I was busy for several weeks this summer observing and photographing a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and her nest. I collected a lot of behavioral data and took way too many photos and video. Here is part one of what will likely be a three to four part video that summarizes the experience.
Soaring Black Kite
Considered by some to be the most abundant member of the family Accipitridae, the Black Kite is found throughout the old world. Populations of this species winter in the tropics and spend their summers in northern Europe, Asia and in Australia. Their diet is varied and consists of whatever they can catch, including carrion. This was one of the first Australian species I came to know. One morning I watched a group of at least 15 of these birds roosting in freshly plowed fields within the Monsanto research station we were visiting. I assume they were attracted to this area due to the mice and other rodents that were finding food and shelter among the large dirt clods.
Fievel’s no good horrible very bad day
The original carry out
Black Kite juvenile
Black Kite juvenile (I think)
Elderberry Borer – Cerambycidae – Desmocerus palliatus
Members of WGNSS Entomology and Nature Photography Groups met on June 24th, 2017 to see what interesting insects could be found. In this post I am sharing a few of the more interesting that I was able to get photographs of during the day. The find of the day had to be the Cerambycid pictured above that was, by no surprise, found by Ted MacRae.
Delta Flower Scarab
We found that blooms were a great way to find beetles. It is easy to see how the delta flower scarab (Trigonopeltastes delta) got its name.
Flower Longhorn
Cerambicids like this flower longhorn can readily be found on blooms.
Banded Netwing
The banded netwing beetle (Calopteron reticulatum) are easy to find, often located in the open atop vegetation. They rely on aposematic coloration to advertise that they carry aboard chemical compounds that make them a distasteful meal.
Agapostemon sp
The Hymenoptera were well represented on blooms of wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), Queen Ann’s lace (Daucus carota) and as pictured above, fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica). I find the native bees to be tricky to identify by photographs, but I believe this can be placed in the genus Agopostemon. These bees nest in the ground and to promote them, leave patches of soil exposed somewhere in your yard.
Cuckoo-leaf-cutter Bee – Megachilidae – Coelioxys sp
This cleptoparasitic Coelioxys exclusively parasitizes the nests of bees in the Megachile genus.
Scaly Bee Fly – Bombyliidae – Lepidophora lepidocera
Besides being a bizarre little pollinator, this scaly bee fly is a cleptoparasite of cabronid wasps.
Double-toothed Prominent – Notodontidae – Nerice bidentata
Not to leave out the Leps, this double-toothed prominent moth larvae was found. These guys have developed very effective camouflage that allows them to blend in and resemble the toothed, wavy margins of their elm (Ulmus) host plants.
Northern Fence Lizard
During our search for insects at Council Bluff Lake, the WGNSS Nature Photography Group stumbled upon this cooperative and gravid female northern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthus). She allowed our close inspection as she attempted to bask and warm herself on a rock.
Northern Fence Lizard
Northern Fence Lizard
Vermilion Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
Common Black Hawk on Nest. Big Bend National Park, TX.
One of my favorite of my lifers from our south Texas trip was the Common Black Hawk. I would have been happy for a glimpse, but finding this one on a nest was more than I could have asked for.
Common Black Hawk. Big Bend National Park, TX.
Common Black Hawk. Big Bend National Park, TX.
Common Black Hawk. Big Bend National Park, TX.
Common Black Hawk. Big Bend National Park, TX.
Common Black Hawk. Big Bend National Park, TX.
Blackburnian Warbler, Carondelet Park, May 2017
Along with finding the typical rarities that everyone looks for during spring migration, I will not count spring as arriving until I lay eyes on a male Blackburnian Warbler. This past Saturday, not only did Miguel and I find my prize at Carondelet Park, but I got my best photos to date of this tree-top dwelling, piece of greased lighting.
Blackburnian Warbler, Carondelet Park, May 2017
With a throat this bright and luminous, a song that is so high-pitch that dogs aren’t safe for blocks and a never resting habit, more than one birder has assumed these guys must be powered by a battery. Seriously, there’s a reason these guys eat all day long. They have to!
Blackburnian Warbler, Carondelet Park, May 2017
Well, hopefully I might have another before the season has completed springing. If not, I’ll always have something to look forward to next year.
-OZB
