Neighborhood Birds #1

After getting a much needed 0.77 inches of rain last night, I decided to see what was around the neighborhood this morning.  It was a beautiful 70 degrees at 8 a.m.  Yesterday evening three unidentified, fluffy young birds made an appearance in my backyard.  I was hoping to find them and get some photos.  As I entered the desert area, about twenty Lark Sparrows flushed.

Lark Sparrow

Then I heard a few Rufous-winged Sparrows singing and spotted one low on a branch.

Rufous-winged Sparrow

 I later spotted one at the nest.

Rufous-winged Sparrow

Then I spotted what I was looking for, a fledgling!

Rufous-winged Sparrow fledgling

A distant buff-tinged bird caught my eye as it flew up from the grass.  As I approached I noticed it was a Lazuli Bunting and managed this photo.

Lazuli Bunting

The squeak of a Ladder-backed Woodpecker got my attention.  I followed it for a while.  It obviously did not want a photograph.  While chasing it, I was excited to get this photo of a Curve-billed Thrasher.  The brown block wall made a good background.

Curve-billed Thrasher

I finally caught up with the woodpecker and got this shot.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Although I would have liked to have gone searching for migrating shorebirds and warblers this morning, it was nice to enjoy the desert birds in the neighborhood.