A little Pine Siskin relaxing on an early summer day. It’s hard to believe these guys can make such a load of chatter as this bird just sat so quiet and observed their surroundings. Like a Goldfinch disguised as a sparrow Siskin’s grace our forests in summer and sometimes winter as well we enjoy having them around.
There is always a landscape within the landscape and that’s a beautiful thing.
A short pause is in order today to just soak in the beauty of the Comma, butterfly, that is. One of the earlier butterfly species to grace the skies in our area each summer many of the earlier arrivals we observed actually overwintered as adults. Some finding refuge from the winters freeze deep in crevices of a trees bark.
Some we found warming themselves collecting minerals from the moist soil on the forest floor.
Whereas others were often found feeding on the new growth of the trees and shrubs.
Yes, C is for Comma.
We hear the Western Tanagers calling every morning and evening from late May until early August and despite the brilliant colors of the males good looks are few and far between as they move quickly in the upper story of the conifers nearby.
The brilliant red color of the Males is unique.
“While most red birds owe their redness to a variety of plant pigments known as carotenoids, the Western Tanager gets its scarlet head feathers from a rare pigment called rhodoxanthin. Unable to make this substance in their own bodies, Western Tanagers probably obtain it from insects in their diet.”1
This day we got a nice look at this male, which we have fondly dubbed flame, perched in the midlevel of the trees. What a beautiful bird.
Reference:
1.https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Tanager/overview
A male American Redstart full of color and song on a cool early summer afternoon. Never one to sit still for long this little guy was both a frustration and joy to watch and photograph.
Fog rises from water warmer than air.
Coffee warms the bones as ducks begin their day.
A little Flycatcher patiently waiting for the next fly to appear and they did not have to wait too long because the the flies have arrived just as summer made it’s way.
Happy Friday and welcome to the official start of summer.
One of the most interesting butterflies found in our area is the beautiful and fancy in a non-fancy sort of way Juniper Hairstreak. Widely distributed across the United States this butterfly is often seen in old fields, bluffs, barrens, juniper and pinyon-juniper woodlands, and cedar breaks. This one was photographed feeding on biscuit root along the base of a cliff that had several areas of Juniper growing. The male will sit all day upon the ends of juniper branches to attract a female.
Just for fun another basket of spring wildflower rendered in monochrome.
Enjoy.
A male MacGillivray’s warbler sitting tall and singing in the morning light. This guy reminded me of a proud male lion that morning with his slate-gray hood and proud posture.
nature has no boss 
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