I ventured away from our garden to a friend’s cottage for a couple of days, which led to quite an eventful trip back from Charleston Lake. I had just left Philipsville and was on the Toledo road, when I spotted a bird with its wings opened up, by the side of the road. I stopped and backed up to see not just one, but three Turkey Vultures, with others circling above, 6-7 of them altogether. I was able to get quite close to the one that had stayed behind, as you can see, so I got some super pictures of it. What a delight to see these – not so beautiful birds – up close!
Whilst still away and having a chance to take a boat ride, I got to see a few more birds, such as the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, Ospreys, a Bald Eagle (at a distance), Cormorants, and a nesting bird above one of the windows at the cottage. This bird had a brown head, white chest and also flicked its tail. I am plumping on saying that it was an Eastern Phoebe, although it wasn’t – or its partner wasn’t – giving out the traditional Phoebe call. Maybe they don’t do that when they are nesting!
Good news! My wait for the returning Bluebirds has finally ended, and a couple of days ago there was a pair of them in and around their nesting box, so I can now breathe a sigh of relief. It remains to be seen if they are actually going to use our box again, because I suspect that they are also residents at one of our neighbours as well. They do make false nests, so this is not beyond the realms of possibility. I’ll just have to be patient a little while longer, to see the eventual outcome! Whilst they are pondering, the Kingbirds are still visiting and my wife saw one plop into our swimming pool yesterday either to cool off, in the heat, or to catch something, which she doubts, as it was right in the water!
Lots of things are still happening around us and I hope around you too. Stay safe and well,
Cheers,
John Baldwin
