Mullein blooms over a long time in the summer. Some of the flower stalks have produced seeds. Birds molt old feathers and grow new ones after nesting and fledging their young. This Downy Woodpecker has a few more new feathers to sprout, but it is hungry enough to come out for lunch.
The blackbird was foraging among the short grasses near the pond. A female, recently arrived after migrating, landed on a branch of swamp willow. The male saw her and started displaying his handsome epaulets. He walked toward her with his feathers fluffed out and tail partly spread. As he proceeded, he lifted the leading edge of each wing so that the red shoulder patches were puffed up, appearing bigger. She flew to another small tree; he followed among the willow sprouts, displaying his male beauty to impress her.
(Red-winged Blackbird males have colorful upperwing coverts of red bordered with yellow on the bend of each wing. He will use the colorful display to threaten other birds, defend his territory, or attract a mate.)
FeederWatch, a citizen-science program of Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, is once again an activity for me through the cold winter months. This small Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens comes every day to feed at the suet block hanging near the pond. Suet supplements his regular diet of insects which he searches for between folds of tree bark. His tail feathers are strong and positionable to support him on tree branches or wherever he finds food.
Dark-eyed Juncos made their sudden winter appearance several weeks ago. In Springtime, they find mates and nest "up north" in Canada. In Autumn they migrate to places across the US where they spend the colder months. Junco hyemalis are flashy little sparrows. I think they look as if they're wearing tuxedoes, with crisp markings -- a white chest and belly, dark gray or black back, and pink bill. They have bright white tail feathers which they reveal as they flit around on the ground searching for seeds. Juncos flock together in winter, sometimes with others species. When they find a stash of seeds (like this dish on the deck overlooking the pond) they grudgingly takes turns at it.
The pond is surrounded by grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs that provide food for birds. And we also put out seed and suet in feeders to bring the birds a little closer.
Green Herons nest in trees and shrubs near water, or dry woods and orchards as long as it provides seclusion and there is water nearby for foraging fish or frogs.
Last year we saw a Green Heron Butorides virescens several times here on the pond shore, hunting for a meal. To see those previous photos and information about how these birds use tools to hunt, enter heron in the search box at top left then press return.
Late on this balmy Spring day, a pair of Hooded Mergansers landed on the pond. They might be migrating, needing a place to stop and rest. We watched them paddle around a bit near the far shoreline. As the sunlight dimmed, the turtles who spent the afternoon warming themselves on the rocks started swimming back into the pond. Neither species seemed to be bothered by the other. This turtle sat comfortably with the ducks for a long time, each enjoying the end of winter.
The seed feeders hang outside the deck railing. Sometimes the Mourning Doves line up on the rail, watching for their turn at the feeder. On some days they just sit here to crack and savor the seeds. We've seen ten at a time here, waiting or enjoying the food.
Mergansers stopped on the pond for a rest. They floated in the early sunlight for a while, then dived under water to search for a meal. Maybe they found aquatic insects, worms, frogs, or snails.
Below, the duck on the right is just gathering her body upward to curve down and dive. Because feathers make ducks buoyant, it takes muscles to dive. The one on the left is just emerging from a dive, as the water rolls off her head.
