First Birding of 2024

Happy New Year!

I took a bunch of walks and hikes in the first week of 2024 and I’ve just gotten caught up with my photo editing. Turns out I got a lot of bird photos and there’s some really intense plumage going on right now. These are all common birds in this area this time of year, but it’s a delight to see their fancy colours. I was particularly excited to get glimpses at a little kestrel. My camera and lens combo isn’t really good enough to get closeup photos of birds like kestrels since they’re usually so high up, but I tried anyway and I think you can get the impression of their overall cuteness and roundness!

I hope you’re taking a moment to look around and up whenever you’re outside. So often when I’m in my own world and I just stop and look up, I see the most magical beings around me! I hope you enjoy spending a little time with these ones!

A northern flicker with black spots and a big red cheek blotch is jumping from a bare, pocked tree limb.

A northern flicker with black spots and a big red cheek blotch is jumping from a bare, pocked tree limb.

A male northern flicker perched on a dead branch is calling, his beak open.

A male northern flicker perched on a dead branch is calling, his beak open.

A red-breasted sapsucker with their chest feathers all puffed up is perched on a branch that’s covered in holes.

A red-breasted sapsucker with their chest feathers all puffed up is perched on a branch that’s covered in holes.

Two red-breasted sapsuckers perched on the same tree trunk look really mad.

Two red-breasted sapsuckers perched on the same tree trunk look really mad.

A tiny round kestrel is sitting on a wire above a utility pole and looking straight at the camera.

A tiny round kestrel is sitting on a wire above a utility pole and looking straight at the camera.

A blurry view of a kestrel flying away from a tree with their wings outstretched.

A blurry view of a kestrel flying away from a tree with their wings outstretched.

A vivid green male Anna’s hummingbird is sitting on a slender, thorny branch, looking to the side.

A vivid green male Anna’s hummingbird is sitting on a slender, thorny branch, looking to the side.

A male Anna’s hummingbird perched on a branch has a bright pink “hood” that looks lighter and darker, depending on the angle.

A male Anna’s hummingbird perched on a branch has a bright pink “hood” that looks lighter and darker, depending on the angle.

A big group of male and female buffleheads is floating on calm water. One in the centre has just dived into the water so his tail feathers are sticking straight up.

A big group of male and female buffleheads is floating on calm water. One in the centre has just dived into the water so his tail feathers are sticking straight up.

A male and female bufflehead have just taken off from the water while two more are still floating. The one flying at the camera looks a lot like a ham with wings.

A male and female bufflehead have just taken off from the water while two more are still floating. The one flying at the camera looks a lot like a ham with wings.

Here’s to the new year! I hope it brings you more outside time and some peace.

🎂 A note to knitters: My birthday sale is a whole week this year, so you have two more days to shop if you want the best deal you’ll get all year!

Use code BIRTHDAY2024 here on my website and on Ravelry for 33% off all my indie patterns through Wednesday, January 10.

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natureAndrea Rangelcolour story, color inspo, color inspiration, colour, color, colors, colour inspiration, colours, andrea rangel outside, fujifim, vancouver island, victoria bc, nature, garden4 Comments