Just A Number

Overnight, one of the digits that represent my age changed. Funny how that happens. Here I am, celebrating with a bow in my hair, on the left (my right).

Today, being a special day, I was on alert for something unusual to show up in the world of nature. That seems to happen on holidays, birthdays and other red letter days.

While outside this afternoon, I was paying attention to the songs of the birds in the woods. Two relatively new to me, at least for this season, stood out. The first that I heard, a Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). This image is the Redstart I was pleased to see and photograph just a few days ago.

The second song was of a Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus). I haven’t seen any yet this season. This picture is from April of 2020.

Both these birds eat mostly insects and other arthropods during the summer. Since they don’t come to my feeders, I’m able to entice them into view by keeping my three birdbaths filled with fresh water.

Looking forward to seeing more birds here for the breeding season as spring turns to summer.

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A Summer Resident Has Returned

Yesterday afternoon, a look out at one of the birdbaths revealed a delightful surprise, a Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). A summer resident getting settled in. This, a photo from that sighting, is a male with his beautiful black and orange feathers.

This, a female Redstart. Subtle colors, a medium gray and, soft yellow.

The Redstarts come to the birdbaths. I rarely see them otherwise, since they don’t come to the feeders. They are insect and spider eaters, though in late summer into autumn, they will also eat some small berries and fruits.

I love to see the change of the bird population as the seasons change. Each season is my favorite.

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