A flutter of wings. A flash of gold and gray among the bushes. You strain your eyes, peering through the dense foliage of the coffeeberry bush.Then, you see it, perched in a branch not far from you. You stare at it. And the Golden-Crowned Sparrow stares back.

Birds are fascinating creatures – majestically swooping through the sky, shooting from one place to another, utilizing the incredible power of flight to suit their everyday needs. And here in Sonoma County, a place as simple as your backyard could become a sanctuary for these creatures. All you have to do is place a filled birdfeeder out in your yard, and with some patience, you can start your birdwatching journey.

Each bird has its own personality – the timid, skittish Oak Titmouse, the lazy and hungry California Towhee, the curious Scrub Jay. By starting a bird sanctuary in your yard, you can get to know each bird individually. It is a fantastic and rewarding experience. Below you will find a collection of photos of these incredible birds. I encourage you to open your eyes and peer out your window – I think you will find more life outside then you expect.

Turkey Vultures, although perhaps not quite as majestic as other birds such as hawks, are still amazing birds to watch. They are also a vital part of the ecosystem, helping to break down matter.

This Golden-crowned Sparrow has perched on a small branch, waiting for me to fill the bird feeder. Golden-Crowned Sparrows are one of the most common and easiest to spot birds, given their bright gold colored crown on their head.

This White-crowned Sparrow has perched upon a fence post. I have found that White-crowned Sparrows are slightly less common than their golden-crowned cousins, which makes them more of a treat to see.

This Scrub Jay is enjoying a peanut snack from high up in a tree. If you set out peanuts in your yard, you may see these birds swoop down, grab a peanut, and quickly soar away to a higher vantage point.

This Chestnut-backed Chickadee was very curious and allowed me to get quite close before flying off. Their bright orange, brown, and white colored feathers are a beautiful splash of contrast against the greens of tree foliage.

The same Chestnut-backed Chickadee as it launches off of a bird feeder.

This Oak Titmouse is also curious and has taken a perch to assess any dangers. These birds may be one of my favorites, as they are quite skittish and often fly away before you can see them, which makes them more of a treat to find. Observe them for long enough, and you may notice that they like to swoop up to a feeder, grab a seed, look both ways, and dart away in a flash.

Once again, the Chestnut-backed Chickadee poses for a photo. I find these birds to be some of the most stunning that you can find snacking on some bird seed.

All photos by Lawson Gaylord.