tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340408772024-03-07T12:56:05.467-05:00Colvin Run HabitatWildlife observations from a suburban backyard
adjacent to the Colvin Run Mill Park in Vienna, Virginia.
Click on photos to enlarge.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-75478974967709967952015-01-02T15:11:00.001-05:002015-01-02T15:11:39.553-05:00Colvin Run Habitat - Our First GoPro Video<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">From the producers of the Colvin Run Habitat blog...our first legit GoPro video.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Notice the first bird makes his appearance by landing on the camera...it moves.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">GoPro, of course, represents the new wave of small, go anywhere, go anytime video cameras. I mounted one on a small branch of the dogwood tree and pointed the camera at a suet feeder. Then I took </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">about an hour of video to produce this 40 second video. Guess I need a motion detector.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">A little later, and with the camera pointing in a different direction, six white-tailed deer passed through the Habitat.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-18879194743980683052011-05-20T16:27:00.000-04:002011-05-20T16:27:41.102-04:00Cedar Waxwings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I continue to get response from readers - in Texas, Florida, Virginia, and other states - about their Cedar Waxwings sightings. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Flvq6D8or0A/TdbNfdJQy_I/AAAAAAAApKI/hVAPSPYzJD8/s1600/IMG_2819+SDM+Cedar+Waxwing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Flvq6D8or0A/TdbNfdJQy_I/AAAAAAAApKI/hVAPSPYzJD8/s400/IMG_2819+SDM+Cedar+Waxwing.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Since my <a href="http://crhabitat.blogspot.com/search/label/Cedar%20Waxwing">February 2008 sighting in the Habitat</a>, I have seen none of their beautiful birds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZzd0iLvbek/TdbNe9m7drI/AAAAAAAApKE/6MR-FzPQ60Y/s1600/IMG_2803+SDM+Cedar+Waxwing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZzd0iLvbek/TdbNe9m7drI/AAAAAAAApKE/6MR-FzPQ60Y/s400/IMG_2803+SDM+Cedar+Waxwing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In early April 2011 - springtime in the mid-Atlantic states - a colleague of mine captured these photos while walking. Actually, she was walking, saw the waxwings, went home and got her camera, and returned to this tree where the birds were patiently waiting. What luck!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RYU3GUawmc/TdbNelVXhPI/AAAAAAAApKA/WGvNeeggCUM/s1600/IMG_2821+SDM+Cedar+Waxwing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RYU3GUawmc/TdbNelVXhPI/AAAAAAAApKA/WGvNeeggCUM/s400/IMG_2821+SDM+Cedar+Waxwing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">These are three great photos. Thanks for sharing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I will post other bird photos from her.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-14875968139681800342010-04-06T19:25:00.000-04:002010-04-06T19:25:55.676-04:00Pileated Woodpecker Digging for Ants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u9QHhaHAI/AAAAAAAAfoE/hsmbMifWk8I/s1600/_DSC2987+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u9QHhaHAI/AAAAAAAAfoE/hsmbMifWk8I/s400/_DSC2987+mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u9QHhaHAI/AAAAAAAAfoE/hsmbMifWk8I/s1600/_DSC2987+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since <a href="http://crhabitat.blogspot.com/search/label/Pileated%20Woodpecker">mid-December</a>, the pileated woodpeckers have been observed at least once a week at the large suet feeder in the Colvin Run Habitat. This morning, one of the pileated woodpeckers was seen on the trunk of one of the maple trees.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u9TGO-bVI/AAAAAAAAfoM/ZIo6NfsL8kQ/s1600/_DSC2985+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u9TGO-bVI/AAAAAAAAfoM/ZIo6NfsL8kQ/s400/_DSC2985+mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u9TGO-bVI/AAAAAAAAfoM/ZIo6NfsL8kQ/s1600/_DSC2985+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This female (no red mustache) was digging in the remaining mark of a previously removed branch. No she was not seeking maple sap (as other woodpeckers do), but rather digging ants that have infested this tree. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u9TGO-bVI/AAAAAAAAfoM/ZIo6NfsL8kQ/s1600/_DSC2985+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u9WvtAb5I/AAAAAAAAfoU/cVYhsJCwJDw/s1600/_DSC2988+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u9WvtAb5I/AAAAAAAAfoU/cVYhsJCwJDw/s400/_DSC2988+mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u9WvtAb5I/AAAAAAAAfoU/cVYhsJCwJDw/s1600/_DSC2988+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the third photo (click on the photo for a zoomed view), you can get an appreciation of the size of the hole that this woodpecker had dug. She has her complete bill and perhaps half of her head buried in the hole.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u-9Gi88lI/AAAAAAAAfoc/2vk6zViINDI/s1600/_DSC2991+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u-9Gi88lI/AAAAAAAAfoc/2vk6zViINDI/s400/_DSC2991+mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S7u-9Gi88lI/AAAAAAAAfoc/2vk6zViINDI/s1600/_DSC2991+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This last photo was taken this afternoon and shows the size of the holes dug. The site is located about 5 feet off the ground in a line of trees on the Habitat boundary furthest from the woods. Perhaps this is an indication that these very shy woodpeckers are becoming more comfortable around the Habitat.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-68589832345958834122010-03-23T00:01:00.043-04:002010-03-23T00:01:02.044-04:00Tongue of Red-Bellied Woodpecker<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Previously, I posted a limited number of photos showing woodpeckers and hummingbird tongues. Today, I took video of the tongue of a male red-bellied woodpecker in action. When the snow was too deep to get needed suet to the feeders, I hung this feeder just outside of the porch windows. Over the last few weeks, the birds - primarily the woodpeckers - continued to come and eat the suet. The cone shape is a result of the suet sticking to the top of the cage feeder and the reach of the woodpeckers' longer beaks. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S6V6Z2WBvWI/AAAAAAAAe_k/vn6pAapJhR0/s1600-h/104_0274-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S6V6Z2WBvWI/AAAAAAAAe_k/vn6pAapJhR0/s400/104_0274-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">When the suet cannot be reached with the beak, the woodpecker tongue - which as you will see is longer than the beak - does a great job at reaching the suet. Above is one frame from the below video in which you can clearly see the <i>curved </i>tongue coming out of the beak and touching the suet. Now take a look at the video below. Enjoy the video.</span></div></span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw3UvQO3q95ZyeNdXOPDtsVt0-mZPYquAM4_3Kb34Nny6poeCadVZC-qdQ6AYJ6MCRtA3iQHSUajFM' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Where does this woodpecker store his tongue? The tongue slides to the back of the head, loops upward around the back of the inside of the skull, and then forward around and under the eye.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-14544926167512572872010-03-22T00:01:00.017-04:002010-03-22T00:01:00.274-04:00Blizzards of 2010: American Robins - Annual Migration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUAiXwIejpjNIQOof-N8aC9LrFADZWGUEpp8DSjw4u69rpGRdt2NJweMiZ2iphm7MBub9fTxXDLojjF5lLVx_9-CEX_EfCd_agE_Gckao34TL6Gd0CbEXUmcgRnRUs0CshcvQ/s1600-h/_DSC2434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUAiXwIejpjNIQOof-N8aC9LrFADZWGUEpp8DSjw4u69rpGRdt2NJweMiZ2iphm7MBub9fTxXDLojjF5lLVx_9-CEX_EfCd_agE_Gckao34TL6Gd0CbEXUmcgRnRUs0CshcvQ/s400/_DSC2434.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One last photo from the Colvin Run Habitat blizzards of 2010. Even with 30 inches of snow on the ground and snow clearly still on the roof, this flock of American Robins arrived in two waves. With snow on the ground, the worms were safe this day. The annual robin migration attracts the robins to the water in the heated bird bath. They drink, they splash, they continue north. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With snow on the ground, the robins were a reminder of a coming spring.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-8804000288433091002010-03-21T00:01:00.026-04:002010-03-21T00:01:01.020-04:00Blizzards of 2010: Carolina Wren Seeks Cover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xStxq7C-I/AAAAAAAAe98/fU0EIWJMFBE/s1600-h/_DSC2431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xStxq7C-I/AAAAAAAAe98/fU0EIWJMFBE/s400/_DSC2431.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The large amount of snow weighed down all of the shrubs and created shelters - even in broad leafed shrubs like this rhododendron. The Carolina wrens made good use of this rhododendron located right under the temporary feeder outside of the porch window. The wrens would come up, feed, and return to their shelter.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xSpj3vKGI/AAAAAAAAe90/_uHkLKg_BU8/s1600-h/_DSC2433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xSpj3vKGI/AAAAAAAAe90/_uHkLKg_BU8/s400/_DSC2433.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a close look at the upper left corner to see the tail feathers of one of the wrens. Click the photo to zoom in.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-13440744456470985602010-03-20T00:01:00.002-04:002010-03-20T00:01:01.715-04:00Blizzards of 2010: Red-Tailed Hawk and Red-Shouldered Hawk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xPrZzcAVI/AAAAAAAAe9A/cIEVvOTXpT0/s1600-h/_DSC2199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xPrZzcAVI/AAAAAAAAe9A/cIEVvOTXpT0/s400/_DSC2199.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We saw in a previous post the red-shouldered hawk during the peak of the snow. Here is a photo of the red-shouldered hawk perching the morning after the storm.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xPucxES0I/AAAAAAAAe9Q/tH28JwrIu3U/s1600-h/_DSC2267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xPucxES0I/AAAAAAAAe9Q/tH28JwrIu3U/s400/_DSC2267.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next morning, this red-tailed hawk arrived and perched in the same spot.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xPvuOgKXI/AAAAAAAAe9Y/xVX23Q8mpGI/s1600-h/_DSC2269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xPvuOgKXI/AAAAAAAAe9Y/xVX23Q8mpGI/s400/_DSC2269.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This hawk would perch, then fly out, make a circle, and then perch again.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xP1pO_EFI/AAAAAAAAe9o/h7xYHOSxp80/s1600-h/_DSC2271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xP1pO_EFI/AAAAAAAAe9o/h7xYHOSxp80/s400/_DSC2271.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the two above photos, you can see the red-tailed hawk's wing feathers as viewed from above and below. The dark upper feathers and the white lower feathers provide protection from predators - though which predators is never clear to me.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xPsNBB_wI/AAAAAAAAe9I/d7hZPvM2IW8/s1600-h/_DSC2266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xPsNBB_wI/AAAAAAAAe9I/d7hZPvM2IW8/s400/_DSC2266.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is the reason for the name - the clearly red tail, </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-73822522131325253272010-03-19T00:01:00.056-04:002010-03-19T00:01:00.257-04:00Blizzards of 2010: Signs of the Fox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xItonqF0I/AAAAAAAAe8M/ncBCC899ImY/s1600-h/_DSC2248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xItonqF0I/AAAAAAAAe8M/ncBCC899ImY/s400/_DSC2248.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the last week of December with the first blizzard's snow still on the ground, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1268533322034">t</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://crhabitat.blogspot.com/2010/01/two-foxes-on-snow.html">wo red-tailed foxes where observed one afternoon going across the lower meadow</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xIwqwEb0I/AAAAAAAAe8U/v1XLTTyuZ_s/s1600-h/_DSC2250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xIwqwEb0I/AAAAAAAAe8U/v1XLTTyuZ_s/s400/_DSC2250.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These first two photos were taken the second morning after the second February storm. How do I know that these are fox tracks? First, the night before, in the near-full moonlight, I observed a male fox come up the hill into the back yard, mark the snow, proceed to the front yard, and then run down the newly plowed driveways. Second, the tracks map nearly identically to the path of the foxes in December - even the curve over the to small bush under the snow - the bush the male had marked in December. Why the deep tracks? The snow had yet to crust over.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xI1PV91LI/AAAAAAAAe8c/3rfXTk3ImoU/s1600-h/_DSC2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xI1PV91LI/AAAAAAAAe8c/3rfXTk3ImoU/s400/_DSC2438.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Third, the tracks came up the hill, to the general location that I observed in the moonlight the male fox marking by raising his leg. The next morning the fox urine was clearly visible on the snow covered bush that served as a </span><a href="http://crhabitat.blogspot.com/2007/02/how-do-birds-stay-warm.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">house for the birds and squirrels</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xJAQY-ytI/AAAAAAAAe8k/YjrjXQ1kwtE/s1600-h/_DSC2453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xJAQY-ytI/AAAAAAAAe8k/YjrjXQ1kwtE/s400/_DSC2453.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24 hours later - the next morning - just before sunrise, this female red-tailed fox arrived and sniffed around under the feeder. How did I know it was a female?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xJM3kfgOI/AAAAAAAAe8s/VP-yIH903Ys/s1600-h/_DSC2455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xJM3kfgOI/AAAAAAAAe8s/VP-yIH903Ys/s400/_DSC2455.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simple, the male raises his leg to make and the female - per the above photo - squats to let their marks. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xJaBwNfbI/AAAAAAAAe80/2ZvBL06G46A/s1600-h/_DSC2457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xJaBwNfbI/AAAAAAAAe80/2ZvBL06G46A/s400/_DSC2457.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see that even on this third morning after the storm, the fox is leaving deep tracks as the snow still had not crusted over. Sorry for the poor quality of the photos, but they were taken in near darkness.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-5348467637102569972010-03-18T00:01:00.000-04:002010-03-18T00:01:01.290-04:00Blizzards of 2010: Red-Bellied Woodpecker and Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xBRGC_SCI/AAAAAAAAe7Q/JNIQvh8MkyI/s1600-h/_DSC2172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xBRGC_SCI/AAAAAAAAe7Q/JNIQvh8MkyI/s400/_DSC2172.jpg" width="232" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's maximize the red in the photo with a male cardinal and a male red-bellied woodpecker.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xBTJyhgxI/AAAAAAAAe7Y/8IYgQZPdmlA/s1600-h/_DSC2182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xBTJyhgxI/AAAAAAAAe7Y/8IYgQZPdmlA/s400/_DSC2182.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here the male red-bellied woodpecker defends the suet feeder from the nearby starling while a female red-bellied woodpecker flies away.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xBT5EDmMI/AAAAAAAAe7g/V0j_PoA_lIc/s1600-h/_DSC2402_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xBT5EDmMI/AAAAAAAAe7g/V0j_PoA_lIc/s400/_DSC2402_01.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like the other woodpeckers, the red-bellied woodpecker enjoys the sap on the maples even if he has to dodge the icicles. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xBVLw9VvI/AAAAAAAAe7o/1tQGkPE2bRk/s1600-h/_DSC2409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xBVLw9VvI/AAAAAAAAe7o/1tQGkPE2bRk/s400/_DSC2409.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here the red-bellied woodpecker perches on the oak branches.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xBaFUnUPI/AAAAAAAAe74/EtEIsjvj91Y/s1600-h/_DSC2412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5xBaFUnUPI/AAAAAAAAe74/EtEIsjvj91Y/s400/_DSC2412.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is the reason the red-bellied woodpecker is called red-bellied. It is very hard to see this patch of red when he is attached to a tree trunk. The other woodpecker in the photo is a yellow-bellied sapsucker. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vO8qKd73bNuxANkavXe_ruHR9Dlkuv0PlBEkEH6vvNH423H1UbzjRsfJnROGjIHrULjU8VbK2oqLfJwhkWJgj_w1jXmu4ba8Cw6CVhbpwqODP5QqxJIvS1zrUPwXX-io_jOn/s1600-h/_DSC2221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vO8qKd73bNuxANkavXe_ruHR9Dlkuv0PlBEkEH6vvNH423H1UbzjRsfJnROGjIHrULjU8VbK2oqLfJwhkWJgj_w1jXmu4ba8Cw6CVhbpwqODP5QqxJIvS1zrUPwXX-io_jOn/s400/_DSC2221.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span><a href="http://crhabitat.blogspot.com/search/label/Yellow-bellied%20Sapsucker"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">yellow-bellied sapsucker</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> shows up every year in the Colvin Run Habitat during the middle two weeks of February. Clearly a migratory time, as the yellow-bellied sapsucker usually winters south of Northern Virginia and summers north. In this photo, the yellow-bellied sapsucker enjoys the maple sap (of course) during the morning after. The second blizzard delivered over 8" of snow to the branch. For the record, the second storm delivered 30" of snow to the Habitat. The winter total was over 70" setting a season record at nearby Dulles Airport.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-21875981983436913192010-03-17T00:01:00.001-04:002010-03-17T00:01:00.855-04:00Blizzards of 2010: Downy Woodpeckers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wwpOSDgfI/AAAAAAAAe6Y/BMF6wU-40a8/s1600-h/_DSC2113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wwpOSDgfI/AAAAAAAAe6Y/BMF6wU-40a8/s320/_DSC2113.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The beauty of snow on all of the tree limbs is that birds that are often hard to see - size and color - can be seen easily. As the snow fell, the downy woodpeckers could be seen landing on the dogwood tree prior to approaching the suet feeders.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wwrbjUAsI/AAAAAAAAe6g/t8PfYcR22Gg/s1600-h/_DSC2144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wwrbjUAsI/AAAAAAAAe6g/t8PfYcR22Gg/s320/_DSC2144.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During February, all of the woodpeckers - even the downies - spend time on the maple trees to feed on the sap that is running.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wwtfVmNLI/AAAAAAAAe6o/yrpmqcn01Hc/s1600-h/_DSC2156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wwtfVmNLI/AAAAAAAAe6o/yrpmqcn01Hc/s320/_DSC2156.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the woodpeckers keep an alert eye for trouble while on the maples.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wwu6xl2YI/AAAAAAAAe6w/oQSZCDSaDHY/s1600-h/_DSC2244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wwu6xl2YI/AAAAAAAAe6w/oQSZCDSaDHY/s320/_DSC2244.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a few months, the leaves will prevent this small woodpecker from being seen at this position on the tree.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5ww07UzStI/AAAAAAAAe64/0eq10GTScjU/s1600-h/_DSC2450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5ww07UzStI/AAAAAAAAe64/0eq10GTScjU/s320/_DSC2450.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This male downy also enjoyed visiting the suet feeder just outside of the back porch window (aka the Colvin Run Habitat observation deck). This feeder was put up as the suet feeders were not reachable down the hill in the snow. Within a day, the downies would allow me to walk on the porch while they were at the feeder.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-30042281552968917062010-03-16T00:01:00.008-04:002010-03-16T00:01:00.566-04:00Blizzards of 2010: Northern Cardinals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wnCVCrnVI/AAAAAAAAe48/hIWJeJKMEAg/s1600-h/_DSC2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wnCVCrnVI/AAAAAAAAe48/hIWJeJKMEAg/s320/_DSC2051.jpg" /></a></div>As I have mentioned many times, the cardinals are simply brilliant in the snow - even during the peak of the storms.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wnJaC2_KI/AAAAAAAAe5U/uyJS4owbmoI/s1600-h/_DSC2088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wnJaC2_KI/AAAAAAAAe5U/uyJS4owbmoI/s320/_DSC2088.jpg" /></a></div>Even the female cardinals standout during the snow storm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wnEdqJ4YI/AAAAAAAAe5E/1q4KIKsm9nI/s1600-h/_DSC2070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wnEdqJ4YI/AAAAAAAAe5E/1q4KIKsm9nI/s320/_DSC2070.jpg" /></a></div>With the white or gray background, it seems easier to catch them in flight. This male extends his wings with the feathers fully exposed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wnGqtmrdI/AAAAAAAAe5M/Z69Ytd7W4lI/s1600-h/_DSC2077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wnGqtmrdI/AAAAAAAAe5M/Z69Ytd7W4lI/s320/_DSC2077.jpg" /></a></div>This female is photographed making an approach to the feeder.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wnM08eK_I/AAAAAAAAe5c/8SkdONYeY0w/s1600-h/_DSC2110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wnM08eK_I/AAAAAAAAe5c/8SkdONYeY0w/s320/_DSC2110.jpg" /></a></div>And this make is actually flying <i>up </i>to a tree limb, but he is flying away from the camera. The result is a full exposure of his back and top of his wings.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-11599640208547516402010-03-15T00:01:00.023-04:002010-03-15T00:01:02.786-04:00Blizzards of 2010: Bird Count in the Storm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5w7NP2QKyI/AAAAAAAAe7E/dEwfCVSzUYo/s1600-h/_DSC2316+numbered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5w7NP2QKyI/AAAAAAAAe7E/dEwfCVSzUYo/s400/_DSC2316+numbered.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here is the answer to the quiz in the last post. If you need a closer view, just click on the photo. Here are the birds clockwise starting in the upper left corner:</span><br />
<br />
<ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two starlings on a tree branch</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One red-shouldered hawk. This hawk perches often on that branch with his back to the birds at the feeder.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two cardinals at the sunflower seed feeder</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One downy woodpecker at the suet feeder under the cardinals</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One starling at the large suet feeder</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One starling perched at the pole top</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One cardinal at the suet feeder - yes you can hardly see this one</span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interesting observation: the birds ate an inch of seed for every inch of snow that fell - refilling the feeder was tough with the snow above the knees.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-90491497653389697362010-03-14T00:01:00.005-05:002010-03-14T14:32:42.124-04:00Blizzards of 2010: Peak of the Storms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5whKk7O3mI/AAAAAAAAe4M/_89GT8Yuie8/s1600-h/_DSC2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5whKk7O3mI/AAAAAAAAe4M/_89GT8Yuie8/s400/_DSC2280.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday's post showed amazing sunlight and brilliant blue sky. These photos show the near-peak of the storm - very tough photo conditions with little light and falling snow causing focus problems.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wYuDqpI0I/AAAAAAAAe34/ewINKQJW2jU/s1600-h/_DSC2002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wYuDqpI0I/AAAAAAAAe34/ewINKQJW2jU/s400/_DSC2002.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I say near-peak because at the peak of the storm, only the most near-field trees were visible. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5whFbu39UI/AAAAAAAAe4E/Vu8uI-FWZ_w/s1600-h/_DSC2102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5whFbu39UI/AAAAAAAAe4E/Vu8uI-FWZ_w/s400/_DSC2102.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Storm or no storm, the birds need to come to the feeder. The white-throated sparrows were numerous around the feeder, even at the peak of the storm. The sunflower seeds or the suet provides the nutrition to shiver which allows them to stay warm. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cEHUu9mQgMn_jqrHIO4uPHNO7tMDUrBtK6wSam08x_IIBMsNVwd67H2rUXk5i_R9xyr-gfMw-KtZuRiwQlNiGsBq2Sxdmo5bahyphenhyphennQ4xQtiLtzdPqdxcJnDfBzXGcgcpiWQ-4/s1600-h/_DSC2307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cEHUu9mQgMn_jqrHIO4uPHNO7tMDUrBtK6wSam08x_IIBMsNVwd67H2rUXk5i_R9xyr-gfMw-KtZuRiwQlNiGsBq2Sxdmo5bahyphenhyphennQ4xQtiLtzdPqdxcJnDfBzXGcgcpiWQ-4/s400/_DSC2307.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To stay warm, the birds also fluff up their feathers as shown in this photo of the white-throated sparrow and the northern cardinal.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wjwU_cJ6I/AAAAAAAAe4w/DOva5YD_ztQ/s1600-h/_DSC2111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wjwU_cJ6I/AAAAAAAAe4w/DOva5YD_ztQ/s400/_DSC2111.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The northern cardinals - males and females - always standout in the snow. Their bright red feathers as a background ensures that foreground snowflakes are seen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wjvPnbwjI/AAAAAAAAe4o/ZOpWWTaBLt0/s1600-h/_DSC2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wjvPnbwjI/AAAAAAAAe4o/ZOpWWTaBLt0/s400/_DSC2316.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here is the quiz for the day - how many birds can you count in this photo? Can you identify them? As always, click on the photo to get an expanded view.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-75403882131098316342010-03-13T20:00:00.000-05:002010-03-13T20:00:00.950-05:00Blizzards of 2010: The Morning After in the Colvin Run Habitat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wpBartTMI/AAAAAAAAe6M/TR6n6cGG_1o/s1600-h/_DSC2121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wpBartTMI/AAAAAAAAe6M/TR6n6cGG_1o/s400/_DSC2121.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 2009-2010 winter season brought three major snow storms - all resulting in blizzard warning being issued - to the Colvin Run Habitat.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5woaPYTKSI/AAAAAAAAe5k/6nwlEUKqCdA/s1600-h/_DSC2115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5woaPYTKSI/AAAAAAAAe5k/6nwlEUKqCdA/s400/_DSC2115.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5woaPYTKSI/AAAAAAAAe5k/6nwlEUKqCdA/s1600-h/_DSC2115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll show a number of photos from the two February storms over the next few posts. Yes, it is a month after the last storm, but who has enough time for photography and posting these days. A month after the storm and today is the first day that there is no snow remaining in the Habitat.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlHBEheDDHgpNV5f64vXhY2nVIlm7h5kVa0PfW1IhsUkbSHwZEmohHZpeFnUahWpYdSmabjixnq5Hr6uimj0VaEsQLtzwNmWrRgMMPP-Amj4g-tkGm1cnM-3bP5fJoC0_2fa2/s1600-h/_DSC2117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlHBEheDDHgpNV5f64vXhY2nVIlm7h5kVa0PfW1IhsUkbSHwZEmohHZpeFnUahWpYdSmabjixnq5Hr6uimj0VaEsQLtzwNmWrRgMMPP-Amj4g-tkGm1cnM-3bP5fJoC0_2fa2/s400/_DSC2117.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the photos in this post were taken the morning after. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5woy-kjJyI/AAAAAAAAe58/NZCXheSueRg/s1600-h/_DSC2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5woy-kjJyI/AAAAAAAAe58/NZCXheSueRg/s400/_DSC2119.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing like lots of sunlight and snow reflected light to get some great photos. In the next few posts, you will also see less than perfect photos taken during the peak of the storms.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wo6UYaTsI/AAAAAAAAe6E/wlBEFRVdkuc/s1600-h/_DSC2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S5wo6UYaTsI/AAAAAAAAe6E/wlBEFRVdkuc/s400/_DSC2120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-60673073206244257322010-01-05T16:10:00.011-05:002010-01-05T16:10:00.612-05:00Northern Cardinal and Carolina Chickadee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_ud3OhVNLs9buslQgmuUkoz1cZTwM3MqKuSd10f2102BzcxChh5LSFCFcuBn9UQX7d7QO8DD4thaDC-XxNueIDf3mse5gkyGSzDVjMGmL69wxH1CuZ6SjaTSp7EqUAPJlEDI/s1600-h/_DSC1711+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_ud3OhVNLs9buslQgmuUkoz1cZTwM3MqKuSd10f2102BzcxChh5LSFCFcuBn9UQX7d7QO8DD4thaDC-XxNueIDf3mse5gkyGSzDVjMGmL69wxH1CuZ6SjaTSp7EqUAPJlEDI/s320/_DSC1711+mod.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>While observing foxes and <a href="http://crhabitat.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-eastern-bluebirds-enjoy-suet.html">bluebirds </a>last weekend, I also took photos of the frequently seen cardinals and chickadees. Enjoy.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S0EISNxGYHI/AAAAAAAAb5M/uKBY7u2uI8Q/s1600-h/_DSC1737+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S0EISNxGYHI/AAAAAAAAb5M/uKBY7u2uI8Q/s320/_DSC1737+mod.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-80184248706789598502010-01-04T15:42:00.062-05:002010-01-04T15:42:00.210-05:00Two Foxes on the Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S0EBzzz0HmI/AAAAAAAAb4U/CpDzvmmxXcY/s1600-h/_DSC1757+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S0EBzzz0HmI/AAAAAAAAb4U/CpDzvmmxXcY/s400/_DSC1757+mod.jpg" /></a><br />
Over the last ten days, a red-tailed fox has been observed running across the lower meadow at the Colvin Run Habitat in the morning. The lower meadow remains covered with snow - from the snow storm we had two weeks ago - and as a result the fox is easily seen.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzv4Ts-mvj5WC_D_DBmxwW6TivGmf23iB1_nfkmXpefzGaGlZwrTmmi1_p_TI8ThjAR5V3Sv9iX55-4DOAlWud2ni5sPt4uo0_E_MgZ1RRnigg1_oNBHudMJBWA9dJ-oXQCRqC/s1600-h/_DSC1742+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzv4Ts-mvj5WC_D_DBmxwW6TivGmf23iB1_nfkmXpefzGaGlZwrTmmi1_p_TI8ThjAR5V3Sv9iX55-4DOAlWud2ni5sPt4uo0_E_MgZ1RRnigg1_oNBHudMJBWA9dJ-oXQCRqC/s400/_DSC1742+mod.jpg" /></a><br />
This afternoon, a fox was observed quickly coming out of some brush. The fox made a quick stop and appeared to look back (first photo). This fox then ran hard across the snow with an urgency.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S0ECz-ROnGI/AAAAAAAAb40/tMKAeU6-w_4/s1600-h/_DSC1763+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S0ECz-ROnGI/AAAAAAAAb40/tMKAeU6-w_4/s400/_DSC1763+mod.jpg" /></a><br />
With the first fox out of sight, a second fox came out of the brush from the same location. Clearly larger, this second fox walked casually and even took time to mark some shrubs. <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S0ECpydv9LI/AAAAAAAAb4s/y_773mRrEOg/s1600-h/_DSC1771+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S0ECpydv9LI/AAAAAAAAb4s/y_773mRrEOg/s400/_DSC1771+mod.jpg" /></a><br />
After the marking, the second fox walked across the snow. Ten minutes later, the second fox return to the original brush. <br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-81613384792561452982010-01-03T15:39:00.000-05:002010-01-03T15:39:19.294-05:00New Year Eastern Bluebirds Enjoy Suet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S0D9soiIqhI/AAAAAAAAb4E/B8lEti53ZhQ/s1600-h/_DSC1731+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/S0D9soiIqhI/AAAAAAAAb4E/B8lEti53ZhQ/s400/_DSC1731+mod.jpg" /></a> <br />
</div>Like the American Robins that were observed in <a href="http://crhabitat.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-robins-enjoy-holly-berries.html">the last post</a>, the Eastern Bluebird is seldom observed in the Colvin Run Habitat during winter months. In the last week, a small flock of bluebirds were seen feeding at the suet feeders.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4gjQmMgaGf0FfFVMd0pJDak4DukH4EJFCsmRtZUKUJ3K2yG6gZQ5gL_RnajFnDM3ChqpE8zzfXHsRxt10-nJ5AuYuC83Q2XyPuH9Oz-iiPxl0HunJurCXnTFuPNofJtIJ4WJ/s1600-h/_DSC1730+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4gjQmMgaGf0FfFVMd0pJDak4DukH4EJFCsmRtZUKUJ3K2yG6gZQ5gL_RnajFnDM3ChqpE8zzfXHsRxt10-nJ5AuYuC83Q2XyPuH9Oz-iiPxl0HunJurCXnTFuPNofJtIJ4WJ/s400/_DSC1730+mod.jpg" /></a><br />
The characteristic upper bright blue stands out in the stark winter sun. In the second photo, this male was kind enough to turn around to allow this shot of blue feathers. Also note the other male in the right side of the second photo.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-30286387460992422172010-01-01T14:19:00.006-05:002010-01-01T14:24:35.294-05:00Christmas Robins Enjoy Holly Berries<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/Sz5ECuvR_II/AAAAAAAAbjs/OBF9AAazNjI/s1600/_DSC1570+Mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/Sz5ECuvR_II/AAAAAAAAbjs/OBF9AAazNjI/s400/_DSC1570+Mod.jpg" /></a><br />
In the week leading up to Christmas, the Colvin Run Habitat saw two snow storms - the first storm delivered 20 inches, the second storm provided another inch of snow. On three occasions - during and after the storms - a flock of American Robins visited the Habitat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/Sz5EcY3KWaI/AAAAAAAAbj0/2-wj6Y6AYrU/s1600-h/_DSC1537+Mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/Sz5EcY3KWaI/AAAAAAAAbj0/2-wj6Y6AYrU/s400/_DSC1537+Mod.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>The flock numbered at least a dozen. While some robins are known to winter in the mid-Atlantic area, it is rare to see them in the Habitat during late December and January. These robins spent all of their time feeding in the holly and dogwood trees. Although earthworms are the mainstay of robin diet, these robins were feeding on the bright red and orange berries in these trees. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsFsLR8-HAJS1wX-YyN452Jd7Hbb7RFTWLuTp0c7AmOnXRdlEh0XkZH62wrRfIJO0_LVYDTCanVtEQpW-XViF5u8wICTRwnStSeTTAt8Mb3iCLKlnF4oSW3XvgtVU0inkp9a6/s1600-h/_DSC1549+Mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsFsLR8-HAJS1wX-YyN452Jd7Hbb7RFTWLuTp0c7AmOnXRdlEh0XkZH62wrRfIJO0_LVYDTCanVtEQpW-XViF5u8wICTRwnStSeTTAt8Mb3iCLKlnF4oSW3XvgtVU0inkp9a6/s400/_DSC1549+Mod.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-78105671070606132072009-12-22T19:48:00.002-05:002010-01-01T20:49:35.137-05:00Pileated Woodpecker: Seldom Seen Visitor to the Habitat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzFoqTE1ZpDH6KJQ_rlK8ZyUqqxk7ZuFu4YrnQx5uh2bhatlyyIsC2s_cfEXwI3arHS1inFLRdSaIi9AD1M9JfF6cbrfqJC1Tb6hFV9dhmsT6EvLTTzberyLEeQbkaFZqTh_h/s1600-h/_DSC1286+Crop+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzFoqTE1ZpDH6KJQ_rlK8ZyUqqxk7ZuFu4YrnQx5uh2bhatlyyIsC2s_cfEXwI3arHS1inFLRdSaIi9AD1M9JfF6cbrfqJC1Tb6hFV9dhmsT6EvLTTzberyLEeQbkaFZqTh_h/s320/_DSC1286+Crop+2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Three years have passed since <a href="http://crhabitat.blogspot.com/2006/11/first-time-visitor-to-habitat.html">the last Colvin Run Habitat sighting of a pileated woodpecker</a>. But this is the first time that this woodpecker has visited the suet feeder. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SzFkYY77uHI/AAAAAAAAasw/CfDVPJTQHHA/s1600-h/_DSC1276+mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SzFkYY77uHI/AAAAAAAAasw/CfDVPJTQHHA/s320/_DSC1276+mod.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When I first glanced out the window this morning, I thought that this crow-sized bird was, well, a crow. But with a quick second take, I caught the distinctive red crown. Note that these photos show two individual birds. The woodpecker in the first photo is a male - has a red mustache. The woodpecker in the second photo is a female - has a black mustache.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SzFkRUBVy5I/AAAAAAAAaso/JdOgBKsMwFo/s1600-h/_DSC1232+Mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SzFkRUBVy5I/AAAAAAAAaso/JdOgBKsMwFo/s320/_DSC1232+Mod.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, the ever-faithful and daily-visiting Northern Cardinal was a bit jealous and insisted that he get into the photo.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-17270399344701657482009-05-20T20:30:00.004-04:002009-05-20T21:40:27.646-04:00Injured Snapping Turtle<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/ShSgoE6ddyI/AAAAAAAASkI/cDF8JkBsTCE/s1600-h/DSC_8196.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/ShSgoE6ddyI/AAAAAAAASkI/cDF8JkBsTCE/s400/DSC_8196.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I found this amazing snapping turtle walking in circles in the middle of the road about a mile from the Colvin Run Habitat. He appeared to have just come from being buried in mud and leaves.</span></span><br /></div> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/ShSgnYZXbzI/AAAAAAAASjw/hk8b1bVzBsE/s1600-h/DSC_8193.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/ShSgnYZXbzI/AAAAAAAASjw/hk8b1bVzBsE/s400/DSC_8193.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I could not get him to move to the side of the road, even with the encouragement a </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">large and </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">guiding stick. I could not even get him to snap at the stick. </span></span><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TU706djqvE_hXQP1dJtjPdWCdZqZLQMP63csV3oOFaUXE1PMUpObDO0YtC8SWu1nsJuqOKYT1QC8uR-zQeGQJNZByVj3YU3z4OBxd8TNQJ4ha8s8c2WiAFmP-MZp_asLFEVz/s1600-h/DSC_8197.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TU706djqvE_hXQP1dJtjPdWCdZqZLQMP63csV3oOFaUXE1PMUpObDO0YtC8SWu1nsJuqOKYT1QC8uR-zQeGQJNZByVj3YU3z4OBxd8TNQJ4ha8s8c2WiAFmP-MZp_asLFEVz/s400/DSC_8197.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I estimate his height at about 7" and his length at 15", minimum. Given this length, and the fact that a 25 year old male is typically 11 inches long, this snapper is not only large, he may be 50 or more years old.</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/ShSjetj_FXI/AAAAAAAASks/lKEPgyQ8wOU/s1600-h/DSC_8198.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/ShSjetj_FXI/AAAAAAAASks/lKEPgyQ8wOU/s400/DSC_8198.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">If you clook closely you will see that he only has one eye. And, I know that snappers do not have teeth, but it surely looks like small teeth in these photos. </span></span><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/ShSgnsqCuMI/AAAAAAAASj4/MZpo1u-0Xuw/s1600-h/DSC_8194.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/ShSgnsqCuMI/AAAAAAAASj4/MZpo1u-0Xuw/s400/DSC_8194.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Unfortunately, the reason for his walking in circles became clear - this snapper had been run over by a car - the rear right shell was damaged and bloody - the rear right leg clearly damaged. I finally managed to move him (using the stick) to the side of the road. I doubt that he made it. You can find a great snapping turtle at <a href="http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/snappers.htm">http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/snappers.htm</a>. </span></span><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/ShSgn6KPPII/AAAAAAAASkA/p8EDsVzUqMk/s1600-h/DSC_8195.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/ShSgn6KPPII/AAAAAAAASkA/p8EDsVzUqMk/s400/DSC_8195.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><br /></a><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><br /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-18451869056953404142009-05-03T16:57:00.002-04:002009-05-03T17:12:49.941-04:00Red-Tailed Fox Eating Sunflower SeedsThis spring we have had a fox hinting in the Colvin Run Habitat. We have seen this fox chasing squirrels - one time successfully. We even have squirrel parts to prove his presence. But, no photos - until today.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk-Z9VsFYZIsNCM3wrIPwIr_olWUEQrHB9PT3jbWCg9G-cU1_INHg5UC-gzq1cxsQ4pm-3YHhLmEB72ce2X2RFh3C5BxMO_WNOrkILC2yHQHXSY379lw-uZLH79-O7vgqOnOM/s1600-h/DSC_8218-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk-Z9VsFYZIsNCM3wrIPwIr_olWUEQrHB9PT3jbWCg9G-cU1_INHg5UC-gzq1cxsQ4pm-3YHhLmEB72ce2X2RFh3C5BxMO_WNOrkILC2yHQHXSY379lw-uZLH79-O7vgqOnOM/s400/DSC_8218-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331705357847313058" border="0" /></a>This young fox came on two occasions - separated by about an hour - and feasted on sunflower seeds on the ground under the bird feeder.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/Sf4FxSeL0NI/AAAAAAAARUo/7rLuILGTliU/s1600-h/DSC_8221-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/Sf4FxSeL0NI/AAAAAAAARUo/7rLuILGTliU/s400/DSC_8221-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331705353183416530" border="0" /></a>Although his coat is clearly dirty and wet (it has been raining in Northern Virginia for at least three days, this fox appears in good health. He has no signs of mange and he has clear eyes. As the photos show, he and I spend several minutes eye-to-eye (or eye-to-lens). I stayed on the porch hoping not to spook him.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-4090507156651448902009-04-18T19:50:00.002-04:002009-04-18T20:02:36.021-04:00Tight Fit for BlluebirdA few minutes ago I took a break from the office work and walked the Colvin Run Habitat. Having noticed yesterday that in the last ten days <a href="http://crhabitat.blogspot.com/2009/04/blubirds-inspect-bird-house.html">the bluebirds had built a nest </a>and laid several eggs, I was interested in shooting a few photos of them.<br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrBP-BiQtRpFfeJXEMiessa8r4gdVxLW4zTkAHYhWtCgJmMf0iQaIQEKH002_m8lRuLXAnuPNEECRr3mo3QeJeDQ5oK03N8o9EoOlDvpttQ0oJIpKEC5iyOZ91C07q-cLFzjq/s1600-h/DSC_7941.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrBP-BiQtRpFfeJXEMiessa8r4gdVxLW4zTkAHYhWtCgJmMf0iQaIQEKH002_m8lRuLXAnuPNEECRr3mo3QeJeDQ5oK03N8o9EoOlDvpttQ0oJIpKEC5iyOZ91C07q-cLFzjq/s400/DSC_7941.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>I approached the bluebird house hoping not to scare the female sitting on the nest (technically it is after sundown, so the male has left for the day and the female has taken over for the night). When I was about seven feet from the house, she eased up to the opening and began to watch me (first photo). Then, she bolted out of the house and flew to a nearby tree branch.<br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SepnM5oAkuI/AAAAAAAAQis/AFLHEYNqFHU/s1600-h/DSC_7942.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SepnM5oAkuI/AAAAAAAAQis/AFLHEYNqFHU/s400/DSC_7942.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you ever wondered how tight a fit it is for a bluebird to get into and out of their house, this second photo shows clearly that it is a <span style="font-style: italic;">very </span>tight fit. The bluebird launched herself from the house and when clear (and falling down) opened its wings and flew.<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><br /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-57802633941758764382009-04-07T00:01:00.001-04:002009-04-07T00:01:01.022-04:00Chickadees Move In<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkbTkUrepI/AAAAAAAAPt0/jZYOe4PNAU4/s1600-h/DSC_7663-1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkbTkUrepI/AAAAAAAAPt0/jZYOe4PNAU4/s400/DSC_7663-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></span> </div><span style="font-size:100%;">While the bluebirds seem to have selected the older of the bird houses in the Habitat, a pair of Carolina Chickadees see to have moved into this house that I put this past winter. The house is attached to the main truck of the dogwood tree, which is located intentionally within twenty feet of the house. <br /></span><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkbT_O6cKI/AAAAAAAAPt8/hssPZNEs_Uw/s1600-h/DSC_7660-1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkbT_O6cKI/AAAAAAAAPt8/hssPZNEs_Uw/s400/DSC_7660-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></span> </div><span style="font-size:100%;">I put this bird house up with the expectation of having one house wrens or Carolina wrens take up residence. Both wrens and the bluebirds have been seen going into and out of this house, for now the chickadees seem to have taken up residence. We'll see if they actually build a nest.<br /></span><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkbUBkoKxI/AAAAAAAAPuE/mYzArM5Hx44/s1600-h/DSC_7660-3.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkbUBkoKxI/AAAAAAAAPuE/mYzArM5Hx44/s400/DSC_7660-3.jpg" border="0" /></a></span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-15355757043123869202009-04-06T00:01:00.001-04:002009-04-06T00:01:00.099-04:00Blubirds Inspect the Bird House<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left; font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">As with all photos in the Colvin Run Habitat Blog, click on any photo to get a 'zoomed-in' view.<br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/Sdka-rQoaAI/AAAAAAAAPtk/kO6Vp6ezH1I/s1600-h/DSC_7689-1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/Sdka-rQoaAI/AAAAAAAAPtk/kO6Vp6ezH1I/s400/DSC_7689-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div> </div><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >The bluebird pair continue to look at the prime nesting boxes in the Habitat. While they continue to check out the inside of the boxes, I have yet to see them move in the materials required to build a nest. In this first photo, you can see how they land with their claws on entrance hole simultaneous with putting their head in the hole. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >After landing, the bluebird wlll take a few seconds to pull up and into the box.</span><div face="arial" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/Sdka-37xBVI/AAAAAAAAPts/w4i0v65Tai0/s1600-h/DSC_7694-1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/Sdka-37xBVI/AAAAAAAAPts/w4i0v65Tai0/s400/DSC_7694-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The male perched on top of the house is part of the </span>"Nest Demonstration Display" where the male attracts the female through song and wing flapping. <span style="font-size:100%;">The male also will provide the nesting materials (dried grasses and pine needles). The female will then enter the box and build the nest.</span><br /></div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34040877.post-3000063337198547382009-04-05T16:53:00.003-04:002009-04-05T17:16:29.619-04:00Eastern Bluebirds Arrive<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkaVb5Vy1I/AAAAAAAAPtE/hz9EjU3bCRM/s1600-h/DSC_7658-1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkaVb5Vy1I/AAAAAAAAPtE/hz9EjU3bCRM/s400/DSC_7658-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></span> </div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >I took 30 minutes away from the office work to capture and post a few photos. This pair of Eastern Bluebirds arrived about 3 weeks ago. They have continued to check out two of the bird houses in the Colvin Run Habitat - one in which they nested last year and a new one installed two months ago that I thought was two small for bluebirds. <br /></span><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkaV5RrBFI/AAAAAAAAPtM/NExPpao26Uw/s1600-h/DSC_7657-1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkaV5RrBFI/AAAAAAAAPtM/NExPpao26Uw/s400/DSC_7657-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></span> </div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >The first two photos show the female </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >resting</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > in the yet to bloom dogwood tree. The second two photos show the male in the oak tree and sitting on the roof of one of the bird houses.<br /></span><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkaWCy205I/AAAAAAAAPtU/4o5oUCwQkXQ/s1600-h/DSC_7677-1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkaWCy205I/AAAAAAAAPtU/4o5oUCwQkXQ/s400/DSC_7677-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></span> </div><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >As you can tell the female is slightly duller in color than the male. These photos show off the brilliant orange breast blue backs of the bluebirds.<br /></span><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkanBR1BZI/AAAAAAAAPtc/XNRxj00S85s/s1600-h/DSC_7683-1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKGbz1K1da8/SdkanBR1BZI/AAAAAAAAPtc/XNRxj00S85s/s400/DSC_7683-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></span> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0