Of Birds and Bees, and More

I'm having some success capturing the local birds in photos.  Some are a challenge. The chickadees, titmice and nuthatches zoom in and out so fast that it's tricky to catch them.

Update: Just after I posted yesterday, I was able to catch a hummingbird in action:

A really lucky shot!

Nice view of her irridescent back

With wings extended

Best photos yet of the Western Scrub Jay:

The Black-headed Grosbeaks are back:

The House Finches always seem to arrive in bunches:

Dark-eyed Juncos prefer feeding on the ground:

Here are some of the speedy visitors:

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Nuthatch - if it walks down trees upsidedown, it's a Nuthatch

Nuthatch in a rare still moment

Oak Titmouse

Now, on to the bees:

Tower of Jewels - the bees love it

In coming...

Yum...

The bees like these, too:

Happy Chappy rose

Parrot's Beak

Critters - real and imaginary:

Where there are bird feeders in the neighborhood, there will be squirrels.

Newly acquired sheep sculpture 

Almost looks real, but definitely NOT fuzzy

Various views from the hill:

The bay from our top floor

Close up of buildings across the bay

Container ship in the bay

Muted sunset tones

Canyon side after a rain

Sun breaking through, clouds over Mt Diablo