Copyright ©2019 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
We’re settling into our new home. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel of boxes!
Sunday I went out with a local birding expert and guide for a morning of birding.
It was so much fun and a great birdy day with so many bird highlights. We saw a pair Great-horned Owls, some Owlets, a Barn Owl, Bald Eagles, lots of Red-wing Blackbirds, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, sparrows, Turkey Vultures, and a pilot practicing aerial loops, swoops, and dives!
I’ll share just two images today though.
A pair of Kestrels in a tree with breakfast. I didn’t notice the prey until I uploaded my images. I’ve never seen a pair together before so this was a real treat for me.
and from my backyard, there are flocks of Yellow-headed Blackbirds enjoying the trees and my feeder. I never saw these in Silicon Valley. I love their vivid heads and lovely white pattern on their wings. I’m not sure if these are year-round birds or just spending Spring here. I’ll soon find out!
Yesterday the cabinets for the laundry room arrived so the contractor is going to open those boxes up and see what we got. I have to select and order my counter top still, and I think he’s going to paint He-Man’s closet. He textured the new framing for it yesterday. I’ve been taking photos of the project at each step. I’ll share those later.
I hope your week has been going well and continues to go well through the week-end!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 top image and 300mm f/4 bottom image| Hoodman Steel Digital Film| PS CC 2019
more to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
Love the two Kestrel, very nice catch!
Beautiful birds. Congratulations on settling in.
Thank you Robert!
Your birding expedition sounds fun! Love the photos you shared!! 😊 Glad to hear you are getting settled into your new home. 💚
Thank you so much, Jill!
LOL, ” the light at the end of the tunnel of boxes” Yay! That’s huge progress. Most of my boxes are still piled in the room that I originally planned to be my office. This bad allergy thing I’ve been having has stalled my progress. It’s also given me time to rethink what I want where … and I’m not sure that’s a good thing!
How exciting about all those amazing birds, Deborah. Wow. The photos are magnificent.
Hugs on the wing.
Thank you so much Teagan! I hope the allergy is getting better or at least you’re able to manage it better.
I have only been a couple of weeks and have caught a cold! I probably picked it up at the grocery store. Sigh.
I’m down to about 8 boxes! I’ve been enjoying the Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and other birds a lot.
Sounds like you are settling in and gaining territory over the boxes which is always a good thing. You even gained enough time to yourself to grab the camera and take some great shots. Life is good if you tell me you’ve also seen those two grandsons as well. 🙂
I’m seeing them both today! We’re so excited to have them coming and spending the night.
I hope life is good for you too and the garden is blooming! xx
What a delight! I love your photos (as always). I do hope those yellow birds are there to stay. 🙂
Me too! Thank you so much Jennie!
You are welcome, Deborah!
Oh good mercy, those are so beautiful!
I am glad you’re making progress 🙂
Thank you so much Joey! Me too.
Glad to see you worked in a birding break, Deborah. Loved both shots! I’ve never seen two Kestrels together either, what a treat; and I’ve never, ever seen a Yellow-headed Blackbird, how stunning! Thank you for sharing both!
Thank you for looking Donna! I’m really enjoying the Yellow-headed blackbirds.
Glad to hear that you are settling in to your new nest! Wonderful bird images./ Kestrels are so pretty and the Yellow-headed Blackbirds are too!
Thank you so much Denise!
I’m so glad that you are getting settled in Deborah!! Beautiful captures! I have not seen Yellow-headed Blackbirds before. They are so vibrant!
They are! Busy too. Thank you so much Amy!
With all the work associated with settling into a new home in a new part of the country, it’s wonderful to hear you are making time to get out and enjoy your new surroundings.
I wouldn’t know a kestrel if it flew into me, but the pair sitting on the tree branch is amazing. To get a pair sitting like that – one back view, one front view – would have been too much to ask for and yet there it is!! Lucky you!
… not so lucky for what I assume is a mouse …
It was wonderful to see them in that pose. I think it might be a vole, but I’m not sure.
I’m looking forward to getting out more and finding new areas this summer.
Nice to hear you’re settling in and finding a bit of time to go birding. Wonderful photos Deborah!
Hi Deborah, Your note – I didn’t notice until I uploaded my images really resonated with me. I find unexpected gems in my photos, too. Beautiful captures!
Thank you so much Erica!
Welcome to your new home. I hope everything goes well. It looks like the birding is definitely living up to your hopes.
Thank you so much Dan! A couple of sets back with the laundry room cabinets, but the birding and welcome here have been stellar! ☺
It must be fun getting to know your new feathered neighbors! I’ve never seen yellow-headed blackbirds before… really beautiful! I’m looking forward to seeing more of your new home.
Thank you so much! The Yellow-headed Blackbirds are beautiful aren’t they! I’ve only seen them once before in Oregon many years ago.
Two beautiful images there, well caught.
Thank you very much Brian!
Looks like you hit the floor running photo wise. Well done. Best wishes in your new home, Deborah.
Thank you so much John! You stay safe! I just heard you’re having quite the storm.
Yes we have had a few stories over the last three weeks. More coming. Thanks, Deborah.
Wow, didn’t take you long to get connected with the wildlife! Nice shots! Must still be cold there; was at Emerald Bay last weekend shooting the MW and was cold!
Take care!
Highs are in the low 70’s now and perfect during the day, but the evening and mornings are still chilly in the low 40’s!
It’s been so nice having rabbits, and birds right out my back door. That got me through until I felt I had enough done that I could allow myself some time get out in nature and get to know some spots. Finding and hiring Jim for my guide was the best thing evah to get me started birding here.
Sounds like life as you were expecting it to be.
I went to visit the Milpitas Eagles a few weeks ago and and joined their FB group. Missed my bif shots but the group is getting fantastic shots. I have to go back and check Ed Levine Lake where they are catching fish!
Oh yes, I hope you get out there soon for that and see them catching fish and get your bif shot with that!
Jim showed me an Eagle pair not too far from my house, but I can’t get anywhere near as close as we can to the Milpitas Eagles tree. The best light is in the afternoon. I’m hoping to get out there more. There’s an Eaglet in the nest but, I didn’t see it.