Ticks in Winter

Today’s post is a collaborative endeavor between my treasured buddy/granddaughter, seven year old “Cherry” Jones and myself. I had mentioned to her that my subject was going to be ticks and that I had no photographs. She immediately suggested she could do illustrations, so here they are!

We were quite surprised just a few days ago, at the end of December to find that ticks are still active. It’s been much too warm for the ticks to seek their normal refuge in leaf litter or an underground burrow where they normally stay for extended stretches until temperatures warm again. So our warmer than usual temperatures this late autumn and winter mean we are out of luck. And the ticks are happy and active.

During the warm times when ticks are hungry, hoping for hosts, they sometimes take on a tactic called questing. They select the perfect blade of grass, or leaf of a low growing bush, and grasp its edge with their third and fourth pair of legs. Waving their front legs to reach out into the air waiting for that unsuspecting mammal to come by to provide the meal they need. In the illustration above you see a blade of grass with a tick perched on it, just waiting for a hiker to come by.

Eastern Phoebe In Winter

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe). An amiable little bird that I love to see around as it flicks its tail feathers as a signal to me. A sign of identification. Being that it is an insectavore makes me welcome it well beyond my being enthralled by its charm. An event of just a couple days ago makes me appreciate that they eat ticks! This year those ticks are out there still, even at the end of December. It’s been much too warm to send the ticks, depending on their species, into hiding in leaf litter or going into underground burrows. Waiting for warm weather to return. They don’t need to escape. The warm weather hasn’t gone away. In a normal winter the Phoebe will eat what insects it can find but can and will resort to eating berries and other fruit that it can find. I love that they are here returning to the same nest year after year to raise their young. And are eating the ticks.

Bluebirds During the Holidays

Special days bring special things. Today was no exception with some Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) arriving. Shopping for housing no doubt, perhaps with a real estate agent. They were all checking out the houses around the yard and noticed that meal worms were waiting for them at the feeder. This male with his brilliant blue admires the view from the roof top. Oh just look at that color!

A female checks out the rooftop view as well. Her coloring more gray, more subtle. I’ve got my fingers crossed that they decide to stay for a while, perhaps raise a brood or two or three here at the Observatory and Frog Farm.

Birdbaths in Winter

During the winter my birdbaths really draw the birds. Bring in birds that aren’t interested in the seeds and suet that I put out at the feeders. Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) and Robins (Turdus migratorius) don’t eat at the feeders but they sure take pleasure in the water.

Another on my list of those that have no interest in the bird feeders, a Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), who shows up simply because I use a water warmer to keep ice from freezing. A water warmer along with a long medium duty/outdoor extension cord.

And still another bird on that list, a Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata), affectionately know as Butterbutt.

Birds can eat snow to get the moisture they need but it takes precious energy to convert that frigid chill of snow to the bird’s body temperature. Precious energy. Some birds even bathe during the cold of winter to keep their feathers clean IF water is available. And of course there are all the birds that eat the yummy suet and seeds that are out there in the feeders. They need that water in liquid form too. The more the merrier at the ol’ watering hole.

Purple Finch

A bird that I rarely see. Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus). Not an unusual bird, but one that just doesn’t show up here on my mountain. In all my years of capturing images of birds, I’ve only had two occasions to photograph a Purple Finch. Once in 2010 and once in 2017.

The Purple Finches that spend their summers in Canada, seek warmth during the summer in the central and southeastern US. Those that live in the northeastern US and on the Pacific coast choose to stay put year round. Sure wish they’d swing by here more often. I’d love to see more of them.

Downy Woodpeckers Love Suet

Suet at the bird feeders here insures that Downy Woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens) show up. They’re cute little things, about the same size a Dark-eyed Junco or a White-throated Sparrow. The smallest woodpeckers in North America. The Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) is quite similar in its markings but a good bit larger — the size of a Robin. The proportional size of its bill to the head is a good indicator too, in telling the two apart. The bill of the Downy is about a third the size of its head. The bill of the Hairy is nearly as long as the woodpecker’s head. I love seeing these handsome little ones. I’m about out of suet, I’ve gotta get busy and mix up some more to keep those Downies happy.

GrandKitty Camp

It certainly is a wonderful time of the year. It really helps too, that for the past few days it actually has been a bit cold. Much like it should be at this time of year. And other things are happening here at the cabin to make things merry and bright. The big happening for a few days is GrandKitty Camp. My buddy for watching the birds, munching on yummy snacks and sleeping the day away has arrived to participate in the festivities. GrandKitty, Betelguese, got her name from the red supergiant star in the constellation Orion NOT Beetlejuice as in the movie!