It’s been a while since I just hung out in the backyard with my camera. Since the yard is full of wintering birds, now is a perfect time of year to do that – especially when it’s cloudy or icky outside!
I’ve been noticing a Palm Warbler with a light-colored beak this year. Normally Palm Warblers have dark beaks, so this one is a little rare. I’ve nicknamed him “Blondie.” Having a Palm that I can easily distinguish from all his friends makes me realize how much I see the same bird in a single day. Where I’ve previously thought I might have, say, 3 Palms in the backyard because I see them in 3 separate places, I’m having to reconsider that counting philosophy. Blondie sure gets around!
![Palm Warbler with Light Beak](https://i1.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Palm-Warbler-with-Light-Beak_Backyard_201912311_copyrightJessYarnell.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1)
My most colorful wintering birds are, of course, my Painted Buntings. This year we’re seeing more of them earlier in the year. Over the holidays, I was amazed to look out and see the feeder full with four males feeding together. At least five greenies were perched in the nearby bushes, waiting for a feeder port to become available.
![Painted Bunting Male](https://i1.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Painted-Bunting-Male_Backyard_201912313_copyrightJessYarnell.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1)
![Painted Bunting "Greenie"](https://i1.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Painted-Bunting-22Greenie22_Backyard_201912312_copyrightJessYarnell.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1)
I’ve seen a single American Goldfinch in the yard this winter. Normally the air is full of their cheerful calls – “potato chip! Baby!” But this year the small flock just isn’t here. The House Finches are eating the millet this winter.
![House Finch](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/House-Finch_Backyard_201912315_copyrightJessYarnell.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1)
The giant Coral Porterweeds are among the most popular plants in my backyard. Although I planted them for the hummingbirds, they are popular among all the nectar-eaters. Apparently the Painted Buntings have a sweet tooth. They like to bite off the porterweed blooms and then drink the nectar from the base. Yum!
![Painted Bunting Male](https://i1.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Painted-Bunting-Male_Backyard_201912314_copyrightJessYarnell.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1)