Last summer I watched the Baltimore Orioles build this nest and then feed their young until they fledged. It was hard to see with all of the leaves on the tree, but you could see the parents flying in and out. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
I still look up when I walk by, remembering last summer. But now the leaves are gone and you can see the nest so well, way up in the tree farthest to the right. I can’t believe it has withstood all of the crazy winds we’ve had this winter. It is just amazing that the Baltimore Orioles can build a nest that is still intact way up high in the tree!
I wonder if they ever come back and use the same nest? They’ll be here pretty soon. A lot of birds are already starting to come early!
The bird feeders were full of noisy birds and then, all of a sudden, they were gone and all was quiet. And there, sitting on top of one of the feeders was this gorgeous adult Cooper’s Hawk. He must have stopped by hoping to get lunch.
If you look quickly, you might think this is a Canada Goose. But if you look closely, you will see the partial white ring around its short neck and its totally small, black head thus identifying it as a Brant. (Click on blog link for other photos.)
There were 6 Brants by the water’s edge at Rock Harbor Beach the other day. They feed as a flock mostly on eel grass found in the tidal flats at low tide.
The last photo shows one of them resting in the grass. Beautiful bird, don’t you think? Have you ever seen a Brant?
Phil and I decided to go for an early hike the other day and then do a little bird watching. Rock Harbor is one of our favorite places as it seems to attract a lot of shore birds and diving birds. (Click blog link for photo of female.)
There, swimming around the harbor, were a male and a female Red-breasted Merganser. They were just beautiful. I love their long, thin red bill and and red eyes. Have you ever seen one?
The first photograph is of the male and the 2nd of the female. They look so different in their coloring. We always joke that the male looks like he’s having a “bad hair day.”
Every time I looked out the window on Saturday, our bird bath was pretty full with birds needing a drink or just enjoying a little warmth from the frigid temperatures.
When I first went outside early in the morning, it was so cold that the ice had a hard time melting. I got a wooden spoon and chopped through the top layer of ice so the birds could get to the water. You can still see a big hunk of ice on the side.
When we built our home here, we asked the builder to put a plug on the outside of the deck. He asked us whatever for? We told him we needed to be able to plug our heated bird bath in. One of the best things we ever did!
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.
