foomamablumbie

where covfefe gets real

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Early Summer, Continued

First, as promised, our gate flag.

This morning I went on the monthly San Marcos Bird Walk. I always learn a lot; the leader is very good at telling us what we’re hearing and seeing, and there’s a pretty good cross section of people although they mostly skew to retirees. Today we saw a number of painted buntings, which are one of the most spectacularly decorated songbirds.

They are pretty from the front, but not all that spectacular. But wait . . .
From the back they just look like someone made it up to be silly because who would be that colorful?
We can hear them at Tedderhaven but so far haven’t seen one. We’ll see it eventually, I’m sure.

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Early Summer at Tedderhaven

I was away for most of the month of May, when there was a lot of interesting weather here. We’re back to the usual sunny days and cool nights now. The migrating birds have pretty much gone, but there is still a lot to see.

The lake is so low that there hasn’t been nearly as many motorboats on the water, since most of the boat ramps are closed. The sailboats are out in force, especially on the weekend.
This pontoon boat looked particularly inviting. I’ve never seen anyone actually using the slide but it has to be fun.
Darlyne has been exercising up a storm, walking on the treadmill for 20 minutes most days and often patrolling the yard as well.
It’s Pride month!
We regularly see golden fronted woodpeckers at the feeders. This year there are two young in addition to the adults we have seen before. I always feel a little bad about being so amused by their awkwardness but it’s so cute.
This is a Scott’s Oriole, a bird that is on the edge or outside of its range but has come back after being here last year. Very exciting!
The most exciting recent sighting is this green heron. They are not rare, but this is the first one I’ve seen at Tedderhaven. It’s a cool bird–colorful, and looks just bonkers weird when all of a sudden it extends its neck . . .
as it does here, lunging for a tasty snack.
I’m not really sure if they are swimming birds–this is the first time I’ve seen on in the water. Usually they are wading or else perched on a branch.
The lake has dropped so low that the zebra mussels are visible on most of the branches which are usually submerged.

And I can’t end without the obligatory vulture picture. Turkey vultures have, in the right light, beautiful feathers.

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Saturday in Canyon Lake

I took a friend up the rim trail at the Gorge; it was a beautiful morning.
People were making the more arduous hike from the top of the gorge at the spillway all the way to the bottom, with a guide who points out all the amazing geology and wildlife.
This is a lesser yellowlegs (I think), which we often hear at Tedderhaven; this one is at the Gorge. I haven’t actually seen one at our shoreline.
After lunch, my friend and I spent a lovely few hours on the terrace, watching the activity on the lake. These are cormorants.
A great blue heron obligingly flew by.
And a young osprey brought its lunch.
Our neighbor, Chuck, sailed past with his crew.
The high point was the bald eagle that flew around the cove.
And then headed toward the dam. We’ve seen eagles high in the sky but this is the first time we’ve seen them right here. Very exciting!

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Parking Lot Adventures

While Grandma was getting her hair done, I was glad to have my camera handy. It was a lucky day!

Blue jay
A blue jay was making a LOT of noise, sounding the alarm.
Red shouldered hawk
A gorgeous red shouldered hawk was hanging around, and I’m sure the blue jay had babies nearby.
Red shouldered hawk
The hawk checked things out thoroughly but decided to leave the babies alone.
Bllue jay
The blue jay, however, did not trust the hawk and continued to holler.
Red shouldered hawk
The hawk left the branch . . .
and posed at ground level for a while.
It did its best impression of contemplative JFK.
Red shouldered hawk taking flight
It flew up to the utility wire,
Red shouldered hawk
where it continued to pose until it flew off into the trees.
Black crested titmouse babies
In other bird news, Suzy continues to monitor the black crested titmouse babies. They’re about to fledge, we think.