Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanger - Our Most Beautiful Bird?

Scarlet Tanager Male

Some people think that the Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) is our most beautiful bird (and rightly so).  The male in breeding plumage as seen above gives meaning to the colour, scarlet.  Set off with black wings and tail, wow!

The Scarlet Tanager varies in plumage greatly depending on the season.  The male in breeding plumage is shown above.  In his non-breeding plumage he is greenish yellow with black wings and tail.  Such a dramatic change!   The female is yellow-green with darker wings and tail and a brighter yellow throat.  The immature male is much like the female.  The adult male is an interesting sight when he is changing plumage with blotches of red on yellow or vice-versa.

Scarlet Tanager Male

The Scarlet Tanager is found in New Brunswick in summer where it breeds.  It feeds high up in the deciduous trees so is not often seen around housing areas.  It builds a nest of grass, rootlets, forbs and twigs 20 to 30 up in a deciduous tree.  Its eggs are blue green spotted with brown.  It feeds on insects, fruits, berries and buds.

Scarlet Tanager Male

I recently saw the Scarlet Tanager pictured above while out looking for warblers.  I was lucky to have it sit still long enough for a photo.  The song of this species is similar to that of a Robin.  It is raspier and is sometimes described as that of a Robin with a 'sore throat'.

Scarlet Tanagers have been recorded eating over 2,000 gypsy moth caterpillars (army worms) in an hour.  We appear to have more army worms this year so that might produce an influx of Scarlet Tanagers.  Keep your eyes peeled for one in a deciduous tree.  Maybe you will be lucky and find a sight like the one pictured above.

Reaching for the Sky

A recent stay in Lavey-les-Bains for three days in a Spa Hotel

I was able to get wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

These were taken just as the first rays of sun were touching the tips of the mountains

in the early morning.

These lovely shots were all taken from the balcony in my hotel room

It was certainly very beautiful watching the rising sun illuminate the mountains

There was still a little snow, but most was melted.

I know that these two tips which are part of a mountain called

La Dent de Morcles

As the sky lightens, the green trees become visible

Fluffy clouds are always somewhere to be seen

This one almost looks like a volcano

A daytime shot from the park adjoining the hotel

Such a beautiful place to walk and the grass was dotted with buttercups.

The early evening sky brings in a red hue across the mountains

A charming crescent moon becomes visible

and for a few minutes, the sky takes on a shade of royal blue

Back to the moon again through the side window of my room

As night descends, it's time to put away my camera until those first rays

of sunshine illuminate the mountains again the next morning.

***

This thermal spa is at the foot of the Alps.

It is fed by the hottest springs in Switzerland.

Temperatures vary between 32°C - 36°C, depending on the season.

It is indeed a beautiful place to stay for a few days.

The mountain views are spectacular.

There is also a lovely park with many trees that runs along

the Rhone River nearby.

The fast flowing water can be heard from the hotel rooms.

I would love to go back there for a short stay in the autumn again!

Lark Sparrow

Lark Sparrow Seen in Grand Manan

Lark Sparrow

 On May 10 we birded Whitehead Island, off Grand Manan and found this beautiful Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) feeding on a feeder and on the ground under the feeder along with Purple Finches, Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos and Baltimore Orioles.  This was an exciting find because this species is only listed as 'casual' here.  Usually a few sightings occur mostly in the fall along the Grand Manan archipeligo and along other coastal areas on New Brunswick.  Only a few are seen in spring.

The Lark Sparrow is a western sparrow, breeding in summer in the western half of the US as far north as the southern prairie provinces of Canada.  It winters in California, southern Texas, and Mexico.  This is normally a bird of open grasslands where it feeds on seeds, grasshoppers and other insects.  As seen in the photo above, it readily enjoys feeding on seeds from a feeder.

Lark Sparrow

The Lark Sparrow is a brightly coloured bird, showing a beautiful pattern of light and dark brown on its face mixed with white and beige.  It has a long tail which shows conspicuous white outer tail feathers in flight.  The breast is plain gray with a dark spot in the middle.  Both males and females look alike and the juvenile is a muted form of the adult with streaks on the breast.

Lark Sparrow

The Lark Sparrow was first recorded in New Brunswick from Grand Manan on 13 August 1923.   We have had many reports since then and it has become a rare visitor but not unusual.

The male Lark Sparrow performs a courting dance which I have not been lucky enough to see.  It crouches on the ground, holds its tail up high, spreads its tail feathers to show its white outer-tail feathers, and struts around with drooping wings.  He must be an interesting sight!  Apparently the female is impressed because she eventually picks one performing male as her mate.  They go on to build a rough nest of sticks and grass lined with fine grass and rootlets, low on the ground or in a bush.  Their eggs are pale white to gray marked with brown or black spots.  We have no nesting records of this species in New Brunswick.

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole in Grand Manan

Orchard Oriole Immature Male

 On May 10, we were fortunate to see and photograph an immature Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) while visiting Grand Manan.  This bird was faithful to the area around the home of one of Grand Manan's faithful bird feeders.  As you can see in the photo, it was enjoying fresh oranges.  The bird would visit the oranges 5 or 6 times a day and feed heavily on the orange flesh.  Baltimore Orioles were enjoying them too but the two species of orioles would not tolerate one another.  The Orchard Oriole would wait for the Baltimore to finish before flying into the tree.

The Orchard Oriole is North America's smallest oriole.  It arrives in the late spring and leaves early for its wintering grounds.  Some leave as early as mid-July.  It breeds normally in the mid-US as far north as the Canadian border and southern New England.   It winters in Mexico south to northern South America.  Although rare here, it is fairly common throughout its normal breeding range.  It prefers open forests and edges with flowering trees, urban parks and riparian zones.

Orchard Oriole Immature Male

The immature male Orchard Oriole is bright yellow with a black throat patch and lores (area between eye and bill).  It has two conspicuous white wing bars, as do both the adult male and female.  The adult female is bright yellow with a greenish back and no black at all.  The adult male looks very different with a black hood, back and throat patch.  He shows deep chestnut on the belly, sides and rump.  He also shows the two white wing bars.

The male sings a high-pitched warbling whistle.  The Orchard Oriole weaves a hanging nest similar to that of the Baltimore Oriole.  It usually is attached to  the fork of a tree or bush.  It lays 3 to 7 pale blue or gray eggs with gray, purple or brown spots.  The Orchard Oriole feeds on insects, nectar, flowers and fruit.

Orchard Oriole Immature Male

The Orchard Oriole is a very rare spring visitor to New Brunswick.  Visitors are often immature birds probably dispersing from their home range.  Some have stayed into summer when they probably return southward.  That is probably what this individual will do.

Orchard Oriole Adult Male [Internet Photo]

There are 10 species of orioles that can be seen in North America.  Some are seen only in the most southerly parts of Florida or California or Arizona.  They are very beautiful birds and we are lucky to have the Baltimore Oriole here and occasionally we get to see the Orchard Oriole.

A Milestone Birthday

May seems to be a busy month this year.

Celebrating my birthday on May 15th seemed  like a good time

to look back on those years when I was growing up.

This first photo dates back to when I was about three years' old.

It was certainly taken in a studio and the photo coloured afterwards.

My father liked to ride,

as soon as he thought I was big enough, he sat me on a pony.

Here I am, aged five, sitting on quite a highly-strung little pony

called "Mousie". I remember her well and how she liked to have her own way, 

which wasn't always the same way as her rider!

By the age of twelve, I was a fun-loving schoolgirl.

I still loved riding and had my own pony. A grey called Miss Muffet.

Then came the teenage years.

I was seventeen in this photo and quite dreamy and idealistic

and a tad romantic too.

I loved to read and went to the library a lot.

I kept a diary in my teen years, but kept none of these writings.

I wonder what I would think of them now?

I remember always wanting to see the best in people.

I think I was always striving to becoming someone better,

more compassionate, more understanding, more forgiving.

It became apparent to me, quite early on, that I was simply a work in progress

and that my life, in whatever form it took, would form the person

that I would become.

It isn't only life, and what happens to us, which forms us,

but how we react, digest and rise above it all which counts.

So besides all things philosophical,

there is the reality of how we live each moment,

with or without sunshine,

alone or in good company.

My birthday was not sunny and it was cold with heavy rain showers, 

but I spent it in good company with a breakfast out in a traditional, old-style

tea-room in the town of Lausanne.

Here is the little tea-room

We had a delicious Birchermuesli (they do the best in town)

and an Apple Turnover with coffee.

Look what caught our eye before we left the tea-room!

A Chocolate Truffle Cake

as light as a feather!

This little beauty came home with us for tea.

I was thinking about the important things in life and decided to make a collage

to give my children and grandson.

BE

Be amazed

Be joyful

Be playful

Be kind

Be thoughtful

Be loving

Be content

and most of all...

Be yourself!

Here is the last slice of birthday cake, so good with fresh raspberries.

The lovely peonies I received and three of my beautiful cards. 

The others stand in honour on my sideboard where I admire them every day!

I received very thoughtful and generous gifts from both my children

and a wonderfully detailed drawing from my grandson.

Today, the sun returned.

It feels so wonderfully joyful.

This is the scene that greeted me in my kitchen this morning.

Sunshine and blue skies

Sweet early morning birdsong

To nourish my soul.

All these simple things are so good for the morale, don't you think?

The Dangers of Declawing Cats

If you have a feline family member, you’ve probably experienced the many benefits that come from having a loving bond with your kitty companion. You’ve probably also seen (or felt!) the familiar prick of those pointy paws. But, before you declaw your cat, it’s important to know the downsides – and dangers – of declawing your beloved family cat.

 

Why Cats Have Claws

• Claws help cats grip and enjoy stretches that engage and tone their backs and shoulders. 
• While humans walk on the soles of their feet, cats walk on their toes. Because of this, they need their claws to help them balance properly. Without claws, your cat is forced to alter the way they walk which can result in discomfort, pain and joint damage. 
• Cats scratch to release happiness – which is why you may witness your kitty joyfully scratching their scratching post when you return home or after a play session with you or your other felines.

Why You Shouldn’t Declaw

• Declawing is a painful procedure that actually removes part of a cat’s toes, cutting through bones and nerves. For humans, this would be the equivalent of cutting off a finger at the first joint, nail and all.
• The removal of the bone and claw also has unhealthy, harmful side effects for your feline. Declawing can cause infection, abnormal claw growth within the toe, inflammation, arthritis or behavioral changes such as increased aggression, biting, emotional trauma or litterbox avoidance issues.
• Animal Friends and the ASPCA discourage declawing – it is considered inhumane and is already illegal in 28 countries. Although it is not yet prohibited in the United States, several cities have banned the practice.

Safe and Healthy Alternatives

• Ensure that your cat has approved surfaces to scratch. Cardboard, carpet, rope or fabric scratchers can be purchased or made at home. With a variety of scratching options, you’re sure to find a surface your feline will enjoy scratching more than your sofa!
• Trimming a cat’s claws every few weeks can drastically reduce damage from scratching.
• TIP: Make trimming a pleasurable activity for your cat by offering some yummy treats as a reward!
• Cats' claws grow continuously, just like human nails. The outer sheaths of the claws, which become dull over time, are shed when a cat scratches. As cats get older, they may not wear their claws down as fast, resulting in the need for more frequent claw trimmings.

With proper education, patience and a little positive reinforcement, your cat can continue to scratch happily without you or your home paying the price! Contact Animal Friends at 412.847.7000 or visit our website if you need help training your cat to scratch appropriately. Your kitty (and your furniture) will certainly thank you!

King Rail

King Rail in New Brunswick - No Way!

King Rail

On May 7 Jim Wilson announced the sighting of a King Rail at McLaren’s Pond, Fundy National Park.  It was reported as an ‘amazing’ discovery and indeed it was.  There have been only 3 previous sightings of this species in New Brunswick.  Two were found dead; one at Point Lepreau in September, 1952 and one at Gardner Creek, Saint John County in October, 1994 (Birds of New Brunswick: An Annotated List).  The third bird was photographed by Chris Kennedy while doing a breeding bird atlas along the Petitcodiac River in June, 2007.  Nova Scotia has three records and two birds were seen in southern Maine in recent years (as per Jim Wilson).

King Rail Showing Orange Breast and Red Iris

The King Rail (Rallus elegans) is the largest member of the rail family, Rallidae.  Other rail species that are native to New Brunswick in the summer are the Sora and the Virginia Rail.  Rails are secretive birds that live in close proximity to water, especially marshes and wetlands.  The Sora, Virginia Rail and King Rail prefer fresh water habitats and the Clapper Rail prefers salt or brackish marshes.  They like thick vegetation in which to hide, feed and nest.  They occasionally come out in the open but quickly duck back into cover.  The King Rail builds an intricately woven nest with a woven canopy and a sloping ramp entrance.

The King Rail feeds on aquatic insects, crustaceans, frogs, clams and seeds of marsh plants.  They will feed away from water (e.g., this individual appeared to be eating earthworms and insects found in mown grass) but most often feed in long marsh grass and pond plants.  It is reported that they will sometimes carry their food to water and dunk it before eating.

King Rail Showing Side Barring

The King Rail is a spectacular rail as its name suggests.  It is 38 cm (15 in) long and a bit bigger than the Clapper Rail which it closely resembles.  The King Rail is the size of a chicken and really impressive to see as it quietly walks along heavy pond vegetation.  It normally inhabits the coastal areas of southeastern US from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas.  In summer it sometimes migrates up the Mississippi River.  ‘Casual’ sightings have been reported from Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.  

The population of the King Rail is in decline due to habitat loss or degradation, toxic environments. accidental trappings, and hunting pressures in some parts of the US.  The King Rail was first described in 1834 by John James Audubon who did a beautiful painting of a pair of the birds.  I wonder how many tens of thousands of years this species existed before it was first described.  It certainly was known by the early inhabitants of North America who called it the ‘marsh hen’ or various aboriginal names.

King Rail Showing Orange Superciliary Line

The King Rail and the Clapper Rail look very much alike.  There is considerable variability within both species.  Some subspecies of the Clapper Rail look much like King Rails. The California race (of Clapper Rail), for example, is more orange in colour and looks even more like the King Rail but that population is considered to be non-migratory.  To make identification even more difficult, the two species sometimes hybridize.  The Cornell Ornithology site states that recently the King Rail species has been split into two species and the Clapper Rail species has been split into three.  The remaining Clapper Rail species has 8 subspecies.  A complex group!

King Rail Showing Burnt Orange Wing Covert 

The King Rail is larger than the Clapper Rail.  My first impression of the bird was its large size, its bill appeared long and thick and the bird looked dark in colour especially the orange which in some places is a burnt orange.  The colours on the King Rail are more saturated than those of the Clapper Rail, making the Clapper Rail look more muted or grayish overall.  The King Rail is overall browner and more orange.  As seen in the photos above, the barring on the sides of the King Rail are bold and that of the Clapper Rail are less so.  The burnt orange on the breast and wing coverts of the King Rail contrast with the more muted grayish or brownish of the Clapper Rail.  The feathers on the back are more heavily streaked with brownish black and edged with olive or brown in the King Rail and the top of the head is brown compared to black or gray in the Clapper Rail.  The Clapper Rail supposedly has a more prominent white superciliary line but this appears to be a subtle difference.  It appeared orange in the Fundy bird.  After close examination of the differences in these two species as outlined in the bird guides (Sibley and National Geographic) it is clear that there are few distinct differences in these two species, given geographic location and hybridization.  In my opinion, the only clear differences are the size, the orange breast and wing coverts of the King Rail along with the much darker plumage and the chestnut edges to the feathers on the back.  Voice and habitat can provide some help but a serious look at the individual is necessary to get a correct identification.

A very interesting species to find in New Brunswick!  To watch it slowly walk out of the thick bush and feed on the grass and then slink away to hide and rest again was indeed a privilege for us northern birders.  Carry on, King Rail.  You are welcome here.

Home to Home Adoption Program: Calli

Calli is a very friendly 7-year-old domestic short hair. Her family brought her home about a year ago, but is no longer able to give her the attention that she adores and deserves. Because of this, Calli's temporary family is searching for a more permanent arrangement for her! 

Calli is microchipped and loves to be cuddled, petted and will even give little headbutts when she is craving some attention. She is a very sweet girl and can be vocal when she wants to be! Calli can live with dogs as long as they can respect her personal space. She takes some time to warm up to new people, but loves her humans once she gets to know them.

Does Calli sound like the perfect companion for you? If so, contact Kerri at Kerris615@GMail.com to set up a time to meet her!

Where Are the Stories?

She looked out through the confines of where she was hiding.

She knew the world was waiting for her to make the effort, to take the first step.

There were other human beings out there, living life.

Was she living hers? 

She wasn't sure anymore.

She sometimes felt like a little mouse in a cage,

going round in circles, but not exactly getting anywhere.

How had that happened?

Was she doing anything to change that?

She tried looking at things from another point of view.

She felt an inner smile bubbling up from deep within her

and she felt her confidence grow.

"What strange creatures we are", she said, almost out loud.

"We allow ourselves to be influenced by mere thoughts that we have created."

She felt her face becoming relaxed and her breath came slower and calmer.

She could feel the sparkle coming back into her eyes!

There was even a feeling of lightness about her again.

She smiled and knew exactly what she had to do

and felt a tingling of excitement at the sheer thought of it...

This is a fictional story.

***

I did my first self-portrait course five years' ago when I turned a big birthday.

It was quite a challenge, but I so enjoyed the story-telling

and the role-playing we did.

That course was called "Now You".

This year, I decided to do another self-portrait class, to celebrate another birthday!

They do seem to come round rather quickly, don't they!

This time it's with Vivienne McMaster.

She's so encouraging and full of fun.

You can see her website here

***

Today is Sunday

and it's a perfect day for relaxing in the sunshine.

First of all, I just need to show you this gorgeous blossom in my neighbourhood!

After an early morning walk,

I had breakfast on my balcony and then read for a while

enjoying the spring flowers in my window boxes and pots.

Campanula or Bell flowers, just beginning to bloom.

I came across this advertisement for a film I would like to see.

I read the book, which was really good, sometime ago.

I've been having fun with double exposures, so here is one with my grandson!

He gave me permission to use this photo of us both.

See you all soon!