Not Much Stitching, But a New For the Winter/Spring Bird

I'm not sure where the time has gone, but as you can see I've not done much in the way of stitching the past few days.  I only completed the border yesterday.   

Cindy's Stitching asked if I finish my stitched pieces as she never sees photos of finished items. Most years a get 3-4 pieces framed, but other than using 'tuck' pillows to insert smalls, I don't 'finish' my stitches as ornaments or such.  Why?  Well my skill set leaves much to be desired, and I figure that finishing is another rabbit hole and financial drain - must purchase fabric, and trims, and other do-dads, so I just stay clear.  

I have a pretty good flock of Pine Siskins once again and they all appear to be healthy.

I also have a few House Finches showing up.  This is a nice size comparison of a female House Finch and a Pine Siskin.  

And here's a male House Finch.

I took a walk around the house yesterday and was delighted to hear and then see a male Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  If you look closely you can see a small bit of red atop his head.  

I'd not seen a kinglet of any sort all winter long, and as these birds will soon migrate out of the area and up into northern Canada, my window of opportunity was closing fast.  The bird is an insectivore and was finding plenty to eat (small winged pollinators) in this early-blooming tree. I should remember that early blooming shrubs and trees are a magnet for small insectivores like kinglets and vireos. 

I'm really delighted to have seen the bird and I'm pretty taken with this photo too.

I Couldn't Wait!

I need to start on this, if I'm to have something to show before Easter. 

I usually post hummingbird photos on Sunday, but I could not wait that long to show off my first photographic evidence of a female Rufous Hummingbird...  

...and a male Rufous Hummingbird.  The Rufous hummers both showed up at the feeders early on Saturday morning.  I was thrilled. 

I now have two or three Turkey Vultures regularly flying overhead.

The Song Sparrows like my suet cylinder...

...as do the Towhees and Juncos.

Sunday's Hummers

I thought I saw a male Rufous Hummingbird on March 10th, but I haven't seen one since, so I've begun to doubt myself.  

I do have three female Anna's.

I managed to 'capture' two of the gals sharing a feeder.

Sharing the smallest of my five hummer feeders.

They seemed pretty mellow.

This time of year the females often run off this male. 

Male hummingbirds impregnate the females, and that is their only contribution to raising the next generation of hummingbirds.  The females create the nest, lay and incubate the eggs, and feed the baby birds - all on their own.  So I think by now they've decided they have no use any longer for this handsome fellow.   

I was able to catch a female coming to the fountain for a bath.

Wading in...

Shaking off excess water...

...and dipping in once again.

Chippers and Squirrels

Friday dawned cold with snow at elevations of 1000 feet and higher.  We had some snow flurries throughout the day, though nothing stuck.  But more was expected Friday night / Saturday morning. Could be interesting weather today.

I don't think a little snow will stop the chipmunks.

They are great at vacuuming up the seeds the Towhees knock to the ground.

Look at the second chipmunk on the upper right corner - he is flying!

Two chippies - this is about as close as they can get to one another without a scuffle.

Mr. Gray Squirrel. He likes to dash along the edge of the patio to access the seed beneath my bird feeders. 

He's very vigilant - looking out for cats and hawks.  

Friday's Finish

Design - "Monthly Mania" - "March"

Designer - Heart in Hand

Fabric - 32 count Summer Khaki linen

Fibers - GAST, WDW, & DMc - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 12 March 2018

Completed - 18 March 2018 

RJ was right, he is smiling!

I am seeing more House Finches.  I rarely saw these birds this past winter.

A female, a male, and a male Lesser Goldfinch.

Two Pine Siskins having a drink.  I counted 20 birds on Wednesday.

  Two Junco with an Anna's Hummingbird.

Can you see her on top middle? 

Our sunset on Tuesday.

They're Baaack!

Easter is not too far away.  Here's a design I stitched a couple of years ago.

Design - "Paques"

Designer - Le Chalet des Perelles

Fabric - 32 count unknown linen

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 27 March 2016

Completed -29 March 2016

My first sighting of Band-tailed Pigeons happened on Wednesday.

It was only three birds, but I should remove the trays from the feeders post-haste so they cannot perch on them.  That helps keep the pigeons from eating me out of house and home.  By mid-April the flock will have grown to 30-40 birds.  

I'd much rather have 30-40 Lesser Goldfinches! 

Right now I have four birds - two males and two females.

Answering questions / comments to 'no-reply" folks. 

Kristen noted that there is a meme going around on Flosstube: stitch what you want, when you want.  That's what I will do too!

Quiltprincess asked about the fabric for "Winter Solstice" by Hands on Designs.  I am using 32 count "Abyss" - Fabrics by Stephanie - link is here.  

Lisa B. asked about bark butter.  It is a product sold by Wild Birds Unlimited stores. It contains roasted peanuts, corn, rendered beef suet, calcium carbonate, and soy oil; and has the consistency of thick creamy peanut butter. The bark butter can be used in a special feeder, or applied to the bark of a tree. As it has oil you do not want to put it on a fence as it will stain. It does attract birds that might not come for seeds.  Here's a list. You can see if you have a store nearby with this locator.