Bluebirds!

The thirsty mockingbird arrived first.  The female downy wanted seeds for breakfast.  So did the white breasted nuthatch.  The male downy, however, insisted on suet.  White throats came to forage under the feeders.  A blue jay was not pleased with only barkbutter crumbs.  

Then a flock of bluebirds landed.  I counted at least three males but I think there were more.  Did they flock together because they were related, or just because it's not breeding season?  They popped around so much, it was hard to get good pictures.  But they came back later when the light was better.  There was plenty of sunshine but also many clouds, some dark and threatening. Harsh wind gusts made it tough for small birds.  The wind peeled off leaves that had turned, keeping the trees looking green. 

I refilled the barkbutter dish and the blue jays returned.  In the distance , I saw crows chase a hawk, but I couldn't identify it.  A couple of female juncos joined the white throats foraging.  Pine warblers came back for more barkbutter balls.  The brown headed nuthatches took the afternoon shift.  Birds landing in the pine turned out to be, what else, pine warblers.  I was surprised to see a goldfinch and a brown headed nuthatch join a bluebird at the birdbath.