Eastern towhee.
Today’s forecast: the likelihood of a thundershower. But when I rose this morning, sun streamed through the eastern windows, as it has the past many days, and the day warmed up and developed a little humidity. I had another tied-to-the-desk kind of day, but when I noticed the sky grow dim in early afternoon, I figured I should get a quick bike ride in before the rains came.
Common yellowthroat (juvenile).
So I did. Quick ride—only six miles—but I timed it well. About two minutes after my return I heard the first clap of thunder, and then the rains came. A nice, cleansing shower. Welcomed, I’m sure, by the natural world.
In the wake of it, dog and I took a hike. The sun had already reemerged, though the trees were still dripping along the wooded Beech Hill trails. I figured birds would be active, post-storm—and they were, more or less. So were deer flies. Really active. Swarming. Dozens of them. Funny that they seem most active as we’re moving, but less so when I’ll stop to check a bird. Don’t know it for a fact, but I bet they look for moving, animate things. (I know they’ll follow for hundreds of yards.) Got bit by one today. First of the year. Back of my neck. While we were in motion. I also killed a few, though, by grabbing them as they swarmed. They’re pretty easy to catch. I just squeeze ’em and throw them down.
So I can’t complain about a little bite, I guess.
Towhees singing from the berry brambles. Flitting alder flycatchers and their young. Saw a couple chestnut-sided warblers. Got a photo of a young yellowthroat. And heard a song sparrow at the summit for a change. Just one. One song.
Sailor's delight.
Returning, I heard two black-throated green warblers singing their summer song. Odd that this species is such a devoted summer singer. I like the little black-throated greens.
However, I missed a great photo of a hermit thrush teed up on a bare branch not twenty feet away from us. And sat there for at least fifteen seconds. (I’ve got to read up on that damn auto-focus thing.)
Tonight, just at sunset, for a brief minute or two, the sky caught fire and burned red. Just another precious, fleeting gift from the sky.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:45 p.m., I hiked the wooded trails.
1. Red-eyed vireo (v)
2. Black-capped chickadee (v)
3. American goldfinch*
4. Chestnut-sided warbler
5. Cedar waxwing*
6. Eastern towhee
7. Common yellowthroat*
8. Alder flycatcher
9. Gray catbird* (v)
10. American crow*
11. Hermit thrush
12. Song sparrow* (v)
13. Black-throated green warbler (v)
14. Eastern wood-pewee (v)
Elsewhere
15. Northern cardinal (v)
16. Herring gull
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, black-throated green warbler, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, common yellowthroat, eastern towhee, eastern wood-pewee, gray catbird, hermit thrush, herring gull, northern cardinal, red-eyed vireo, song sparrow
