Towhee

Rain fell in waves throughout the day but at least it was warmer.  The tide was still running high, streaked by wind and dimpled with rain.  At times the rain seemed as thick as fog but it didn't mess up the windows.  Bluebirds wanted their breakfast anyway.  A mockingbird again escaped without a picture. 

An egret swooped across the creek toward us at lunchtime.   Pelicans occasionally cruised over the creek. 

The song sparrow returned for seeds along with white throated sparrows.  The brown thrasher was more interested in what might be lurking underneath leaves and wood chips.  A Carolina wren observed from the bench then disappeared.  Pine warblers seemed to be everywhere.  Many of the birds had wet foreheads which gave them odd expressions.

Last month I glimpsed a male towhee and heard another, but today a male foraged under the seed feeder.  They'd been scarce since the years when foxes moved in, probably because they are ground nesters.  

The brown headed nuthatch managed to get some seeds.  I noticed it has a little white patch on the back of its head.  The female red bellied woodpecker worked on the remains of the suet.  Pine warblers harassed the downy woodpeckers on the suet.  Even the bluebirds got bad tempered, but I wasn't about to go out with a fresh block of suet.  The brown thrasher helped itself to some barkbutter.