Maybe it's because they are a smaller size, the system re-sizes them.

What about my Hummer, she looks like she is full of eggs, I sure hope everything goes OK for her, the pair flies around my yard all day.

Doris has it been cold there, what time of day were the photos taken, they fluff up a lot when it's very cool to stay warm. What zone are you in?

Doris: How fortunate you are to have a pair of Hummingbirds in your garden! I haven't seen any in over a month. I'm thinking the reason for your plump hummers is the fact that they are getting ready to migrate to Mexico and S.A. where they go for the winter months. There's some interesting facts about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird here: http://animals.nationalgeograp...

Doves yesterday and today

I love listening to the doves coo. Sweet things. I wonder why they always make that noise when they begin to fly?

I really like that last photo of the Dove perched on the fence! The lighting is just right. I love Doves, they are just such serene birds.

'serene' - good descriptive term for doves...Bunch of birds -

Are they headed north or south J?

It's about time for us to begin seeing flocks flying through here from the northlands. I keep waiting for the tremendous flocks of Sandhill Cranes to start migrating.

South, though not sure it's migratory. Here's another bunch - flying by the setting sun...

Wow, beautiful sunset with the birds!!

A flock of Sea Gulls flying overhead here at my place:

Nice sunset photo!

It's always pretty cool to get shots of flocks in the sky. I like both of yours you guys.

Yep, they are lovely photos.

A flock of the Sandhill Cranes flew right above our house last week heading south for the winter, lucky devils.

Oh my goodness Margaret ... those are awesome photo's of the Sandhills! There's a Florida Sandhill Crane which is a year round resident and we get migrators from the north that visit during the winter months. I've never seen that many cranes at one time!

Thanks Lin, it was the lowest I had ever seen them, and they were so loud as they circled right above me. Does anyone know why they circle the way that they do? I was thinking maybe to catch the up drafts.

Yep, scroll down this page to the section on flight and migration where it tells that they circle in updrafts of warm air until reaching the desired altitude:

http://www.childrenoftheearth....

I took this picture this afternoon ... it was a bit windy and I have trouble getting decent shots of these cute little birds, they flit back and forth from the trees to the feeders so fast that usually all I get is the empty feeders. :)

Tufted Titmouse:

mcash70 said:Thanks Lin, it was the lowest I had ever seen them, and they were so loud as they circled right above me. Does anyone know why they circle the way that they do? I was thinking maybe to catch the up drafts.

This is interesting as well as the info. on the link Lin provided. Last year, when the Sandhills were heading back north we witnessed a spectacle right over where we live. There were hundreds of them circling in the sky making a racket which is what attracted my attention & so I watched. They circled at the same altitude & just kept that up. Meanwhile I would hear the calls of others & look to the sky south, southeast & southwest. Flocks of 50 to 100 birds would fly toward the larger group & all the while making their calls. They would join up with the original group & that group grew. We watched for over an hour & saw many large groups come join with the original group. They just kept coming & coming & the racket became so loud it could wake the dead! As each group joined the original group they fell into the circular pattern. The sky was FULL of Sandhills!!!!!! The big flock & flocks coming in from all the southerly directions. We watched for over an hour as newbies joined the big flock. Then finally I guess, everyone having joined the big flock, there had to have been a couple thousand of them at least!!!! Then & only then, when I could hear no more calls from southerly directions, the massive flock began to gain altitude in the circular flight pattern until they were just specks in the sky & their calls were very muted. Then they all seemed to move off in a northward direction. We stood still; awestruck. From watching this event we concluded they were all just joining up for the big flight to northern homes. I have never heard anyone tell of witnessing this event & we wondered if this area where we live is a staging area every year for this. I did not take any photos. I did not want to miss any of it long enough to run inside & back to the BR to get the camera.

Edit: Just realized I said last year. Amend that to last spring.

Those Sandhills are assuredly well-defined. Thanks for re-counting your experience. Good, informative link Lin.

Anyone know these?

Your Sandhill Cranes post reminded me that I haven't identified these in the first picture that my DH took at the first of Spring.


Then these were at the pond this last week, again DH took the photo. We think them to be Wilson's Warblers.