Birdwatching

The black & white cat basked for a while on the pool cover, but the birds were just too fascinating.  Pretty soon, the cat was up on the steps   There was a lot to see.  A goldfinch in winter drab got a drink.  A pine warbler streaked past on the way to the suet.  A bluebird landed atop the post.  Chickadees and house finches argued over seeds. 

After K shooed the cat, twice, a Carolina wren helped itself to barkbutter balls.  A mockingbird  wanted some, but didn't hang around.  Meanwhile, a brown headed nuthatch also came for seeds.  A couple of doves paraded around the pool cover.  The first junco of the Fall foraged under the sakaki.  

The domestic cherry had lost almost all its leaves.  The blueberry bushes were turning orange.  One hickory was bare but the other, less exposed, retained its coppery foliage.  The humongous fungus got mildewed from the rain.  Mosses were still green from the rain.  The odd thing I first saw weeks ago and thought was a puffball was unchanged.  Clouds blocked the sun and the breeze felt chilly so I came inside.  After 4pm the sun escaped the edge of the overcast and I hoped for migrant ducks floating through the reflections.  No such luck, just a mallard.