tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9315827119372217252024-03-05T16:41:51.696-08:00Bird Word GirlI love birds. I love words. Oh, and plants and fungi too.Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-62006082259258149472022-04-08T08:24:00.008-07:002022-04-13T11:59:54.437-07:00Introducing Billium, a Botanical Bifecta!<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3VA4drZSZJS6l0czq8LDTdI_TOxjZnJeNEfIlgTOQU71oS1x0WZD2ajvCWRDmsRHijodFoUmDZlw2Jvzd6pOgW-_gA0XViBqJuf9UvOi-beaoUeUq8ue7LstNlTaF090eysPPCT0SXr5TtierBFaKI0C73770c5CRD-8NaHdHXuf01Xmss_axNyd6A/s2357/Billium%20Trillium_1_edit%20crop.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="2357" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3VA4drZSZJS6l0czq8LDTdI_TOxjZnJeNEfIlgTOQU71oS1x0WZD2ajvCWRDmsRHijodFoUmDZlw2Jvzd6pOgW-_gA0XViBqJuf9UvOi-beaoUeUq8ue7LstNlTaF090eysPPCT0SXr5TtierBFaKI0C73770c5CRD-8NaHdHXuf01Xmss_axNyd6A/w400-h286/Billium%20Trillium_1_edit%20crop.HEIC" width="400" /></a></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet my new woodland garden friend, Billium!</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No, not William. Or Gillian. Or Trillium.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Billium </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bi</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- is Latin for two or twice; </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tri</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for three or thrice.)</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gasped upon seeing a two-petaled, two-sepaled, two-bracted trillium in my garden. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Double treat: it is the first trillium to bloom in my garden AND it is statistically unusual.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another anomaly: A jaunty green racing stripe bisects (another </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bi-</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!) its petals, making it even more singular.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-39810700867613044452020-04-25T09:29:00.000-07:002020-04-25T09:29:02.941-07:00Birder's Joy<div class="" dir="auto">
<div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_3d">
<div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg">
<div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j irj2b8pg enqfppq2 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KdjRKfq5un_u2kRt84zkasQZVqdhn-WDv5Z-LNZ6xYGicBbNU_4TZcQigNJOp3eiUD4DhpUoprpTsHC8fzjKSKlfNOejMc9ThNDdNUMN8lUaSi8wTh_4jWE0V8-GLImQBe7Ail97Y1Bd/s1600/IMG_5841.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1277" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KdjRKfq5un_u2kRt84zkasQZVqdhn-WDv5Z-LNZ6xYGicBbNU_4TZcQigNJOp3eiUD4DhpUoprpTsHC8fzjKSKlfNOejMc9ThNDdNUMN8lUaSi8wTh_4jWE0V8-GLImQBe7Ail97Y1Bd/s400/IMG_5841.JPEG" width="318" /></a></div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
FOUND: Active Anna's hummingbird nest! Yesterday, I achieved one of my long-standing birding dreams: finding an in-use hummingbird nest (as opposed to an out-of-service one, which I've done twice). </div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
While out walking in Kenmore close to Wallace Creek yesterday, I first heard, then saw an Anna's severely educating two misguided song sparrows. I scanned the area, assuming her nest was close by. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsCIYgH3oqMhndWYkeRoTkP5V87NUJjiZu3MjalPQuxYru1DmQmNeqx6w5zRpqvi8UE14mTVkdLRBcQ6QoA-s7plpVJQ4dH4HHn_VoEsu7d7PpsFfgoXB0gSDcoca46y6v9FS5fe1QQHk/s1600/IMG_5842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsCIYgH3oqMhndWYkeRoTkP5V87NUJjiZu3MjalPQuxYru1DmQmNeqx6w5zRpqvi8UE14mTVkdLRBcQ6QoA-s7plpVJQ4dH4HHn_VoEsu7d7PpsFfgoXB0gSDcoca46y6v9FS5fe1QQHk/s320/IMG_5842.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_HmGkTuZU_InzlEOBnA1mj1Zh45uoYlbrxm7ySCdHHE_Kh39CAcOIW8gWhtjoCSZAdydEa4MefkCvPWVPY6JveqrUJtWmLDLPvgm1MnSEs3KbqUZ68G9aQZAEl3QF1TCB__8oXD-msae/s1600/IMG_5843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_HmGkTuZU_InzlEOBnA1mj1Zh45uoYlbrxm7ySCdHHE_Kh39CAcOIW8gWhtjoCSZAdydEa4MefkCvPWVPY6JveqrUJtWmLDLPvgm1MnSEs3KbqUZ68G9aQZAEl3QF1TCB__8oXD-msae/s320/IMG_5843.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
And yes, it was gracefully perched between two sapling trunks, waist-high (mine, not hers), with a sword fern frond as a partial umbrella/sunshade. Two little wrigglers inside, probably 3-5 days old. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
Birder's joy. (Don't worry, I waited until the mother was off the nest to get close.)</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dynoOBWzmRGMd6N5QU1KqVH16XF7JIVQb_lQP9T1IJM4loS1iB6VgqDwpTjDjdn6zOnqx5iWxa_ZrAb8Iq43A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
</div>
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-66388126922410393252018-01-02T17:55:00.000-08:002018-01-02T17:55:12.421-08:00Guess Who Came to Dinner?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOb2_8d_eaDoNparqJOeCeB-G3tqvo0YCOcQSmvmtAZTYyt4IjZfJqJ7RugcOpyGJBY-bq8AuWfGJU5wMm5MzdiZVaB2iFVSb1FMuR1OSzD1CuvCmFLh-2YidNZN4tecu9JBzdwjaVnut/s1600/07_COHA+Shoreline_proc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOb2_8d_eaDoNparqJOeCeB-G3tqvo0YCOcQSmvmtAZTYyt4IjZfJqJ7RugcOpyGJBY-bq8AuWfGJU5wMm5MzdiZVaB2iFVSb1FMuR1OSzD1CuvCmFLh-2YidNZN4tecu9JBzdwjaVnut/s400/07_COHA+Shoreline_proc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
As I came around the corner of the house I heard the soft, sad thud of a bird strike on the living room window. A commotion of feathers materialized at the front door and quickly reconstituted itself into a Cooper's Hawk, who are well known for successfully hunting songbirds, especially at feeders. <br />
<br />
Serendipitously, I was out photographing Varied Thrush in our snowy garden so hunched behind Tam's car and focused, first only on its horizontally barred tail--in order to stay as hidden as possible.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWlfgyBCL3YxQOzN3WbmstUoLnAAoUJfOYvBYJ9ZTlf8F0wy1eyjJeaz6pBafe1Hp9LK5VgJt5MGm3sL7R5qbI3VgMwaaWQitXDu-Y1OGUfKKDiWAHNaJdSi1fxNwxfcmOAFahwqHMgOu/s1600/01_COHA+Shoreline_proc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWlfgyBCL3YxQOzN3WbmstUoLnAAoUJfOYvBYJ9ZTlf8F0wy1eyjJeaz6pBafe1Hp9LK5VgJt5MGm3sL7R5qbI3VgMwaaWQitXDu-Y1OGUfKKDiWAHNaJdSi1fxNwxfcmOAFahwqHMgOu/s400/01_COHA+Shoreline_proc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Emerging a bit more, I got shots of it eyeing the window and the
ground below, hoping for its fallen prey. No luck, but it did hang out long
enough for me to take more shots and a short video. It then spent a few moments in the snowy maple until it flew off, escorted eastward by the crows. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoh-01154YCcsa44kmDL3qE4chKXqY1cCLDz5exsvW3UWin8r8Tcx-1l16E8_gKSosrlLjZlGzHSJOn9DNF9ZhzoDtG6WPREKFG3VhXcMJFdYkZ1QYzlhSqQ4TIliSRPcepc57Dj3o5o3/s1600/23_COHA+Shoreline_proc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoh-01154YCcsa44kmDL3qE4chKXqY1cCLDz5exsvW3UWin8r8Tcx-1l16E8_gKSosrlLjZlGzHSJOn9DNF9ZhzoDtG6WPREKFG3VhXcMJFdYkZ1QYzlhSqQ4TIliSRPcepc57Dj3o5o3/s400/23_COHA+Shoreline_proc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-39324504355488226332016-02-21T18:48:00.000-08:002016-02-21T18:49:37.672-08:00Same Old, Same Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH13MplfjOqIlItgZEJXyOkdO7_vE5GLEsm9mexrmwKX9VBaGfhcdheyfSugKiEoOvJ-xnMFlMSWrQeVqA1kWnBBzyIE18L6I201bT09j1592eIO31jAaM1eJ5A-sRDFL_MaMwKwdy99j/s1600/Killdeer+Skagit_11proc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH13MplfjOqIlItgZEJXyOkdO7_vE5GLEsm9mexrmwKX9VBaGfhcdheyfSugKiEoOvJ-xnMFlMSWrQeVqA1kWnBBzyIE18L6I201bT09j1592eIO31jAaM1eJ5A-sRDFL_MaMwKwdy99j/s400/Killdeer+Skagit_11proc2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the deep pleasures and comforts of birding is finding the same species in the same place year after year. In other words, the Anna's Hummingbird that I have seen in the exact same blackberry bramble every year is quite possibly offspring of the one I first noticed there five years ago.<br />
<br />
This was the case yesterday in Skagit. Last summer there was a pair of Killdeer just west of the bridge by the church on Fir Island Road. Saturday morning in the same area there was a pair of Killdeer doing their hyper-sensitive, hyper-vocal thing. Same pair? Their kids? Who knows, but encountering the cyclical nature of animal life, and affirming that landscape and its food offerings are indeed destiny for birds resounds deeply. It's like being in the bosom of family and intimate friends after a long separation--their habits, inflections, idiosyncrasies are so ingrained in our memories, that we involuntarily anticipate them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbNA4ZJyxwAAAb0Dh1KzED634uiphLDlSBdoyWKJ8busNGKQzEkR_-Y8JzqxQaI3r_AnQmcF6DxSAjjO5I4zUXXrVa8ZBuqsKgfqdE9IurPOjeH5zQ8QSwhc0yU5WWr_JzqmvHKMVIp4d/s1600/Killdeer+fledgling_56crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbNA4ZJyxwAAAb0Dh1KzED634uiphLDlSBdoyWKJ8busNGKQzEkR_-Y8JzqxQaI3r_AnQmcF6DxSAjjO5I4zUXXrVa8ZBuqsKgfqdE9IurPOjeH5zQ8QSwhc0yU5WWr_JzqmvHKMVIp4d/s200/Killdeer+fledgling_56crop.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGZmDihgG06_08Av-E1lzk1MlsnVeodJ6zpWPMFxBQ7SJhsbFTtwvLItEXWReKZxLT_ZVmLVjGIbKA2InDRg6aPgqOPkze1DdJ6TyYCkpg4Wgig66PTwANFVm6EwYec_bFCFTJgESiM42/s1600/Killdeer+fledglings+on+nest_25crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGZmDihgG06_08Av-E1lzk1MlsnVeodJ6zpWPMFxBQ7SJhsbFTtwvLItEXWReKZxLT_ZVmLVjGIbKA2InDRg6aPgqOPkze1DdJ6TyYCkpg4Wgig66PTwANFVm6EwYec_bFCFTJgESiM42/s200/Killdeer+fledglings+on+nest_25crop.jpg" width="171" /></a></div>
<br />
And on a more superficial note, who can resist these birds--those jaunty stripes? That vivid red eye ring? The comical bobbing? And fledglings are even more endearing in their long-legged fluffiness. The shots above are from a brood on UW campus a few years back.Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-90619962710456634092016-02-13T10:38:00.001-08:002016-02-13T10:38:38.412-08:00HeronFest!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN50Vrszo2t4Y3CzuV2GZOYIxJEB3q_JOTn10lmycUr8QCoZchNPQRuEumBoDtGqqyLKtrK1aAmBWLVyo02FjLPEJJiRMfODGWpl7_Y9AnZmD6lzOn1Ka6UJyRNovOjC72VaLY_9uGoPE0/s1600/Alligator+Tricolored+Heron+Shark+Valley_03proc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN50Vrszo2t4Y3CzuV2GZOYIxJEB3q_JOTn10lmycUr8QCoZchNPQRuEumBoDtGqqyLKtrK1aAmBWLVyo02FjLPEJJiRMfODGWpl7_Y9AnZmD6lzOn1Ka6UJyRNovOjC72VaLY_9uGoPE0/s400/Alligator+Tricolored+Heron+Shark+Valley_03proc2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Requisite alligator-disturbingly-close-to-potential-meal photo from the Everglades.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The prospect of seeing new heron species in Florida last week was very alluring. I never tire of the Great Blue Heron's elegant-clumsy silhouette, but I was eager to meet some of its southern cousins.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0DTxDO-5XHFMbo8Fc0zVXP-BHafKh52BfxP3YAiuFmnVYBaESXxkA1b9-OKngT1opMlMTl1cmyw1xcBJRp2H9q4acCawPXxqDqNXPqS2yjrXlQaXJ1BrRKJxfvDRGKSXGhqFIkblUDRJ/s1600/Little+Blue+Heron+Shark+Valley_04proc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0DTxDO-5XHFMbo8Fc0zVXP-BHafKh52BfxP3YAiuFmnVYBaESXxkA1b9-OKngT1opMlMTl1cmyw1xcBJRp2H9q4acCawPXxqDqNXPqS2yjrXlQaXJ1BrRKJxfvDRGKSXGhqFIkblUDRJ/s320/Little+Blue+Heron+Shark+Valley_04proc2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Blue Heron strutting through the Everglades.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My bird fantasies were exceeded--not in number, but in the close-up views I got of the Little Blue Heron and the Tricolored Heron in the Everglades. Some of the birds are acclimated to people, so saunter past or sit still in front of human visitors without much anxiety. (Don't get me started on the idiot who pointed his SELFIE STICK in an Anhinga's face...) This luxury of proximity afforded revelatory views of their plumage which I never would have experienced otherwise.<br />
<br />
The Little Blue is, in its non-breeding plumage, grey-blue, but its neck feathers have a very subtle wine-colored aspect as well--not possible to appreciate from afar. The Tricolored's neck has a more obvious russety-wine coloration and buff-colored plumes cascading down its rump. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMbRmjWMD6cNKEFfoVEUDIHa3ISKOZ5WCm4v2d7l5Mx1EZ0_ZaM1LANcmzpAZiz5b4XAkycpbyzUuVzA1xFYPkIlCJgb_k4BEngJl96BWBApZIE3eWjuQw7BpPgrFHw6Cm2ripOTPjSyH/s1600/Tricolored+Heron+Shark+Valley_06proc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMbRmjWMD6cNKEFfoVEUDIHa3ISKOZ5WCm4v2d7l5Mx1EZ0_ZaM1LANcmzpAZiz5b4XAkycpbyzUuVzA1xFYPkIlCJgb_k4BEngJl96BWBApZIE3eWjuQw7BpPgrFHw6Cm2ripOTPjSyH/s320/Tricolored+Heron+Shark+Valley_06proc2.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tricolored heron in Shark Valley Visitors Center in the Everglades.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-17657251075027626452016-02-11T13:53:00.003-08:002016-02-11T13:55:43.483-08:00Nictitation Felicitation<br />
Taken seconds apart a few days ago in Key West, these two photos illustrate how the fiery orange-red eye of a juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron is suddenly and fleetingly obscured by its nictitating membrane. In fact, it happens so quickly, I'm never aware of it while shooting birds--only afterwards when I'm reviewing files on my monitor.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOeK0tancm4NsL1xyZv1B_gfVjOzPBneueKp5iWTqYT7444MivouPkYd0eBsmGjH0FzBk8awQfVlURVym3OOOz8aCllV1JV6RW1fbkdC_IqSyqp7E4ttbT6d91rJaXiTo9Od60g-kHqaM/s1600/Yellow+crowned+night+heron+juvenile+Key+West_04proc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOeK0tancm4NsL1xyZv1B_gfVjOzPBneueKp5iWTqYT7444MivouPkYd0eBsmGjH0FzBk8awQfVlURVym3OOOz8aCllV1JV6RW1fbkdC_IqSyqp7E4ttbT6d91rJaXiTo9Od60g-kHqaM/s320/Yellow+crowned+night+heron+juvenile+Key+West_04proc.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuqhRPmIy7U2N0-fUSy385Qmr7UF3J_y08u94IeMqPgur2MLlFVIkNBpSYZJEqkogTUHBiE7kaLcGoQNiI2E1e1RdDP6JAlNSttwQFSy9u6q8lkmuHG-hze7RsvASEI8wlKgJUebuFdKf/s1600/Yellow+crowned+night+heron+juvenile+Key+West_06proc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuqhRPmIy7U2N0-fUSy385Qmr7UF3J_y08u94IeMqPgur2MLlFVIkNBpSYZJEqkogTUHBiE7kaLcGoQNiI2E1e1RdDP6JAlNSttwQFSy9u6q8lkmuHG-hze7RsvASEI8wlKgJUebuFdKf/s320/Yellow+crowned+night+heron+juvenile+Key+West_06proc.jpg" width="236" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, "Birds have what is known as a nictitating membrane or 'third eyelid'. This
is a clear eyelid, closest to the eyeball. It is transparent and can
close and protect the eye when hunting."<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghO-AVS0ALE6jHd8xdPeCKZgt2lg3M3e5Lp-E0kILDLh-fMt9ZNN77Tk6VYvf0achhqTdqTXNtImn1vGGiFCw9oUNXlIqiYR_LMveFj7WtTGLMDnZVLuntLrWAOafY1tDzVCiJk5a_H159/s1600/Yellow+crowned+night+heron+juvenile+Key+West_10proc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghO-AVS0ALE6jHd8xdPeCKZgt2lg3M3e5Lp-E0kILDLh-fMt9ZNN77Tk6VYvf0achhqTdqTXNtImn1vGGiFCw9oUNXlIqiYR_LMveFj7WtTGLMDnZVLuntLrWAOafY1tDzVCiJk5a_H159/s400/Yellow+crowned+night+heron+juvenile+Key+West_10proc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-28123723958435446232013-09-15T14:21:00.000-07:002013-09-15T14:22:02.701-07:00Short and Sweet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9MEVRktMZROFcVLFBUmeNfKmzWqkiWwywk2nQXVIszICFP1A43OFMzR3mk04eqGkETHoWDoWBptRwpJUduxInu6dTfcEI0PSqFtCC9fZm0KWXH6_D6V2vjP2UexalXM9AtSG5zb5CRhs/s1600/01_Dipper+footprints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9MEVRktMZROFcVLFBUmeNfKmzWqkiWwywk2nQXVIszICFP1A43OFMzR3mk04eqGkETHoWDoWBptRwpJUduxInu6dTfcEI0PSqFtCC9fZm0KWXH6_D6V2vjP2UexalXM9AtSG5zb5CRhs/s400/01_Dipper+footprints.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This photo embodies what photography is able to do so exquisitely: eternalize the ephemeral. Plus, it allows the photographer (and by extension, the viewer) to savor life's transient pleasures and to elevate the beauty of the quotidian to its rightful plane.<br />
<br />
In this case, the quickly-disappearing-in-the-summer-heat footprints of a bird who is always on the go.<br />
<br />
The American Dipper constantly bobs and dips its head at and under the water in search of insects, larvae, fish eggs and very small fish. And it has bird superpowers: a dipper can fly through waterfalls and fly-swim underwater, urgently propelling its grey body against the current in search of food.<br />
<br />
The bird was only on these rocks for a few moments in the summer evening along Wiley Creek--and its footprints a momentary testament to its peripatetic ways.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH3caz2FQtZWkmvCU_JFZ4MBDLl606hH1jE6tyCwQOya-kOwZYcF2pgGFBOJp3-0fsru8JxvkCxdaLbUz9fcTf5LA5oNJUaiWoOx5p-SPANxOztrYTw1s_plgJYc1AULbYHz92nDvTSoP/s1600/Wiley+Creek_52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH3caz2FQtZWkmvCU_JFZ4MBDLl606hH1jE6tyCwQOya-kOwZYcF2pgGFBOJp3-0fsru8JxvkCxdaLbUz9fcTf5LA5oNJUaiWoOx5p-SPANxOztrYTw1s_plgJYc1AULbYHz92nDvTSoP/s400/Wiley+Creek_52.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-9227691955390309652013-04-21T10:20:00.001-07:002013-04-21T10:20:22.384-07:00Fish HawkingYesterday I had one of my favorite birding pleasures--I found a new "secret" place. My definition of secret is pretty loose; it only means that I've never heard anyone else mention it before.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOxjOphl-jfXiUHwNcDI84zFsZqcZ5aeqHJeT0xQENOwv3FKTlssAye1khSpnfenOFbrn0HVqq1rNmDupwU_KSaFr2fgdnhVIu2Kv0CwG-utdymAga4tzYfdTgKS2-hDn7Uzu_PmY-w0_/s1600/181_Osprey+Prairie+Rd-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOxjOphl-jfXiUHwNcDI84zFsZqcZ5aeqHJeT0xQENOwv3FKTlssAye1khSpnfenOFbrn0HVqq1rNmDupwU_KSaFr2fgdnhVIu2Kv0CwG-utdymAga4tzYfdTgKS2-hDn7Uzu_PmY-w0_/s400/181_Osprey+Prairie+Rd-crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the metal band on its right foot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHcvbU5W0KRqMrHE9l9wlbn6MpHJh62R2x11LaJKSKkE50tEekg2nBXPfqptiwwb4ukUOP8rX8vr8OBAxXnHIsH0SqeW-UMx__gr_y80PYQ7UU1oIFQXD11cUds02gZmfYUxQUKXCEvzp/s1600/Osprey+nest+Prairie+Rd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHcvbU5W0KRqMrHE9l9wlbn6MpHJh62R2x11LaJKSKkE50tEekg2nBXPfqptiwwb4ukUOP8rX8vr8OBAxXnHIsH0SqeW-UMx__gr_y80PYQ7UU1oIFQXD11cUds02gZmfYUxQUKXCEvzp/s400/Osprey+nest+Prairie+Rd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascades in the background, between Thorp and Cle Elum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Following my gut is often the best way to have the most rewarding and invigorating birding experiences. On a instinct-fueled whim--after a very
unremarkable (translation: boring and frustrating) five hours of birding--I turned down a road outside Thorp
and was met with bounty: a green prairie-like ridge exposed to sun and
wind, offering up a family of deer, a kestrel, an un-shy Meadowlark and a
trio of Osprey around a nest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMFazaSNJWKyC-D18sJccqDd33l6JL2MAiNINIdg0mIFhIVinos5BhTpbsRlgVxuypNZLCL5uJvCmYBfeqfJh1ymNeLMsYOFrVDRUFJqB4y1W-k0q3om1o-xGn0uFXMTktf_qiKuFD0ts/s1600/010_Osprey+Prairie+Rd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMFazaSNJWKyC-D18sJccqDd33l6JL2MAiNINIdg0mIFhIVinos5BhTpbsRlgVxuypNZLCL5uJvCmYBfeqfJh1ymNeLMsYOFrVDRUFJqB4y1W-k0q3om1o-xGn0uFXMTktf_qiKuFD0ts/s400/010_Osprey+Prairie+Rd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Osprey flies with the headless fish clasped in only one claw.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFHWmezHjE0_3KzZx3m9T4ocJt0JRGRpdnWsf-7NhJviPaUT-8abzbv1MQPAw2NYrrKEuDOj-VvjOj83NSvLyxzLu0LM-Oavxyyl7DdXwXk7VSls93boQ4FWfX4Hp8bnUqb6Mk2LC-Rup/s1600/094_Osprey+Prairie+Rd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFHWmezHjE0_3KzZx3m9T4ocJt0JRGRpdnWsf-7NhJviPaUT-8abzbv1MQPAw2NYrrKEuDOj-VvjOj83NSvLyxzLu0LM-Oavxyyl7DdXwXk7VSls93boQ4FWfX4Hp8bnUqb6Mk2LC-Rup/s400/094_Osprey+Prairie+Rd.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fish-bearer is below; the one above checked it out many times but eventually flew off, fishless.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One of the osprey had a fish which apparently did not interest the other two enough for them to stick around. The fish-bearing Osprey circled around solo for about 20-30 minutes, and then devoured it alone. If anyone can enlighten me about the origin of the band and/or Osprey courtship rituals, please do!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95l1zfNYBxoBwxmB-O6WgwMukfV48cKreLPFj91DcXRdAU41oeEqJpog3dJiBC7Vu4q1kG1ZM9nUUCiA9NnDaqBkIf_kmOEufBeR4f-CxyONwNQbWoE9oP26AbuWjer0GAZ5JgkAqog4w/s1600/Osprey+eating+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95l1zfNYBxoBwxmB-O6WgwMukfV48cKreLPFj91DcXRdAU41oeEqJpog3dJiBC7Vu4q1kG1ZM9nUUCiA9NnDaqBkIf_kmOEufBeR4f-CxyONwNQbWoE9oP26AbuWjer0GAZ5JgkAqog4w/s320/Osprey+eating+fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKg7FQBMVxI-kY0eCgpjd7LPBGHT70m8TIW2FL6VIppzOdgnWDbUGIt0Qzy_r_gnksYTa9Rt9BsIC-Z_ipq-74zHLjrt9ylKk77dmHctLyqQW7BmEVpPbhZnInaBwZQFRE1XxXnibZdZu/s1600/062_Osprey+Prairie+Rd_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKg7FQBMVxI-kY0eCgpjd7LPBGHT70m8TIW2FL6VIppzOdgnWDbUGIt0Qzy_r_gnksYTa9Rt9BsIC-Z_ipq-74zHLjrt9ylKk77dmHctLyqQW7BmEVpPbhZnInaBwZQFRE1XxXnibZdZu/s400/062_Osprey+Prairie+Rd_crop.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-47566233484327205272013-04-14T21:51:00.001-07:002013-04-15T09:46:25.462-07:00Parade of the Handsome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pAVNi7evCA9ZiVkX773e8D74CVauWIgn2llEBcenqKFkR5NN9GJ8dN2Yu7-BVgDvD0q4zp0cyMP4iDeOL2kWptc97e_qQ5RNTXjJw-Ull68XmOrvAniYpkcfkJ0lTE0TNZNsQV5thtOh/s1600/160_Robin+fledgling+eating+berries_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pAVNi7evCA9ZiVkX773e8D74CVauWIgn2llEBcenqKFkR5NN9GJ8dN2Yu7-BVgDvD0q4zp0cyMP4iDeOL2kWptc97e_qQ5RNTXjJw-Ull68XmOrvAniYpkcfkJ0lTE0TNZNsQV5thtOh/s400/160_Robin+fledgling+eating+berries_crop.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, I realize I'm jumping ahead of the current season by posting a juvenile Robin eating berries last August in the Arboretum, but...but...it is so damn handsome I must share. My birding nerves are a-jangle in anticipation of the arrival of migrants and nests releasing fledglings--this shot is a foretaste of our upcoming avian pleasures.<br />
<br />
Here are two more fearsomely good-looking birds to tide us over until spring is in full-on mode.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqGzSkhOhD-PxlkgM10s5pwAHC7ycb2jRlon52sk7yH5sfuSv4ocG8YmW4K3L8ux4EvWk9fEBUYA0BDSw8JOd0ZM5hNCzDkxcDOgfV6Pr7hPKkm3EW37DkWR-DlfvmfUEoq-u8wETZMi4/s1600/Crow+with+blossoms-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqGzSkhOhD-PxlkgM10s5pwAHC7ycb2jRlon52sk7yH5sfuSv4ocG8YmW4K3L8ux4EvWk9fEBUYA0BDSw8JOd0ZM5hNCzDkxcDOgfV6Pr7hPKkm3EW37DkWR-DlfvmfUEoq-u8wETZMi4/s400/Crow+with+blossoms-crop.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
<br />
Without resorting to hyperbole, I have to say that this is the most handsome, distinguished crow I've ever seen--the late afternoon sun glossifying his plumage to perfection. Quintessential crow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMQMffeYy8wOcS9AE1pVTHg-MZNnbMA4HtcwhboZXYhoW4PMWdKl4Mt8Mi9gogVvvRD4gEUWJTl_ERI5c3cffVJuKBSX2T1mISfQQi9n2_TtGYtawTOama50zW1XocTBApIY12yU89WCU/s1600/Crow+in+flight_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMQMffeYy8wOcS9AE1pVTHg-MZNnbMA4HtcwhboZXYhoW4PMWdKl4Mt8Mi9gogVvvRD4gEUWJTl_ERI5c3cffVJuKBSX2T1mISfQQi9n2_TtGYtawTOama50zW1XocTBApIY12yU89WCU/s320/Crow+in+flight_crop.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
Twenty seconds later, I spied one of Capitol Hill's Cooper's Hawks patrolling the trees and lawn of Holy Names--unperturbed by dogs and children frolicking below. The intense orange-yellow eye reveals that it's a juvenile.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVox6yW1hh9Y6io844C0OcfxEroIsAG9OpQew2Jql2A5zi-8y6ddd2xfV8qOk5DjRsnCIYUUDlRmWX653qr_YVx3JegaJyEvUg2q-4SQzUF568KvQjMroPAneo84CVvbE9EujgCCHcz3xh/s1600/Cooper's+hawk+juv_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVox6yW1hh9Y6io844C0OcfxEroIsAG9OpQew2Jql2A5zi-8y6ddd2xfV8qOk5DjRsnCIYUUDlRmWX653qr_YVx3JegaJyEvUg2q-4SQzUF568KvQjMroPAneo84CVvbE9EujgCCHcz3xh/s400/Cooper's+hawk+juv_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-10323820760422780892013-04-06T17:31:00.000-07:002013-04-06T17:31:19.345-07:00Display on Display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80r8CmqmiZ0xrd3_WCz3Y9ZaaxaYoK_w6Eq_EZzL57ZI-8emGhzSk0ppcwOcfUECTPatsdsUjV715U1fpuffKt2ty0DhC1A8UmRD9Xvpv-vyGO5RO2DQ9lORbMjoaK9DzCc0ZDc_WE64C/s1600/Male+flicker+mating+display_5crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80r8CmqmiZ0xrd3_WCz3Y9ZaaxaYoK_w6Eq_EZzL57ZI-8emGhzSk0ppcwOcfUECTPatsdsUjV715U1fpuffKt2ty0DhC1A8UmRD9Xvpv-vyGO5RO2DQ9lORbMjoaK9DzCc0ZDc_WE64C/s400/Male+flicker+mating+display_5crop.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Unexpected servings of sunlight this morning revealed a Northern Flicker pair in full-on mating display at the Montlake Fill. The male drilled at the snag, fanned out his salmon-bright tail, then the female answered with her own fan display.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKjRa9z-okIqVTVagxPgF5VOB5s0_JKSsqOtB6W7UWkkMg5__SfWnYlrmaV2eyZoMxARSq4P7fXRNfwM8rX8hlirt1PKOQ7AFgd9Iqv67WxF1c84H5B_TNpKG99MELGtjRM62owdOULou/s1600/Flickers+courtship+display_81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKjRa9z-okIqVTVagxPgF5VOB5s0_JKSsqOtB6W7UWkkMg5__SfWnYlrmaV2eyZoMxARSq4P7fXRNfwM8rX8hlirt1PKOQ7AFgd9Iqv67WxF1c84H5B_TNpKG99MELGtjRM62owdOULou/s400/Flickers+courtship+display_81.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRhEDK_71D6Bj0zviExnutJPCXK7FR812TSxjqqnn92zetZSQqcSBvhsv-LoQbQHJ1ktidhqD734QGhgzh6BoPrb-whhrUzu88y15xUkM8iswxpW6MRP5rZPmAsZb2bO_n3b2moDBhEGL/s1600/Flicker+tail+mating+display_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRhEDK_71D6Bj0zviExnutJPCXK7FR812TSxjqqnn92zetZSQqcSBvhsv-LoQbQHJ1ktidhqD734QGhgzh6BoPrb-whhrUzu88y15xUkM8iswxpW6MRP5rZPmAsZb2bO_n3b2moDBhEGL/s200/Flicker+tail+mating+display_2.jpg" width="164" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6ozstX4Z4z2pjfg5my0evmAO90cMtLxF4ZD11ScmQEMhUqAkoyiD1QT1mE-HYRbkx92ZwGPS_l4Lko1NA5XcoCmFQVYNdW_UKO_NUBqq2W6Vdi9DLAuPZyXbhIC7ay06KSU9aCl2iLl_/s1600/Flicker+tail+mating+display_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6ozstX4Z4z2pjfg5my0evmAO90cMtLxF4ZD11ScmQEMhUqAkoyiD1QT1mE-HYRbkx92ZwGPS_l4Lko1NA5XcoCmFQVYNdW_UKO_NUBqq2W6Vdi9DLAuPZyXbhIC7ay06KSU9aCl2iLl_/s200/Flicker+tail+mating+display_1.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
<br />
He threw back his head a number of times, exposing his spotted breast. They would then switch positions--she'd be higher up for a bit, then he'd ascend to show off again from a higher branch. This duet of contortions and acrobatics lasted at least ten minutes; the mating imperatives made them indifferent to me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH-38aqNvIdii1GoodpaFOTr12zzZ7xdNQ7ryZWJpVHjdabiwXQ4jnVpEtwG2g0GdjPX2Hemm0cWEGoZYVgnKafcF2kdVF1-8wUG0k56h4-SDHrGKO-oe9SxbDpmHFQy6MMA7Jl58yV6t/s1600/Flickers+mating+display_7crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH-38aqNvIdii1GoodpaFOTr12zzZ7xdNQ7ryZWJpVHjdabiwXQ4jnVpEtwG2g0GdjPX2Hemm0cWEGoZYVgnKafcF2kdVF1-8wUG0k56h4-SDHrGKO-oe9SxbDpmHFQy6MMA7Jl58yV6t/s320/Flickers+mating+display_7crop.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2V-TFsYQNz-I9JHODzEgjD8T2Js6G0eHVgGEWp_OIB7Fp9_7gt9qHwiRRQcAaufyUkMnye8Uohxc0cPu-dTZZD7pF9kuqvaHEkw0tHEIzmIt-q-nMZEI2aKjiNf556uIMAgStFxbByLb/s1600/Flickers+matng+display_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2V-TFsYQNz-I9JHODzEgjD8T2Js6G0eHVgGEWp_OIB7Fp9_7gt9qHwiRRQcAaufyUkMnye8Uohxc0cPu-dTZZD7pF9kuqvaHEkw0tHEIzmIt-q-nMZEI2aKjiNf556uIMAgStFxbByLb/s320/Flickers+matng+display_6.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
About thirty minutes later, they landed on a nearby parking lot light structure; the male began rat-a-tat-tatting on the lamp. A male interloper joined them for a few seconds, and then was off to the south, probably in search of a solitary female.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-26980216079237649472012-05-26T13:20:00.001-07:002012-05-26T13:20:39.583-07:00Stormy WeatherFarmers, photographers and birders. If you want an accurate weather forecast, rely on 'em.<br />
<br />
Outdoor photographers must be exquisitely attuned to climatalogical and lighting conditions. To employ technical language: if the light sucks, the photos will be subpar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNOnPEVCIWt7rENN2KUAYUtt2siMwDFV04FiypXvzN4orAOcOHAad0sg9oNW1xwSMW_jq6TchX_VJxmoDxpPOmqzICzW2C70RjlYlkubMGUXIwZ88CZFNu1iPLpgEi_avSGDZXON0a_Gj/s1600/Lake+Washington+Montlake_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNOnPEVCIWt7rENN2KUAYUtt2siMwDFV04FiypXvzN4orAOcOHAad0sg9oNW1xwSMW_jq6TchX_VJxmoDxpPOmqzICzW2C70RjlYlkubMGUXIwZ88CZFNu1iPLpgEi_avSGDZXON0a_Gj/s320/Lake+Washington+Montlake_01.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<br />
Yesterday as I set out on my bike to bird the Montlake Fill, grey-black clouds hovered right over my destination on what was an otherwise glorious late spring day. Based upon decades of dependence on natural light as both a photographer and birder, I wagered that the fast-moving clouds would be gone by the time I arrived. Or, I gambled, a mini-storm could be to my advantage as it would create dramatic lighting and cause some interesting effects on bird activity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB30I7KXQBlyzLTejAvx_3dcEKoYGVA3pYpVvZtTCTd4Mx0oR3mIVgP6b5oolJcQcM4g6JjdttJ2MI-jWFBTLdAUtAXNREUOlugC_OzLnHXE-We7MHJXUlaKy5mT7ccQw-A1YxeUu4nGYr/s1600/Crows+fighting+playing_25-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB30I7KXQBlyzLTejAvx_3dcEKoYGVA3pYpVvZtTCTd4Mx0oR3mIVgP6b5oolJcQcM4g6JjdttJ2MI-jWFBTLdAUtAXNREUOlugC_OzLnHXE-We7MHJXUlaKy5mT7ccQw-A1YxeUu4nGYr/s320/Crows+fighting+playing_25-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Upon arrival, it was extremely windy and branches were down, the water and greenery were effervescent, and a mere three raindrops fell on me. My bet paid off: the birds, as a result of the dramatic winds, were particularly exercized, especially the crows and red-wing blackbirds, who are already excitable, territorial and bossy due to mating/nesting imperatives.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8-LeSv0TUzZFN6FnXyv2RMqu0sGC1gAw6IjNIcksJcuc6XPh9bibqzfDUIHBUKyWXTTQ5qYtRP1NnQ9N_WIH5REx-exMbYO7lLywQ-9hdIfn9Wi8le9YqqeyBm68yxWkwUUnzHtjLlKS/s1600/Crows+fighting+playing_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8-LeSv0TUzZFN6FnXyv2RMqu0sGC1gAw6IjNIcksJcuc6XPh9bibqzfDUIHBUKyWXTTQ5qYtRP1NnQ9N_WIH5REx-exMbYO7lLywQ-9hdIfn9Wi8le9YqqeyBm68yxWkwUUnzHtjLlKS/s320/Crows+fighting+playing_12.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X8pzCCDLR_-HihWrnszdPiVC8gnIyeti0zRX7Sudo9XIVYQ-5yu96ko861wjX3fWhfQlYWWRaC8yWjMWk9PaReoWXXlZlZXq3v8d91aSV9omQgyLacGfNr-pR3w-2XqojI9LUmIUJPfP/s1600/Crows+fighting+playing_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X8pzCCDLR_-HihWrnszdPiVC8gnIyeti0zRX7Sudo9XIVYQ-5yu96ko861wjX3fWhfQlYWWRaC8yWjMWk9PaReoWXXlZlZXq3v8d91aSV9omQgyLacGfNr-pR3w-2XqojI9LUmIUJPfP/s320/Crows+fighting+playing_14.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINdZ-QZPcuOSCzqcSyHiRs8ay1AFxDebDdvW-SLB0whbt1_XWADOWuDshy4Q0Kx4JtFii_S-7YfWuMkHShdtMVRA214t4cTl_tNveIInl_gZe14ugtRrmhmWgB54zglus75R7mIcmsHhk/s1600/Crows+fighting+playing_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINdZ-QZPcuOSCzqcSyHiRs8ay1AFxDebDdvW-SLB0whbt1_XWADOWuDshy4Q0Kx4JtFii_S-7YfWuMkHShdtMVRA214t4cTl_tNveIInl_gZe14ugtRrmhmWgB54zglus75R7mIcmsHhk/s320/Crows+fighting+playing_13.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I saw red-wing blackbirds mobbing a Cooper's hawk; crows play-fighting with each other, assisted by post-storm gusts; a crow trying to raid a tree swallow's nest; a different crow terrorizing a parent robin who had built an unwisely exposed nest; and red-wing blackbirds mobbing crows.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_98UHR5zECB04WHIeFrUSn1DSpkY3r5E51STH9aWMOIBZQ7ClxommzR5nYiaJzuy8_Bo8xv88wMIzGEs0uC52zWR843DMD6n9q8RBlG8Os41UhOLCNexKpWyU-_oaHv2NplFXY5TzC0A/s1600/Crow+vs+swallow+at+nest_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_98UHR5zECB04WHIeFrUSn1DSpkY3r5E51STH9aWMOIBZQ7ClxommzR5nYiaJzuy8_Bo8xv88wMIzGEs0uC52zWR843DMD6n9q8RBlG8Os41UhOLCNexKpWyU-_oaHv2NplFXY5TzC0A/s320/Crow+vs+swallow+at+nest_12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Tree swallow dive-bombing crow who repeatedly tried to get inside its nest cavity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4D5WKko1Mfw0u-4lz3-HmRORdPpbDmkUMQx4gZ3oUHTxX3HUH5uX2XukRxtwDuc2D5cwPMKceXPzaYzlB_rJOVuTBgA4HdYFDK6P3_C9uUelclcCTZzlCQ07-DMTApXCnc645XmFpLB5T/s1600/Crow+vs+swallow+at+nest_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4D5WKko1Mfw0u-4lz3-HmRORdPpbDmkUMQx4gZ3oUHTxX3HUH5uX2XukRxtwDuc2D5cwPMKceXPzaYzlB_rJOVuTBgA4HdYFDK6P3_C9uUelclcCTZzlCQ07-DMTApXCnc645XmFpLB5T/s320/Crow+vs+swallow+at+nest_15.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUqO_XLtR4GCF9oDu64Ehaoh8Bwr7r4XFc5vT1t9xMpgY7HgTmBiYu4bb3H0M2vvfjkd89EGlhB2JtbcwEQcqX_sOrh_W8lzmHpH1KlJYH6CJA7lDtq8eu62-e53gY-4k6kW2MvT9zgRB/s1600/Crow+vs+RWBB_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUqO_XLtR4GCF9oDu64Ehaoh8Bwr7r4XFc5vT1t9xMpgY7HgTmBiYu4bb3H0M2vvfjkd89EGlhB2JtbcwEQcqX_sOrh_W8lzmHpH1KlJYH6CJA7lDtq8eu62-e53gY-4k6kW2MvT9zgRB/s320/Crow+vs+RWBB_04.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-wing blackbird mobbing crow with plane in background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On a less contentious note, an exuberantly bathing gadwall sprayed a coot and a couple of mallards. Not sure if the mallard is appreciative or annoyed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmH9AMFnVAfL-xD-svLlWHNnd90hcUNw-PhwCFGSLN-G_YiGMftzc0gbw_qDgYRgbY4KB3Q6zFzknrrltZI9ObT_8Uu_hmFJatvAl5F6Yr1FpzARTbsskIhBmcxHhRzIpffrLB7ZBalcO/s1600/Duck+bath_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmH9AMFnVAfL-xD-svLlWHNnd90hcUNw-PhwCFGSLN-G_YiGMftzc0gbw_qDgYRgbY4KB3Q6zFzknrrltZI9ObT_8Uu_hmFJatvAl5F6Yr1FpzARTbsskIhBmcxHhRzIpffrLB7ZBalcO/s320/Duck+bath_12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-69438701037275844492012-05-19T18:28:00.001-07:002012-05-19T18:28:02.994-07:00Hoot-hoot in the Hood!Yup, within a 10-minute walk of my house, barred owls are in residence.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5hgtcUwIB3yyM-dt-_hKozSO67p69KR7uLML1jHS43fsxucID9zniGT_m83TrwrjpHKuVk080oJjETieXpQYnlSrLcpKMNVms0xXQ_zKtmRxm6kYsZcpgwlt4nvTe1KxJqZ7BYnSytzG/s1600/Barred+owl+Interlaken_046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5hgtcUwIB3yyM-dt-_hKozSO67p69KR7uLML1jHS43fsxucID9zniGT_m83TrwrjpHKuVk080oJjETieXpQYnlSrLcpKMNVms0xXQ_zKtmRxm6kYsZcpgwlt4nvTe1KxJqZ7BYnSytzG/s320/Barred+owl+Interlaken_046.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Territorial, vocal crows helped my locate both mother and father in Interlaken Park last week. Barred owls are of a mammal-like bulk (21" tall) and relatively unfazed by human presence--they will stretch, emit wisdom, yawn, gambol, sleep, be serene, faire la toilette, hunt, etc. within 10-15 feet of a person (in this case, me.)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2WotjbjhjGx5sx5QC5HtJ1emaphYeHMQuGiRLGyQj5p8I9Sn0eFp_gY3noJPkS6R-YyP3TvtdKRJq8ZtHYDjWIAWXDHxpO_OYR4rhcORM4nCvyw6fsEU5BAzFGqx7fb3yjkCKsTkkbbo/s1600/Barred+owl+Interlaken_063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2WotjbjhjGx5sx5QC5HtJ1emaphYeHMQuGiRLGyQj5p8I9Sn0eFp_gY3noJPkS6R-YyP3TvtdKRJq8ZtHYDjWIAWXDHxpO_OYR4rhcORM4nCvyw6fsEU5BAzFGqx7fb3yjkCKsTkkbbo/s320/Barred+owl+Interlaken_063.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaaEesdbXB-UyDCYQPgzkJstpX7PYXgkBfFmisuLIrF1od7qOXOl6YfUqJRKEon4SL4HP2tnN_OJkPqPKhA7afyQgewyLbOkK-84_dFkxZLgm_L-OX8Q0SpiF0WNQgMsHnI8x1qwkHtXt/s1600/Barred+owl+flying+Interlaken_049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaaEesdbXB-UyDCYQPgzkJstpX7PYXgkBfFmisuLIrF1od7qOXOl6YfUqJRKEon4SL4HP2tnN_OJkPqPKhA7afyQgewyLbOkK-84_dFkxZLgm_L-OX8Q0SpiF0WNQgMsHnI8x1qwkHtXt/s320/Barred+owl+flying+Interlaken_049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is consternation and controversy regarding this species. According to the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Barred Owl is non-native species to the West, including Western Washington. It has migrated across the continent into western U.S. forests from eastern states. Where the ranges of Barred Owls and Spotted Owls overlap, the Barred Owl has proven to be a more successful competitor that adversely impacts the Spotted Owl. Spotted Owl populations in Washington have been declining at a rate of 7.3% per year. On the Olympic Peninsula, the Barred Owl has increased five-fold in the past 10 years. Biologists observe that the Spotted Owl is being pushed to higher elevations on the Peninsula because of competition from the Barred Owl, which prefers lower forested areas.</blockquote>
I have mixed feelings about their presence. As an urban birder, it's a treat to be able to hang out with owls, but this gratitude is tinged with an uneasy awareness of their effect on other species.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4918w_unxL9qjqvQFAt5wznLxCJwdZzMRMAag5KrITKWdyHpsZGRXYvkUxySkdYBqhwgGeD7jskNXJmf8vFbW6S8nnzsmyDwQxKN-ptg0N_xldVU2PTEOBPP40ZnMXhC1zFYj7qS_FjoZ/s1600/Barred+owl+egg_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4918w_unxL9qjqvQFAt5wznLxCJwdZzMRMAag5KrITKWdyHpsZGRXYvkUxySkdYBqhwgGeD7jskNXJmf8vFbW6S8nnzsmyDwQxKN-ptg0N_xldVU2PTEOBPP40ZnMXhC1zFYj7qS_FjoZ/s320/Barred+owl+egg_09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's a happy sight for a barred owl-hater: a partially-developed (feathers are visible) egg that I guess was ejected from the nest to the forest floor by a parent or perhaps taken by a raccoon. (If you know otherwise, please let me know.) Beetles are now devouring the partially developed and feathered remains.</div>Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-26874995553881129552012-03-14T12:02:00.000-07:002012-03-14T12:02:21.139-07:00Four-winged, two-backed beastMy romantic life has been so barren of late that I have had more luck finding birds in courtship/mating mode than in engaging in such behavior myself.<br />
<br />
Friday was a bonanza for observing mating rituals--spring is stirring and I was in prime raptor habitat: the Cle Elum to Thorp area, where coniferous mountains give way to rolling shrub-steppe and flat agricultural land. <br />
<br />
I arrived at the Cle Elum River around 7:30. Within minutes, raptor-ish squawking was overhead: a mature eagle (meaning it sported a fully white head and tail) heading toward the river. Then another.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgXPWz9IZuXWf80oKpsRDjO9pepJpA_Pafj79JpJLT0URtbKxxNrt06hkXiV60htWSAqnk1e7rN33Xj3dRuh1t6hX1WrfXAI4p3mmp2v8kvciVJpcPeyVRnRo9FHRMK_nei-m_Z0daYoR/s1600/Bald+eagles+mating_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgXPWz9IZuXWf80oKpsRDjO9pepJpA_Pafj79JpJLT0URtbKxxNrt06hkXiV60htWSAqnk1e7rN33Xj3dRuh1t6hX1WrfXAI4p3mmp2v8kvciVJpcPeyVRnRo9FHRMK_nei-m_Z0daYoR/s320/Bald+eagles+mating_06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Female on right; females are typically<br />
larger than males.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
They were flying very close together--a mated pair. After zooming over the water, one landed atop a snag and the other soon
made purchase on her back. For bird sex, it was long-playing—29 seconds, according to my camera's metadata. Like males of many species, among them
<i>homo sapiens</i>, he threw back his
head, proclaiming pleasure and conquest, both during and after copulation.<br />
<br />
From a distance, their bodies merged, becoming a beast with two backs--plus four wings. Below is the sequence:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4IfzwnAwZ_OnECDvLqNh4eEYet1zi_-zBG5_YlC3fawiI-sEJSxOHozZQcZ-frd7h5XxgT1lMVCuKKZ4PZXHfaDEsOLgdjR0pTTuCAjzGuXFNCivJEczZeYgIor2tH7QQOQaB7x3u6lK/s1600/Bald+eagles+mating_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4IfzwnAwZ_OnECDvLqNh4eEYet1zi_-zBG5_YlC3fawiI-sEJSxOHozZQcZ-frd7h5XxgT1lMVCuKKZ4PZXHfaDEsOLgdjR0pTTuCAjzGuXFNCivJEczZeYgIor2tH7QQOQaB7x3u6lK/s320/Bald+eagles+mating_07.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The male is now on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlfL8Jdp5E0XEsfqgAyIDIjbllur0VZdoI5MdgGfJKdTqSYIXxgcmZKgO8t1U4LXBs7vO1ZlT8HCtwcZcL1iWLcKi3VKtdIho8jiugQlBpWO5_6u_-lmW_6C4jh3NTNHJHIml-GJCdpcP/s1600/Bald+eagles+mating_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlfL8Jdp5E0XEsfqgAyIDIjbllur0VZdoI5MdgGfJKdTqSYIXxgcmZKgO8t1U4LXBs7vO1ZlT8HCtwcZcL1iWLcKi3VKtdIho8jiugQlBpWO5_6u_-lmW_6C4jh3NTNHJHIml-GJCdpcP/s320/Bald+eagles+mating_13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoKmM0t0-pNBfaufn-0GGfPKJK6Txx9aVIh1QtQqsroxZeHVLN7t27beBjyPiGJ1fprx6rT8Qq81Bxz3AWN2tkaaHD-ewGm1LNuLatiT1FtM6CgMHbmXPtzms_bmRKT2YgqG5Fu24lm69/s1600/Bald+eagles+mating_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoKmM0t0-pNBfaufn-0GGfPKJK6Txx9aVIh1QtQqsroxZeHVLN7t27beBjyPiGJ1fprx6rT8Qq81Bxz3AWN2tkaaHD-ewGm1LNuLatiT1FtM6CgMHbmXPtzms_bmRKT2YgqG5Fu24lm69/s320/Bald+eagles+mating_14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3P_7LY2xEZHa8ynKf-Hu_croa-W6_P6JxO-_cMf9nqdZiWifLQ4oDDvoPbPvJQAXOY3-MrhL6hQSegGnbumZiP3JtcnD74k8O0yC4MUhXEQVHZcI57Mz9U8zwimZSLk5aME2emByvY1l/s1600/Bald+eagles+mating_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3P_7LY2xEZHa8ynKf-Hu_croa-W6_P6JxO-_cMf9nqdZiWifLQ4oDDvoPbPvJQAXOY3-MrhL6hQSegGnbumZiP3JtcnD74k8O0yC4MUhXEQVHZcI57Mz9U8zwimZSLk5aME2emByvY1l/s320/Bald+eagles+mating_16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Pj95DOuYXY7ZGr0sDdCs_bX1CPOOCY9JV3igreN5HVlXJWdMTCPpZk_ixx1ObGduI5q0gaKQu2jDNz8wp8FOTROmszG0wFE5clm9B02k86QvUecKoc3Bvd5OUqgqG3wZ9C9pkh08gJVX/s1600/Bald+eagles+mating_17-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Pj95DOuYXY7ZGr0sDdCs_bX1CPOOCY9JV3igreN5HVlXJWdMTCPpZk_ixx1ObGduI5q0gaKQu2jDNz8wp8FOTROmszG0wFE5clm9B02k86QvUecKoc3Bvd5OUqgqG3wZ9C9pkh08gJVX/s320/Bald+eagles+mating_17-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypGrBv12phLxpkmOBzSEuAd07x2IJxxuoGG0wLFKk8kxLSis1NFwKunk1G8IC60_WxP2UjqGJWEFNzC6_Wgww1fttVZQNZM8iE_o62mok9uPS801iTJCsDD01BBpChFD6S-wdvKxR6fCp/s1600/Bald+eagles+mating_18.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypGrBv12phLxpkmOBzSEuAd07x2IJxxuoGG0wLFKk8kxLSis1NFwKunk1G8IC60_WxP2UjqGJWEFNzC6_Wgww1fttVZQNZM8iE_o62mok9uPS801iTJCsDD01BBpChFD6S-wdvKxR6fCp/s320/Bald+eagles+mating_18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03AKRqoJFNW0IZZy3XXC-UW6JXW69HAgAqDv4e5MfXGPtTiH-als4YYLNni2VvLe7SsopbAWw82CLqrf0NukoC37kHSJbpZezsxuOU49QnhA3gWBzstJOLk97o-Fs_Aq58Yw3lGnEKl0g/s1600/Bald+eagles+post-mating_84-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03AKRqoJFNW0IZZy3XXC-UW6JXW69HAgAqDv4e5MfXGPtTiH-als4YYLNni2VvLe7SsopbAWw82CLqrf0NukoC37kHSJbpZezsxuOU49QnhA3gWBzstJOLk97o-Fs_Aq58Yw3lGnEKl0g/s320/Bald+eagles+post-mating_84-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vILDvMB8K_CO04ldj1CseJ2aBpHKxRkklHR9SmWB2zShanEOnaAvX52BU0r8SD93sNApeeeAPLi93JFa8gYJ0pFm1uHmIeVKRmhb5n6pNgFT0gXHGBArlq0cWiCPBd-fkdJn5BrN3_P9/s1600/Bald+eagles+post-mating_92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vILDvMB8K_CO04ldj1CseJ2aBpHKxRkklHR9SmWB2zShanEOnaAvX52BU0r8SD93sNApeeeAPLi93JFa8gYJ0pFm1uHmIeVKRmhb5n6pNgFT0gXHGBArlq0cWiCPBd-fkdJn5BrN3_P9/s320/Bald+eagles+post-mating_92.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-39526850603649475972012-03-10T17:50:00.001-08:002012-03-10T17:50:31.853-08:00Cute Butt!I've never been much of an ass connoisseur (human or otherwise), but this white-breasted nuthatch's butt is the cutest avian posterior I've ever seen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUK9LtG0G187xubjdE67dcaVz_8wJrgrW17LCnl0BX_rZVqBLEvwEsw5gf70fRjXSiPUMDSlGmHIRxg7A83FjBtXj1kVTCXWsiQpuGhSerAsa5RlQMMiMJ_d8zlo2uE-ycc4v5hVmn2VX/s1600/White-breasted+nuthatch_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUK9LtG0G187xubjdE67dcaVz_8wJrgrW17LCnl0BX_rZVqBLEvwEsw5gf70fRjXSiPUMDSlGmHIRxg7A83FjBtXj1kVTCXWsiQpuGhSerAsa5RlQMMiMJ_d8zlo2uE-ycc4v5hVmn2VX/s400/White-breasted+nuthatch_23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Nuthatches are perennially peripatetic; they are forever nimbly scrambling around tree trunks in search of food. Like creepers, chickadees and bushtits, they are industrious and seemingly indefatigable. I have never seen one at rest, just doing nothing. Even hummingbirds, certainly the most energetic of birds, take breaks and nap in the sun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Zsdb79ziY5JwF0Fe__MvHTMPIPJ1-CZwYgq00LKxJUDZ7ZRlqJnhGHj9vGZdTaO6scjUQ6xXXjQf8vsxervtiuOlQmOp85IRdnxnktZaIeIXa4cMg49UNGGzOwJ0N1NsWay-_uxnwDRs/s1600/White-breasted+nuthatch_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Zsdb79ziY5JwF0Fe__MvHTMPIPJ1-CZwYgq00LKxJUDZ7ZRlqJnhGHj9vGZdTaO6scjUQ6xXXjQf8vsxervtiuOlQmOp85IRdnxnktZaIeIXa4cMg49UNGGzOwJ0N1NsWay-_uxnwDRs/s400/White-breasted+nuthatch_22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Nuthatches have the ability to scale trees upside down, as shown above, and sideways. Needless to say, it was a workout to follow their movements with my camera.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCCpe276wZLBN6shyphenhyphenolNK-RN8TvbtQRc68q3TrxEEsNqBFxwiqAh35YvzNPa_hGmGQOLX3pDz607VVuzYiwrICxhpMkvyA0VlFUpU70R5c7pX8uiOfNR45khO6iL0lPXj9HcyUGh-AzkJ/s1600/White-breasted+nuthatch_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCCpe276wZLBN6shyphenhyphenolNK-RN8TvbtQRc68q3TrxEEsNqBFxwiqAh35YvzNPa_hGmGQOLX3pDz607VVuzYiwrICxhpMkvyA0VlFUpU70R5c7pX8uiOfNR45khO6iL0lPXj9HcyUGh-AzkJ/s400/White-breasted+nuthatch_18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-32679429443498805742012-02-25T14:17:00.001-08:002012-02-25T14:17:58.672-08:00A Bird in the Hand"I want to take you to a secret place in the woods where the birds eat out of your hands."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
I--and my Zipcar--were stuck in a ditch along a country road in the Skagit Flats when I got this text from my friend Nancy. Needless to say, this was added reason to get the hell out of that ditch STAT.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A couple of hours (and many fresh-faced offers of help from young farmboys in trucks) later, I was indeed standing in the woods with a chestnut-backed chickadee clinging with its spidery-soft-but-tenacious toes to my hand, snatching a peanut with its mosquito-sized beak.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5dZBfgnbvLMg1CXh2YW2VihQbCQAYEW0GlnglhToszzbfSNXZTD1aqK_-7XffXdoaaYrBPbIYxPe8EIWgYOBbJVLbJrNPeszzVWHeR7IkwZRcHX1CqrNIgw0pSgCSEkkxO3MTMuvXYJL/s1600/04_Clare+handfeeding+chickadee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5dZBfgnbvLMg1CXh2YW2VihQbCQAYEW0GlnglhToszzbfSNXZTD1aqK_-7XffXdoaaYrBPbIYxPe8EIWgYOBbJVLbJrNPeszzVWHeR7IkwZRcHX1CqrNIgw0pSgCSEkkxO3MTMuvXYJL/s400/04_Clare+handfeeding+chickadee.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Never having seen this species up close before, I was able to marvel at its subtle coloration: a warm cinnamon-red in its sleek black cap.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQG4-jUY989bWVCdC0RExckjM_12XVuK6I77a0ZMGkLfBWnTO5l432fjPusu8YTpcZIsnL1wWet4_eqNQ1gV4KI9BTnSB2h3EltVALn-FqQXnDf8txcWQZf7WCwhQVZqe_tlRUYWAPjcuW/s1600/Nancy+handfeeding+chickadee_08crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQG4-jUY989bWVCdC0RExckjM_12XVuK6I77a0ZMGkLfBWnTO5l432fjPusu8YTpcZIsnL1wWet4_eqNQ1gV4KI9BTnSB2h3EltVALn-FqQXnDf8txcWQZf7WCwhQVZqe_tlRUYWAPjcuW/s320/Nancy+handfeeding+chickadee_08crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Apparently, the people who own this land outside of La Conner have stood with their nut-filled hands outstretched so often that the birds have gradually acclimated to humans who come bearing food.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you very much to Nancy and Wendy for sharing this magical experience with me.</div>Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-58458078908959467692012-01-29T10:38:00.000-08:002012-01-29T10:38:08.695-08:00Cherry Red<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE9kaMsNW_7vJvjQxH5MWBRGJNwewD4NftuUSbahwAXG0r-8lzn6g-1X3Lg7LT9RnlO1DC5LUSZ02szZYAn2owKn4D86feHOv76pcsEwgywu_02Vkgcsv8lcz9DxpCPW0iKWdiWBRjg1v/s1600/Crow+juvenile+red+mouth_1-2crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE9kaMsNW_7vJvjQxH5MWBRGJNwewD4NftuUSbahwAXG0r-8lzn6g-1X3Lg7LT9RnlO1DC5LUSZ02szZYAn2owKn4D86feHOv76pcsEwgywu_02Vkgcsv8lcz9DxpCPW0iKWdiWBRjg1v/s400/Crow+juvenile+red+mouth_1-2crop.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
A few tell-tale anatomical features of a young crow are well-displayed here: its blue eyes and pinkish-red inner mouth (called a gape by ornithologists). The angle of the sun and the crow's posture coincide to strikingly illuminate its cherry-red mouth.<br />
<br />
Many bird species have a gape in the red-orange-pink-yellow range; the generally accepted explanation is that such bright coloration helps the parent bird more readily hit its target when arriving with food for its young. In other words, the brighter the gape, the greater a nestling's competitive advantage over its siblings.<br />
<br />
In another pleasing coincidence, right across the street from this cherry-gaped crow were bunches of cherries, also enhanced by the sun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10d-9y0V2ssWx0PQIDBLivaAg_TU4j2nB7N-hq2HrGreTYnJQG39ydtSEqwIidCuoo0KawoZ9vYtifp2ho91bpC4SIliPloj0JMbU6sSCCJHjw_3Hm7ixauromF7JPwJezQ-qmDCTchxu/s1600/Cherries_375crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10d-9y0V2ssWx0PQIDBLivaAg_TU4j2nB7N-hq2HrGreTYnJQG39ydtSEqwIidCuoo0KawoZ9vYtifp2ho91bpC4SIliPloj0JMbU6sSCCJHjw_3Hm7ixauromF7JPwJezQ-qmDCTchxu/s320/Cherries_375crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-6037164230513093932012-01-18T09:30:00.000-08:002012-01-29T10:22:49.901-08:00Crow Alpinist?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DYcgL7Nif30?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Lord knows I'm not an animal behaviorist, but here's my perspective on this popular crow-sledding video: I'm a curmudgeonly non-anthropomorphizer on this one; I do not believe that the crow is engaging in what real birdologists call "tool-making or play behavior".<br />
<br />
Crows are curious and tenacious and will explore an object quite exhaustively (to our eyes, at least). This bird seems more concerned with pecking at the object's rim than in using it to gain unlimited sled rides. Notice how it continues to drill it after ride #2. It then takes the object back to the roof's apex for more beakwork--rather than setting itself up for another downhill ride. Nor do I see the crow making a connection between its pecking motion/body weight propulsion and the ensuing downhill ride.<br />
<br />
I will admit to some very non-scientific anthropomorphic outbursts when it comes to our avian friends (see, there I go again!), but in this case, I'm gonna play it more objectively.<br />
<br />
Thank you to fellow crow-lover John S. for sharing with me!<br />
<br />
<i>Addendum as of January 29:</i> After further conversation with a few others, I should clarify that I don't deny that the crow experienced some enjoyment or sense of "play" from the slide. But I don't believe enjoyment was the bird's <i>primary motivation</i>. Any positive experience of that nature, I posit, was secondary and/or incidental to its primary motivation, which was figuring what out what the hell that lid is and/or does it have any edible food particles.Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-76443756130934877552011-12-18T10:09:00.000-08:002011-12-18T10:14:33.161-08:00Summer Pleasures on Sabbatical<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSDGIJ8ut17OfA6qScqHe9IVlRYXsMaDvsEoHMZulK4P9T4wlPbakwno9GxokFIbZ-169xMLtFhFqnxM1RDbmZ9MydNS3oNWUE9D11BfbMrpQ-xc3TVaJfrC61FJT1GuDeJtT7zHhsttf/s1600/GBH+Montlake_99crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSDGIJ8ut17OfA6qScqHe9IVlRYXsMaDvsEoHMZulK4P9T4wlPbakwno9GxokFIbZ-169xMLtFhFqnxM1RDbmZ9MydNS3oNWUE9D11BfbMrpQ-xc3TVaJfrC61FJT1GuDeJtT7zHhsttf/s320/GBH+Montlake_99crop.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great blue heron being great, Montlake Fill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here's how my birderbrain works: it's the end of December which means it's practically January which means it's practically spring which means spring migration is nigh which means I'll be spending 12 hours a day tromping through fields and grasses and forests and deserts and mosquitoes, over rattlesnakes and brambles, etc., laden with camera, lenses, binocs, water, field guide, snack bars, etc. And despite these physical impositions, I'll be blissed out and high. (Am I the only birder in the world to embark upon a fitness program to enhance my staying power in the field?)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwLYwks5W3bXh48RYqMuVpYjV4m2gFZ73k2qO5O4e3bbdiPiuwYXOYeKD4HXitkjjEIhhoWVa9k6L8Nj9sKTPsRYobbygHwE7PcP3XRWSmOvvZ-3_NTj79onys14sVUd15cE-Y79XCYve/s1600/07_Common+yellowthroat+female+near+nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwLYwks5W3bXh48RYqMuVpYjV4m2gFZ73k2qO5O4e3bbdiPiuwYXOYeKD4HXitkjjEIhhoWVa9k6L8Nj9sKTPsRYobbygHwE7PcP3XRWSmOvvZ-3_NTj79onys14sVUd15cE-Y79XCYve/s320/07_Common+yellowthroat+female+near+nest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female common yellowthroat near nest, Montlake Fill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In other words, I am already lusting and salivating at the prospect of weekends spent birding and shooting. Realistically, it's a few months away, but it seems practically touchable right now.<br />
<br />
Anyways, here is a small glimpse of spring/summer pleasures to tide us through the next few months of damp greyness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvloOgXKSlvndv0RCnexh0Lz1aURFKXBhHtkwWtIOJXpjK6rq7-dz53kBGkiPtiSicr-gyHJUEZbEzQ4vZ685MqD0Q1Kva8ep73Uk0fb9X0sMQKQhF-XFjEiMP2MWRnvAFLKv3o6Qg1hD/s1600/Savannah+sparrow+singing_09crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvloOgXKSlvndv0RCnexh0Lz1aURFKXBhHtkwWtIOJXpjK6rq7-dz53kBGkiPtiSicr-gyHJUEZbEzQ4vZ685MqD0Q1Kva8ep73Uk0fb9X0sMQKQhF-XFjEiMP2MWRnvAFLKv3o6Qg1hD/s320/Savannah+sparrow+singing_09crop.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savannah sparrow rockin' out, Montlake Fill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mlvIIyQvN_An7oMA-2gYX8IABZ4N_tFdxzjNUX-DewwBIQmGRFEbX_yUEoVcmp6GZwSRyeTN9s_xcXj0thj2mf8Xg7bhIersAZu5nyzbnYeZimL_sda2vkTHG6iUebwGbdcSCGnUwbHy/s1600/Bewick%2527s+wren+singing+purple+flowers_03crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mlvIIyQvN_An7oMA-2gYX8IABZ4N_tFdxzjNUX-DewwBIQmGRFEbX_yUEoVcmp6GZwSRyeTN9s_xcXj0thj2mf8Xg7bhIersAZu5nyzbnYeZimL_sda2vkTHG6iUebwGbdcSCGnUwbHy/s320/Bewick%2527s+wren+singing+purple+flowers_03crop.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bewick's wren rockin' out, UW campus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-27578487481259098942011-11-26T20:49:00.001-08:002011-11-26T21:36:48.233-08:00Saurus, I Say<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
In case you ever wondered about the reptilian-avian connection, I submit the following:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasVsjJ21GUPdmM1x2QEH3gSnOzgXc7CZVXxRfvbbbsgoHJmE2PB2TcbHk91WcQcCSVC-KDa2xsUE_0Fu6lFKy2HvwIbfAtAijl08aAhaM5Usedx-15uanSrt82BrSJFYTyFyTIOFToKxn/s1600/GBH+Ridgefield_266cropB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasVsjJ21GUPdmM1x2QEH3gSnOzgXc7CZVXxRfvbbbsgoHJmE2PB2TcbHk91WcQcCSVC-KDa2xsUE_0Fu6lFKy2HvwIbfAtAijl08aAhaM5Usedx-15uanSrt82BrSJFYTyFyTIOFToKxn/s400/GBH+Ridgefield_266cropB.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<br />
If you've never been on the receiving end of a bird's really pissed off and/or threatened <i>hiiiiissssssssssssss</i>, trust me: they are reptiles with wings. (I've lived with two cockatiels for a decade, so I know of what I speak.)<br />
<br />
If you've never witnessed a heron crouched, neck contracted and spring-loaded to strike, trust me: they are reptiles with beaks. (Their success rate is about triple that of an MVP's batting average, btw.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGyFd5NZouBe8oPedtsWjpx2NEWeTOr-GnBfcEJAqki3GuRw-3ixoH0reIuQqsM8J-Mf3mEdAXHdHMEAHia5TKifA3_rPawWV745ENHqArIQXuR1e1LExSgRVL85yKQAGvnT3_qYBQ93Z/s1600/GBH+hunting+Ridgefield_325.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGyFd5NZouBe8oPedtsWjpx2NEWeTOr-GnBfcEJAqki3GuRw-3ixoH0reIuQqsM8J-Mf3mEdAXHdHMEAHia5TKifA3_rPawWV745ENHqArIQXuR1e1LExSgRVL85yKQAGvnT3_qYBQ93Z/s400/GBH+hunting+Ridgefield_325.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7axFr9K1O725Q6XvbMaPaxCC_YTGW5i94gDzc3rQbOuvv4up17kIrOW5_OTOyCe-zkKU3k7OLwdAO6jNNT8zfx8auzYl3aMZuGeK33hOQ3PHPr-sSqJ-2GMFb-TIGXFlbM-dR7eAY9Gk/s1600/Great+egret+hunting_761crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7axFr9K1O725Q6XvbMaPaxCC_YTGW5i94gDzc3rQbOuvv4up17kIrOW5_OTOyCe-zkKU3k7OLwdAO6jNNT8zfx8auzYl3aMZuGeK33hOQ3PHPr-sSqJ-2GMFb-TIGXFlbM-dR7eAY9Gk/s400/Great+egret+hunting_761crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Saurus, I say. (<i>Sauros</i> is Ancient Greek for lizard--hence, dinosaur.)</div>
<br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-33957400383521654272011-11-20T09:33:00.001-08:002011-11-20T11:34:05.895-08:00RIP, Stripey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOF9beT9gPPHwryPVCnN6T-_P7D0eE_90JHNbld3khtuVJobvU3eZf3pAMiiztZI3Ifp1BAT4hAmSPADsQHiUDgWbQ74dTPwdpxS6l3UDMx2pfAQ0l4Iyzfv4AazTyIro-t4AXtQWkmu2/s1600/Stripey+dead_43crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOF9beT9gPPHwryPVCnN6T-_P7D0eE_90JHNbld3khtuVJobvU3eZf3pAMiiztZI3Ifp1BAT4hAmSPADsQHiUDgWbQ74dTPwdpxS6l3UDMx2pfAQ0l4Iyzfv4AazTyIro-t4AXtQWkmu2/s400/Stripey+dead_43crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Time finally came yesterday--the time to put Stripey to sleep. She had lived for ten months with a medical condition that usually kills cockatiels in 24-48 hours.<br />
<br />
But that's how Stripey was: indomitable, bombastic, contrarian. Not only did she run the sexual pursuit and mounting of Lemon as if she were the alpha male, but she built nests, laid eggs, and sat on them for 3 weeks at a time. (Periods that were a merciful respite from the tyranny of Stripey, for both Lemon and myself.)<br />
<br />
Stripey's flight and walk were impertinent, demanding, devil-may-care. I could tell the difference between her arrival and Lemon's on my bed or on the back of my chair: Lemon is dainty and gentle; Stripey was full of bombast and bluster. She would have made a great solider of fortune.<br />
<br />
Before placing her in the vet's gas chamber I involuntarily whispered, "Stripey, you made me a better person." Who would think that 98 grams of blood, muscle, beak and feather could do that? Caring for Stripey and Lemon enlivened a selflessness and unconditional love in me that I hadn't thought possible for an unmarried, child- and spouse-unencumbered person like myself. I finally got the smallest inkling of what parenthood can provoke in a person.<br />
<br />
I really thought Stripey might just wake up after being put to sleep and proclaim, "Hi, I'm back!" That's how crazy and defiant and untamable she was.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
But no, she is nestled sweetly--and uncharacteristically--in a box, placed there gently by the vet. She is lying in state in the living room today.<br />
<br />
I'm okay with this but know that I will be an inconsolable mess when Lemon dies. She is vastly sweeter and more vulnerable than Stripey and in turn provokes great tenderness and protectiveness in me.<br />
<br />
Here is Striper in classic "What the FUCK you looking at?!" mode:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_lb5emHoYsbViWrb_yz5P335cp88Vu4bsOgd55Gr-i8isqGh3zobInuSYQPm1nL-fU572GHDPfqKOhifJ-Kw5q_V_UfRzkAPuftAHKNoIcMc7WBf-IunwhBtq7Z55_YBUB6wtgpZsOnt/s1600/Stripey_DSC8560.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_lb5emHoYsbViWrb_yz5P335cp88Vu4bsOgd55Gr-i8isqGh3zobInuSYQPm1nL-fU572GHDPfqKOhifJ-Kw5q_V_UfRzkAPuftAHKNoIcMc7WBf-IunwhBtq7Z55_YBUB6wtgpZsOnt/s320/Stripey_DSC8560.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here I am saying goodbye at the vet (shot by the singularly sensitive and sympathetic vet assistant to whom I'll always be grateful. She made what could have been an alienating and cold experience as graceful and sweet as was possible.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWunSxQTgfxPm0YamI7nTTveUJ5zkmBadZAm8FYxG5QzZmHE3GoljBRHJvim9wcQ7D-DWreuQKPFaC3jjFruU8Dd_h5Sdc1Ycaw_ovHI27EQLq2USYu8mIHg355MacxNZixIriyVUa-ifu/s1600/Saying+goodbye+to+Stripey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWunSxQTgfxPm0YamI7nTTveUJ5zkmBadZAm8FYxG5QzZmHE3GoljBRHJvim9wcQ7D-DWreuQKPFaC3jjFruU8Dd_h5Sdc1Ycaw_ovHI27EQLq2USYu8mIHg355MacxNZixIriyVUa-ifu/s320/Saying+goodbye+to+Stripey.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Good bye, Striperific!</div>Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-12977721971782179082011-10-10T11:11:00.000-07:002011-10-10T11:11:42.501-07:00Bird Body Language<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa0sPBIWhr_SJEGK-3TOuSAPLT7uwDpRlHswezztWUR_fiH5w3GQzAhv_rbJLKaH4MuQaVedQEL-bHavuib6F08y3RQ0s597xDiiV50qckph_4oUVUYueVknp8Vplf0oB8jAgtbcy7uP0/s1600/Killdeer+broken+wing+display_36crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa0sPBIWhr_SJEGK-3TOuSAPLT7uwDpRlHswezztWUR_fiH5w3GQzAhv_rbJLKaH4MuQaVedQEL-bHavuib6F08y3RQ0s597xDiiV50qckph_4oUVUYueVknp8Vplf0oB8jAgtbcy7uP0/s400/Killdeer+broken+wing+display_36crop.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
No, this Killdeer is not waving hello or doing bird yoga--it is performing a species-saving technique called "the broken wing display". When a perceived predator gets close to a parent's nest or young, it scurries off, leading the predator away from a potential meal. By feigning injury, the parent deceives the predator into thinking <i>it </i>is in fact the easy target, thus saving its young from attack. Sometimes both parents dart away from their booty in different directions, which can truly befuddle a predator (or a photographer).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdjOOlmD1M6N2Jmbacp5SSCqXOW0Cao2OxLEnAxG7kS315IqmaE-C1JCT9LhhSUmEwpwjpt72-FM9UhzR_BEh9vwxR88nfqsdFx7017Z-9t26DFYW59UQI_a6MIxLG8EeFMf5IZ3rHHey/s1600/Killdeer+broken+wing+display_30crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdjOOlmD1M6N2Jmbacp5SSCqXOW0Cao2OxLEnAxG7kS315IqmaE-C1JCT9LhhSUmEwpwjpt72-FM9UhzR_BEh9vwxR88nfqsdFx7017Z-9t26DFYW59UQI_a6MIxLG8EeFMf5IZ3rHHey/s400/Killdeer+broken+wing+display_30crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptEWmThJe_K67GCpGutnnpbukoEPSSC2cBWwma7Ehkf1ylAyCl9FswLOVGpTbdgOKtwM90t1-HUMzHKz2MsBTaAikY_g9J1Dnk6eo2PftEmyqn-B_4YvT_3CN8v29FMPN_camLSBXsWXJ/s1600/Killdeer+broken+wing+display_26crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptEWmThJe_K67GCpGutnnpbukoEPSSC2cBWwma7Ehkf1ylAyCl9FswLOVGpTbdgOKtwM90t1-HUMzHKz2MsBTaAikY_g9J1Dnk6eo2PftEmyqn-B_4YvT_3CN8v29FMPN_camLSBXsWXJ/s400/Killdeer+broken+wing+display_26crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
With a baby this cute, who wouldn't risk his or her own life?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNaFld_NO9Lp0p5-cYLnXPEcmW2aDseSxUcYbW547VuO0YrAAKxleJpOCAyUZHAF8Re9SsKezQfjcfnpOVgG83kP-g05xQxi1xuBsbjparzy3f6MtsPgKT37qgj61e9Ehs8noWjWii5qh/s1600/Killdeer+fledgling_56crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNaFld_NO9Lp0p5-cYLnXPEcmW2aDseSxUcYbW547VuO0YrAAKxleJpOCAyUZHAF8Re9SsKezQfjcfnpOVgG83kP-g05xQxi1xuBsbjparzy3f6MtsPgKT37qgj61e9Ehs8noWjWii5qh/s320/Killdeer+fledgling_56crop.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-55817899251285806822011-07-10T12:43:00.000-07:002011-08-29T16:10:27.284-07:00Food!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eUO52N5MapETgkrG1813dcXXKZtkNqqQxyVv1Up6sp0-u2QJfixZ1djJD1AkX7C2tjND0FeWsFqo9L9_1faFf1f99HaXf21DhuEuO8iXDZveKGZFhBmyj0FQJ8QwTCfER8zMG54UJGZz/s1600/Osprey+with+fish_62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eUO52N5MapETgkrG1813dcXXKZtkNqqQxyVv1Up6sp0-u2QJfixZ1djJD1AkX7C2tjND0FeWsFqo9L9_1faFf1f99HaXf21DhuEuO8iXDZveKGZFhBmyj0FQJ8QwTCfER8zMG54UJGZz/s400/Osprey+with+fish_62.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This Osprey (#1) on Lake Union careened around its desired mate (#2) for an hour, making pathetic keening noises all the while. As #1 approached #2, which was sitting on the light fixture to the right, #2 flew away. #1 didn't seem to notice the departure and approached the now empty light fixture with more keening and a courtship offering: a decapitated, bloody silver fish. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7cwKzlZGhC9ua9Ys56mxSpmYlgVSAk5APBqfSuIBrfOaczfsfhVdYjRzSYHfZndtsGNnAJyzq1c8RIm0aNBzeA2VWhdT3QgKvFNUAYr2MA2uhGtx_6oCHuVnqAapQsXVb0Yx968iL5em/s1600/Chickadee+fledgling+feeding_5cropB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7cwKzlZGhC9ua9Ys56mxSpmYlgVSAk5APBqfSuIBrfOaczfsfhVdYjRzSYHfZndtsGNnAJyzq1c8RIm0aNBzeA2VWhdT3QgKvFNUAYr2MA2uhGtx_6oCHuVnqAapQsXVb0Yx968iL5em/s400/Chickadee+fledgling+feeding_5cropB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
A more productive and better example of food-offering: an insistent black-capped chickadee fledgling being fed an insect by its parent on Capitol Hill.<br />
<br />
And now...viscera! Entrails! Blood, guts, beak and gore. A juvenile Red-tailed Hawk with a just-killed meal. As I biked past a stand of cottonwoods I heard the hysterical alarm calls and protestations of robins, starlings, chickadees and crows. I knew this boded well for me and my camera (but not for the unfortunate victim and family) so I headed toward the ruckus. I'm pretty sure the kill is a robin nestling due to the dark grey feathers, size and length of legs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBFVY9s9JuePboYaIlIHrqMqLjnE0DSMXDaYuxgbjLNSrfGkPnLgd2ZJI2qZ21cn4r2SoeRI4cJpiu7bj3aNH12gl-UC_Jq15Zh0tArvTaKET9rXOHDsiQr-0N-r5FVQEeRTAXX6fzTVY/s1600/Cooper%2527s+hawk+juv+fresh+kill_49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBFVY9s9JuePboYaIlIHrqMqLjnE0DSMXDaYuxgbjLNSrfGkPnLgd2ZJI2qZ21cn4r2SoeRI4cJpiu7bj3aNH12gl-UC_Jq15Zh0tArvTaKET9rXOHDsiQr-0N-r5FVQEeRTAXX6fzTVY/s400/Cooper%2527s+hawk+juv+fresh+kill_49.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXdju4Er1ZbAsjgKr6lM3gW2CK39VkZlSJzurqe49KDfjUOqRcX2TTtBuzchLBxGiB5ghgMkQhLB2ur4OALQyapv3xqJXw9xmzE5kY1ZADQCARCsDZoBiBe6UhxXEXmyL8skxtCh6lDd_/s1600/Cooper%2527s+hawk+juvenile+eating+kill_33crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXdju4Er1ZbAsjgKr6lM3gW2CK39VkZlSJzurqe49KDfjUOqRcX2TTtBuzchLBxGiB5ghgMkQhLB2ur4OALQyapv3xqJXw9xmzE5kY1ZADQCARCsDZoBiBe6UhxXEXmyL8skxtCh6lDd_/s400/Cooper%2527s+hawk+juvenile+eating+kill_33crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibcElgYWW0kmQjDwgTodDYN7epgI2nka4RClUTnwdQBaN6i7GfMEvOPkY3jSlMpMBcp8LjVneEktSNKiD_ynGDXagIl8VvXYEWDylHJQpXoGL3Ba1nisNW-oBKPnOTiXvbshBnWxe62E6/s1600/Cooper%2527s+hawk+juvenile_100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibcElgYWW0kmQjDwgTodDYN7epgI2nka4RClUTnwdQBaN6i7GfMEvOPkY3jSlMpMBcp8LjVneEktSNKiD_ynGDXagIl8VvXYEWDylHJQpXoGL3Ba1nisNW-oBKPnOTiXvbshBnWxe62E6/s320/Cooper%2527s+hawk+juvenile_100.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
And goodbye! The hawk was escorted off the premises by all species, including an Anna's Hummingbird.Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-77163237956690105012011-07-04T21:05:00.000-07:002011-07-04T21:06:10.168-07:00Kitchen Table Birding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX83ZF3GsGM5hyphenhyphenJWDyTA4wVBd9W0DZ7OIZAEIsGsYc6Q6xOalZIihyphenhyphenqX25FwJtEuKG5enS4x4J6edrWpovUJi6PN2SIPEk8cge2TQX1MdALX3ps5mSmkT08NqW-HrJtKclqfjFAgCHkPdB/s1600/Lemon+in+bottle_DSC0557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX83ZF3GsGM5hyphenhyphenJWDyTA4wVBd9W0DZ7OIZAEIsGsYc6Q6xOalZIihyphenhyphenqX25FwJtEuKG5enS4x4J6edrWpovUJi6PN2SIPEk8cge2TQX1MdALX3ps5mSmkT08NqW-HrJtKclqfjFAgCHkPdB/s640/Lemon+in+bottle_DSC0557.jpg" width="441" /></a></div>I didn't have to go further afield than my own kitchen to witness this absurd yet amusing avian trick: the old I'm-so-addicted-to-pistachios-that-I-will-endanger-my-life-to-eat-one gambit. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCazcYY3YVcPwPXOkJxYr28QTLE3D1KhyphenhyphenhqrEmZQWKQLp15pfqSXcJv96h9er-TqoxOca2eD3LBv3Pe65wJQAUhfeeMKnJiiaox9bY-qaLdfNPdCwjcXuw9_6Mz-j5VoIuOwCTsPQOg0ru/s1600/Lemon+in+glass+jar_58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCazcYY3YVcPwPXOkJxYr28QTLE3D1KhyphenhyphenhqrEmZQWKQLp15pfqSXcJv96h9er-TqoxOca2eD3LBv3Pe65wJQAUhfeeMKnJiiaox9bY-qaLdfNPdCwjcXuw9_6Mz-j5VoIuOwCTsPQOg0ru/s400/Lemon+in+glass+jar_58.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR1gRDaGh9PaoHalFghyphenhyphenCikyUzglDi9hba04xdES7SlED6Cog9hUfuI_Irvch2vzSbBS9G2x-dK_CMs3_mxyClfY2lbiTqCvH3iLEHncRKrGZfIw-IKyG1Joc1qoJWSghkrKArifuxESK/s1600/Lemon+in+glass+jar_66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR1gRDaGh9PaoHalFghyphenhyphenCikyUzglDi9hba04xdES7SlED6Cog9hUfuI_Irvch2vzSbBS9G2x-dK_CMs3_mxyClfY2lbiTqCvH3iLEHncRKrGZfIw-IKyG1Joc1qoJWSghkrKArifuxESK/s400/Lemon+in+glass+jar_66.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>Stripey looks on smirking.<br />
<br />
Poor Lemon was not able to get herself out without my help--but even as she was stuck, she continued to eat nuts. <br />
<br />
This is not a stunt that I will encourage. Such is motherhood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCazcYY3YVcPwPXOkJxYr28QTLE3D1KhyphenhyphenhqrEmZQWKQLp15pfqSXcJv96h9er-TqoxOca2eD3LBv3Pe65wJQAUhfeeMKnJiiaox9bY-qaLdfNPdCwjcXuw9_6Mz-j5VoIuOwCTsPQOg0ru/s1600/Lemon+in+glass+jar_58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-24744352753529954062011-06-30T20:31:00.000-07:002011-06-30T20:31:24.790-07:00Happy International Bluebird Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ_RdQ3F9cjTWBzLKxbZSlgc_2a_Fla6jFefUHyHmYkHWBvNCl11uV6LKrmVxOx2NmR2xIYLYBvKhiJE6epDG6Priy72xX6G6RiH8xSunZgdZzsv9yVMjnZ7CgriFKSCOOwasHaoEl_q-/s1600/Mountain+bluebird+male+Umptanum_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPgn2lYNjnwjOfiAEX7xvrhCRfWxCA486yb0JXr0yPW82oV6n0Mtu2g0anUW08S7z9hUs5g4p9TAxsoS3Ci0I1-IXf0ICI3mx8OzPDPPZGc05lKMAepFy2BjiBIZxyeRobimdshzD8szp/s1600/Mountain+bluebird+male+Umptanum_89crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPgn2lYNjnwjOfiAEX7xvrhCRfWxCA486yb0JXr0yPW82oV6n0Mtu2g0anUW08S7z9hUs5g4p9TAxsoS3Ci0I1-IXf0ICI3mx8OzPDPPZGc05lKMAepFy2BjiBIZxyeRobimdshzD8szp/s400/Mountain+bluebird+male+Umptanum_89crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Okay, so there isn't really such a day, but there should be because bluebirds make everyone happy. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtDkvpk-JI6daAgk2kUxXb8lTRKcFHNAeb3wLcUChRJL8UylBpAHgaNPtypgddCEtn-0YzNb_bfDR5q_e2Be_W0A4lgWF0vxqAX4UFAwcC4zoVHCc5ggw1JJYHw37i-tqOFnTiT9BNGps/s1600/Mountain+bluebird+Umptanum_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtDkvpk-JI6daAgk2kUxXb8lTRKcFHNAeb3wLcUChRJL8UylBpAHgaNPtypgddCEtn-0YzNb_bfDR5q_e2Be_W0A4lgWF0vxqAX4UFAwcC4zoVHCc5ggw1JJYHw37i-tqOFnTiT9BNGps/s400/Mountain+bluebird+Umptanum_19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZTE0Mt-4S8M7EeYceYU6KFzY5x54n7t5tOwj93vxAKQoIw0qBZrnIgdelKFr_5ky9VOM2WWKpBePH_ELK4sQST-dgLR8txWtA2VMH7_hW0uoep6kqunij3nEMhGHfn_2a9l7KQ6lkj6Z/s1600/Mountain+bluebird+male+Umptanum_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZTE0Mt-4S8M7EeYceYU6KFzY5x54n7t5tOwj93vxAKQoIw0qBZrnIgdelKFr_5ky9VOM2WWKpBePH_ELK4sQST-dgLR8txWtA2VMH7_hW0uoep6kqunij3nEMhGHfn_2a9l7KQ6lkj6Z/s400/Mountain+bluebird+male+Umptanum_16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">This mountain bluebird pair along Umptanum Road was nesting in a fence post in a hole about a foot from the ground; on the opposite side of the post about four feet up, a house wren abode was in full swing. All four parents were so intent upon feeding their young that they allowed me to sit with my camera about 10-12' away for a good half-hour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bYSOpzq6_-w8LKZe9lAbu8yv-XfGTFyyujxvF4AxbZNmi6oE85LMcAYlifLcP_PBxytqagTlcQKkLgQfn4N_nKMZ1_N-parLpxtdpPvw3nKd6Tk5MBCAjScm0FGqOtDhYK5Q3RtX5MdE/s1600/Western+bluebird+with+insect_14horiz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bYSOpzq6_-w8LKZe9lAbu8yv-XfGTFyyujxvF4AxbZNmi6oE85LMcAYlifLcP_PBxytqagTlcQKkLgQfn4N_nKMZ1_N-parLpxtdpPvw3nKd6Tk5MBCAjScm0FGqOtDhYK5Q3RtX5MdE/s320/Western+bluebird+with+insect_14horiz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> To the left is a male western bluebird, distinguished by ruddy coloration on its scapulars, bringing prime insect dinner to its young. Below is the inside of one of the scores of nestboxes built by the Yakima Audubon Society along the Umptanum Road to the west of Yakima. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF03kAqgWqBUbUyZbgeiGqqOGMrnV98E043LVkNTco_emiACSyLVHqUWzlAtee20uR7gUbhmh6eiVNsk3BOE1Ds-zt11k7f7FgOA7KP7Ra_qxSgl8S8MT-jOyE1xa1vhp-TpB-mgKxviwu/s1600/Bluebird+nestlings+in+nestbox_37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF03kAqgWqBUbUyZbgeiGqqOGMrnV98E043LVkNTco_emiACSyLVHqUWzlAtee20uR7gUbhmh6eiVNsk3BOE1Ds-zt11k7f7FgOA7KP7Ra_qxSgl8S8MT-jOyE1xa1vhp-TpB-mgKxviwu/s320/Bluebird+nestlings+in+nestbox_37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> If you aren't smiling by now, please seek medical advice immediately.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH_CgbgvYLu8QS1bv3O0xPTkZwmb9zprRw-Xy7VCBmsQFCTL0Zc9Pf8eKv-j3ZOkW7f8v-uik5UhsQ70eUNNDe28QqIsHf0GfficCNgSw4Nkyrante5bvSQmL8RiFR0DW0IspV75A7WJb/s1600/Mountain+bluebird+male+Umptanum_91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931582711937221725.post-63130103685092447842011-06-24T19:29:00.000-07:002011-06-24T19:29:45.796-07:00Nature's hieroglyphics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr5-lTAjLgPrPrpCBq1DGSfxHJDGYIdfF78x0rxXt52X7aIVAWFGnHAavl9KtFVlS9nrILN4cIy6ArucSdJC9ruWXT7jvT64zdok5Kb-E0-e71BLEsb2fDrbYAV7hVkDb3vtDJ1f0nV-5/s1600/Nature%2527s+hieroglyphics_60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMGtPb_5TX5mZkZGwdh1QCMxMVNzJARCzLEpd9fmUiCbUBogJBut9D4-bUEllMQK2VqjED8fcSYF9GvG9KSmzSjLaAAYPTa4eoUnbVb0fUv8pC4Urwp6DhVKgZ_8wf-17frVoqhtRWxlW/s1600/Nature%2527s+hieroglyphics_56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMGtPb_5TX5mZkZGwdh1QCMxMVNzJARCzLEpd9fmUiCbUBogJBut9D4-bUEllMQK2VqjED8fcSYF9GvG9KSmzSjLaAAYPTa4eoUnbVb0fUv8pC4Urwp6DhVKgZ_8wf-17frVoqhtRWxlW/s400/Nature%2527s+hieroglyphics_56.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>Not sure exactly who's handiwork/beakwork/mouthwork this is, but certainly looks like hieroglyphics on a totem pole. I think the hole is courtesy of a tree swallow, or perhaps a smallish woodpecker. The curvy lines, I assume, are the trails of some sort of insect boring its way through the wood, gaining sustenance along the way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr5-lTAjLgPrPrpCBq1DGSfxHJDGYIdfF78x0rxXt52X7aIVAWFGnHAavl9KtFVlS9nrILN4cIy6ArucSdJC9ruWXT7jvT64zdok5Kb-E0-e71BLEsb2fDrbYAV7hVkDb3vtDJ1f0nV-5/s1600/Nature%2527s+hieroglyphics_60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr5-lTAjLgPrPrpCBq1DGSfxHJDGYIdfF78x0rxXt52X7aIVAWFGnHAavl9KtFVlS9nrILN4cIy6ArucSdJC9ruWXT7jvT64zdok5Kb-E0-e71BLEsb2fDrbYAV7hVkDb3vtDJ1f0nV-5/s400/Nature%2527s+hieroglyphics_60.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Seen along the Yakima River at Elk Meadows Park.Clare McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13138692849875696247noreply@blogger.com1