Red-eyed Vireo – Tendrils

Taking A Dip

I’ve been hearing them for some time now with their unmistakable song of, “Here I am. Where are you?” The Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus) have come back from their wintering grounds in the Amazon basin of South America. They return to their same breeding grounds every year which pleases me. A couple years ago a nest of Red-eyed Vireos were discovered in a Flowering Dogwood tree just a short distance from the cabin. That nest was watched until the babies fledged. Maybe this is one of that same family.

I’ve been hearing them but today was the first that I’ve seen of them. The birdbath can attract birds that you might not see otherwise. I’m glad to have birdbaths in the yard within easy view. Here the Red-eyed Vireo takes a moment to take a dip with the female Cardinal on the edge of the tiny pool. The Vireo is not one to stay long. It will take a dip and quickly go away only to return a couple minutes later repeating the same actions over and over.

I wonder what summer bird will show up next.

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Bird Days

The summer birds are arriving. I’m having a grand time seeing the first of this, that, and the other bird, as each day ticks by. Yesterday was a good one for seeing firsts. Not necessarily a good day for photos though. As I’ve raved about in the past, my birdbath is a great attraction for the birds but it doesn’t guarantee that they will be still, or even actually stay long at all. This is the picture I managed to get, of my first glimpse of a Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus).

This is more like the image I was hoping to get. This one is from one year ago, give or take five days. June 13, 2022. It was at nearly the same place, about to take a plunge, perched on a branch of the hydrangea.

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Red Berries of Spicebush

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). In spring this bush of the eastern woods of North America create a wash of soft yellow with small but plentiful blooms. By autumn the blossoms have turned to brilliant red berries. Much to the delight of many birds, including two of my favorites, the Hermit Thrust, and the Red-eyed Vireo.