One of the most beautiful bird songs here in Mississippi comes from the understated Wood Thrush. The male in my title photo perched on the closest Cedar tree in my backyard. We will be serenaded each morning and evening for months if the nest is nearby. Life would become a “symphony lacking a theme” if these birds were absent. The following video is from 2022 and confirms the speculation I profess.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream,visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on follow.
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I saw my “first of year” Thrush on Apr. 15th. As it began it’s melody, I snapped off a few photos. I feel there is a joy in this bird’s expression as it announces his Spring intentions.
As I listened to the sweet sounds from the Cedar, my attention was drawn to the flitting in the Oak tree nearest the driveway. I aimed the lens toward the young leaves and remaining flower heads.
These are the varied birds feeding among the catkins for bugs.
Some yellow bird lit and mingled with the other foragers. I didn’t know what this (until exploring further) hunter was. It skidded between the tangle of branches deftly for each insect. It seemed to wave “hello” as I took this shot.
Voila! an unexpected LIFER.
I spied a single purple bloom of a single stalk at the base of the Oak. I don’t think it’s too early for Spiderwort to be flowering, but this one stood defiant and demanding to be noticed.
I wondered how the Buckeye plants that hay seed gave me last year were doing. I slipped around the back of the house and saw that all 10 plants were in full bloom. Below is a photo of one clump. Waist high plants that like shady areas and desire damp soil. There are also known as “Firecracker plants”.
I walked back to the garage and passed the Lyre-leaf Sage scattered around my side yard. I spotted my Bug of the Day feeding on the long tube of the flowers.
The circular pair of dots on the upper wings confirm this species as opposed to the dashes (and number of dots) found on the wings of the Dark morph, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Reference from BugGuide.net on that comparison.
That’s all I have to present today but am wide open to hear all about the things you have encountered. Feel free to comment on your experiences.