Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Cedar Waxwings
On a cloudy, breezy and surprisingly cool day, I cleaned up the hummingbird feeder, filled it with fresh nectar, and in less than half an hour, looked out the kitchen window to see a bright male Ruby-throated Hummingbird already there, sipping from the feeder. A second male came zipping up, chasing the first one, and they both flew away. I think hummingbirds have been here for several days now, but I’m late putting up a feeder.
Much later in the day, late afternoon, when I stepped out the front door at least a dozen Cedar Waxwings were scattered around like colorful enameled ornaments in the trees. I stood for several minutes just watching them, listening to their high, lisping calls go back and forth in the oaks and pecans, and admiring their sleek colors and style – crested head, black mask, smooth taupe shoulders, lemon-yellow belly and the edge of glistening gold on the pearl-gray tail, the small touch of wax-red in the wing. Some were preening, others were gleaning insects from leaves and branches.
The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker this afternoon quietly flew from trunk to trunk in the yard where I’ve always found it. I had just about decided until today that it must have gone because I hadn’t heard it for several days. It’s vividly colored now in bold red, white and black.
Three White-throated Sparrows whistled, long, sweet, lingering songs.