Baltimore orioles arrive just when the fruit trees are in blossom in early May and we are all glad of their bright colours and lively songs after the long winter months.
MYSTERY BIRD
I will identify it at the end of the post.
Yellow Warblers arrive close to May 1 and are gone by August.
Song Sparrows stay with us much longer and a few even endure the winter. In spring they stay out in the open and are easy to photograph. By fall, they are much more difficult to find.
I spent this morning by the Scarborough Bluffs:
Other birds:
Some botany:
MYSTERY BIRD
The black cap and red bill identify this as a Caspian Tern.
MAILBOX
Hi Miles,
This fellow Andrew is making a project of photographing all of the city’s wildlife. I’m enjoying very much his stories about getting every shot. He took such tender care to get this one. You’ll see, in the caption. 😊
NATURE POETRY
Hebe’s here, May is here!
The air is fresh and sunny;
And the miser-bees are busy
Hoarding golden honey! – Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1836–1907)
Miles Hearn
Last year there seemed to be a great variety of spring migrants in Toronto even at our backyard feeders. Lack of pollution (less cars, airplanes) was mentioned. This year I am finding many fewer varieties. Is there an explanation?
Diana Chastain
I got the mystery bird! I knew it was a tern, and I guessed “Caspian Tern”, because that was the one I remembered. (Thanks for making it easier for me, ha ha!)
I’m not asking you to make it TOO easy, but I have to admit I get a real charge out of getting it right! It IS fun to get a bit of a quiz, and we’re not being graded, after all! (It helps with memory, too, and I need all the help I can get.)
As for the rest of it–yes, absolutely wonderful to see the Baltimore Orioles, and of course, all the other delightful birds, along with the delightful botanicals. (And Turtles! Turtles next to a Cormorant!) Thanks, Miles!