They're Back!

 Saffron Finches come in small groups.  They come early in the morning, flitting around on the ground where Phil has laid out seeds for them.  When they are in the ferns, they almost disappear in the yellow-greens, but their quick movements make the foliage dance.

This time of year, means the return of many of our birds (manu) from the higher, cooler elevations.  Prominent among the returnees are the bright red cardinals.  We have a returning mated pair.

There are several song birds, but the return of the Chinese Melodious Laughing Thrush is a joy because they have a long, complex song that never seems to be the same twice.  The bird books, good as they may be do not seem to reflect all the many varieties.  We have seen several that are olive colored, with white rings around their eyes.  There is also one pictured below that is brushed with red on wings and tail.



(This photo of the thrush is a little out of focus, but he was SO pretty posed among the bromeliads and lava, I included it anyway.)

"They're back" reminds us too, that we have now been here a year, and as we celebrate our first anniversary in our new Big Island hale, we are delighted to notice these subtle seasonal changes.