Blue Jay Caching
If this Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) looks a little strange…or lumpy…it is because it was hard at work caching last month. All of those acorns will not store (or plant) themselves! They are said to be able to carry five acorns at a time and store several thousand over a productive fall season. I wonder how many it will be able to remember come winter, and how many will be left after squirrels, chipmunks, other rodents or birds take their share… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSunflower
Who doesn’t love a good sunflower? These plants are popping right now, too, as they provide meals for pollinators now and prepare to feed hungry birds this autumn. This…this is summer!
Read MorePalm Warbler
Yesterday morning I went out to bird for a bit and had my sights set on a few target species. It may have only been April 23, but the birds have been early thanks to the warm past couple of months, and some of our spring migratory species are already peaking. I definitely wanted to photograph a Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) in their bright spring yellows before they escaped me to the north for the nesting season. Thankfully this individual delivered, posing for me for about 15 seconds in between foraging. I had followed it for a minute along the forest floor and it took notice –...
Read MoreGreat Black-backed Gull
This Great Black-backed Gull was coming in for a water landing, but what I did not notice at this moment was that it had a free fish meal waiting for it. After it landed it snatched up this easy lunch and went off to try to find a way to eat it without being noticed by any friends. Winter is not the time to be sharing in the natural world. It is a difficult time for our wildlife to survive with harsh conditions making even consistent eating often all too rare. This bird is an adult, but the first-winter birds of many species of birds often suffer the most during these months. This recently...
Read MoreTufted Titmouse
Entering the holiday season also means that we are getting into feeding season in our yards as our little songbird friends turn to us for an extra snack or two. Are your bird feeders set up and filled with food yet? The Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is one of the more curious, frequent and friendly backyard birds, looking to drop down on feeders for a big sunflower seed to take and crack apart. The species also hoards food, taking some of what you put out and storing it somewhere for later. Who knows, maybe you were planning a winter vacation – they want to be prepared! If you...
Read More
