ML235169711
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
Observation details
Literally, this was the first thing I saw this morning when I looked out the kitchen window. This is Daddy, who has become very flexible with his day-roosting as his babies get closer to fledging from their box in two weeks or so. (Mom remains in the box with them). My boy stayed there through mobbing by robins, chickadees, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a Warbling Vireo, House Finches and a Lazuli Bunting. But when a magpie discovered him, he took off and flew 50 yards across the yard to his safe place, the nest box he roosts in most frequently. Unbelievably, in late morning I looked out and saw him on the same branch again. This time, I noticed how intensely he was watching under one of my feeders ... and could it be ... was he ... yes! He was hunting the rat babies of the family that I haven't yet been able to dispatch as they foraged for spilled seed under the feeder. And then he dived off the branch toward the spot! Unfortunately, he missed, but now I know he's trying and needs to hunt during the day, so I'll be putting peanut butter out in the yard in an open spot near the rock wall where the rats run when disturbed. Sexed by behavior, pale bill and my boy also has a left eye problem, not as visible in these shots.
Technical information
- Model
- VS501
- Focal length
- 3.7 mm
- Flash
- Flash did not fire, auto
- Dimensions
- 480 pixels x 630 pixels
- Original file size
- 127.35 KB