September 17, 2024… a day of firsts!

 I had a rather spectacular yard burning afternoon on September 17, 2024. I had no sooner seated myself in the yard with my camera when I saw a Fox sparrow, my first of the fall season. 

Just a few minutes later a  Golden-crowned sparrow appeared, also my first of the fall season.  I had a total of at least three in the yard during the afternoon, two adults and one juvenile.

Shortly thereafter an Orange-crowned warbler entered the yard, followed a short time later by three more!  This was the start of multiple sightings of the species for the rest of the afternoon. There were so many Orange-crowned warbler visits with so many opportunities for photos that I retained 44 photos of the species. 

A Yellow warbler also visited the yard, but I was unable to acquire any good photos. 

Finally, a Townsend’s warbler worked its way through the top of the Golden Chain tree, but it never descended low enough for me to get a good photo. 

Sparrow season is now on!  I had the following six species of sparrows in the yard this day: 

  • House sparrow
  • White-crowned sparrow (adults & juveniles)
  • Golden-crowned sparrow (2 adults & 1 juvenile)
  • Fox sparrow
  • Spotted towhee
  • Dark-eyed (Oregon) junco (at least 4)

By day’s end (shortly before 5pm) I had taken 329 bird photos in the yard, of which I saved 126.