Cedar Waxings

Cedar Waxwings might be some of the most photogenic of all birds.  Note I did not say they were the most amenable subjects.  However, this group was very intent on feeding, and not interested in me. 

Interesting Female Red-winged Blackbird

This past Sunday, I encountered an interesting female red-winged blackbird.  First I noticed that she had no tail!  She was on a floating boardwalk in a local park/nature center, availing herself of bread left from public feeding Canada geese.

She was attended by a male who aggressively drove off another female who came too close, so I assumed they must have a nest nearby.

Note the brightness of her epaulets!  Some thought (Johnson et al, The Auk, 1996) that the brightness signals status in female-female aggressive encounters.

Peregrine Chicks

Peregrine chicks in the Mps metro area will be fledging soon.  This clutch of four on an office building were well fed!  The male brought in some supper while the female attentively kept an eye out.

Golden-winged warbler

 What a great bird to encounter this past week - second year male golden winged warbler.

More May Goodies

Mourning doves

Hermit thrush

The species just keep tallying.  And sitting nicely for photos!

Tree swallow

Great and snowy egrets

Mid-May Goodies

Clay colored sparrow

This past weekend was quite a convergence of birds.  Still species like White-throated sparrows around, in addition to the warblers and others who are just arriving.

Olive sided flycatcher

Sora

Northern shoveler

Baltimore orioles

Magnolia warbler

Northern parula

Early May in MN

Black-capped Chickadee

Spring is trying to get here to Minnesota.  We have a few waterfowl, few shorebirds, sparrows, and the start of some warblers.  Sounds like many species still trying to make their way north.  The census from this past weekend "feels" more like late April, so hope we still get to see some of the migrants before they reach their breeding grounds to our north.

Blue-winged Teal

Field Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow

Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler

Northern Flicker

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ring-necked Duck

Swamp Sparrow

Wood Duck

White-throated Sparrow