My Backyard Birds

I recently added a couple of feeders and a birdbath to my backyard, and it's become an all-day party scene for the locals. Missing from the lineup are the (resident and nesting) mockingbirds and (occasional) scrub jay. Before moving to the San Gabriel foothills a couple of years ago I'd never seen a grosbeak, towhee or goldfinch at my feeder, but all the others are old friends. I've found their various personalities and antics fascinating. The boldest and least afraid of me is the tiniest-the 4" goldfinch. The Towhee is a quiet ground-scourer, and the finches and sparrows battle it out.