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I'm retired (2004), live in a Western Washington State suburb with my wife of 46 years. Was born and mostly grew up on West Coast except for 10 years in Grain Belt country. Oh, and 2 years in Cold War Germany.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Bushtits


Stellar’s Jays are here all year. Likewise Juncos, Chickadees, Northern Flickers, and The Great Horned Owl who lives in the tallest Douglas Fir across the street. They’re neighbors, like Bud and Betty next door.
But starting in late fall, special guests visit for a few weeks. They’re archetypal birds—Bushtits. Tiny—3 or 3 ½ inches long—their conformation is classic ‘bird.’ Tiny mouse-gray bits of beauty flit and flicker in flocks of fifteen or twenty darting from feeder to fence to holly tree with such speed it’s nearly impossible to focus a camera on them. Even their voices are tiny, and if they didn’t come in flocks you’d never know they were there. Bushtits are my favorite winter guests.


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