Day 13: Robin in the mist net, what a saucy fellow

Today's nets were flapping with robins at the ecological station- we caught nearly 10 of them alone.

Pretty juvenile feathers

We also caught an abundance of wood thrush, a close relative of the robin. One was especially warm in the hand because she had a brood patch to keep her nest warm. 

Feathers blown back to reveal brood patch- full of liquid and free of feathers to provide warmth to the young.

Bluejays are common birds but not-so-common catches. I took the opportunity to get some pictures of their beautiful feathers today. 

A cardinal female seemed to have broken a leg at some point. It was healed but there was an irregular bump that pointed toward the injury.

I learned that some odd tubes in the forest floor are to isolate growing seeds from attacking fungus. Dr. Neuman teaches botany classes and is leading students in research on trees. The location right next to a fallen tree is choice for receiving light through the canopy.

Some chipmunks got into the seeds so they'll have to restart and ward off the little guys

Finally, the forest was full of fungus as always and other pretty pieces of nature. 

Day 12: Raining catbirds and downy woodpeckers

Tuesday around 1 a.m. deep thunder claps and bright lightning flashes made me skeptical about banding five hours later. The storm blew over enough, though, so we banded as planned at the ecological station. 

The session was cut short but the return of rain, but we caught two new species for the summer.

Yellow-throated vireo

Ryan, a friend of mine, came along and the vireo sat in his hand for awhile before making her departure. 

Field sparrow

Even in the soaked forest there are cool finds to be made.

Baby wood frog 

Mullein

Common yarrow

Nursery web spider

Molting harvestman?

Some type of fungus?

Cocoon?

Ryan experiencing birds up close and banding for the first time sparked discussion of a common theme I've seen. Before working with Bishop I rarely spared a second look at birds. 

After banding, Ryan said he'd be paying attention to birds all the time. Krista and I shared experiences of how our eyes also had been opened to how amazing and diverse these everyday creatures are.

 

Day 11: Bird poop belly

If I were a pirate, my name would be Bird Poop Belly.

A robin deposited some berry blue poo on me and later I found it soaked through my shirt.

It's that time of year: bird baby boom,

Juvenile song sparrow

What a model

Juvenile cardinal

He bites his thumb at you sir. 

Juvenile tufted titmouse

It gives a smoldering gaze.

Female juvenile downy woodpecker

Male juvenile downy woodpecker

Male juvenile Baltimore oriole 

Bird watching by the water at Chippewa nature center was fruitful today. 

The morning view

A belated introduction to Mr. Lord, a local high school teacher who has been banding with us and mentoring Monroe. 

The juvenile geese are developing adult coloration.

Center frame is a juvenile bald eagle who was chased around by many little birds. 

Crows crossing the water and probably hoping to avoid red-winged blackbird chases. 

Green herons and a blue heron were also present this morning. I failed to photograph them but I got some neat little creatures. 

Halloween pennant 

Acorn weevil

The public are welcome to our Chippewa nature center banding days and two elementary schoolers came today. I had a lot of fun looking at little creatures with them. They shared this grasshopper with me. I taught them how to look for frogs. They were intrigued by all of the bird processing we did. The little boy kept showing me different cool birds like the road runner in a field guide book.

One legged grasshopper some young delightful ornithologist children found. 

Leech

If I were a more experienced mycologist I'd trust my theory that these mushrooms are edible. 

For now, I'll stick to crown coral or the grocery store.