I've been fortunate to get out for some local birding the last few days, including birding with my favorite companion, whatever the occasion might be. Up in the Green Mountains we bushwacked into a beaver pond, then just sat still and enjoyed the setting (made possible, in part, by heavy applications of toxic substances).
Highlight at this pond was the
Northern Waterthrush, which is why we bushwacked in the first place; we heard it singing. Finally it showed itself feeding in the muddy edge. The rest of the time the pair were busy moving about, seldom staying still.
The highlight this morning was finding a pair of
Blue-headed Vireos building their nest. What appears to be a white glob beneath the bird in the very delicate beginning of their hanging nest.
I can't tell the male from the female, but we can assume that they know the difference. To the left of the visible vireo is the mate working on the nest. It is a joint project.
Nothing more needs to be said about this
Scarlet Tanager.
Nor does much need to be said about this
Blackburnian Warbler.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtails seem to be everywhere.
And finally, while waiting for the Swamp Sparrow and Alder Flycatcher to come close in yet another marshy beaver pond (they never did), I was joined by this moose cow, and that's no bull!
Moose are fairly common, but shy and secretive. I often see signs of moose, but do not often see them. Always a treat!
Sometimes a morning of good birding includes things that don't have feathers.
Highlight at this pond was the Northern Waterthrush, which is why we bushwacked in the first place; we heard it singing. Finally it showed itself feeding in the muddy edge. The rest of the time the pair were busy moving about, seldom staying still.
The highlight this morning was finding a pair of Blue-headed Vireos building their nest. What appears to be a white glob beneath the bird in the very delicate beginning of their hanging nest.
I can't tell the male from the female, but we can assume that they know the difference. To the left of the visible vireo is the mate working on the nest. It is a joint project.
Nothing more needs to be said about this Scarlet Tanager.
Nor does much need to be said about this Blackburnian Warbler.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtails seem to be everywhere.
And finally, while waiting for the Swamp Sparrow and Alder Flycatcher to come close in yet another marshy beaver pond (they never did), I was joined by this moose cow, and that's no bull!
Moose are fairly common, but shy and secretive. I often see signs of moose, but do not often see them. Always a treat!
Sometimes a morning of good birding includes things that don't have feathers.
