[Hi Judi,Thanks for the confirmation on the yellow-billed magpie and its living area. I have always felt special to have a bird that is only common in the Sacramento area. I rarely get to see a rare bird and to discover that the y-b magpie is unique to our area. Sometimes it is hard to believe when they are in the trees by the tens of them and they are all telling their story at once. Kind of like crows.Lola]

Hi Judi,
Thanks for  the confirmation on the yellow-billed magpie and its living area.  I have always felt special to have a bird that is only common in the Sacramento area.  I rarely get to see a rare bird and to discover that the y-b magpie is unique to our area.  Sometimes it is hard to believe when they are in the trees by the tens of them and they are all telling their story at once.  Kind of like crows.
Lola
 

[Hi Debbie,That is surprising about the black-billed magpie. I go to Reno a couple of times a year and I don't believe that I ever saw one. I have seen yellow-billed magpies at South Shore at Lake Tahoe. It is odd that the yellow-billed have never breached the crest of the Sierra.LolaThis is my second time answering your note. I don't know what happened to the first one. I pushed a button and it disappeared. I am sure it will show up somewhere.]

Hi Debbie,
That is surprising about the black-billed magpie.  I go to Reno a couple of times a year and I don't believe that I ever saw one.  I have seen yellow-billed magpies at South Shore at Lake Tahoe.  It is odd that the yellow-billed have never breached the crest of the Sierra.
Lola

This is my second time answering your note.  I don't know what happened to the first one.  I pushed a button and it disappeared.  I am sure it will show up somewhere.

[HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAERBEL !!]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAERBEL !!
I hope that it is a wonderful day and a wonderful forthcoming year.
Thanks for all your efforts in our behalf.
       Lola

[Hi Aafke,I have never seen a magpie with a black-beak before. I live in the Sacramento Valley (and the San Joaquin Valley) where all we have are yellow-billed magpies. They are a beautiful bird with their irridescent (sp?) black color. Lola not quite a magpie]

Hi Aafke,
I have never seen a magpie with a black-beak before.  I live in the Sacramento Valley (and the San Joaquin Valley) where all we have are yellow-billed magpies.  They are a beautiful bird with their irridescent (sp?) black color.
   Lola

   
not quite a magpie
 

[Happy Birthday Aafke !!]

                                      Happy Birthday Aafke !!                             

  Hope your coming year is fulfilled 
           
                                            Lola
     
                               

[Great snowy pictures ! !Lola]

Pictures from around 9 this morning of the Big Snow.  About 16 heavy wet inches then and more is on the ground now.  Lots of wind - - 2 feet in the back yard. Hungry birds and squirrels. Extra Feeding Stations set up.

The titles underneath give an idea of what is what.  

http://classic.kodakgallery.com/valhallaviews/main/02-06-2010-bigsnow

to see other pictures that you may have missed:

http://classic.kodakgallery.com/valhallaviews/

Great snowy pictures ! !
Lola

[Go SAINTS ! ! bguitar]

   
             
       Go SAINTS ! !

         bguitar

[Janet, I think Granny is right, the bird is an Eastern Towhee.Lola]

Janet,
I think Granny is right, the bird is an Eastern Towhee.
Lola
 

[Wow, I am so touched by both eagles taking care of each other. I think I read the times correctly, - - one eagle knocked the snow off of the one laying on the eggs and then lays down beside her/him to help stay warm.Lola]

Wow, I am so touched by both eagles taking care of each other.  I think I read the times correctly, - -  one eagle knocked the snow off of the one laying on the eggs and then lays down beside her/him to help stay warm.
Lola
 

[Aafke,Great pictures again. Love them !Have a happy day.Lola]

Aafke,
Great pictures again.  Love them !
Have a happy day.
Lola
 

[Hi Everyone,Nice pictures. A good perspective on how the cameras view the works.Orville looks pretty happy !!Lola]

Hi Everyone,
Nice pictures.  A good perspective on how the cameras view the works.
Orville looks pretty happy !!
Lola
 

[Mirta, Nascha is a beautiful cat. I love her markings. Thanks for sharing.Lola /b]]

Mirta,
Nascha is a beautiful cat.  I love her markings.  Thanks for sharing.
Lola

 
 /b]

[The birds love you Aafke. You take such good care of them !Lola]

The birds love you Aafke.  You take such good care of them !
Lola

[What a cool picture. What kind of owl is it? I think I see his left wing extended --- does anyone else?Lola It's pouring here in N.CA]

What a cool picture.  What kind of owl is it? 
I think I see his left wing extended --- does anyone else?
Lola
 
It's pouring here in N.CA

[Funniee though !but, a handsome eagle !!Lola]

Funniee though !

but, a handsome eagle !!
Lola