White-eyed Vireo

Wonderful Morning

After days of rain, it was nice to get out this morning before more rain came in this afternoon.  I went with a friend and his wife to an area in the next county over.  It was a very isolated area and I don't think I would have gone by myself or at least would not have felt very comfortable.

As soon as the car door opened it was a symphony of bird songs.  I was excited as I began to identify what was there.  It was not long before what I hoped to see flew by.  The number of Prothonotary Warblers were a delight to the senses.

Continuing on down a path, there was a great flurry of activity among some American Redstarts.  Before long we spotted what they were upset about...a snake in the tree.  A group of 5 or 6 females began displaying and alarming in the tree where the snake was.  Not once did we ever see a male though.












On my way home, I did make a quick stop by my usual birding haunt and what do you know, I spotted a male Redstart!













A Yellow-throated Warbler was searching a tree and feeding a young one.















As we were leaving we spotted a White-eyed Vireo.  I really like these birds with their white eye.




 

White-eyed Vireo

The day turned out better than expected weather wise.  The clouds of the morning lifted and the remainder of the day was beautiful.  Clouds started coming late afternoon and we will probably have rain tomorrow and Monday but we do need it.

With rain projected, I spent an hour or so putting out some sunflower plants that I had started down on my cousins farm.  There is already fantastic birding there but the sunflowers seem to attract the birds.  I just hope they will survive the deer.

Since the White-eyed Vireos arrived, I have been trying to get a good shot but as soon as I could locate one from is calling, it would fly.  As I was giving up at one location to move to another I walked by a tree and there it was.

White-eyed Vireo

Another really good day out birding.  The warblers are really starting to come in now.  A White-Eyed Vireo had joined in the hunt this morning.  They normally seem so spooky but today, this one showed no fear of being close.
 

What's Arriving

The first rain-free weekend in several and the temperatures have plummeted into the high 50's.  Crazy weather.  I had hoped for a very good day today but the wind has been blowing at a steady clip and not much was out.

The Barn and Tree Swallows have arrived and were active over the pond this morning.  They are lively, fun birds to watch and have a pleasant chatter.

My best find today was a White-Eyed Vireo.  I spotted it late this past week but the photo was poor.  Today it was singing away and there were several off in the distance that would reply.












A male Eastern Towhee,  with its almost metallic sounding song at times was out singing proud.  Even though they are year round residents,  I think they are quite handsome birds with their striking red eye.