Anna's Hummingbird -these little jewels are quite demanding and have no fear. 
Help me out..
Northern Flicker- I haven't noticed these before, are visiting in small flocks.
Purple Finch-very shy and on alert at all times.
Dark-eyed Junco-stop by in groups for a quick snack and scatter away just as quickly.
Spotted Towhee- new acquaintances.
White-breasted Nuthatch-entertaining busy little clowns.
American Gold Finch (male)-definite hierarchy in the ranks. Real beauties.
Acorn Woodpecker- despised destroyers of property.
My new little hobby. I've enjoyed my bird books for years but made no real effort to identify the visitors that I was unfamiliar with. Tristan's wild flower identification project last year motivated my wild bird identification hobby. Having a camera that can take a picture clear across the yard sure helps. Having dogs and cats that want in on everything I do outdoors doesn't help so much. I shoot 20+ crummy pictures for one or two clear ones and then start searching through the books. All of these photos were taken from in the house, and all taken late winter-early spring 2011. I hope that with more practice I'll improve the quality. Feel free to correct any mis-identifications.
Have you started any new hobbies that you are enjoying? Please share.
