Holler Feeder~

Feb2

The Holler after the rains.

The birdies are happy,

healthy and fat!

For the first time we have goldfinch in large numbers, (tap or click to enlarge to see flying bird detail)

feasting on a bowl of seeds,

along with all the other finches and sparrows. The little black seeds you see scattered all over are thistle seeds. It is the first time I put thistle out and the goldfinch love it!

The tiny gold beauties,

manage to hold their own,

with the much larger,

finches.

It’s no brag,

just fact,

The Holler has the very best neighbors!

Cheers to you from The Happy Holler Heavies~

Hollerites~

Jan29

We’ve gotten lots of rain and more is coming this weekend! The lakes and creeks are filling up, making the critters (and me) happy.

I am going to be disappointed in myself if I get these identifications wrong,

but I think this handsome guy is a Ring Necked Duck.

Duck identification is difficult. (You can actually see the ring around his neck in this photo which is unusual).

We have thirty or so duck species in California, and that doesn’t include all the ones that aren’t supposed to be here! (Birds don’t read the manuals).

I think this similar,

but the not the same beauty,

is a lesser scaup male,

and here is the female.

Here they are together. Of course, I could be wrong. But irregardless of ID, a duck by any other name would quack the same!

Cheers to you from The Happy Holler Quackers~

One Can~

Jan26

make friends,

easily,

with onecan.

But toucans?

Toucan’t!

Cheers to you from one friendly can~

Note: This is a Toco Toucan. They are highly intelligent birds and are the largest and longest living toucans. They can live up to thirty years. Many types of toucans are endangered in the wild due to habitat destruction and hunting, but Toco populations are currently stable.

Angel Face~

Jan18

Holler Hooters,

are the very best neighbors!

This little guy,

flies with his friend Katie Pnewski,

at Avian Behavior International in Southern California.

We have nesting barn owls in our owl boxes at The Holler.

Check out this frumpy little chick on his first day out of his nest, napping, and making a new friend!

Baby Valentine~

Cheers to you from The Happy Holler Hooters~

Who Flew~

Jan9

onto,

our roof,

for his,

photo shoot?

A Holler Heron,

that’s who!

So thoughtful of him,

to come to me!

Cheers to you from the helpful Holler heron~

Note: This bird is a Great Egret a member of the heron family who stands over 3′ tall.

Saker Falcon~

Nov5

Incoming,

at 88 mph!

I duck,

he nails his prize,

and promptly mantles so I won’t steal it.

Saker Falcons have been falconry birds for 1000’s of years.

They are an endangered species, native across Central Europe to China.

This is Katie Pnewski, a brilliant and comitted bird trainer,

and bird lover, who works at Avian Behavior International,

a conservation and bird advocacy organization near The Holler in rural Southern California.

I spent an incredible day here today, and will be introducing you to more of their amazing birds and conservation efforts in my next posts. For more on this worthwhile organization see:

https://avian-behavior.org/about-us/conservation/

Cheers to you from the phenomenal Saker Falcon and his devoted human~

Holler Blooms~

Sep2

Prickly Pears,

with pretty petals.

Beautiful blooms,

on bristly barbs.

Cacti,

charm,

with catty claws.

Cheers to you from The Holler’s captivating cacti~

Acrobats~

May30

Looks aren’t everything.

Acrobatic skills,

are more important.

The ability to debate is a also necessary ability.

It isn’t fair, but unfortunately is true,

looks often get you, more grape jelly!

Cheers to you from the handsome, skillful, and well fed Holler Orioles~

(Note- We are traveling now and will be out of the range of wifi for while. Stay safe & take good care).

Newbies~

May25

Meet the new neighbors at The Holler!

The Brown Headed Cowbird is a parasitic brooder.

Females of this species produce up to 36 eggs per season, and lay the eggs in other bird’s nests to be raised.

They have the most unusual vocalizations, sounding something like underwater bells. No one knows how they know how to sing since they don’t learn it from their parents. Listen to samples of their song:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/sounds