While working in the garden in early February, I started hearing a light tapping sound along the back fence. A few years ago, I hung mirrors there to break up the space and to reflect the garden. Now the mirrors are attracting a pair of birds.

This little darling, an American female Bushtit, fell in love with her reflection.

Eventually, a second bird joined her, and between them they remained enamored with their reflections. I tried to capture video, but not wanting to scare them away, I couldn’t get close enough. I did take a number of photos, though, by hiding behind a nearby tree.

After a few days, they began flying between two of the mirrors and later ventured into the garden to gather seeds. Sated, they soon returned to the mirrors.

While I rested on the back steps, a stunning California scrub jay came to the water fountain for a long drink. This photo isn’t as clear as the others, but it makes me happy, so I’m sharing it with you. I watched the jay bob up and down in the water, and willed him to stay, but alas, just as quickly, he was off.

I’m making a point of looking for and documenting feathered visitors to the garden, with two water fountains as an added draw. We had heavy rain in January and an average amount the month following, but now we’re at the start of a heat wave, in March if you can believe it, with a heat advisory beginning Monday and lasting for six days. It seems that winter has come to a screeching halt, bypassing spring and heading straight for our too-hot summer.  It’s concerning and disorienting.

Other visitors include this California Towhee, 

A pair of Lesser Goldfinch

and Anna’s Hummingbirds.

This male hummingbird stood watch on the trellis below the feeder and chased off his perceived competitors. Eventually, a female got her turn.

Just this week, I spotted a mourning dove (no pics), and the crows are ever-present along the drive but rarely in the back garden. I love them all.

How about you? Do you have a favorite fine-feathered friend?