Spring Migration Begins, Dogwoods in Bloom
April 3rd, 2008
The spring bird migration has started in Middle Alabamaland. The ruby-throated hummingbirds are here, along with the gold finches. But I couldn’t resist the image of this male house finch [carpodacus mexicanus] perching in a dogwood tree in full bloom. The garden is mostly planted, except for a few more tomato plants we are importing from Sand Mountain.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I saw this type of finch in my yard yesterday! We also have pairs of tufted tit mouses (mice!?!),bluebirds, and chickadees.
April 5th, 2008 at 7:48 am
This story is about a different bird, Cardinals. We have a small ornamental tree with purple leaves that was infected with what I call tent caterpillars this spring. These are not the pecan tree kind but rather the kind that you see on the wild plums with the web abound the forks in the branches. I had been watching the infestation and it had reached the point where I had decided I needed to do something about it. I was about to go the insecticide route when I saw five female Cardinals show up and were obviously having a feast at the expense of these caterpillars. Then two males showed up, spent about three minutes engaged in a symbolic battle before one left and the remaining male joined feasting females. The Cardinals have moved on but there is not a single tent caterpillar remaining on the tree.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Glynn what brand of camera do you have and take these pictures with. They are awesome.
I really enjoy this paper and the pictures.
April 6th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Thanks for the note and the question, Chris. The digital camera I use is a Nikon D50.
Wish I could afford the D80 and a bigger lens. One day soon…