There's More Where These Wonders of Nature Came From

                                                         Female Red-winged Blackbird

                                                                    American Robin



June 18, 2016
0907-1053 hrs./76-88 degrees F/partly cloudy/light and variable SE winds, shortly after rain

Quite a bit of activity, including a Great Egret being chased by a lone Barn Swallow for a
short distance and an odd sighting of a Ruddy Duck in the center of the lake on the south end.

The female Red-winged Blackbird was sitting on the trumpet vines, later joined by the usual
female Orchard Oriole, who has possibly fledged her young and moved to a new nest just a
short distance from where she had been with her mate.

There is also a possibility that we might just be hosting a breeding pair of Great Crested
Flycatchers in the former nest tree of a Red-bellied Woodpecker from several years previous.

The youngest Green Heron is still hanging on to its spot at The Southern Cove.

                                                                 Carolina Chickadee

                                                                    Red-tailed Hawk

                                                                   Red-tailed Hawk

                                                                            Ditto


06-20-16

76-87 degrees F/0650-1000 hrs./partly cloudy/12 mph southerly wind gusts


Another chase ensued today involving a young Red-tailed Hawk, who is coming into its
adult feathers, with an unusual amount of rusty breast wash.  The bird wasn't doing anything in particular, other than being present.  However, with the chase involving the Broad-winged Hawk
that ensued about 1.5 weeks prior with unidentified prey, avian concern was very high.  This bird
was chase by a Baltimore Oriole, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Great-tailed Grackles, a Northern Mockingbird,  and at least one more species.  Also duly noted on this bird is an injury on the
right leg that appears to be a burn.

One Carolina Chickadee permitted a photo op, but its mate did not.

The Bell's Vireo's territory appears to be growing, and four Brown-headed Cowbirds are
waiting in the wings, most likely to parasitize this couple.  I appears that the male Bell's Vireo
is now on the move more than ever, perhaps to try to thwart the efforts of the cowbirds.  It is
not known if the nest location has  been moved at this stage, for I have not seen the female.  She
could be in an active nest.