Still a Lot Happening

This post falls in the category of admonition: "Hey, Chris, pay attention! There is still a lot happening around here." As for example, mother cardinal feeling a fledgling in the yard just this evening ...


... or this young American Goldfinch, who was begging to be fed just three days ago. It finally got the idea that free meals were at an end, and joined the several dozen other finches eating my sunflower seeds.

American Goldfinch - juvenile

... or this adult Song Sparrow who is finally growing new tail feathers. Last week it, and several others, were tail-less as they scratched for seeds. Compare the tail length with that of the juvenile Song Sparrow.

Song Sparrow - adult

Song Sparrow - juvenile

 Tuesday on Putney Mountain the hawks were still few in number (that will change in a few days) ... but a young Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was still dogging (birding?) its parent for food.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - juvenile (center bottom)

Sapsuckers are noted for the small holes with which they riddle a tree, but not always. The youngster's parent pried a juicy bug (spider perhaps) from the lichen in a vee.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - adult

Later the same day, and with the help of visitors to the mountain adept with butterflies, I managed a photo of this American Copper (about 1"/2cm) ...

American Copper

Good birding ... and butterflying!