A Colorful Spring (with swanlings)

    A handsome Black-crowned Night Heron is poised on a small log protruding from the water on the east side of our pond, on the lookout for a late breakfast. Not far away, a turtle has hauled out for a bit of morning sun. At the foot of the bulkhead where our lawn ends, two bass have set up nests and are patrolling constantly, quickly backing into cover when I approach too closely but on the alert at all times.

We may have Green herons again this year. I heard a call late yesterday that sounded familiar, but no sightings as yet. A Baltimore oriole has decided this is part of his turf, calling loudly and prowling the fruit trees on the west side of our creek, as well as posting to various other trees around the house. The male is aptly described in one bird book as “smoldering like a fire in the treetops,” as it sports a bright orange body with a black hood. At close range it is quite breath-taking.

Half of a small shell – Robin’s egg blue – lay in the grass as I worked the garden the other day. It is birthing time already. Both geese and swans are shepherding fluffy young on the local waterways. Here is a view of a large family which visited our waters. 

 There is more on You Tube (see link below). Watch for a comical moment at 1:23 when one little fellow tries desperately to get underwater creating a fountain of spray.

A cousin in color, the Rufous-sided Towhee was in the neighborhood 10 days ago, but I think has since moved on. Its color was quite bright, almost that of the Halloween-styled Oriole, but not quite as radiant. 

Other colorful birds now at hand are Goldfinches, with the males sporting a bright yellow after wearing drab gray through the winter. Unlike other birds, they can hang upside down quite handily and do so at the thistle-loaded feeder outside my window, making for an amusing display and likely raising jealousy among other feathered visitors. The ruby-hued House Finch is a now around, too, but for reasons known only to finches, cannot eat while hanging upside down. I empathize.

A pair of Long-tailed grackles has taken command of its nesting area, which they clearly regard as all air space within 50 yards. They sport a dashing iridescent navy blue hood against jet-black flanks – very striking in bright sun. These are bold creatures who don’t hesitate to buzz any intruder to their space, even the large Osprey which has chosen a high tree on our pond to rest almost daily. They will fly at it as soon as it appears, but have generally failed to dissuade the big fish hawk from perching at leisure.

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 Swan family video