Curmudgeon
Scroll through the above photos
By Chuck Cagara
Well, I hope you are all well and safe as we confront today’s difficult circumstances. I hope my photos will provide a pleasant diversion from the darker news of the day.
Today I was delighted to welcome the season’s first Hooded Oriole to the yard for what I hope will be a long stay through late Spring and into Summer. My inducements include nectar, jelly and meal worms! And, if past is prologue, we can hope for six or seven males to visit the yard along with their mates in the coming days. Woo-hoo! When it rains, it pours! Last year we also had the elusive Western Tanager for a few weeks and would be thrilled if it came back.
Now, that’s an odd-colored squirrel you might be thinking. I thought so too, being used to the slate-colored Western Grey Squirrel that I normally expect to see. Turns out this one is a non-native Eastern Fox Squirrel, introduced in the early 1900s by settlors heading west. Note the reddish-brown “foxy” coloration. Hence the name. Am I wrong on this one, readers? Is it, in fact, a Western Grey?
Finally, we have the colorful Rufous-Sided Towhee which is now called the Spotted Towhee on the west coast notyed for its brilliant red eye.
Over and out for the moment. Again, stay well, stay safe…
Being born in SB and of a 6th generation Santa Barbara family, I appreciate posts regarding the land and wildlife. It reminds me of my blessed childhood living near the foothills. I haven’t posted on EdHat for many years because of snarkiness, so thank you all on this thread. Humor is one thing. Meanness is quite another. I spent two winters in the local mountains in a few years back. I was amazed at how much more bird and wildlife exists in the chaparral than below, but perhaps that may have been from the effects of DDT in the 50s and 60s? Not sure. I treasure the experience regardless. Thank you all for sharing what I consider the best part of the area you live in. Stay safe.