Blog – Page 117 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Chickadee Nest

Had a couple of other things to do earlier in the day, so did not get out for a walk until late afternoon. Headed back to the North 40 again as I wanted to see if I could relocate the Bullock’s Oriole. The closest I got was hearing it, but at least it’s still around. Also heard and got a brief glimpse of Yellow Warbler. Then spent a little time checking on some of the Tree Sparrow nests. The young have hatched based on the feeding activity, just no little faces sticking out yet. While watching them,

… I noticed a Black-capped Chickadee also making a food delivery.

They are nesting in one of the trees being used by the Swallows and also use cavities. With all that food going in, something has got to come out.

You will routinely see the Chickadees leaving with what needs to be removed to keep the nest clean. It was quite enjoyable watching them and the Swallows.

Ducks, Swan, Eagles & Songbirds

Figured I would start the afternoon off with a follow-up for the flycatchers I had seen at Reifel the other day. While I was having no luck with that,

… I did manage a photo of the first Wood Duck brood to hatch at the sanctuary. En route to my next destination, and in keeping with the nesting theme,

… it appears the Mute Swan are nesting in Canoe Pass. And the last nest for the day,

… one of the Bald Eagle nests with young in the North 40 which was my next stop. Having missed the flycatchers at Reifel, the North 40 is also a good spot for them. I just have not seen any arrive here yet. While checking the trails,

… one of the many Common Yellowthroat posed briefly on a branch for me. Then while checking on the Tree Swallow nest what should alight on an old snag?

A first of year Western Wood-Pewee for the North 40.

Of course I could not leave without trying for at least one shot of the Lazuli Bunting.

Cranes, Warbler & Flycatchers

After a morning errand I waited for the rain to subside a little before heading back out to Reifel for an update on the Sandhill Crane nest. Unfortunately the news was not good. The second chick did not hatch successfully or survive.

On the brighter side the surviving chick made its first swim from the nest to the bank of the pond. As luck would have it I just missed that, but was in time for the climb out.

After the successful ascent,

… the adults promptly started feeding it worms and other tasty morsels.

After watching the Cranes I decided to check for some Western Tanager that had been sighted. While I had no luck locating them,

… there were still good numbers of Wilson’s Warbler around.

This one singing and posing briefly in amongst the trees and bramble.

Then something else caught my eye low in the trees, a flycatcher. I managed some quick views with the binoculars and then a couple of shots. Unfortunately it did not sing or call, which can make identifying these small empids difficult. At least for me anyways,

… but I believe this one to be a Hammond’s Flycatcher. Then I spotted a larger flycatcher that was moving along the tree tops and snags. Given the horrible back lighting at first I could not identify it. Following it along the trail the lighting improved somewhat,

… and I was able to identify it as an Olive-sided Flycatcher.

While the photos are not great, it is a new addition to my life photo list. Just after this it did start to clear up a little, but it was after 4:30 pm and time to leave.

Just for fun on my way out this Red-winged Blackbird singing in the marsh.