Hummers 'n Honeysuckle
For the past 3 weeks our juvenile Rufous Hummers have been enjoying the sweet nectar of the honeysuckle and other flowers in the garden. Their dependence on the sugar water feeders has diminished, and they have been buzzing in and out of the forest with reckless abandon, strengthening their flying skills and learning to survive on natural sources of food. The adults have long since abandoned them, and it won't be long before the juveniles abandon us. It's difficult to imagine a diminuitive 1.5 month old bird finding its own way all the way to Mexico, but it's just another example of how birds are superior to humans. For now, it's time to enjoy their last few days, to be thankful for the joy of their presence, and to wish them a safe journey. Tree-top Visitor My resident Townsend Warblers taunt me from the tree-tops all spring. They usually lower themselves to my level by the first week of July. Is that a function of perception or a product of deception? It doesn't matter which. All I know is that I love seeing them closer to camera range and not having to crane my neck to see them. I'm still waiting for decent close-up picture. Busy Bushtits I don't think I have resident Bushtits, but they do pass through quite regularly in fairly large flocks. They're always fun to watch as they meticulously work their way through the trees and shrubs. A Common Bird Are female birds generally friendlier than male birds? My photographic opportunities for the male Common Yellowthroat have been much less compared to the female. Finally, the Vesper We've always stopped at the south end of the Nanaimo Airport and never seen the Vesper Sparrow. My wife reminded me of that once again as I made the right hand turn. Just as I turned onto the gravel road we spotted a bird inside the fence. A quick look through the bins confirmed a Vesper, complete with a red leg band. Apparently there's only about 6 breeding pairs left on Vancouver Island and they are being monitored by the Nanaimo Area Land Trust. As we turned around at the end of the road, I decided to walk back. It was my lucky day as I spotted another Vesper on the barbed wire. Although the white eye-ring was still incomplete, the rufous lesser coverts and dark auriculars indicated it was a juvenile Vesper. More Home Birds My resident Chipping Sparrows have had another successful year as I have seen them feeding the juveniles. Vireo Days - Yesterday a Cassin's Vireo stopped for a few minutes before I could get the camera ready. Today I had the camera ready with my breakfast on the patio. There was no Cassin's, but a there was a fallout of several Hutton's instead. Surprise! - I didn't think my resident Black-throated Gray Warblers would ever come down from the forest, but a movement in a low fir caught my eye. I trained the camera to the spot and out popped the warbler. Like the Townsend Warblers, they seem to feed lower down as the summer progresses. My Hairy Buddies I was glad to see Papa Hairy back with the family. Several days ago he had a concussion from hitting my kitchen window. I held him for a good 30 minutes, coaxing him to keep his eyes open as he clung to my finger. Finally I placed him on a branch where he stayed until I had to leave home. Although I can't be certain if Papa Hairy was posing for me, he did cling to my feeder post for 5 minutes while I took a few pictures. Tofino Time Once you've been to Tofino, you know you have to return. I had the irresistable urge for a west coast fix on June 5. We were lucky that there were only a few people at Combers, and we had miles of beautiful beach all to ourselves with the roaring surf drowning out all conciousness of the troubles of the world. Although it was too early for shorebirds, we had a totally relaxing and refreshing time. We stayed at the brand new hostel style facilities of the TOFINO BOTANICAL GARDENS. It is a warm and friendly place and beds are only $32 a night. The owners hope to cater to educators, scientists, artists, students, etc. "to initiate, encourage, and enable research, education, and conversations that will help people to understand how to live in a place without diminishing it." To that end they have just hosted a seminar featuring noted scholar, birder, and photographer, MAGILL WEBER from Arizona, and will be following up with other visiting scholars and artists. At Least 1 Shorebird - There were no signs of shorebirds as we walked Combers Beach so I decided to look for songbirds along Combers Creek. I was disappointed to see that the Kingfisher and Northern Rough-winged Swallow burrows were already abandoned but made a mental note to visit earlier next year. Further along a pair of Swainson's Thrushes landed on a stump, but in my haste, I overexposed the picture. As I reached the part where the bushes swallowed the creek a small bird landed on log in the middle of the creek. It was a peep. It flew to the far bank to forage for food. As the creek was shallow, I took off my shoes and socks and waded across for my first presentable Least Sandpiper photo of the fall migration. A Tern for the Better - The shortage of shorebirds was of no real concern as the scenery and freshness of the air was stimulating, and there were other birds like the Caspian Terns at Chesterman Beach. There was an abundance of Rufous Hummingbirds as well as American Goldfinch and other songbirds. Live & Learn - Across the lake before descending to Kennedy Lake, we spotted a pair of gulls in a tree. One actually looked like it was nesting. I mentioned this to Guy Monty, and he informed me that Mew Gulls commonly nested in the Kennedy Lake area. Was it nesting or just resting? Dandelions & Ducks On the way to Ucluelet, my wife spotted some ducks on the side of the road. She proudly and correctly proclaimed, "They're not Mallards." Mommy Hooded merganser was trying to cross the road with her 3 ducklings. I hope they made it safely. Kestral Watch - In 2004, the Kaye Road American Kestrals fledged on July 12. In 2005 it was July 6. I wonder if and when it will happen this year? I'll be checking as often as I can. July 7 - Papa Kestral was all alone. Maybe he was hunting for the family. July 8 - Kestral Watching Again - Papa Kestral was still around but no sign of any other Kestrals. There were a lot of other birds including a flock of Black Swifts. Chips Off the Old Block - The striped chests were familiar but had me confused. Just after I emailed Rick for help, I realized I had a previous photo of a Chipping Sparrow feeding a juvenile just like these 2 younsters. Irresistable - How can you see a Cedar Waxwing and not want to take its picture? They are such a photogenic bird. Silhouettes in the Sky - Where was my handheld lens when I needed it? It's in for repairs in Victoria, but I sure could have used it today as several Black Swifts circled fairly closely directly overhead. My camera and lens on a tripod wasn't suited for the closer overhead shots. Swift Exit - After an hour of futility I decided to leave with a few possible distant shots. (Is an hour swift or slow? I guess it depends on whether you're enjoying yourself.) 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