Evil Eye

Curve-billed thrashers always look pretty angry and flat out scary.  That yellow eye and curved bill is enough to frighten almost all of the little birds. Sometimes they live up to their creepy, intimidating look.  The vast majority of birds in the neighborhood are willing to share the water dishes; larger birds (cardinals, orioles, doves) with smaller birds (goldfinches, house finches, Verdin).
Not these thrashers!  Sometimes the little guys have the nerve to get within 10 feet of them waiting their turn at the water, but in those cases they must be really thirsty or hot.  The majority of the time they aren't anywhere close.

I'm thinking of hobbling up to Madera Canyon tomorrow morning. I was having trouble with focus when I was there with the group so I want to give it another whirl.