White-eyed Vireo

This post doesn’t feature quite the same variety of species as most of my photography posts, but there’s lots to talk about in this collection of photographs.

First, the White-eyed Vireo (above) was a real treat! When I was outside refilling my bird feeders on Sunday afternoon, I heard unfamiliar birdsong, which I located in a tangle of wild forsythia right where my front lawn meets the woods beside my home (and which, naturally, meant all plans for the rest of the day were cancelled). So, I grabbed my camera and parked myself there. I sat for a long time watching a little bird dart around inside the bushes, until finally a little head emerged and looked in my direction. It was a White-eyed Vireo–and my first encounter with one. I was only able to get two shots and, thankfully, both are acceptable; although, I am hoping for another opportunity in the coming days to perhaps get a better photograph.

Second, there are hummingbirds! The first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds of the season have arrived. At this time of year, I don’t typically see more than one hummingbird at my feeder at a time, and it’s always an adult male. The reason: adult males migrate earlier than females in order to establish their breeding territories. (I spotted the first hummingbird of the season at the end of March.) But, you’ll notice this collection contains photographs of a female. I first saw her at my feeder last weekend, and I was really surprised! This is the earliest in the season I can recall spotting a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird. I don’t normally see them until sometime in May.

And, lastly, there is a pair of Eastern Bluebirds nesting in my house (yes, I said, in my house), and there are babies. One morning a few weeks ago, I was sitting in bed having coffee and thought I heard what sounded like chirping inside the walls…and that is, in fact, what I heard. There is a small woodpecker hole in the siding next to my bedroom window, and a pair of bluebirds has decided to nest in there.

This is, of course, not the most ideal location for a nest from my perspective, but there’s nothing to be done about it now. I’ve been listening to the babies chirp for the past few weeks, and this afternoon, I saw two little faces peeking out of the woodpecker hole.

Also, I haven’t seen the male bluebird in a few days. This morning and this afternoon while I was outside photographing the nest, he was nowhere to be found. Mom was doing all of the feeding by herself. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but for their sake, I hope he’s alright.