This afternoon before the rain hit, our sideyard/garden was "bird central" for a while and along with the host of regulars I had the treat of seeing the first Chestnut-backed Chickadee for this yard/neighborhood (that we've been in for 2 years this month). Used to have scads of them over in the woods in the Bridle Trails area, but only Black-capped up until today at this location. The chestnut brown on this one was exceptionally bright and vivid, really lovely. At the same time our yard was visited by a "Myrtle" Yellow-rumped Warbler for most of the 15 or 20 minutes I was watching out the window. A few weeks ago we spotted a Red-breasted Nuthatch in our yard for the first time, also, and have seen it once or twice since, but only for short periods.

One of the female robins that has been visiting the yard lately is exceptionally pale, much more of a beige than just a lighter gray. Who knows who'll show up next? (Perhaps swallows, according to my notes from last year). That's one of the best parts...nothing like birdwatching to add a bit of intrigue to one's life....