A Bouquet of Warblers Continues In Plumule Expanse

December sighs and drops whiteness about the land. The last few weeks of 2013 are at hand.

Another month unfolds and now a landscape covered in downy snow and ice lies across these hills of Western Massachusetts.
I have a new installment of my 'A Bestiary . . . Tales from a Wildlife Garden' up over at Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens.

The Black-and-white Warbler joins the lively bouquet of warblers . . .  offering its striking plumage to the arrangement of songbirds. I hope you might click over and learn more about this unique new world warbler.

Birds in Review Part XXV 'A Bird Parade' Black-throated Blue and Black-and-white Warblers

The Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) is a small songbird that prefers to breed deep in woodlands of the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. This male may not look it, but his head, back and tail are a slate blue. His face and throat are black. He is visiting my Crabapple Orchard for the many insects that are attracted to the leafy canopies. 

Southern gardeners may be seeing this species soon during their migration from the Caribbean. 

Hearing their high "zoo zoo zee" song or espying this little Black-throated Warbler is an unusual and joyful happening for me. 

Another forest dweller the Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) is commonly seen all about the eastern United States and Canada. These songbirds have developed a clever footing so to speak. You may note the rather large foot with a special hind toe and claw, which in fact allows them to inch their way up and down tree trunks and branches, while hunting for insects and spiders. When the motion first caught my eye, I thought it to be a Brown Creeper, who has a similar way of scaling trees. This photograph shows a female who was very high up in a Rock Maple. The male Black-and-white Warbler has a black throat and more black down the side of the face with more contrast between black and white . . . both have two wing bars. Their nest is usually on the ground next to a tree. 

Black-and-white Warblers may be well known to southern gardeners especially those living in Florida, where some will over winter. Many will fly further south, wintering in Central America and as far as the western tip of South America. They are an entertaining warbler hopping up along the trunks of trees chirping their high pitch "squeaky wheel-like" phrases. Perchance they run into a Red-breasted Nuthatch, they may provoke them into a fight! It is a matter of territorial competition for the same food but most unusual behavior for our beloved small songbirds. You can see a photo of a male and hear their song over at All About Birds.

Presently there is a lot more snow than seen in this photo of last year, featuring a neighbors tidy sugar bush and shack. It tis the season for maple syrup again here in New England and sugar houses are alive with sweet streams of steam flowing out their stacks. I hope this year proves a more profitable one for all! 

Things are a bit blue this Blooming Friday. Please visit Katarina's Roses and Stuff to see other gardens from around the world.

I HAVE JUST LEARNED ABOUT THE TRAGEDY IN JAPAN. MY HEART IS ACHING FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE AND PLACES WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM THIS NATURAL DISASTER. 

A Quality of LIGHT

I never quite know what I will see, when I walk out into the gardens, with the early dawn light. Each morning is unique... some are misty and mysterious, while others are clear and bright... this day is clear with crisp shards of light. Charcoal drawn shadows fall, as a soft honey glow is cast over the plants and trees, along with the clinging drops of dew. Birds are more active at this time of day, and I chance to see flocks of Blue birds, Goldfinches, Black-throated green warblers and Black-and-white warblers. I am able to take a few pictures of one Black-and-white Warbler, who is high up in the rock maple, as the sun lights up its giant trunks. There is so much activity in the early morning hour. Over in the Honeysuckle shrubbery I eye within the dappled light, what I believe is a Red-eyed Vireo... having just made its morning catch... alas for the poor little caterpillar, who had worked so hard, to earn its wings. I stroll around wishing I had my clippers... and then step down into the fresh lit Blueberries. While removing the dew drenched netting, from the last covered bush and picking a few remaining berries, I discover another striped creature... this one not so pleasant ... a yellow-jacket... who is totally immersed... nearly wrapped in the fruit. The yellow and black stripes are quite stunning beside the deep blue of the berry. Climbing back up the hill along with the sun, I notice brighter light on the Hydrangea, Grasses and purple Asters and recognize a familiar sound and movement. A little visiting Ruby-throated Hummingbird is attracted to my red garden hat and comes up quite close... of course I cannot focus on its tiny body... but do manage a few silhouettes and one in flight. The light plays on its wings and body... tracing its form and illuminating feathers. After a full day... the sun sets in the west ... or so it seems... and casts it golden hues on the eastern face of Carey and Walnut hill... a streak of light like a breaking wave moves over the landscape and slowly evaporates.