Life at Boomer Lake with Deb, Sunday September 21, 2014

Activism is a Necessity

These groups come into being as a result of what we have to say to the world. I thank these people for their activism and their continued support of raptors, as well as other important animals. Let’s keep up the fight everyone, and don’t remain silent when it comes to our birds, butterflies, and other animals.

Seen any baldheaded jays or cardinals? Never fear, as the possible explanation isn’t totally off the wall:

Here is reasonably accurate information on how birds sleep. Their sleep patterns are much different than ours, as they must usually remain alert at all times due to predation.

Most of this week’s activity has been in the Northern Reaches, so I’ll work from there. The better part of this week’s mornings was mostly cloudy with some fog, which makes many of these photos seem dark, so I apologize for that. However, there are still a number of juvenile birds making themselves available, which can sometimes pose a challenge for identification, but it is wonderful to note how many new birds have been raised this year.

This good-looking female Yellow Warbler is one of many that have been with us. Even though she is not as spectacular as the male, she is still a lovely bird. The fall warblers can be a little harder to identify than the fresh and clean looking spring birds, but they are still lovely, nonetheless. I just wish that I could host them in my birdbath, like my birding friend, Jeannie does.

Here’s a beautiful juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. Even though it isn’t in prime posture for identification, there is still slight evidence of the belly band and a brownish tail with narrow dark bands. Many of these birds tend to be found on the roadsides.

One of many woodpeckers, this Northern Flicker is distinctive and very easy to identify with a white rump, black chest patch, a barred brown back, and a spotted breast.

The Northern Cardinal may be a common bird, but it is one of the most beautiful and the male is easy to identify with the crest and the fire engine red coloring. It is also loud and a voracious seedeater. There is nothing more beautiful than to have a red bird with a background of snow. That is one of the few things that actually makes me look forward to winter.

Another woodpecker, the red-bellied, has a red nape and the male has a red crown, too. They are also zebra-backed, move rapidly, and enjoy woodlands and your feeder, if you are willing to provide plenty of suet. If you’re lucky enough to see it, there is a small red patch on the belly, too.

The state bird of Maryland, the Baltimore Oriole is another bird that is easy to identify with the orange and black coloring. It was named for Lord Baltimore’s coloring on his coat of arms. This bird also weaves a pouch-like nest that can withstand some of the severest storms and it will be found on the outer edges of the main deciduous tree branches.

Both silent sentinels are found in the Northern Reaches, too, many of the perched in the upper branches of trees, ever watchful in their territories, especially when they are nesting. Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in this country, with Great Egret just a little smaller.

Before you know it, many of the leaves will be dropping and a number of our less common birds might just be a little more visible in the woods. I also heard the Eastern Phoebe, caught a slight glimpse of the Belted Kingfisher, and heard the Red-headed Woodpecker. Don’t forget to stock up on black oil sunflower seeds, as well as suet, either in raw form or the cake variety. Clean out those bird houses and put them away for next year. Get out those roosting boxes for the cold winters, and consider purchasing a heater to keep the water from freezing in the birdbaths. Thanks for everything that you do for the birds.

Keep your eyes on the ground and your head in the clouds. Happy birding until next time.