Alone in the marsh with last seasons cattails as his home a Yellow Headed Blackbird begins to establish territory and sing his wonderful Yellow Headed Blackbird song.
The sound of Yellow-headed Black bird is a sure sign that spring has sprung.
Tag: ecosystem
Horned Lark 2020
It took awhile this year but we finally ran into our first Horned Lark of 2020. He was perched upon this well worn fence post along a quiet country road a week to two back. Glad to have him back in town and seeing him brings a bit of solid rhythm to what has been a spring that’s been lacking its normal beat.
Barn Swallows
Yesterday these two Barn Swallows were hanging out on a fence near a lake where we took an afternoon walk. Nice to see them back in town and their colors are sure vibrant right now. Soon after these photos were shot they took off and were buzzing around the lake hunting for bugs which is always an amazing sight to observe.
Box 29
Last Sunday the wind was blowing hard but that did not deter these little Tree Swallows from spending their day looking for a suitable summer residence and it sure seemed like box 29 was high on their list of desirable homes.
The competition was high and words of caution we flying as freely as these swallows glide through the skies.
A quick resting spot on the roof was in order and acceptable to both shoppers at box 29.
Window
Was it the hike itself, the early morning sunlight or the small window we were hiking to in the rock wall? All seemed like windows in which to experience the wonderful nature therapy offered up in Bryce Canyon on a sunny spring morning several years ago.
Mr. White
An Ermine still dressed in their winter whites peeks out from under a log. Seasons are changing and soon Mr. White will become Mr. Brown and we will have a hard time seeing him as he forages in the tall grasses of the fields nearby.
Boundless energy in such a small package makes them such a wonder to observe.
Sage Thrasher
We watched and mostly listened as this male Sage Thrasher sang his long and complex song from the top a the sage brush on a quiet dirt road.
According to All About Birds “males have long, complex, melodic songs, with remarkable variety. The rambling series of phrases, often preceded by soft clucking notes, is continuous and interspersed with moments of repetition and mimicry. Songs can be very long indeed; one male was recorded singing for 22 minutes straight.”
While this guys song was not a whopping 22 minutes it did go on and on leaving me out of breath just listening.
Social Distancing made easy
A lesson in social distancing made easy.
Junco
As spring slowly makes it’s way into our area we have had an influx of Dark-eyed Juncos in the neighborhood. First we noticed a few foraging for seed on the ground and within a week or so that two became ten or more at a time. When not foraging the males have begun to sing their musical trill while perched in the trees nearby. A wonderful spring chorus to liven days now spent at home.
Little Turtle
Slow and steady wins the race.
Have a wonderful, slow and safe Saturday.
nature has no boss 
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