Every time I hear the unmistakable coo-coo…coo-coo of a Black-billed Cuckoo, I make every possible effort to spot this elusive bird.
The North American cuckoo is not the same bird as the European cuckoo. The two note call of that bird was a symbol of infidelity in Shakespeare:
The cuckoo then on every tree Mocks married men; for thus sings he, “Cuckoo”; Cuckoo, cuckoo” – O word of fear, Unpleasing to a married ear – (Love’s Labour’s Lost)
Beethoven has the clarinet imitate it in his Pastoral Symphony.
Our cuckoo is uncommon and local in woods and feeds mainly on caterpillars. I was fortunate to find one in the open at the eastern edge of the Scarborough Bluffs and captured it in one photographic pose only as it flew away as I approached.
Juvenile birds can look quite comical as you see here:
American Robin (juvenile)American Robin (juvenile)American Robin (juvenile)American Robin (juvenile)
Other birds:
American Goldfinch (female)Herring GullRing-billed GullRing-billed GullSong SparrowRed-winged Blackbird (male) (midges in the background)Red-winged Blackbird (male)
I always tell groups that Cormorants are completely silent. On this day, however, I was thrilled to hear the deafening whirr of wings as repeated flocks of hundreds passed close by while I walked on the rocky beach.
Wonderful photos as always. Thank you so much
Again, this dearly beloved (but far from dead!) place. And such terrific pictures! Thank you so much, Miles!