pine warbler

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By First Day of Autumn 2021

Jordan Lake: I wanted a photo for the first day of Autumn. The weather was not cooperating. I had about given up when there was a small gap in all of the clouds and some of the rain and the wind trailed off. I watched this Pine Warbler do a tumble off of a branch and quickly dash after an insect to eat. Then the clouds let go of the rain and I made a soggy trip home. The glimpse of the pine warbler was a great start to Autumn and I quickly dried off as I sat down to share the warbler with all of you.

By Pine Warbler and Monarch Butterfly

Jordan Lake, Haw River: Now that you have seen the pine warbler … look for his sleeping neighbor. Ah. The monarch butterfly sleeps under leaves or below branches where it is protected from predators and where it is somewhat warmer. You can see that the pine warbler is puffed up against this morning’s cold. The monarch hadn’t yet gotten enough sun warmth to be on the move. I don’t think the bird saw the butterfly and I doubt if the butterfly had yet sensed the bird. The bird moved on to feed and about 30 minutes later the monarch warmed up had headed for the butterfly bush to gather nectar.

By Jordan Lake Neighborhood, 6 photos, 12-12-2018
Well, grump, I have not been able to get to Jordan Lake since Saturday – even my truck with its 4-wheel drive is not up to navigating ice. 
So, I thought I would gather some of my photos of the week prior to the storm and try to bring some lake good thoughts to all of us!!!
Here is an edition of my doc ellen’s Jordan Lake Neighborhood where I share some of the smaller, but as adored, birds with all of you.
I  surely hope to be reporting on eagles from the lake tomorrow!
This pine warbler leaped toward me from the pinecone below him where he had been tearing pine nuts from the cone for a meal.
 Eastern phoebes are slim flycatchers, but the cold wind had made this one fluff his feathers up into a warm layer.
 I grew up calling this bird a rufous-sided towhee – very appropriate for his plumage.
But, a few years back his name was changed to eastern towhee and this bird and the spotted towhee became a single species.
Quite a glint of sun on a cold morning in the eye of this white-throated sparrow.
This eastern bluebird seems to be guarding the locked cap that secures one of the test vents for the dam.
There is another great blue heron across the river (unseen in the photo).
Herons are ever on the outlook for any intruders of their own species.

By Jordan Lake Neighborhood and How to tell the Weather is COLD! 5 photos, 11-28-2018
Jordan Lake Dam Neighborhood and How to Tell it is Cold without using a Thermometer!
 
Anytime a bird, like this eastern bluebird, is as round as it is tall, it is cold.
Fluffing one’s feathers traps air and warms the bird.
Having found a patch of sunlight and using the trunk of the pine tree as a block to the wind, this tufted titmouse is warm.
A well-rounded and therefore warmer, pine warbler is looking for another tasty pine seed for its breakfast.
The eastern phoebe is a flycatcher,
but in the cold weather will feed on small berries and any insect or spider lured out in the open by a patch of warm sunshine.
This great blue heron, while stalking a rival, has done just what the smaller birds do, and become well-rounded and fluffed against the cold.

By Busy Pine Warbler
My friend and I had spent the morning at Jordan Lake watching eagles, gulls, crows and killdeer.
We were all packed up and getting ready to head out when my friend noticed a tiny bird being busy in the grass.
Nothing to do but I took out my iPhone and started to quietly walk in on the pine warbler.
The little bird tolerated us and so I slowly, gently walked forward.
There followed several minutes of joy on my part and a studied indifference on the bird’s part.
I hope you enjoy the short video.