fenchurch | May 28

As the crow flies, we're really not that far from our old place... maybe 15 miles? And yet there is such a huge difference in the types of birds we're seeing. I mean, there are a few of the more common sorts that we've now seen at both places: sparrows, chickadees, Steller's Jays, crows, and robins. I think we may have seen Great Blue Herons a tad more often at the old house, but they do show up here, too... and in balance, I think I saw a bald eagle at the old place once or twice, while here I see several every day, flying overhead.

We've got a bird feeder set up just outside one of the big picture windows, to act as a cat entertainment center... And I kept seeing a flash of yellow when I'd walk by, but never managed to get a really good look at what was there. Well, I finally managed to spot it and actually get a photo.

This was taken through glass, so it's not as good as it could be, but these guys are *really* shy so I haven't been able to get a shot of them while sitting outside. I was shocked by how bright yellow this guy is... and at first wondered if maybe he'd been a pet that had escaped or something. Then I did a bit of research and discovered that, to the contrary, that little yellow guy is actually our state bird, the American Goldfinch! I swear, in the 15 years we lived at the last house, I never saw a single one.

His friend there is a Black-headed Grosbeak... another bird I never saw at the old house. Between these two, we've found the culprits for all the birdsong we've been hearing. They're certainly a talkative bunch!!

And then a little later, he came back with several of his friends!