{"id":5251,"date":"2016-09-07T14:33:31","date_gmt":"2016-09-07T18:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/naturalcrooks.com\/rambles\/?p=5251"},"modified":"2016-09-07T14:33:31","modified_gmt":"2016-09-07T18:33:31","slug":"september-yellow-swirls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturalcrooks.com\/rambles\/september-yellow-swirls\/","title":{"rendered":"September Arrives With Swirls of Yellow"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re having an unusually hot and humid start to September which has kept me out of the local parks except for brief strolls early or late in the day. I haven\u2019t taken many photos that aren\u2019t burdened by heavy shadows and dark silhouettes but I have found a few sunny subjects. Yellow seems to be the colour of the month so far.<\/p>\n

\"Photo
\nThese Sunflowers have exploded in a tangle of blossoms and waving stems along the Credit River. They may be Jerusalem Artichokes.<\/p>\n

Three Yellow Warblers Winging Through on Their Southern September Journey<\/h2>\n

\"Photo<\/p>\n

Thank goodness that this Wilson\u2019s Warbler is a male with the small black cap. My success rate at identification is way higher when birds offer a great clue like this.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/p>\n

There were three Nashville Warblers in various colour stages exploring amongst the goldenrod. I remember seeing them hunting in a similar manner last fall. When I got a clear look at the yellow under the tail, the white near the top of the legs, the eye ring and the grey head, I felt pretty sure I could call these Nashvilles. The behaviour is just as important. They like to pluck hard at the goldenrod, often making the stem shake and also like to balance on top while pulling insects out of the flowers.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/p>\n

Magnolia Warblers have streaks near the top of their legs and white feathers under their tails. At least two of these were alternating catching small flying gnat-like insects from the air, and dropping down into the goldenrods and shrubs to hunt under cover.<\/p>\n

A Mystery Bird or Two to Puzzle Over<\/h2>\n

When the warblers sweep through in large groups, I often find myself only catching a glimpse of some of the birds for a second before they are gone from view. I try to take photos of each to increase my chances of identifying them. Some birds, like this one, baffle me.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/p>\n

At the time this photo was taken, I was surrounded by over a dozen birds. Some were American Goldfinches, at least one was a Wilson\u2019s Warbler, others were Tennessee and Nashville Warblers. There was at least one Magnolia. I really don\u2019t know what this bird is. I\u2019d like to see the bill in profile and some other clues would be helpful too. The tail pattern looks familiar but I haven\u2019t had time to sort through my older photos to compare. Regardless of its name, it\u2019s another yellow bird to join my September sightings.<\/p>\n

Somehow I have ended up without any sharp photos of Goldenrod! I hope you can imagine some to complete this post. I\u2019ll try for a photo later this week.<\/p>\n

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