Around the Corner and to the Left

To see this Robin's nest, I simply stick my head out my office window and turn left! Apparently the sound of a camera shutter makes them think that a parent is coming with food, and they strike the "ready to eat" pose!

I will post an update when they have fledged, but right now they are pretty content just sitting and getting fed. I hear them constantly as I sit at my desk with the window open, and on occasion, other noises from the office make them beg for food... often noises caused by the computer. I'd have to say they make good, entertaining neighbors!

See Gulls

Inspired by Alan Strong's recent post to the VTBird listserv, I stopped at a congregation of gulls that I probably would have driven by normally. There were at least 40 or so in a feeding frenzy. Flying ants were taking off in droves from large colonies alongside the USDA Forestry Services parking lot in South Burlington. The stream of ants went on for a half hour while I was there, and as the pace of ants lifting off slowed around 7:40pm, the gulls began to leave. I counted at least 4 Bonaparte's Gullsout of all the Ring-billeds in the flock, and managed to get a few photos of one. I feel like I have seen large groups of gulls near I-89 in Burlington in past years around this time, and will have to start paying more attention to them!