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Thursday, June 29, 2023

A new yard bird and more flycatcher drama

This week I added a Veery to the yard bird list, the 76th species. The Veery is a "true thrush," in the same family (Turdidae) as the American Robin and the European Common Blackbird. It was a cloudy gray day and I obtained very poor photos because of the low light. The demure brown bird spent most of the time in heavy foliage, although I thought my exposures through a space in the leaves had a pleasant  ethereal quality:

My only bright shot was due to the accidental firing of the in-camera flash:

Moments later a Yellow-throated Vireo came into the same tree and posed on some open branches:



Dissatisfied with my photos of the Veery, I searched  my archives for a more suitable portrait. I was surprised to find that my very first photos of these two bird species occurred on August 28, 2012 in Illinois (the day before my 77th birthday-- Oh, to be 70 again!) . They were not very good images, but on that day, within a few minutes, I photographed my first Veery along with my first Yellow-throated Vireo. Quite a coincidence. Here is that Veery:

This week we also have had other colorful resident visitors, including American Goldfinch...

...Prairie Warbler...

...Rose-breasted Grosbeak...

...and Scarlet Tanager:

A male Downy Woodpecker in a gnarly tree stretched his wing:

The three nestling Great Crested Flycatchers who were the subject of my prior blog, "A Flycatcher Adventure" are doing very well. Their eyes opened when they were about 5 days old. On Tuesday night (when about 9 days old) we stopped bringing them inside overnight, as they were well-feathered and the weather was fair. Our covered patio was intended to be their permanent home until they were expected to fly freely at the age of 14-15 days. I tied their cardboard "nest box" to the chair with string to keep it secure from wind bursts.  

Their faithful parents continue to feed them regularly:



On their 8th day this one used its wing power to skate across the floor as I was tidying the nest box:

On the evening of the the 9th day, they spent the night outside. Early the next morning (yesterday) we were surprised to find that two of the three had already fledged. The last chick perched on the edge of the "nest," calling out loudly. 

The last photo of the last chick on the nest:


In a moment it flew, strong and directly, to a crabapple tree, where the parents continued to feed it. We heard the two other chicks calling and being fed in separate trees but could not see them. Chick #3 was safe in the Crabapple tree and was immediately fed by a parent:


 


The local Woodchuck "Fat Boy" appeared at the far edge of the back yard:

One morning I found this motionless Polyphemus Moth floating on the surface of the swimming pool I assumed it was lifeless:

The next day I was surprised to see it still floating there. Our granddaughter Graci retrieved it and found it was still alive:

The clear-cut area in the rear of the property is now flush with weeds, dominated by Sow Thistle, a plant in the aster family which blooms in late summer and produces fluffy seeds. Deer love to eat it, and It is very attractive to the goldfinches, as it provides down (pappus) for their nests and seeds to feed their offspring.

Once again, since I have been rather limited to the back yard, I must dig into my archives to find a photo with a reflection. I selected this one, taken at our local Florida wetlands in the summer of 2021. 

It demonstrates anti-crepuscular rays from the sun, which is rising over the ocean behind me on the opposite (eastern) horizon. This effect requires a cloudless sky containing just enough moisture or other particles to reflect the rays, which must first be broken up by storm clouds offshore. Although the rays are parallel, they converge at a vanishing point, which is the shadow of the earth.  

This week's header: Singing Veery, Flipped Header 20230625

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Linking to:




Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday)

Wild Bird Wednesday

My Corner of the World
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Please visit the links to all these posts to see some excellent photos on display
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21 comments:

  1. A fabulous set of photos and of course all birds that i do not know or see, Wonderful to see chicks grow up and leave the nest. I hope the Moth survived to see another day. Keep well and take care Diane

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  2. Another beautiful post, Ken!

    We usually see a couple of Veery's during migration but seldom get a chance to photograph them. The Yellow-throated Vireo seems to like to sing its clear song from atop a tree.

    That reflection shot is nothing short of spectacular!

    Hope you are well and that the smoke is clearing.

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  3. all I can say for the next to last photo is WOW

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  4. Hi Ken, I was unfamiliar with this Wilson Thrush (Catharus fuscescens) or Veery, but the resemblance to our thrushes is unmistakable. I rejoice with you that the nestlings have already fledged and that they all survived. The multitude of colorful birds always surprises me. This is fantastic. The reflection with the sunrays is a great picture.
    Warm regards - Elke

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  5. I'm so happy that the "Flycatcher Adventure" had a happy ending. The two baby hummingbirds that fell out of their nest on our back patio didn't make it, try as we might to keep them comfortable.

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  6. I love your dreamy photos of the veery.

    We have had american gold finches in our neighborhood but I have not captured an image of them yet.

    Great photos, again!!

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  7. You always showed incredible nature through your photography. I have not seen Tanagers before

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  8. Love that sunbeam shot! Fantastic colors too.

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  9. I'm so glad the babies are ok. What a journey you took us on!! Wonderful! And that sky is astoudning. I've not seen anything like that!! Fingers crossed one day. #Allseasons

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  10. I enjoy seeing the chicks make their way out of the nest and do well. Your next to last shot of the sky is amazing.

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  11. You have had a great adventure with your young Crested Fly Catchers. Good you could rescue the moth from the pool. Glad it survived. Your photo of the sun's rays is spectacular.

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  12. Hello Ken,
    Love your Veery photos! I used to hear them calling in the forest around our neighborhood, not so much any more. I loved all your birds and photos. I am glad the Great-crested Flycatcher chicks have fledged and are doing well. Gorgeous sky shot. Is there a new building going up in the clear cut area?
    Thanks to you granddaughter for rescuing the moth. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.

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    1. Hi, Eileen-- the area was cleared of trees by the owner in order to provide an unobstructed view of the Hartford skyline and add value to the home, as it is situated on a ridge well known for its expansive views. The clear-cut extends back to the edge of the Preserve. Hopefully it will provide an "edge" habitat to permit more diversity for wildlife. It includes a huge brush pile consisting of all the felled trees which is already attracting birds and mammals. Deer now browse on the emerging vegetation. Yes, I am now hearing the Veery, or actually recognizing their soft calls which I probably have ignored in the past.

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  13. I know you were so happy to see a 'new' bird at your house! I love that young flycatcher that was the last one on the nest. The flycatcher adventure was fun to read about. Take care and enjoy the holiday weekend!

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  14. Ken's Bird and Moth Rescue. :-) Excellent photos!

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  15. What amazing captures! Love the little flycatcher. Great series! My Merlin app keeps hearing a yellow-throated vireo nearby, but I haven't seen it yet. Would love to see it in front of my camera.

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  16. You are awesome! I enjoyed seeing the chicks. The photo taken from your archive was absolutely top shelf of the rays of sun. It is always a pleasure to learn about the birds you post. Thank you. Take care. I hope you have a nice 4th of July.

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  17. Another set of beatiful photos i enjoyed them and always learn something new

    Have a flycatchingtastic week 👍

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  18. Such a dangerous time for the young birds..especially with outdoor cats around....Michelle

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  19. I find flycatcher birds adorable , the sky shot is breathtaking. Thanks for sharing with Garden Affair.

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