Happy International Bluebird Day!

Okay, so there isn't really such a day, but there should be because bluebirds make everyone happy.

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.

 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. 

 If you aren't smiling by now, please seek medical advice immediately.

Flickers Flicking

In Spanish, woodpeckers are known as carpinteros--carpenters. Of course, we talk of woodpeckers "hammering" or "drilling" on a tree, but they are also hearty makers of sawdust, as illustrated here. After being upside down (below) in its cavity for a few minutes excavating a deeper and deeper cavity for its nest, this flicker turns right side up with a beakful of debris which it then flings to its left. Without fail, both male and female at this Lake Union nest perfom their nestbuilding exactly this way, hour after hour--always throwing dust to the left.

It Takes a Village...

to make a heronry. Ma and Pa Heron passing a stick to each other.

Very encouraging news from the UW heron colony: the number of nests on the western side has at least doubled over last year! Five nests alone are in one tree slightly to the northwest of the main core of last year's group. Plus, one or two--can't tell--more in conifers across the walkway slightly to the east. And there are about two or three more nests in the grouping next to the EE/Paul Allen building.

The skeletal beginnings of a new nest, well-silhouetted by the setting sun.

On the hunt for the perfect twig, this bird extends its left wing to keep its balance.