Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Out and About: Birds, Wildflowers and a Caged Squirrel

It's my favorite time of year! So much to see around our village, along the Zim-Smith Trail and in the woods. I came upon a red squirrel dining happily inside Steve and Alysse's feeder on Andrews Avenue. When I walked back past it had squeezed out and was probably in the woods hanging out by the shagbark hickory, a favorite haunt, near Griffin's Ridge. The Wood Thrushes are singing away by South Lawn. A Veery, which is a forest thrush, came out of the woods and actually stayed still so I could get photos. I have heard the Baltimore Orioles on the trail but they tend to be way up in the canopy and so are difficult to see. You will probably hear the Ovenbird too. Its call sounds like " Teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher, teach." I had a first sighting of a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird on May Ninth. It came to a sugar water feeder on my porch. The next day I saw one come to the feeder and at the same time, in the same glance, saw a Bald Eagle flying. Amazing! The smallest and largest birds in our area seen in one look. Enjoy the Spring!
Red Squirrel Dines Privately

Veery along trail and edge of Peck Avenue Woods

Gray Catbird Foraging for Insects along Trail

Trout Lily

Trout Lilies and Their Speckled Leaves

Jacks-in-the Pulpit Peck Ave Woods along trail edges

Patch of Yellow Violets on trail just south of Griffin's Ridge

A Closer Look at a Columbine which attracts Hummers

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Out and About: Spring Migration and More Wildflowers

On Monday, May first, I heard the Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, and saw and heard the Veery on the Zim Smith Trail, south of the village. Yesterday and today I have had the Chipping, White-throated, and White-crowned Sparrows all in my yard. The Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a female Pine Warbler, all gathered in the apple tree this morning. No hummingbird sighting yet but my feeders are up and filled. I have had the Rose-breasted Grosbeak come to my yard at the beginning of May for the last twenty years! The Baltimore Oriole came last year for the first time and enjoyed the orange slices I put out for it.
Chipping Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Baltimore Oriole

Female Pine Warbler

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

White-crowned Sparrow

Another of White-crowned Sparrow

Marsh Marigolds on Peck Ave. Stream

Under Construction in Multi-flora Rose Peck Ave. Stream

Red Trillium in Peck Ave. Woods

May Apple on Ames Ave.

May Apple Umbrellas