Saturday, August 2, 2014

Saturday Reflections

Thursday evening we had the most unusual clouds.  

This group had dark streaks interspersed with rays of light.

And the contrast of dark and light on this cloud!

As night closed in, the sky turned pink and black.  We had rumbles of distant thunder and flashes of lighting all night long through early Friday morning, but no rain.

Ready for some more babies?

I'm pretty confident this is a juvenile Red-breasted Sapsucker.

And these young California Quail are now big enough that I can state with confidence the one in the front is a male and the one in the back is a female.  The male is already sporting a miniature forward drooping head plume and dark gray chest like his father. 

See!  Look at Dad and compare to Son.

And here's my dopey juvenile male Acorn Woodpecker hanging on the side of the birdbath because he's a woodpecker and he can!

As his father proudly watches from on high.

And this scruffy looking Steller's Jay has to be a juvenile.  What a bunch of messy feathers he has!

Friday evening we watched this Western Wood Peewee. He watched from his perch atop a maple tree and darted out to grab an insect then flew back to his perch again to wait and watch. He did this until it was almost dark  when he finally began to call and was answered by another bird around 9:00pm.  

This was another evening visitor - a raccoon. 

One year ago today Mom and I visited the Foundling Museum and prepared for my sister's visit.

8 comments:

linda said...

I just love that little scrub jay! Clouds are so majestic looking aren't they? Is the lighthouse in your header a Bent Creek pattern per chance?

Jennifer said...

I just love the Stellar's Jay. We don't have them here, but I saw a few at Mt. Rainier National Park in 2002.

Barb said...

Beautiful clouds! I have enjoyed looking at some of the posts from last summer. It was a great vicarious trip!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

The raccoon is so cute with it's little patchwork face. Birds with scruffy feathers always make me smile.

Maggee said...

LOVE the cloud pictures! I am a cloud watcher, and find them fascinating! Love how the Scrub Jay's feathers are all rumpled. You are blessed to have so much natural beauty all around you! Hugs!

Melissa said...

Wow, awesome photos of the sky!

It's nice to see the juvenile quails

Pam in IL said...

Some of those clouds look like shadows of city skyscrapers. Those chicks are growing so fast and they're so cute!

Andrea said...

How do the clouds make such stunning sky views?!