Spring Sing

All year long we have these guys. This trio is exchanging opinions on something, in the snow. They like to play in the snow, using their wings to throw it into the air and sliding down small piles. Ravens are quite my favorite birds, and I'm glad they stay all year. When I lived in Fairbanks, I remember one day when it was -50 and everything was hunkering down indoors to stay warm and the ravens were out and about, dancing circles and loop-de-loops in the sky. It reminded me that life did still go on and one day, the kids and I would also go out and enjoy it.

We also have eagles all year long. This pair is called the Taku Twins, although they are a mated pair. They perch on this pole next to the Juneau Douglas Bridge. Often they perch closer together and facing opposite directions -- which I think is cool in a mated pair, close and watching each others' backs.




Just lately we are seeing whole flocks of chick-a-dees. They are delightful little guys, often descending on a mountain ash and denuding it of berries in a few minutes. Once, before the mountain ash that used to grow right outside my bedroom window was chopped down because of the carpenter ants, Missy and I stood and watched them feasting. We were within four inches of some of them, but what with the screen, they were safe. They really chirp up the mornings.


And I've seen a lot of these guys just lately, mostly on lawns. I love the way they space themselves on a lawn. I love to watch them all shift when someone comes too close to one of them. And, their pretty little red vests are a cheerful sight. Although eagles and ravens do have calls, and ravens even are classified as songbirds, they don't sing pretty songs. It is nice to have the birds with the pretty voices back in town.

Click on pictures for detail.