Spring Activity

 

Spring has finally arrived and all signs it is going to be a long, hot, summer if the first few days of spring are an indicator.  Leaves are exploding out and everything is covered with a fine coat of pollen.  Almost daily sporadic rain showers help a little with clearing the yellow coating.

Bird activity is high.  Lots of tweets, chirping and fussing.  On Monday, my friend and I stood and watch a pair of Brown Headed Nuthatches giving their all on a hole in a stump.  The pair would alternate work time and the one not working was always close by.

This afternoon, a pair of Carolina Chickadees attempted a takeover.  Lots of fighting resulting in a Chickadee hitting the water.

The frogs are out and begin their croaking just as the sun begins to lower beind the tree line.  More and more join in until their croaking syncs to a loud serendae.

A Muskrat was busy exploring the new water area made possible courtesy of the beavers.  It put on a show and did not seem to mind that several people were intently watching it.  Several children were so excited and couldn't understand the difference between it and a beaver and were sure it was the beaver.  But no, it is a muskrat. 

The Phoebes are numerous most busy announcing their name, building nests and swooping after insects. 

Lastly, yellow bird from the previous post seems to have settled in a bit.  I believe I am having a harder time excepting it being caged.  Just doesn't seem natural.  It however is so habituated that the poor thing just would not stand a chance on its own.  That is why I have a hard time with birds being sold as pets.  If someone now just tired of this bird and let it go then shame on them.  You can't habituate a bird to humans and then expect it to make it in the wild.  I am still uncertain on what the outcome will be. 

Lost Yellow Bird

When I arrived home this afternoon I took the dog for her walk as usual.  Arriving back close to the house, a yellow bird swooped by almost landing on me then veered at the last minute up to the tree.  Of course, first thought was go get the camera.  The dog and I ran the remaining way home, I grabbed the camera and back out.

Well what do you know!  What I thought was possibly some wayward exotic wild visitor turned out to be a lost or set free parakeet.  Eventually it made its way to the house.  In a bit when I looked out the window, it was walking on the ground under the feeder finding seeds.

I eased out and it showed no fear and eventually after holding my hand out for a while, it flew to me.  What could I do?  It was waiting to fall victim to a cat or hawk.  I had a small cage and placed the bird in it.  Off to a local pet shop hoping for word of maybe someone who had lost a bird.  No luck.  Considered the SPCA but they were now closed.

So, back to the pet shop, buy a larger cage, some food, etc.  Bird is resting comfortably after a rather eventful day.  A little challenge getting it from one cage to the other that resulted in two free flights.   I guess until I can either find it a good home, or become attached (whichever comes first), I have a new guest.

A Bit o' Gold and Green

Not too much going on today.  I went out for a bit this morning but not for any serious birding.  I was feeling a bit guilty for not taking my dog out to run in a while so we went for a long walk in the woods.

 Always though I have the camera with me and and as I was getting the dog settled in the car to come home, a large flock of 100+ Cedar Waxwings came in.  Their yellow bellies reflected in the morning sun looking like a large pot of flying gold.  Maybe this was the gold at the end of the rainbow?

After arriving home, the dog needed a bath,  She had played in the creek followed by tromping through the field while still wet and was now coated with mud.  Fun stuff.  While I was getting everything together out on the deck there was a Goldfinch in a nearby tree singing its heart out.  They are molting getting their summer gold so was this my gold at the end of the rainbow?  I guess I just need to keep looking to find the real thing.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all.

Let Sleeping Doves Lie

Skipping spring?  With high in the mid 80's today it felt like summer and spring has not yet arrived.  I was sitting out on the deck for a bit this afternoon listening to the birds singing when a dove flew in and perched on top of the pergola.  Before long, its eyes began shutting, fighting open every now and then for a check about.  Despite my being so close, it obviously felt safe and drifted to a light state of rest.  Such a little sweetie.

Osprey

The morning started a bit cool with a breeze off of the water but by noon, a simply beautiful day.  The eagles were fairly quiet today but the Osprey were active, vocal and put on a show.  I have so many photos to go through but that will be fun.  I took the scope out to practice some digiscoping and as soon as the battery charges so I can get them off of the camera, I hope for some good shots.  These are a few of one of the Osprey bringing a fish back to the nest.

What's Out Saturday

Coolish today with a fair breeze so my plans to go see the eagles is off until tomorrow.  After my 12 day work week, it was just nice to be outside and enjoy some nature.  I was very anxious to see any new arrivals.  The first thing I heard was the fast chipping then I finally spotted the bird.  The Chipping Sparrows have arrived.  Always a sign spring is almost here.  Their fast chipping seems to have confused the Pine Warblers who would reply back after a string of chipping.  On several occasions I would see a Pine Warbler fly close by to where a Chipping Sparrow was calling out as if to check out the newcomer.

Courtship looked to be the activity of the day.  Pairs seen together today inlcuded Northern Flickers, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays (the largest gathering of Jay's, around a dozen, I have ever seen), Pine Warblers, Cardinals, Eastern Bluebirds, Red-tailed Hawks and Pileated Woodpeckers. 










A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers were intent on working on a cavity tree.  One was increasing the size of the already existing hole and the other was standing off to the side and would occasionally fly in and look in the hole.They were so intent on their activity I was able to ease up very close to watch them.
















One of my purposes at the location I went today was to see if the Redstarts had arrived.  I finally spotted the female then the male.  I stood for some time hoping for a chance to get a good shot however they were hunting deep within some brush and all the shots were very poor.  The entire time I stood in that location, a Brown Thrasher serenaded me.  They have a beautiful and varied medley.

Moving on as I was walking across a large expanse of field, a pair of Red-Tailed Hawks followed overhead.  From time to time they would come down fairly low.  I expect they were watching for a field mice I might stir up.

I am looking forward to meeting my friend tomorrow for some eagle and osprey watching. Hope to have some good shots for tomorrow.

Love is in the Air

Spring is right around the corner and mate selection is fully underway.  Over the last week, the Titmice and Chickadee's have been actively trying to impress their counterparts.  Out for a quick walk about this afternoon to see what was out.  This pair of Titmice were chirping away and doing a lot of prancing and dancing around each other.  When one would fly, the other followed.