Visitors 22
Modified 22-Dec-24
Created 19-Dec-24
68 photos
As I approach the mistletoe-bedecked Valley Oak, a twittering mixed flock descends from another direction, a large group then two or three stragglers. One poses briefly as they dart from branch to branch, mostly avoiding my focus.
Over an hour later, returning home, I find birds gathered there again. Perched near a mistletoe bunch, they dart up into the air, swoop across, dive back down. Are they hunting insects? Despite the cold air and occasional raindrops, is there any other explanation? I hold my camera steady as they swoop in and out. 1/250th of a second proves too slow to freeze these darting denizens of dampness; blurred images have a poetry of their own.
Yellow-rumped Warblers seem to dominate here. Watch their tail feathers as they maneuver: sometimes all together into one solid airfoil, sometimes spread apart, turbulence slowing swift flight.
Western Bluebirds join this mixed flock. Quite possibly other species as well.
Over an hour later, returning home, I find birds gathered there again. Perched near a mistletoe bunch, they dart up into the air, swoop across, dive back down. Are they hunting insects? Despite the cold air and occasional raindrops, is there any other explanation? I hold my camera steady as they swoop in and out. 1/250th of a second proves too slow to freeze these darting denizens of dampness; blurred images have a poetry of their own.
Yellow-rumped Warblers seem to dominate here. Watch their tail feathers as they maneuver: sometimes all together into one solid airfoil, sometimes spread apart, turbulence slowing swift flight.
Western Bluebirds join this mixed flock. Quite possibly other species as well.
Dan Quinn