Southern Winter Birds

Houston is a great bird watching area in November and December.  We see clouds of migrating birds that stop to rest before pushing on to points south.  They take over all the trees and power lines in shopping areas and malls.  Some species, especially grackles, go for the fast food places--I'm sure french fries are not the best nutrition for birds but they seem to love them.  

Around the yard, we have year round residents--mockingbirds, sparrows, cardinals, blue jays, doves, and of course, more of the boat tail grackles.  The pair of cardinals in the photos have been visiting the feeder and bath.  The male is camera shy--he always keeps a part of the feeder between me and him.  The female, less so.  She sat on the edge of the bath and watched me for a long time.  But after a while, I guess she decided that I was slow moving and boring and that it was her tub time.