Maximizing slow birding

Birding has been really slow lately at the oasis and at my ponds in Alpine, so to pep me up, I've been enjoying helping other birders find good birds elsewhere. The last couple of days, that meant going to the Alpine cemetery and looking for Red Crossbills. It's been fun, and I love spending time with other birder friends.

This appears to be an irruptive winter for some species. So far, there have been Cassin's Finches, Red Crossbills, and a few Pinon Jays. We're hoping for Lewis's Woodpecker, Clark's Nutcracker, etc. 

I made a quick trip to the oasis yesterday afternoon to service feeders and check activity there. Still a few Lucifers hanging in there, including this male with his worn dull gorget.

Bears haven't bothered anything lately, but coons messed with the trail cam.