate these beauties on their journey.

Wildlife Garden Visitors: Gray Fox

Over the last few years we have welcomed many wildlife visitors to the garden.  Yesterday we had a visitor we'd hoped to see for quite a while.  We knew gray foxes lived in the area but had never seen one until now.

 

We call our home "Casa Zorro" because zorro is the Spanish word for fox (our last name) and I love to collect fox items for the house so knowing there are foxes visiting the yard is extra special.

Whooooo are you looking at?

A family of Great Horned owls have nested in the trees behind the house this year.  They were noisy at night during mating season and, being mostly nocturnal, we catch glimpses of them in the early morning but it's not easy to find them.  Earlier this week hawk screams turned my attention to a large oak tree near the creek.  Heading toward the sound, the hawk flew away and that's when I saw this owl which was apparently the object of the hawk screaming.

The owl from the back, you can see his tufted ears.