Youngsters

It is that delightful time of the year when birds are nesting, fledging, feeding, and finding their way. Here's a sample, first from the backyard, and beginning with a handsome portrait of a young male Rose-breasted Grosbeak ...

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (juvenile male)

Lots of feeding is going on - Evening Grosbeak and Tufted Titmouse are just two of many. And many more still hoping for a free handout, such as the fledgling Red-winged Blackbird, who was ignored despite its persistent complaints ...

Evening Grosbeak

Tufted Titmouse

Red-winged Blackbird

This young Northern Cardinal has just about gotten the problem of food figured out ...

Northern Cardinal

 Elsewhere around the area, young Hooded Mergansers were in the Wilson Wetlands in Putney ...

Hooded Mergansers

... and in the upper elevations of Somerset, many songbirds were busy feeding fledglings, but unfortunately did not come within camera range.

Barely within camera range, and probably caring less about the birds and the bees (at least for the next few months) was this Black Bear in the wet grasses of a large beaver pond ...

Black Bear

Good Birding!!

Lincoln's Sparrow et alia

Lincoln's Sparrow (which is hard to find in Windham Co) greeted me with song at a management area just off the road to Grout Pond from Kelly Stand Rd in Somerset, Green Mtn Nat’l Forest.

Lincoln's Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow

A few additional photos from this morning ...

White-throated Sparrow

Alder Flycatcher

Common Yellowthroat - a favorite rogue of the bush

Tiger Swallowtail on wild azalea

... and back at home, this visitor passed through the neighbor's yard, probably scared away from the feeders by the crew of painters working on the exterior. We all watched as it crossed the river and headed into the pines. But, it is certainly time to take in the feeders ...

Black Bear on opposite bank of Rock River

 Good birding ... and other stuff!

Traveling the Canadian Rockies

We returned last Saturday from a two week trip to the Canadian Rockies in western Alberta - Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes National Parks. This was not a birding trip, but when the birds appeared, we took the opportunity they presented (Please return Saturday for a column on one of those opportunities.)

The Canadian Rockies are dramatic, glacially sculpted mountains, as for example, this view along the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park ...

Clark's Nutcracker abounds in the mountains, one of those gregarious Corvids that I love ...

Wapiti (Elk) along the Bow River Parkway, Banff National Park, one of several sightings we had of this magnificent member of the deer family ...

Berry bushes were bearing mature fruit, which put many bears on the move as they begin to bulk up for the winter. (Berry bushes bearing bear's berries. -!?) We saw this Black Bear near Lake Pyramid in Jasper National Park ...

For years I have wanted to stay in one of the old destination hotels built by the railroads at parks throughout the Rockies. On this trip, we took the opportunity; Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park was built by the Great Northern Railroad. Perched on a high glacial bluff at the south end of Lake Waterton, it has an unrivaled view from its lobby, lounge, and restaurant ...

Bird Feeder Activity!!

And I thought the squirrels were bad!

I've been bringing the feeders in at night, but this guy showed up on Monday, and again Tuesday, during the day. The birds had already eaten their seed allocation for the day, so there wasn't much for him, but he created quite a stir in the neighborhood. I had a kitchen full of people watching him.

My cats, on the other hand, took one look through the window and went dashing off to hide under a bed. They seem to put the bear in the same category as grandchildren. The window feeders are now at the top of the windows - about 8' off the ground. Suet feeders will not go out until I can figure some way to hand them at least that high, and maybe not until the Fall.

The suet feeder that the bear is reaching for was about 6' high. Doesn't look like he can reach much higher. On the other hand, it may be best not to tempt him with smells.

After the first bit of excitement, quite frankly, this is a pain! I'd rather have the birds.