Pileated woodpeckers

We hear them on our walks but have not seen them just yet this year. They have such a loud, distinctive call. In Maine, on Peaks Island, we saw one up close with it's pileates sticking straight up. We were both astounded to meet one another. It really looks totally punk rock.

Also, last week's bird list included the Rufous Hummingbird. Generally, you cannot tell the difference between the Rufous and the Allen's Hummingbirds. They are smaller than our usual Annas, and both males and females have orange backs with some green. It takes a biologist to tell them apart. However, a few Rufous males are all orange and iridescent grey. We were treated to the male Rufous that was all orange and grey/white, and on the last day we saw him, his lady friend showed up, and that was the end of that.

My headache is still around, and it kept me from sleeping well, so I'm dragging. Also, there has been some family stuff. I'm glad it's the weekend, and we can rest a little before the wild rumpus of next week.

6:31 am – 7:56 pm, which is 13 hours and 25 minutes of daylight

The bird of the day is the Laysan albatross

Here is a poem for you

Love, Tawnia

Bird List: 47 species today

Mallard
California Quail
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Western Gull
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Acorn Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Western Flycatcher
Hutton's Vireo
Steller's Jay
California Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
Violet-green Swallow
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Wrentit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Bewick's Wren
European Starling
Western Bluebird
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Dark-eyed Junco
Song Sparrow
California Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Wilson's Warbler