Birds Are Markers

Prior to his death in 1801 at Montpelier in Orange County, Virginia, James Madison Sr., the father our 4th president, James Madison Jr., kept a weather journal. He and other family members added garden observations in the margins. According to Hillary Hicks, who wrote “‘A Paradise of Roses’: Flowers at Montpelier,” those observations were recorded as “markers of the changing seasons – blossoming trees, migrating birds, and the progress of fruits, flowers, and vegetables.” Birds are, indeed, markers of the changing seasons. (They are also markers of changing environments.)

Sure Signs

Here’s one sure sign of fall, a newly arrived Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. These birds breed up and down the East Coast, including in the state of Virginia. But many that show up here in the fall are transients, having come from as far away as northern New England (and arriving with thick Downeast accents).

This is another sure sign of fall: a newly arrived Pied-billed Grebe. These birds are transients and winter residents here. This is an immature or an adult in non-breeding plumage. The setting is Lakeside Park in Chesapeake, the site of the Green Heron colony. According to my Audubon Bird Guide App, this species shows up in the fall “in southern states or wherever water remains open.” It had zero trouble finding open water here.

A Photography Aside

I don’t usually like photos of anything moving away from me. I generally prefer side and 3/4 view captures (see “A Photography Aside”). But I like this bird photo.

I like this couple photo, too.

The bird photo captures something of the little bird’s character. The couple photo captures something of a relationship and shared moment.

Always take stock when out there shooting with your camera, but seize every opportunity, even if it means “breaking the rules.” Ansel Adams put it this way: “There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.”

The Green Heron Colony

The Green Heron Colony. Hopefully, you’ve read the previous 2 blogs posts, which provide many of the colorful details. If you haven’t, you’re not only missing out on those details, but you’re also missing out on Douglas Liu’s photos. Mine seem meh by comparison. That said, I do have a few more Green Heron photos to share.

More Green Heron Photos

Here, it looks as if this young heron had just woken up. However, it’s possible it had been feeding all night. Green Herons are known to forage at night.

It’s unlikely, though, that this or any fledgling or juvenile forages at night. My guess is that they only forage during the day. Also, during the day, they’re still fed at times by mom and dad.

A Discovery

As I was considering this piece, I was prepared to write that all the members of the colony had departed. It seemed as if they had. I joked with a friend that the birds might have caught wind of a pre-Labor Day travel special. I hadn’t seen a “Greenie” in the park since I birded there on 8/29. But I discovered an immature bird there on 9/8. It appeared to be a rather svelte first summer bird (born the previous year).

Fall Migration

Many Green Herons disperse, even north, at the end of the breeding season. The first summer bird above likely flew in from elsewhere, looking for food (and looking to fatten up).

After the birds disperse, they depart most of the eastern U.S. by mid-October. Some will complete their journey as far away as coastal Venezuela.

Imagine with me for a moment. These 3 bewildered-looking fledglings, which I photographed back on 8/9, could very well end up in another hemisphere in 3 or 4 weeks. Doesn’t that boggle the mind? Isn’t it a testament to their skill?

And This Just In

The Pied-billed Grebe is a diving bird and has been called “part bird, part submarine.” Its diet includes its own feathers!

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Quip, Question, Quote

“The great migrations of the world have been inspiring people for hundreds of years. The migration of birds is particularly fascinating because small species primarily navigate alone, at night, and at high altitudes, so people do not always see it happening. They are in your backyard, and then they are gone.” David Toews, Assistant Professor of Biology at Penn State

We remember the events of 9/11. We remember those who lost their lives 19 years ago today. We remember the families who were left behind.