Baltimore Oriole

Thursday, May 22, 2008

After hiking early yesterday I took a short trip – two hours – in the kayak. I didn’t go far. I just putted around the north end of the river. Weather.com was calling for some afternoon storms and it seemed prudent not to go far. Luckily, I didn’t have to.

Right next to the King’s Park Yacht Club I saw this guy chowing down on some tent caterpillars. In the top shot you can see one of the hapless fellows at our hero’s left foot. Yum, yum. I’m nearly positive that he’s a young male Baltimore Oriole. It first I was uncertain but a photo in my Kaufman’s clinched it for me. It’s not my favorite field guide but it came through for me today. JK

Yet Another Ring-necked Pheasant

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Click for a larger view.

Yesterday was a busy day. In the morning I took an early hike through David Weld Sanctuary before going kayaking later on. The grounds were still very wet from the morning dew and the rains that we had the day before. I was soaked from the knees down in no time. I saw several rabbits with ticks – it must be a bad year for the little buggers – and I was graced with another Ring-necked Pheasant sighting. This guy was strutting and calling from a large rock that is just off one of the main paths. I got a couple of decent shots. I should have gotten more and better ones at that but that’s how it goes. He would only call when I would duck down out of sight so I was unable to get a shot of him crowing but I could hear a great deal of wing flapping as he called. I’d like to know what’s going on there. In my mind’s eye he’s doing a King Kong across his chest. Maybe, if I try hard enough and long enough, and eat all my veggies, I’ll manage to get that magic shot. Don’t hold your breath. JK