A tree swallow in need of a good preening
I had settled in to watch a nuthatch flying back and forth to his nest when I noticed this tree swallow and his mate in the tree not far from me. I shifted my gaze and my camera lens back and forth between the two sets of birds for some time. Since the swallows weren’t disturbed by my presence, I used the opportunity to try some close-up shots of the male.
The male looked a little disheveled with a feather out of place, understandable given the frenetic pace of the nesting season.
Has anybody seen the white-breasted nuthatch? It was right here, I swear!
Some birds go to great lengths to discourage predators from raiding their nests. This white-breasted nuthatch went the route of disguise, using a grub as a fake mustache.
Cleaning out the nursery
An oak gall provides a natural perch for a house wren as it carries debris out of its nest. While the wren’s little beak is fine for excavating debris, it’s not much use at excavating the cavity itself. Like many forest residents, this house wren used a pre-existing cavity drilled by woodpeckers. I took many pictures but most came out blurry thanks to the frenetic pace with which the little bird hurled the debris from its new home.
This great horned owl kept its fledglings on a short leash
This great horned owl kept a close eye on its recently fledged youngsters over the course of several weeks. The owls were usually in sight from the auto tour at Ridgefield and became the stars of the spring at the refuge. I saw them many times but usually not in great light, so it was nice to see them in the warm light near sunset. Unfortunately the gates of the refuge close fairly early so I had to leave the owls before I wanted and head towards the exit.
What say? I can't hear you, my head is turned!
Ellie did really well during her recovery, but she did develop a coping mechanism — if I gave her a command she didn’t want to follow, she’d turn her head slightly to the side. As if to say, “I’m not being willfully disobedient, it’s just that I can’t hear you, what with my head turned like this and all.” It was such a subtle gesture I didn’t catch on at first, but after a while it became unmistakable.
I suppose I should be insulted at my dog’s estimate of my intelligence, but it was so cute it just made me laugh. She’d always obey if my tone indicated she needed to, so I let it slide.
Posted in Pets
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Tagged Ellie
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