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Posted by Marcello Gomes on 22:23:44 03/17/14
This weekend I went back to Jonathan Dickinson Park to see if lighting strikes twice in the same area well, it didn't (reference to Hairy Woodpecker).
While walking on a few bike paths through the park I saw several Red-headed Woodpeckers. Sometimes they are awfully quiet and still at the top of a snag. Other times I see them launching to grab an insect in midair (Flycatcher wannabe). They were drilling a few holes here and there.
On a sandy area near the train tracks I saw some tiny birds hopping around. I thought it may have been Palm Warblers but I recognized that they weren't right away. It must have been 4-6 Chipping Sparrows. I crouched down to see them better and not to scare them. Meanwhile, one of them flies onto this dried up tree and poses perfectly while assessing me and the danger levels. Not too long after they fly east and never to be seeing again. You can see its rufous cap indicating Spring is here. What a pretty little sparrow.
I thought I heard a Hairy but I can't confirm that. There were many common Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers. These little guys sure look like the Hairy minus a few changes.
I heard one or two White-eyed Vireos but no sight of it.
A Swallow-tailed kite appeared flying over some Pines and it was making a funny little sound. I said to myself: " I'll be darn now I know what it sounds like". However, later when I got home and had a chance to zoom in I saw that it had a live tiny frog dangling from its talons with one hand outstretched as if asking for help. The photo is ok but cropped did not look so hot so you'll just have to use your imagination for that.
Marcello
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