Bird Watching Club

Hello all. I am so very happy to find this topic on the board. Recently diagnosed, still trying to figure out treatments and am overwhelmed by it all. I've missed my birding for the last few weeks what with doctors and clinics so felt an immediate release of all the tension when I saw this thread and your beautiful pictures. It's amazing but I instantly began to breathe easier. I'm just beginning treatment but hope you will have me here. I look forward to visiting often and will share some of our pictures too. I'm an avid birder and husband is my willing hostage with a camera.

Thank you for the reminder that we are more than a patient. Was beginning to think that doctors, anxiety and despair were all there was in my future.

OnaWing,

Welcome!  Look forward to seeing photos.

This thread is like a breath of fresh air!

Thanks for the welcome SoCalLisa. I had already noticed your DX date and knew you were a long term survivor. Hoped to hear from you as your walk is encouraging. Good advice about one step at a time. It all comes down on you so fast and furious and I have complicated things by seeking second opinions in a city four hours away. Diagnosis is micro papillary with 2 of 3 nodes positive, one an intra mammary node. My type doesn't have as good a prognosis as I would have hoped for so as you might expect, I vascillate between prayer, hopefulness and planning my funeral.  

I'm going to repeat it often, "one step at a time, do not get ahead of yourself".   

Teka, you are so right about this thread being like fresh air. I'm going to look at images tonight for a very special bird and try to figure out how to add an attachment to a post.   

my sister-in-law sent me a copy of the Western edition of Peterson's field guid to birds...I guess she was tired of my asking her what the different birds are...it was a surprise and I had no idea who had sent it...nice..

I saw this bird today..is it a western bluebird??

Hi Teka..no I didn't see the throat....it was wonderful to see the blue, as we don't get very many blue colored birds around here...

@SoCalLisa, I think he is a Western Bluebird, based on the pictures & descriptions in Wikipedia. According to those it's the Mountain Bluebird which has an all-blue chest and throat. The Eastern Bluebird is all blue on the back, and the Western Bluebird has a brownish patch on the back which I think I can just see in your photo. Whatever species he is, he's a beauty. I don't think I've ever seen any bluebirds. The map says there should be some around here, so maybe one day I will spot one.

Al says it is a western bluebird.The chest is brown.

Yes back from Mexico it is cold and miserable here in Toronto.

But a beautiful Robin has nested under my patio umbrella I can see the nest clearly from my kitchen table.Should be able to get some interesting shots this spring.

Al also captured this Lineated woodpecker in Huatulco.

It must be spring finally. The first rose breasted grosbeaks, rufous sided towhee and ruby throated hummingbird have arrived at the feeders. Put out an orange and the grape jelly, now waiting for the orioles.

he was in my back yard, very close to the house..I think it is an Anna's hummer...Nancy..

This white pelican was really moving