Sunday, June 28, 2009

HERE YESTERDAY, GONE TODAY

(This is a subset of the equation, "Here today; gone tomorrow.)

The Cedar Waxwings have up and gone. Where? I don't know. But disappear they did, like the Red-breasted Nuthatches before them.

Maybe they decided they wanted waterfront property for the summer. The river is, after all, only about 100 yards to the east of us. Maybe they wanted a coniferous setting. Who can tell about birds? Not this Bear.


But it was wonderful seeing them while they were here. With any luck, some will be back in the winter, and maybe a pair next summer. One can always hope.

9 comments:

Natalie said...

I wonder why they are all coming, and then going? Maybe they fear being barbequed by your neighbours?xx♥

Rob-bear said...

® Beats me Natalie. I'm just glad I was around on the right day to see them.

Elizabethd said...

What beautiful birds you have in your area. I remember when I stayed with my daughter in BC seeing the myriad humming birds crowding round the feeders, something I'd not seen before.

Jo ~ said...

hi there. beautiful bird, is it your state bird? It reminds me our state bird the cardinal as their shape is about the same, only the cardinal is red (well the male is). It is some kin to the blue jay? It looks similar. I've noticed a lack of bees/insects in our area here.

Anonymous said...

I have never seen a more beautiful bird than the waxwing. Last spring there was a flurry of orange beside the window and I saw my first Baltimore Oriole. By the time I ran to the store and bought an Oriole feeder, of course it was long gone. But I'll never forget it. Or why it was SO off course.

Rob-bear said...

® Elizabeth: We do have a lot of beautiful birds. Sitting and watching them can be relaxing and exciting.

® Bella: Not our provincial bird. To the best of my knowledge not related to Cardinals or Blue Jays. (A bit smaller than a Cardinal; half the size of a Blue Jay.) We get Blue Jays here; we're too far west for Cardinals (thought I remember Cardinals from when I was growing up in eastern Canada).
We've also noticed a significant shortage of bees. Commercial hives have been infested with parasites; I suspect the same is true with natural colonies. Saw some stories about that earlier this year.

® Dana: Baltimore Orioles are stunning! We usually have a few that come through here. It wouldn't have been off course in Indiana -- its range includes the whole of the U.S. east of the Mississippi, and as far west as central Oklahoma. Baltimores are common in the lower part of Canada east of the Rocky Mountains.

Rosaria Williams said...

wHAT A GREAT LOOKING BIRD. I WILL LOOK FOR IT OUT WEST. GOOD HAVING YOU STOP BY.

Elizabethd said...

Wonder where you are situated RB? My daughter is way North of Vancouver.

Rob-bear said...

® Rosaria: These waxwings winter on the Washington-Oregon-California coast. In winter they tend to travel in large flocks. They make a very high-pitched squeak.
Always glad to stop by your place.

® Elizabeth: I'm way east of your daughter -- in the middle of Saskatchewan. The weather is dry -- so is our sense of humour.