On the second day of birding, we decided to bird on the Nature Conservancy trail. Dan and Barb joined us, and we had not taken three steps along the trail before warblers started to appear as they flew into thicker brush as we disturbed them. The birds had not yet left!
We slowed down our pace and started taking images of every bird we could and before long we had several new birds.
A blue winged warbler started us out and several more hooded warblers appeared almost underfoot.
Across the way indigo bunting fed in a field accompanied by a blue grosbeak that sat above the field on a branch.
It was great to have them side by side so we could compare their plumage. American red starts were also plentiful, and we got some shots of a female to go along with the male from the day before.
I took several images of different warblers, one a red eyed vireo and the other is yet to be identified by us.
I will try to identify them, (being retired is tough as you never have enough time to do all that you want to do).
At a stone bench another birder we had met Tom, said he had spotted both a black billed and yellow billed cuckoo. As we talked about the cuckoos a black billed flew and landed on a large branch seemingly posing to have its picture posted on our blog, it was another new life bird!
A little further on, by a pool of water an eastern peewee was busy catching insects and another prothonotary warble made an appearance. The birds were so busy feeding that they did not seem to care about our presence.
Lilies had been planted the fall before and blackberry bushes were in bloom attracting a rose breasted hummingbird.
Renita spotted a magnolia warbler and then a palm warbler, but we were unable to get is picture. Our new friend Tom mentioned that he had seen four painted buntings, one of which was near the trailhead and returning toward the car Dan spotted the bird high on a branch.
It was partially hidden from view but as it moved along the branch, we could see its blue head, bright green back and wings, a bright red underside!
It flew away across some water but with our new lens I was
able to get several shots including one in which it looked at us, (first photo), as is to make
sure it was far enough away to be safe, (Painted buntings are often captured and
caged as pets in Central America.
Shortly after it flew away, my sister Connie showed up along with more scarlet tanagers. We also did get to see our first Baltimore oriole of the year,
It had been another great of birding! Clear skies
WOW Fantastic.
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