The sun's rays filter through bare branches; the creek corridor stirs and comes to life with the songs of birds. A Winter Wren's song punched the calm morning air. It's an amazing series of notes that renders astonishment no matter how many times it's heard. It's amazing that a bird so small sings such a big song.
Great Horned Owl
Even before daylight, the nighttime birds retire; resting, but always at watch. This is a male Great Horned Owl. The female was on the nest, but she's been off it a few times this past week. I expect we'll soon see the owlets peering out of the cavity.
Hermit Thrush
A perfectly perched Hermit Thrush! But not for long. He had his eye on something of interest just below. The sprightly thrush bobbed his tail and then hopped off his perch to capture and consume his prey, a bug of some kind.
Hermit Thrush
Eastern Towhee
This Eastern Towhee puffed up his feathers and then began to preen. I think this may be the same towhee I photographed a few days ago, as it was found at the exact location. But when birds are on the move during migration, there's no way to know for sure. Eastern Towhees don't nest along the creek corridor, in fact I don't think there is any place at Pheasant Branch that they do.
Preening Eastern Towhee
Yellow-rumped Warbler
This Yellow-rumped Warbler is inspecting a clump of leaves in search for something to eat. So far the only other warbler I've seen this spring is Louisiana Waterthrush. The warbler faucet has been set to a trickle, but we should start seeing more diversity and higher numbers soon.
Barred Owl
Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Apr 16, 2013 6:45 AM - 9:15 AM
47 species
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Cooper's Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
© 2013 Mike McDowell