Birds; drought

Lots of Nature to share! But so little time, alas. I recently started filling the birdfeeder on my balcony again, and the usual suspects didn't waste time returning: house finches, tufted titmice, cardinals. They seem to have an excellent appetite. I don't know if their energy needs are particularly high for some summer related reason (like raising chicks) or there are simply more of them around. It was 105F Monday and 107F today, so I know they don't need the food energy to keep warm! Despite all the sprinkler-watering that happens in the city, there's probably less natural food around for them. I've put a pan of water on my balcony for the birds and squirrels, and I hope they're using it while I'm away.

The drought has been worse this year than last: it started earlier in the year, was not preceded by floods like last year's, and it's following a bad year already. Most of the state has been declared in severe or extreme drought. A few cities have already postponed their July fireworks until New Year's because of the wildfire danger.

This mourning dove didn't seem too worried though...

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It was just checking me out as I stood inside with my telephoto lens.