Wednesday, May 7, 2008

" The mountains are calling, and I must go." John Muir

Today's Card

Today's Baby Album Photo (12th day fledglings)

We had planned to go to Shenandoah Nat Park this morning to see if the warblers had arrived, but had to take care of some business, so didn't get off till early afternoon. I didn't have real high hopes, because it was so bright, but I never miss a chance to go out to the beautiful blue ridge mountains. As soon as we got out of the car in the parking lot, we could hear birds singing and calling...and American Redstarts were the lead singers. Hooray! They're here!

For all the singing, it was hard to locate the birds for a while - they were high, and it was almost too bright to look up. So I busied myself with what I could see - a butterfly,

Something very tiny, with a long proboscus,

and another exquisite flying thing...

We saw towhees, catbirds and juncos (We didn't take much time with them, as we have so many images of them, and we were really looking for warblers.) And we saw them too: male and female redstarts, male and female chestnut-sided warblers, a black and white warbler, and the blue-headed vireo.

The sun wasn't quite as high by then, and I finally was able to find a redstart within range.

...and another.

Then this blue-headed vireo sat for a portrait - far away, but he sat very still at least.

A chestnut-sided warbler teased us, just peeking out from the foliage for a few seconds at the time.

We are just at the edge of the mountains - they are visible from our street - but the park, which is high, is about two weeks behind us. The cherry blossoms are just opening there. It was a lovely afternoon. We'll be going back early Friday morning.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thursday morning....

I made it this morning to look at your post and then I am off for a lung test.

I hope to be finished with all tests and back to normal by the 12th or soon thereafter.

Your photographs are really nice, as usual.

abb said...

Lovely, of course. Is that little thing with the long proboscus a butterfly?

I've only driven through Shenandoah Park - but the beauty was incredible.

Aunt "B's" Backyard said...

Good Morning, Birdlady!
Quite a variety were calling you!!
I've only seen one Redstart so far, and OH, what a sweet shot of the fledglings! They are all beautiful.
As always, it's wonderful to see what's calling you!!

kjpweb said...

All are great - but the Swallowtail takes the crown! Wonderful! Cheers, Klaus

The Birdlady said...

Abe - hope all goes well; look forward to your return.

tsannie - not a butterfly - looked like a teensy bee...I wouldn't have even seen it, but I was looking at the beautiful, tiny flowers with the big glass, and saw it, sipping away at each and every flower in turn.

aunt b - Oh, they were calling me, all right! Thanks!

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

What a beautiful day you had! Your pictures are exquisite. The Blue Ridge Mountains area is one of the places we are considering moving to when my husband retires. It's one of my favorite places.

Stacey Olson said...

Looks like you had a wonderful day out in the natural world.. thanks for sharing.

John Theberge said...

Great series of photos as usual.

The Birdlady said...

Thanks, Klaus!

Lin - Thank you so much - It is truly a beautiful area. Come on down!

Stacey - A day in the mountains renews me.

John - Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I see you had a beautiful day and got exquisite and unique photos.

Mary said...

Wonderful quote on the card and I love those 2 little bluebirds! Every bird in your post today would be a life bird for me! What a wonderful variety! I love the "tiny something" with its long proboscus :-) Great shot and so clear and detailed!

jalynn01 said...

Love your 'card of the day' idea. Love the quote on this one! Your baby bluebirds are just so darn cute! glad you finally got your warblers, vireo and redstart.. It's so hard when the sun is up in the sky. I have a hard time looking up! Thanks birdlady.

The Birdlady said...

Quintarantino - Many thanks for visiting and for your kind words.

Barb - I ws hoping you could shed some light on the little "bee-thing." Maybe - it's wings were clear - isn't that the strangest coincidence - I had never seen one, and wasn't looking then - there were just those beautiful tiny lavender flowers all over and I was looking at them.

Mary - Thank you so much.

Jalynn, Thanks, as always.

Have a great day, everybody.

Unknown said...

Neat as usual.

Nick S said...

Gorgeous shots again :-)

Your tiny thing with the long proboscis is a Sphinx or ' Hummingbird 'Moth.