Rain

Heavy overcast dulled the creek reflections.  A female bluebird started today's barkbutter parade.  The male kept watch and examined the suet.  Pine warblers ate both, disturbing the downy.  White throats, as usual, stayed on the ground.  Blue jays packed in as many barkbutter balls as they could hold.  A myrtle warbler looked forlorn on the step railing.  

The mockingbird ran afoul of the blue jays.  The orange crowned warbler came after more jelly.  A mourning dove sauntered across the pool cover.  Two pine warblers fought over the suet.  Then a very orange female oriole took possession and dislodged the downy.  The bluebirds returned.  Then the long-haired yellow cat that rejoices in the name Chuck Norris raced across the lower patio.

A sizable gathering of mallards bathed together.  I counted seven drakes and at least five females - females were harder to see in the poor light.  Three bufflehead drakes and some females passed downstream and back up.  They mingled with several hoodie pairs doing the same thing. 

The prediction was for high winds and heavy rains. A gentle drizzle began at 11am. Even after the rain started, birds continued to show up.  Alas so did the feral tux cat.  Despite all that, the mockingbird, an oriole, a Carolina wren, many warblers, chickadees, and the downy continued to visit the feeders.  The rain grew heavier in the afternoon which meant no more photos.  By evening wind gusts had replaced the rain and the temperature was still above 60°.