Time now for sitting quietly in the heat to take in what the birds are doing.
I watched three different species feeding in midair and enjoyed their
individual aerobatics. A red-headed woodpecker used the top of a power pole to
survey for insects. From this prefect launch pad, the bird dropped with wings
tight against the body, seemingly a heat seeking missile. A flash of black and
white as wings unfurled to brake the dive. A delicate nab, then a swirl of
wings, it spun back to its perch. I watched this several times, delighting in
having a red-head in the yard.
From the corner of my eye, I saw another darting bird and turned to watch one
of the consummate aerial hunters (they’re called flycatchers for a reason)
returning to the power line. A peewee was swooping out in a quick dash,
grabbing the insect with a decisive snap and twisting back to the line with an
economy of movement a gymnast would appreciate.
Into this bug buffet lumbered a female summer tanager. She flew lower and with
much less grace, but caught her prey, turned and landed heavily in the redbud
along the driveway. She repeated this while the others swung higher through
the same patch of sky. I consider myself so fortunate to have the time and
ability to enjoy such scenes at home. It improves your chances if your yard is
welcoming to insects and birds. Plant native species that support a variety of
insects, don’t spray your lawn or your vegetation with pesticides and then sit
back and enjoy the show.
Joyce Bender, northern Franklin County================NOTES TO
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