Juniper Berries

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It was an overcast morning and difficult to make out the details but it sure looked like there were a handful birds hanging out in a juniper bush as we speed along a quiet road. We decided to turn around and take a quick look and spotted a beautiful trio of Bohemian Waxwings. These three quickly flew off while we were watching but landed just across a small creek in a juniper loaded with berries and a large flock of Waxwings buzzing about in constant motion picking the berries for their morning meal.

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It was a whirlwind of activity with birds coming and going, picking berries, and perhaps, just for a small moment, sitting still.

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The beautiful colors of these birds were flashing brightly in the dull overcast light and made for quite a show.

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The berries and the birds made for a fine start to the day.

More Dried Fruit

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Cedar Waxwings picking over the same patch of dried berries that the Robins found appealing in yesterdays post. We only see the Waxwings for a week each year and only in the fall. This year they were right on schedule and arrived sometime during the last week of November and had departed by last weekends walk through the woods.

Success stories: Audubon Society

While this past year has felt like one negative story after another with respect to environmental and conservation news there are successes to be recognized and accomplishments lauded.

The national Audubon Society recently published a list of their success stories for this year that will bring a little cheer to a birders holiday season.

Successes occurred on numerous fronts including clean energy projects, local conservation measures, increasing awareness for endangered bird species, protection of habitats and several others all of which are detailed here.

For me the Audubon report entitled “Survival by Degrees” will stand out as a crowning accomplishment. It is bringing widespread awareness to how climate change will endanger up to 389 bird species in North America and was widely reported on in the media.

Yes, there is good news to be found and reading it felt like a much needed gift from Santa himself.

Wishing you all a very Happy Holidays.

Northern Flicker

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A Northern Flicker adding a wonderful splash of color to a December afternoon.

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Foraging away…

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or just sitting quietly brightening up the day.

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Side note: It appears the flicker has the same frenemy as we do.  This day the flicker landed within the territory of one very aggressive red squirrel who charged the flicker from a distance of at least ten feet forcing the Flicker to quickly take flight. The upside of the altercation was we got a nice view of those very colorful wing and tail feathers on the underside of the Flicker.