Resting in an aspen tree on a cold hunting day here in Cheyenne, WY. Looks like a juvenile Cooper’s hawk.
Category: Birds
Splish Splash
A pair of juvenile European Starlings were having the best time in our bird bath a few days ago. So much fun, in fact, the they splashed out nearly all of the water.
We’ve been visited by several birds who enjoy coming to have a sip of cool, clean water as well as some who prefer to splash about (usually it’s the robins who have a party in the bath). The bowl was a simple $30 purchase from a local landscaping shop, but has provided so much entertainment to watch our feathered friends while they enjoy their own little watery oasis.
The Worm Coma
There’s almost nothing so adorable and natural as an infant having just filled up on warm milk and then passing out into a milk coma in a state of utter bliss. Walking by my kitchen window yesterday, I am pretty sure I just observed the Robin equivalent: The worm coma:
This Robin parent was working so hard (as mom and dad birds of all types are in the spring). The fledgeling was perched, unmoving, on our back deck rail for hours while the adult flew back and froth continually. I was worried for 2 hours when I didn’t see the adult return, but then they did and junior was treated to a big piece of yummy worm.
After which he or she promptly passed out into, you guessed it, a worm coma. The little fluff could hardly hold it’s head up as it snoozed the warm day away.
Finally the poor thing was in such a state of snooze, it just let it’s little head fall down and there it lay, the most contented Robin in the history of birds.
Once the worm coma passed, it was up and at ’em again, chirping away as a little homing beacon for the adult to come back again, and again, and again…
Spring Snow
A Wyoming snow came in today despite it technically being Spring now. It’s snowed several times over the last few days (but here in Cheyenne, only light accumulations).
Despite the snow, the birds were just singing their hearts out while it fell. Robins, Blue Jays, Juncos, House Sparrows, House Finches, Doves, Grackles, Starlings and Flickers were observed today. After filling all of our feeders, I stood outside under the aspens and quietly listened while the flakes fell.
And it felt more like Spring than Winter.
Taking Stock
A Cooper’s Hawk was spotted in our back yard aspens taking stock of what was moving about this afternoon (which wasn’t much).
Winter Song
On a wintery day in Virginia in November, 2013, no other birds in the woods had the fluff on display like this song sparrow. It’s not the most focused photo I’ve taken, as I was about 50ft away and behind a window when I snapped it, but it’s one of my personal favorites. I do miss song sparrows as even though they should be prevalent in the locations I’ve lived in the last three years, I haven’t seen many. I’m sincerely hoping to see a few in our new home in Wyoming soon. Their song is unique, sweet and comforting to hear, wherever I am.
Head Down
We only received a few inches here in southeastern Wyoming today, but this dove was every bird on the feeders: Head down and braced against the wind.
