Juvenile Tree Swallows
You know the summer is rolling along when fall migration begins! Huh? Here are a couple of juvenile Tree Swallows, and many others of their species plus Barn, Bank, Cliff and Northern Rough-winged Swallows are already heading to the south here in July.
Read MorePurple Martin Wire
There are precious few moments for Purple Martins (Progne subis) to rest at this time of the year with so many hungry mouths to feed back at their gourd. All of the cool butterflies and dragonflies that we regularly post are prey for these birds, and if you visit an especially populated gourd colony you will end up finding parts of them on the ground underneath. They used to be billed as mosquito eaters to help sell those apartments (ain’t marketing grand?) but the Purple Martin relies on much larger prey. If you ever have the chance to watch them feeding their young be prepared for...
Read MoreAmerican Kestrel Female
This female American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) perched on the wire just long enough for me to take a shot while we looked each other in the eye. She is a March migrant, one of many raptors on the move to the north every day now. She will be hunting slowly melting grasslands and fields under the soon to be spring sun. Do you have any American Kestrel nest boxes erected on your large open property or farm? Now is the time to get them up or cleaned. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MorePeregrine Falcon on Wire
This Peregrine Falcon was stretching its wings while hanging on the wire. It was looking around for some food on this dark, dreary day, ready to explode after prey at any moment. I would not have minded if it flew off to chase a Gyrfalcon… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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