Eastern Pheobe

My black lab Bridget and I went up to the pasture this late afternoon in search of a bird to photograph. And on this first sunny day, ending a string of soggy ones, there were plenty of birds to see--but not to photograph. For example, a pair of juvenile Eastern Bluebirds would have made a pretty picture, but though in range of my binoculars, they were too far off for the camera. An Eastern Phoebe toyed with me, landing time and again in perfect view at the end of some branch, only to fly off with each aim of the camera. Then there was the sparrow, who wouldn't sit still long enough to be identified.

Chasing after photos can sometimes make you forget the joy of seeing and hearing birds. For instance, when your aim is to "get the shot," it can't also be to enjoy the bird. This revelation visited me an instant before seeing a flycatcher fly onto a branch with a large, winged insect in his bill. Preoccupied with his unwieldy meal, the bird didn't attend to me watching greedily through binoculars to identify him: Eastern Phoebe. Was this the same fellow who had been teasing me? If so, then I won this game of "tag."

Until next time . . . Keep birds in your heart.

Georgia Anne

Song Sparrow

Yesterday I went out with the specific purpose of catching some bird's image--any bird--as my next Bird Blog post was due. Birds, however, are not typically agreeable about posing for images, especially once they spot you staring. And if such rude behavior doesn't trigger their flight, then your act of raising a camera surely does. But yesterday I was lucky.

I found this Song Sparrow (read interesting facts about the Song Sparrow in my March 25, 2011 post) preening himself, head twisted over a shoulder, billing digging into his feathers. So I sneaked up, every so quietly (as quietly as you can with a black lab at your feet) and clicked this image just in time for a frontal view. Of course, this was pure luck and the sparrow would have no more of it, flying up and away into a young walnut tree.

I did get what I need; so thanks for the pose, Song Sparrow. I appreciate it.

Until next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

Goodbye to the Rubythroats

Caught this image a week or so ago and posted it to my Facebook page (search Of the Wing). At the time, I noticed only the iridescent green back of one hummer--not the female facing me. Isn't it amazing how the mind can sometimes block what is plainly in view? You see what you expect to see, I suppose.

These Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still here but not for long. Any day they will begin their migration south, most to Central America but the old and young, who can't manage the trans-gulf crossing will stay on the coast. I just learned this fact and a few others from an informative site, which also stresses that hummingbirds are carnivores who depend on insects to survive. Nectar (which I had always presumed to be their main food source) is "just the fuel to power their flycatching activity." Read this and more fascinating information at hummingbirds.net (specific page link below):

http://www.hummingbirds.net/migration.html

Though the fall season is my favorite (after spring), I'm always saddened to see these marvels of flight go. They seem to me too precious for the "real" world, as if somehow they escaped from some fairy realm, where only beautiful creatures exist. Oh well . . . they'll be back soon enough.

Till next time . . . Keep birds in your heart . . . and sugar water in your feeder, while the hummers are still here.

Georgia Anne Butler