Yellow-headed Blackbirds

When the Yellow-headed Blackbirds flew into Sweetwater Wetlands, my latest nemesis bird issues were over. Every birder has a nemesis bird... a bird that maddeningly avoids you. Before this it was the Belted Kingfishers or any member of the kingfishers family who'd fly away one step before I stopped.

Dozens of Yellow-headed Blackbirds swirled into the cattail lagoons today.

Maybe being on-site when they arrived was the secret to capturing these elusive birds.

It's their nature to sleep in the safety of the reeds, but you might see them in large numbers in agricultural fields.

I watched them group-up, disband and regroup again and again for reasons unknown.

Having eluded me for years, I was unaware of their white wing patches that are so obvious now in flight.

They eventually left for the day and that was okay with me. So now they'll have to perturb a different birder.
(Click any picture to enlarge)
Allan

Credits: 
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds
The Sibley's Guide to Birds

Three Harris's Hawks

When doves, quail and all else exploded from the bird feeder, I imagined the local Cooper's Hawk had made another surprise visit over our house.

Grabbing my camera, I went to capture the 'remains.'

No remains, no Cooper's Hawk, but three Harris's Hawks were perched at the gable end of our neighbor's house... empty handed.

I'm fairly sure they saw me standing below, but for the longest time they didn't mind my interest in them.

When one adult flew away, it was quickly followed by the other.

That left, I believe, a juvenile, judging by the crying and screaming.

S/he, too, was free to leave, but remained minutes more... leaving hungry.

They are welcome back any time, however dinner here is pot-luck.

Allan
(Click any picture to enlarge)