Verdin

The last time I birded in Las Vegas, I saw my first Verdin. I got some good looks, but the only way to get a look at the bird was with the sun at its back, so the images didn't turn out as well as I would have liked.
I saw this Verdin at Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve on Friday and while I had trouble getting unobstructed views, the sun was at my back this time.
This was not the only Verdin I saw on that day and I also saw a nest that was very reminiscent of the Verdin nest I saw at Corn Creek. While I didn't see a Verdin actually go in the nest like I did at Corn Creek, there was one near by.

Verdin

One of the first birds that I came across at Corn Creek was a Verdin. I was only vaguely familiar with this bird having seen some pictures on the web.
It was quickly evident that this Verdin was working on its nest. It would fly out among some nearby trees returning shortly with a bill full of dried grass that it would take into its nest. The nest consisted of a large ball of woven grass in among the tight branches of the tree as you can see in the bottom image. Based on what I read, since it is Autumn, I believe the Verdin was fortifying its nest for the approaching Winter.
Even though I was fairly close to the bird it was very hard to get a good picture. It was constantly on the move and the sun was at a poor angle. None-the-less, I got enough good pictures that I got a pretty good look at this bird.