After being away for the last two weekends and having a disappointing, dreary,
and slow start, it’s turned out to be really birdy here, especially last
evening and this morning. The breeze was from the north overnight (last
night), which seemed to bring things in, including a Chat that I photographed,
shortly after sunrise, this morning. It was in a flowering plum tree with, at
least, three Orchard Orioles.
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are everywhere and there are Yellow Warblers in the pond
thicket, where the poke berries are ripening and getting lots of attention.
The mockingbirds are defending “their” patch as best they can, but I’ve seen
both of the Orioles, and Cedar Waxwings, stealing plenty.
Swallows…by far, our most plentiful swallows are Cliffs. I’m not sure what’s
up with that.
About a year ago I posted a photo with four Red-headed Woodpeckers in it. I
broke my record this morning when I got five in one photo.
I’ve watched our pair of Blue Grosbeaks carrying insects to their nestling,
somewhere in the pond thicket. I say “our” because this is their third nest
here, this year, so, we’re feeling possessive😊. I found the first two nests,
but this one is better hidden in a weedy patch that I’ve declared off-limits.
I posted a photo of the pair and one, taken near dark on Friday night, of the
blue headed female with a very big meal waiting for me to clear out so she
could go to the nest.
Following are Flickr links to some typically mediocre photos.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Blue Grosbeak pair
Female Blue Grosbeak with supper for the kids
Redheaded Woodpeckers - 5 in one photo
Baltimore Oriole juvenile
Hairy Woodpecker pair
Stephen Tyson, Schochoh, Logan Co.
