tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73400686159766543262024-03-15T18:09:29.843-07:00 Union Bay Watch Promotes the appreciation of wildlife, focusing primarily on birds, and hopes to increase harmony between humanity and nature. This blog originates from Union Bay, next to Husky Stadium, in Seattle, WA.Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.comBlogger520125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-76965885389577437832024-02-17T13:17:00.000-08:002024-02-17T13:21:30.635-08:00Seeing Snipe<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzULISi3Q-JopB-C8lQnmsUXPKAqbse7u8EchqycwM8WLJ82PWJdCr39UUPS8Mf_9XWliopWq74x0E2_2gEkiSzVRYZ4BE7BmM3TiTpdLLK-txSNfECu_qJRQCbNUHgrjRM2uu0O2MeNhmz-xClAwM_ThsJsBzwxahFBy8liBTDlDuWqlRzTSRIOjwHg/s2535/20240203-AK1I7837.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1690" data-original-width="2535" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzULISi3Q-JopB-C8lQnmsUXPKAqbse7u8EchqycwM8WLJ82PWJdCr39UUPS8Mf_9XWliopWq74x0E2_2gEkiSzVRYZ4BE7BmM3TiTpdLLK-txSNfECu_qJRQCbNUHgrjRM2uu0O2MeNhmz-xClAwM_ThsJsBzwxahFBy8liBTDlDuWqlRzTSRIOjwHg/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I7837.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When most people think of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snipe_hunt" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">snipe hunting</span></a> they imagine an innocent person being told to wander around in the dark while hoping to catch some illusive, nonexistent creature. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Snipes can be challenging to see, but they are real.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHvLvhZ3Y7cpCbQ9fwG91X8hDVqDVqwFvslDTE0dwquMfmosTZWqoAaTryV0kLcodKxo0yaUKuEpvLyssvWBkbjP7-1HB7efSV532emLF2jH0OVWEe_8Vdqy8E46NHQ-ElYNdRTRpSNMdasr4uNWBPXH_zjqbrx5NLCF7MvTKMM6FUH7xL1pKlaaing/s4172/20240203-AK1I7659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2781" data-original-width="4172" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHvLvhZ3Y7cpCbQ9fwG91X8hDVqDVqwFvslDTE0dwquMfmosTZWqoAaTryV0kLcodKxo0yaUKuEpvLyssvWBkbjP7-1HB7efSV532emLF2jH0OVWEe_8Vdqy8E46NHQ-ElYNdRTRpSNMdasr4uNWBPXH_zjqbrx5NLCF7MvTKMM6FUH7xL1pKlaaing/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I7659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Earlier this month, near the small, repaired bridge over Arboretum Creek, I saw this one. If it had not been facing me, i.e. providing a bit of contrast between its belly and its surroundings, I might have missed it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(This is the same bridge that was hit by an airborne car a year or two ago. For months, the bridge had bright orange barricades instead of the normal metal railings. It is just southeast of the intersection of Lake Washington Blvd and Boyer Street in the Washington Park Arboretum.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This part of Arboretum Creek was enhanced with native plants in 2017 as part of the <span><a href="https://arboretumfoundation.org/2017/11/10/loop-trail/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Loop Trail Project</span></a><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">.</span></span> This area of the creek is currently maintained by <a href="https://www.seattleparksfoundation.org/project/arboretum-creek-headwaters-project/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Seattle Parks and Recreation</span></a> with assistance from the <a href="https://www.arboretumcreek.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Friends of Arboretum Creek</span></a>, The <a href="https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/science-conservation/restoration-ecology-network/capstone/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">University of Washington Botanic Gardens</span></a>, and The <a href="https://arboretumfoundation.org/2023/02/25/restoring-arboretum-creek-hydrology/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Arboretum Foundation</span></a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last year, a young woman doing her UW Capstone project reported seeing a Snipe further downstream along Arboretum Creek. I have seen them many times in Duck Bay, further down beyond the mouth of the creek, however, this was my first time spotting one along the creek. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This sighting tells me that the creek is no longer just a ditch for Lake Washington Blvd runoff. The return of the Snipe is nature's way of saying "Good job! Well done." They stopped to feed here because a healthy ecosystem is coming back along the creek.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiED_1rZOWR85QVp0vOsu-fRCLLNIEPBdH1BNySeu4AYjkKtQWUNpL-prBk3MQotWra28VjcpF4MAOTW46w-4Or9V1-CtgijZbesjoCdNpXN4iNEUtkploct5ttQdL5L95igT_Z5yVWwBBJAxlBHKLyts3ETlNdZdgY-Vq8HHrxezw41J9Z6bILs-DhAQ/s3975/20240203-AK1I8151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="3975" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiED_1rZOWR85QVp0vOsu-fRCLLNIEPBdH1BNySeu4AYjkKtQWUNpL-prBk3MQotWra28VjcpF4MAOTW46w-4Or9V1-CtgijZbesjoCdNpXN4iNEUtkploct5ttQdL5L95igT_Z5yVWwBBJAxlBHKLyts3ETlNdZdgY-Vq8HHrxezw41J9Z6bILs-DhAQ/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is an example of a typically camouflaged view of a Snipe. (It is slightly to the left of the center.) If you look closely you will notice the bird is looking back at the camera.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While taking the photos I would occasionally stop to make sure the photos were turning out OK. Each time I looked away from the Snipe I would have to search hard to find it again. Even though my feet, the Snipe's feet, and our relative positions remained virtually unchanged</span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xrdgIYdhH1dAuHf8O7wrLEmpgS7o3_b1OxhLcmV_ELIn7qM44vfGNEYuMLeglH5X2RQdSvxaqGNwMlUvY3ewL_PI2KWESQNgKu9KHIPWm84-dvfrW5OrtYX2DIfT9G_qYtV0SKtX4Agfq0AOn_C3AAggx8qhclyH4MID92GPaWX1u41HDFh9I3WpnA/s3936/20240203-AK1I7891.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2624" data-original-width="3936" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xrdgIYdhH1dAuHf8O7wrLEmpgS7o3_b1OxhLcmV_ELIn7qM44vfGNEYuMLeglH5X2RQdSvxaqGNwMlUvY3ewL_PI2KWESQNgKu9KHIPWm84-dvfrW5OrtYX2DIfT9G_qYtV0SKtX4Agfq0AOn_C3AAggx8qhclyH4MID92GPaWX1u41HDFh9I3WpnA/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I7891.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am sure the snipe noticed me, however, it seemed confident that I could not see it. I love it when wild creatures just go on about their business as if I wasn't there. The Snipe was feeding on worms.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPXxGfysqpXBxcDN75T5AIdclnLBBGYWl_P_K5GlUj1bHAu9N9KBMlm3pxguPEw6-71jjLDX2EXuRwoD3u2JkqjMoNhwwSOBo9li-_8Srqbkn8zyYiXIgCXY4WZJrNBkA8rw1cnqke54OxUm-OJklCG5x31a9KIK4-9G7LZluVQFGDuHqKrJSFshmGA/s5472/20240203-AK1I7892.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPXxGfysqpXBxcDN75T5AIdclnLBBGYWl_P_K5GlUj1bHAu9N9KBMlm3pxguPEw6-71jjLDX2EXuRwoD3u2JkqjMoNhwwSOBo9li-_8Srqbkn8zyYiXIgCXY4WZJrNBkA8rw1cnqke54OxUm-OJklCG5x31a9KIK4-9G7LZluVQFGDuHqKrJSFshmGA/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I7892.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">It would grab them with the tip of its bill, sometimes reaching deep into the mud, and then slurp them up. Actually, I suspect its tongue was pulling the worms up into its mouth.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAK31tFkqeblpidgr6wpaEg6apg1k8zbQVIJVQBnHJS9AGFC4-6FLKAaDj1Odc1HRMnAlEWlftcx6IoSNjA2SdAvPY2ONbm1Ptf_3QrL6NttAhzulF0tCiaCH2ltlJLITJ9EGmRMY-PCxNk8f-eEM-lqR5cPi_0F_CFEXugjjkhdpcaVQVOMutcUTQg/s2467/20240203-AK1I8017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1647" data-original-width="2467" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAK31tFkqeblpidgr6wpaEg6apg1k8zbQVIJVQBnHJS9AGFC4-6FLKAaDj1Odc1HRMnAlEWlftcx6IoSNjA2SdAvPY2ONbm1Ptf_3QrL6NttAhzulF0tCiaCH2ltlJLITJ9EGmRMY-PCxNk8f-eEM-lqR5cPi_0F_CFEXugjjkhdpcaVQVOMutcUTQg/w640-h428/20240203-AK1I8017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">Unlike a Great Blue Heron or a Belted Kingfisher Wilson's Snipes do not throw their heads back, and use gravity to help pull their prey into their mouth. If anything the Snipe consumed its food more like a Pileated Woodpecker or a Northern Flicker eating ants. </div></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oWh1ZoGJViMQBOIpLHcl6ljlc8bj9dpwfh_lZJc7SE4SrxAbCTZkDiaYFWJDkmZsxHnFlW_PygeN6K9v2m8K8Ben2gwFEZ2eiCUQqPmrGPJ7vDwS3J8GKj0MSFnq9eVLKs9UmQM1frAUmuptz1MptAFdS28vS-5LFiWQuwCyHpr6NJ8I1YiiAzEb1g/s3172/20240203-AK1I8018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2115" data-original-width="3172" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oWh1ZoGJViMQBOIpLHcl6ljlc8bj9dpwfh_lZJc7SE4SrxAbCTZkDiaYFWJDkmZsxHnFlW_PygeN6K9v2m8K8Ben2gwFEZ2eiCUQqPmrGPJ7vDwS3J8GKj0MSFnq9eVLKs9UmQM1frAUmuptz1MptAFdS28vS-5LFiWQuwCyHpr6NJ8I1YiiAzEb1g/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">There were no extravagant movements just constant and efficient feeding. The eyes of a Snipe are placed on the sides of its head. They can see in a three hundred and sixty degree circle, even when their bill is embedded in the ground.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Later in the morning, I stopped by again. The Snipe had only moved a few feet when a flicker of motion caught my eye. (Did you notice that its bill and legs are about the same length?)</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf3bECYnKsZWChooZztaogkYdSsX9QcC6muZbFE33uE84IDpGvh0wSGYuMjfIqloPY6A1FN214nYlzqC0hjo7VLmU0HvLGTRFlj1-b4sgFHC2nc_1UAsFG4EO4YOE85IFJqlSUi1xgg0iitP2BHvFyYnbO9uWHjErFrfe816LqHRl1yUjKEfmLDzAEA/s4202/20240203-AK1I8268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2801" data-original-width="4202" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf3bECYnKsZWChooZztaogkYdSsX9QcC6muZbFE33uE84IDpGvh0wSGYuMjfIqloPY6A1FN214nYlzqC0hjo7VLmU0HvLGTRFlj1-b4sgFHC2nc_1UAsFG4EO4YOE85IFJqlSUi1xgg0iitP2BHvFyYnbO9uWHjErFrfe816LqHRl1yUjKEfmLDzAEA/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8268.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A pair of Mallards floated into view while feeding in the creek. Spring is coming and if anything the female seemed a bit more focused on feeding than the male. I suspect part of the male's evolutionary job is to be on the lookout while the female build up nutrients so she can lay a dozen or more eggs come Spring.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Snipe was probably five or six feet from the open water where the Mallards would pass by. Mallards can weigh as much as two and a half pounds while Snipes usually weigh under six ounces. Immediately, I began wondering if the Snipe would fly. (I wasn't expecting that the Mallards would attack the Snipe, but the size difference is so great that even accidental contact could damage the Snipe.)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTjG9fUWeFijQl9z7t3oPEg4YysHSuuBQhW8MCOo63SixmMw7ri2SxozrEPvwQtgw825OzPzZ9J-LKJaqKXQ8QUiSvy38G6dpd0VeFCsw_KjlihmM92rVn4EFVInqyxLqAtiIuUJ9rbtU6dDwbpN-8KZkyBekd4OtB7E07VKsDxZTmSU-cjoQNq_f-A/s3463/20240203-AK1I8277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2311" data-original-width="3463" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTjG9fUWeFijQl9z7t3oPEg4YysHSuuBQhW8MCOo63SixmMw7ri2SxozrEPvwQtgw825OzPzZ9J-LKJaqKXQ8QUiSvy38G6dpd0VeFCsw_KjlihmM92rVn4EFVInqyxLqAtiIuUJ9rbtU6dDwbpN-8KZkyBekd4OtB7E07VKsDxZTmSU-cjoQNq_f-A/w640-h428/20240203-AK1I8277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Snipe stopped feeding and carefully watched the Mallards' progress.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ha34sWcPllM7YJd1VrwfOSFy_gIKuWRDi2HOgkplS5WTRqScW4v2L00-cM3Jofhfa_-FuGgqEycsfaTqnAcaz048dJLPmPkJnCkdKOIAr3e0ZhGaZRHGyXLFnQgFrXNDe35n4MAD3QkVj_mPvVhHlP5F0kT3Rl7xALmlAPSA6vsP4IjiVtzqu4CYag/s1818/20240203-AK1I8282.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="1818" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ha34sWcPllM7YJd1VrwfOSFy_gIKuWRDi2HOgkplS5WTRqScW4v2L00-cM3Jofhfa_-FuGgqEycsfaTqnAcaz048dJLPmPkJnCkdKOIAr3e0ZhGaZRHGyXLFnQgFrXNDe35n4MAD3QkVj_mPvVhHlP5F0kT3Rl7xALmlAPSA6vsP4IjiVtzqu4CYag/w640-h428/20240203-AK1I8282.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It began stretching a wing, just in case it needed to fly.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsz-zxwAhN4hNPkZlWqmwBOFW5-w8dKM97WVXE_Beu76kGTwkml0QOI8OfR2mT-Qx97d8MjGqlgLr-gBB4zwT8VRdCUuq_mrzmBUjFG0AsbMTMY8T1Ldv1KtR0ZjEegTXqVzDUHytmAJZ9wDVcalgJH-pkGM0KxV40U_9QqzmRXigODx6qMixcB2AxcA/s2384/20240203-AK1I8289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="2384" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsz-zxwAhN4hNPkZlWqmwBOFW5-w8dKM97WVXE_Beu76kGTwkml0QOI8OfR2mT-Qx97d8MjGqlgLr-gBB4zwT8VRdCUuq_mrzmBUjFG0AsbMTMY8T1Ldv1KtR0ZjEegTXqVzDUHytmAJZ9wDVcalgJH-pkGM0KxV40U_9QqzmRXigODx6qMixcB2AxcA/w640-h428/20240203-AK1I8289.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was amazed at the bright orange of the tail feathers, partially visible behind the primary wing feathers.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTsZOdZAA02o2pew98jyzoLR-PAVBgCk7_oA2Sg5NLP66JKOpUym454D60sNisarB-UouQ_jv30VuuypwEAszj3GaKP9wpKZSTedT1mXt2VFgfga39cnQar97Ly6OmpeS4cs6TzNmgdq4eoCjsoJM9JpqGEEyxfTjiyWLtj_-WapP0CD5vOpazDknrQ/s1864/20240203-AK1I8291.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1864" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTsZOdZAA02o2pew98jyzoLR-PAVBgCk7_oA2Sg5NLP66JKOpUym454D60sNisarB-UouQ_jv30VuuypwEAszj3GaKP9wpKZSTedT1mXt2VFgfga39cnQar97Ly6OmpeS4cs6TzNmgdq4eoCjsoJM9JpqGEEyxfTjiyWLtj_-WapP0CD5vOpazDknrQ/w640-h428/20240203-AK1I8291.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After it closed the wing the spread of the tail feathers remained wider than normal, indicating it was fanning and stretching its tail as well.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLSnlXBg9HN1eRmYnRXyJvb-vHsN2sxrRZK39Hlem7KBbyxCVTZA7rMNGCWEhix_959kTPGQBKF9ONthJNpvIjHfF9qKyz4n4QytevD3C58r3Pre_1sT3L8tQZI5oywUBRfm3vktOcFjvkYIRuOiGMLdTJvVHfdv01HRLvAQfyywLvF740gNr_eILqg/s2411/20240203-AK1I8293.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1609" data-original-width="2411" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLSnlXBg9HN1eRmYnRXyJvb-vHsN2sxrRZK39Hlem7KBbyxCVTZA7rMNGCWEhix_959kTPGQBKF9ONthJNpvIjHfF9qKyz4n4QytevD3C58r3Pre_1sT3L8tQZI5oywUBRfm3vktOcFjvkYIRuOiGMLdTJvVHfdv01HRLvAQfyywLvF740gNr_eILqg/w640-h428/20240203-AK1I8293.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A moment later it raised both wings above its back without unfolding them. Stretching out a different set of muscles.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPQb-z1BkJ7a8cEDPeRIb7fBeB0gp_nglcuBd2qLYcbAMT-qpD4fuRheDMRICu4JuYGgbWrPvqcZFNZp1ayue1n0CJpV99ctHF2LHqNFUqLnXmm_6nMQ9ldq8E5LZEh1IZtdWu1sElF8J5S5UIPbA6m1FohFRkuiJrLDYq88ZkMv_-Plk58ORKIIRng/s2337/20240203-AK1I8300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="2337" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPQb-z1BkJ7a8cEDPeRIb7fBeB0gp_nglcuBd2qLYcbAMT-qpD4fuRheDMRICu4JuYGgbWrPvqcZFNZp1ayue1n0CJpV99ctHF2LHqNFUqLnXmm_6nMQ9ldq8E5LZEh1IZtdWu1sElF8J5S5UIPbA6m1FohFRkuiJrLDYq88ZkMv_-Plk58ORKIIRng/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8300.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It seemed like scratching its neck might be its </span><span style="font-family: arial;">final flight preparation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Notice how the tail feathers are now back to the "normal" resting width with most of the feathers stacked one on top of another.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhvfSbb2t9UHMmoyvLzbwSjDXtGuKZa3XGLVU8ezLBb4HcKm0ttdzi9Bqo0KmAqV_Kt9pKp0L-69cyKxnsf4ErgD8lnj4TDY_J5ffaciNUiQc1F-eXXo-y-0ms1tD_WxoGEluanBkoDHI5l8EijMRXxMnrOURnxGlDOB83_GI2W1W_Rf3GvS4JLbMyA/s3259/20240203-AK1I8320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2172" data-original-width="3259" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhvfSbb2t9UHMmoyvLzbwSjDXtGuKZa3XGLVU8ezLBb4HcKm0ttdzi9Bqo0KmAqV_Kt9pKp0L-69cyKxnsf4ErgD8lnj4TDY_J5ffaciNUiQc1F-eXXo-y-0ms1tD_WxoGEluanBkoDHI5l8EijMRXxMnrOURnxGlDOB83_GI2W1W_Rf3GvS4JLbMyA/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8320.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Snipe peered back at the Mallards as if trying to decide if they were really a danger or whether it was safe to continue feeding.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo894sj98VKPuI8ShnNtUhTj_cvLN3NDoaEbdhB5FLwJvzWl9ieO862UKN0ypJd4gXsAzvYLDBGCj3pQKeR4Jv6BgbNv7m1FajFhrYgnBSsXj3aiA8yOIHbg2Lku28Ijw5xXmmBAzmcmgPWDYBt9ECXKJzbWOkCrd0tWQvT4il756vBUDOZPqAAWf9RQ/s5472/20240203-AK1I8327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo894sj98VKPuI8ShnNtUhTj_cvLN3NDoaEbdhB5FLwJvzWl9ieO862UKN0ypJd4gXsAzvYLDBGCj3pQKeR4Jv6BgbNv7m1FajFhrYgnBSsXj3aiA8yOIHbg2Lku28Ijw5xXmmBAzmcmgPWDYBt9ECXKJzbWOkCrd0tWQvT4il756vBUDOZPqAAWf9RQ/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Mallards continued feeding. They did not seem to notice the Snipe.</div></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-I_xKGraGivjRlOj6rbBL7QWFpRTFwlf8FM5P0kB8cRy6sVU_Y5qIkJkH2DrpOi7jUtYUvOCkqa9Ub4M1s1xFKzgqtHgiJ1hHL-HTrCWbd5FBTu7x2T5SHSJcafp0VzmcBOqLaz7jBemJnLAtPiW9n1W_eU4iPPj2k-kZU2kSVDwmEkvSOd_EI5ajQ/s3144/20240203-AK1I8343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="3144" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-I_xKGraGivjRlOj6rbBL7QWFpRTFwlf8FM5P0kB8cRy6sVU_Y5qIkJkH2DrpOi7jUtYUvOCkqa9Ub4M1s1xFKzgqtHgiJ1hHL-HTrCWbd5FBTu7x2T5SHSJcafp0VzmcBOqLaz7jBemJnLAtPiW9n1W_eU4iPPj2k-kZU2kSVDwmEkvSOd_EI5ajQ/w640-h428/20240203-AK1I8343.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The careful Snipe also returned to feeding. However, it kept turning so it could keep a watchful eye focused on the Mallards.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlbmsvghSDCDwzGC934NNhYOLKbDJLTQTkvr2JMYwhyygSHzkxLSFmppy-FvBOAy68u3kDSUivDo_8Lhp0eViDWWC1X9Y5F2m9D2mqEDJ6IPLOm64zYMVFkpWC65fHnJXMVUmp3Y0Oy0_Wbt1QLF84bxX-gM5qwFN6VCBOQJDHtNnmYrMYdfKwiNbUQ/s5472/20240203-AK1I8346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlbmsvghSDCDwzGC934NNhYOLKbDJLTQTkvr2JMYwhyygSHzkxLSFmppy-FvBOAy68u3kDSUivDo_8Lhp0eViDWWC1X9Y5F2m9D2mqEDJ6IPLOm64zYMVFkpWC65fHnJXMVUmp3Y0Oy0_Wbt1QLF84bxX-gM5qwFN6VCBOQJDHtNnmYrMYdfKwiNbUQ/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8346.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Suddenly, there was a great thrashing and splashing of water by the male Mallard. Immediately, the Snipe stood tall and watched with keen interest.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6s6RiIBLcODUJPq7bSut2_IzoGMuORmbeqMQMO5mqTkPfmmKLnqbuYB48XaCJu7yMNrYRWi75mMZe6163nOkqtFl0IrifRKuZ-VJ1hUvHm6p-UVTKASGz55MoLhzoKIx-EDoZgV7lyFWZJvzLKq4YwvAlZxMqsgmu8fRXX7-x5mM_jggxihZ6ZD-OA/s4470/20240203-AK1I8362.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="4470" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6s6RiIBLcODUJPq7bSut2_IzoGMuORmbeqMQMO5mqTkPfmmKLnqbuYB48XaCJu7yMNrYRWi75mMZe6163nOkqtFl0IrifRKuZ-VJ1hUvHm6p-UVTKASGz55MoLhzoKIx-EDoZgV7lyFWZJvzLKq4YwvAlZxMqsgmu8fRXX7-x5mM_jggxihZ6ZD-OA/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8362.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Mallard caught a dark-colored creature. He immediately turned his back on the female Mallard and started moving upstream. He kept his body between his treasure and his mate. The female sensing something special was afoot crept closer, as if waiting to gobble up anything the male happened to drop.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3_-Y3gZRzwCoglWrayDtq5dLgCtv2TnMnk-q1D36EDn8T0-gyqZRSbthUyhTRz0e3Qi3gjqGxeLmssp6zE1Q5_rBM3yj3dYwPSrXbaxYSmhK31fbpv8b1zPloY2GdhUJApexpJyfgtkRH4P0a44jzNA-8Le0_MvCPJja6_2LXgwSeW9IEaU41ynmOg/s4018/20240203-AK1I8363.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2679" data-original-width="4018" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3_-Y3gZRzwCoglWrayDtq5dLgCtv2TnMnk-q1D36EDn8T0-gyqZRSbthUyhTRz0e3Qi3gjqGxeLmssp6zE1Q5_rBM3yj3dYwPSrXbaxYSmhK31fbpv8b1zPloY2GdhUJApexpJyfgtkRH4P0a44jzNA-8Le0_MvCPJja6_2LXgwSeW9IEaU41ynmOg/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8363.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mallards, unlike Raptors, are not equipped with sharp bills that can quickly dispatch living prey. Much of the year they eat mostly vegetation, during breeding season they eat more larvae, worms, and other small creatures that they can easily swallow. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The creature the Mallard caught was probably five or six inches long. It would be a feast for the Duck, if it could manage to subdue it, and also not lose it to the female. In the past, I have seen bull frogs in the Creek. I wondered if the Mallard had caught a very large tadpole.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCEhmliYRfCgMwShmwjRE2-cfL7m53j4zfev8AJu1ozo87OhHJSFX5k3irFHgVP9okzPs6Jexv1gV1x3pKJK8Q-2si3taOFx_dPyExgjYe66amiuE7SaTA88V5dQtFxMT7KgVZCIt3JeBhfe8z88gWYusn-Qb5PHjx038i2R0f8fOafVbVqEa0R1nxA/s5472/20240203-AK1I8369.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCEhmliYRfCgMwShmwjRE2-cfL7m53j4zfev8AJu1ozo87OhHJSFX5k3irFHgVP9okzPs6Jexv1gV1x3pKJK8Q-2si3taOFx_dPyExgjYe66amiuE7SaTA88V5dQtFxMT7KgVZCIt3JeBhfe8z88gWYusn-Qb5PHjx038i2R0f8fOafVbVqEa0R1nxA/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8369.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I occasionally saw the tail of the creature as it struggled.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATC-PU40va5boHpXDLT6tLWHGWSo_RWbVSVtHHrQbBOmXIwQetVG_Xwo1jtbt6rTqKJQ1RZc5L97W_gALpUII3Z10RhsGdxuWouwh0wl7Ghb8dwK7rE328HzVNhTaO-mSsTG-Um8LoclN8o9QIncEusvFiyqcg26OIgEtQcjrvljsdY9gbf-F80Mmmg/s3070/20240203-AK1I8398.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="3070" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATC-PU40va5boHpXDLT6tLWHGWSo_RWbVSVtHHrQbBOmXIwQetVG_Xwo1jtbt6rTqKJQ1RZc5L97W_gALpUII3Z10RhsGdxuWouwh0wl7Ghb8dwK7rE328HzVNhTaO-mSsTG-Um8LoclN8o9QIncEusvFiyqcg26OIgEtQcjrvljsdY9gbf-F80Mmmg/w640-h428/20240203-AK1I8398.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> The Mallard could only squeeze it, repeatedly, until the resistance ceased.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJhuV33S99He2mpReEJ03Q5SUoJ3jY0JGJifW4s8pjjfGuNBp2btV7NIK_-G2JWk6EJ_kQw5AJWcI4jDrCIBiWGithienBHlRhvCccBJYmW4BOE85xfIda3X6hWg4DAg3j6yzFsU6IVJHtgnj-yCeyuZLBxDM6XFIufHLAP8UYDn1NaO_qK5UOLR5uQ/s4371/20240203-AK1I8443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2914" data-original-width="4371" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJhuV33S99He2mpReEJ03Q5SUoJ3jY0JGJifW4s8pjjfGuNBp2btV7NIK_-G2JWk6EJ_kQw5AJWcI4jDrCIBiWGithienBHlRhvCccBJYmW4BOE85xfIda3X6hWg4DAg3j6yzFsU6IVJHtgnj-yCeyuZLBxDM6XFIufHLAP8UYDn1NaO_qK5UOLR5uQ/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During this whole process, the Snipe stopped feeding and stood stiffly at attention - like a soldier at the funeral of a fallen friend.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl0F1LtAbfazna212Fzc03rbqbFFZeylq9teZp069Fj-Nmedpj5uBFE0Vk0E5RRiUYQ9kYfqeZd9GaJaQA-PiidcaVGMJDU-bphhaiRjp93w1KV3m562_XyOjSprRkWChvEpg79dX3QNG8AMMSCStcRI9Qcyk-jjpgoxhD_Vwe3S5WDJpoRiXivg_nQ/s4808/20240203-AK1I8452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3205" data-original-width="4808" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl0F1LtAbfazna212Fzc03rbqbFFZeylq9teZp069Fj-Nmedpj5uBFE0Vk0E5RRiUYQ9kYfqeZd9GaJaQA-PiidcaVGMJDU-bphhaiRjp93w1KV3m562_XyOjSprRkWChvEpg79dX3QNG8AMMSCStcRI9Qcyk-jjpgoxhD_Vwe3S5WDJpoRiXivg_nQ/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The </span><span style="font-family: arial;">female stayed very close as the male</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> worked its way slowly upstream.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQutS7TGcAvu0a6G_TzmX1elsb-_y_Wl5Qje99lCygu8jKKVP7fJFClNzMqJToMVMVM3sIX1BDid0UQBfiNxdh9Hv6L__xVvRzQTuexP14FvGWCH3904Vwg_niCcPaiawHrAy8y4pwL4ZvGNWiJwoj67bWkh1PTUiRqJ_pBBwh2MgE0_4T41YKf7MPZQ/s4177/20240203-AK1I8456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2785" data-original-width="4177" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQutS7TGcAvu0a6G_TzmX1elsb-_y_Wl5Qje99lCygu8jKKVP7fJFClNzMqJToMVMVM3sIX1BDid0UQBfiNxdh9Hv6L__xVvRzQTuexP14FvGWCH3904Vwg_niCcPaiawHrAy8y4pwL4ZvGNWiJwoj67bWkh1PTUiRqJ_pBBwh2MgE0_4T41YKf7MPZQ/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8456.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For a moment, it appeared the Mallard lost its catch.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksMeLmli1Rbr-hwIQnAGUMcPmDGpiiVEy4YLj8CAttaL6T-Gr4bbm1PT7oF5AKfl2rUhzYM5BCtHmEsqZGCky0WntxMWAWvNDvEppbIsqLUrLdY9AejZ7haNPO_rn6XrbbTIRPT85GxOISkFq9tHpmnHEEU3jkQINHYh1heqqg0GTV6Des2_oypNwKg/s2133/20240203-AK1I8473.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="2133" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksMeLmli1Rbr-hwIQnAGUMcPmDGpiiVEy4YLj8CAttaL6T-Gr4bbm1PT7oF5AKfl2rUhzYM5BCtHmEsqZGCky0WntxMWAWvNDvEppbIsqLUrLdY9AejZ7haNPO_rn6XrbbTIRPT85GxOISkFq9tHpmnHEEU3jkQINHYh1heqqg0GTV6Des2_oypNwKg/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8473.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">it was just the final rinse before consuming the </span><a href="https://www.burkemuseum.org/collections-and-research/biology/herpetology/amphibians-reptiles-washington/northwestern-salamander" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Northwestern Salamander</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">This was also my first time seeing a Salamander in Arboretum Creek. In 2021, I did see one being removed from the Lower Woodland Garden pond, which is downstream and up a seasonal rivulet to the east. <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2021/08/poison-in-pond.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Click Here</span></a> to read the story and see the photo of the Barred Owl that caught that Salamander. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1i2xwgknXB14_7RTDSo0tJEhCO4g&ll=47.63484847189201%2C-122.30074981309906&z=15" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a> to find the Lower Woodland Pond on my map, which also includes nearby nest sites.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q3lyGK19IjxFlx-UCNDRNgHpKTG4uvTM08WhLO0ZWID68Axb0O2ourZNeMMRtb7P916IbFIp7tyrNwBL3QrfrOYzFxj1dbld2sXfD0jhkz_dPUP5bBNzxTf1gM2_PskR10UmoWOxYelAXVgsVzJMWVi6OzTCW8kntrFlzSbv8pGzKP8PYs8W4TachA/s3410/20240203-AK1I8497.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2273" data-original-width="3410" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q3lyGK19IjxFlx-UCNDRNgHpKTG4uvTM08WhLO0ZWID68Axb0O2ourZNeMMRtb7P916IbFIp7tyrNwBL3QrfrOYzFxj1dbld2sXfD0jhkz_dPUP5bBNzxTf1gM2_PskR10UmoWOxYelAXVgsVzJMWVi6OzTCW8kntrFlzSbv8pGzKP8PYs8W4TachA/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8497.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As the Mallards disappeared around the bend...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulupBvlxJjDL1TrVp6DARW2rGq7wa9RS6trsDJeyVDIaYWqzT2l0iOV1oB03vlPUtVG5aJinV5w-Qx3DOnSUrYAkou_7IJut_YIPUNf9-6ZbIOkowr8QYnQ86owAC9_ktv6DhnPcVwBl-15gJqe4K5eaSeL2-7QUk5WD5dfHWZet5WZc6RMj_7w8ePw/s4122/20240203-AK1I8466.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2748" data-original-width="4122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulupBvlxJjDL1TrVp6DARW2rGq7wa9RS6trsDJeyVDIaYWqzT2l0iOV1oB03vlPUtVG5aJinV5w-Qx3DOnSUrYAkou_7IJut_YIPUNf9-6ZbIOkowr8QYnQ86owAC9_ktv6DhnPcVwBl-15gJqe4K5eaSeL2-7QUk5WD5dfHWZet5WZc6RMj_7w8ePw/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8466.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">...the Snipe continued to pay close attention.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQC2u1ELFVNE24boJJjznrDY3AFkrMyenwL4OlvWhRp94-kuJrfuRLnRLqnCl3X9naxxtACTRYsafTjvoBQkA5wEHHi4JZxzK5rasBfEjjZ7CrVap_r48M_iBt6eEnwEMT-biKYf2ppiHJzPJevWDlX2cQu1dYQRcO9R5xq6CTpSojX8912iWTHA3LA/s3859/20240203-AK1I8500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2573" data-original-width="3859" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQC2u1ELFVNE24boJJjznrDY3AFkrMyenwL4OlvWhRp94-kuJrfuRLnRLqnCl3X9naxxtACTRYsafTjvoBQkA5wEHHi4JZxzK5rasBfEjjZ7CrVap_r48M_iBt6eEnwEMT-biKYf2ppiHJzPJevWDlX2cQu1dYQRcO9R5xq6CTpSojX8912iWTHA3LA/w640-h426/20240203-AK1I8500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then, it turned and looked directly at me, almost as if to say, "Did you catch all that?"</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7rCmF_oTagNwY3LXbyPCmIPP2sRY1DDlEohMcNV7w2rjgoqhQDvyRd26mIZyGOQTgUiCq-FjFNM5mnCGxIXDmTyd-ztF3hrgCC4ZiiOxSnGsjIThqsxy4OAdA-Sg87mjnV4lqEMQMaItEUwe1F-Wiye8HztPNgMuFW62rIn_cSBGpZPR3K2T_0STQQ/s2319/20240203-AK1I8507.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="2319" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7rCmF_oTagNwY3LXbyPCmIPP2sRY1DDlEohMcNV7w2rjgoqhQDvyRd26mIZyGOQTgUiCq-FjFNM5mnCGxIXDmTyd-ztF3hrgCC4ZiiOxSnGsjIThqsxy4OAdA-Sg87mjnV4lqEMQMaItEUwe1F-Wiye8HztPNgMuFW62rIn_cSBGpZPR3K2T_0STQQ/w640-h428/20240203-AK1I8507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, with the danger passed, the Snipe returned to feeding.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk5Lnm1Y47CoZn7Gw6YKZezSqIt7LDkqYbLkpKbUX_GLIxvH4kd3XsphJD4LNp3NN0Q4s1c0WPvRVVIHy1TG2RJkRGS1TibaZjAODsM4rl2TjT0_OeZK1w4Qj_C3lUFks2Prz2iIiv0mNDzwNb_wPXKQH2i1sggEFWLrQWtw7WIq5mrdLHldUdJS2cA/s1209/20240203-AK1I8527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="807" height="860" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk5Lnm1Y47CoZn7Gw6YKZezSqIt7LDkqYbLkpKbUX_GLIxvH4kd3XsphJD4LNp3NN0Q4s1c0WPvRVVIHy1TG2RJkRGS1TibaZjAODsM4rl2TjT0_OeZK1w4Qj_C3lUFks2Prz2iIiv0mNDzwNb_wPXKQH2i1sggEFWLrQWtw7WIq5mrdLHldUdJS2cA/w575-h860/20240203-AK1I8527.jpg" width="575" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On this occasion, the worms the Snipe was eating were relatively large and visible. I understand with smaller items they can pull them up and swallow them even while their bill is stuck in the mud and searching around for more food.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next day and the day after there were two Wilson's Snipe at this location.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and the local native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125);">***************</span> </span></p><p>Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.</p><p><b>This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:</b></p><p><span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard:</b> </p><p><a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Additional content available here:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo with each post to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ARxlK-q7iSGU_riq-y_krBtiYOHkp8AbEoRA3UDHB8xrYLuScMhnVbVwlReuecceZotDwgWWQacuzKMFboczNv8O0ztFa5OehV3DWbaqF5tQ4tYGhAEQ0NRZ5vj7MSjqiu47CG8KJrndC697gx-8X8Z_rFEhcQePcg0uc7qNZsDGAzxjpkRjYO6vLw/s5184/20190404-EB2R2769.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ARxlK-q7iSGU_riq-y_krBtiYOHkp8AbEoRA3UDHB8xrYLuScMhnVbVwlReuecceZotDwgWWQacuzKMFboczNv8O0ztFa5OehV3DWbaqF5tQ4tYGhAEQ0NRZ5vj7MSjqiu47CG8KJrndC697gx-8X8Z_rFEhcQePcg0uc7qNZsDGAzxjpkRjYO6vLw/w640-h426/20190404-EB2R2769.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are two different plants in this May, 2019, photo. One is native to our area and one is not. Do you know which is which?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ARxlK-q7iSGU_riq-y_krBtiYOHkp8AbEoRA3UDHB8xrYLuScMhnVbVwlReuecceZotDwgWWQacuzKMFboczNv8O0ztFa5OehV3DWbaqF5tQ4tYGhAEQ0NRZ5vj7MSjqiu47CG8KJrndC697gx-8X8Z_rFEhcQePcg0uc7qNZsDGAzxjpkRjYO6vLw/s5184/20190404-EB2R2769.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ARxlK-q7iSGU_riq-y_krBtiYOHkp8AbEoRA3UDHB8xrYLuScMhnVbVwlReuecceZotDwgWWQacuzKMFboczNv8O0ztFa5OehV3DWbaqF5tQ4tYGhAEQ0NRZ5vj7MSjqiu47CG8KJrndC697gx-8X8Z_rFEhcQePcg0uc7qNZsDGAzxjpkRjYO6vLw/w640-h426/20190404-EB2R2769.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://green2.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Plant.aspx?Act=view&PlantID=25&PhotoID=381" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Tall Oregon Grape</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">: T</span>he native plant on the left. It belongs in our yards and is a contributing member of a healthy PNW ecosystem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/common-holly" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">English Holly</span></a>: The non-native invasive plant on the right. If left unchecked it will cover up and shade out native plants. The Holly reduces the richness and health of the ecosystem, and it is poisonous to humans and pets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These two can be confused, especially, in the Winter, when they are without fruit or flowers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Learning to distinguish these plants will help us to protect the local ecosystem. A key difference, which I am still working to remember, is that on the native plant the leaflets are in pairs, directly opposite of each other, except for the final leaflet. It is like they are working together, maybe that can help us to remember this species works together with other native plants and creatures in the PNW. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With English Holly, the leaves sprout out at alternating locations. It is as if each leaf is only concerned about itself and its own growth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br />My email address is: <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span>robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. <br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span><br />If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.<br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div>Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></div><p><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><b><br /></b></span></p></div><br /> <p></p></div></div></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-70512903254934807312024-01-22T12:51:00.000-08:002024-01-22T13:08:50.040-08:00Winter Warmth<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_vxMJsAzaTwkLqHnWa_aaqjmPvnubCtd_OYKA_WHKsL2AaJnRwwdX4f932jJOW1lBu7mb79wT-m17VLuwTn6vODlUWUm08q3CUwIyu3s00TuD6jKfad5jEhMyyzNBf8xtNVDB7E99mIdN8qpbF_F8oCbLoOkbsufDwuTZyboMHOEXUUg5zJcDw9UAA/s3118/20240103-AK1I6792.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3118" data-original-width="2077" height="916" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_vxMJsAzaTwkLqHnWa_aaqjmPvnubCtd_OYKA_WHKsL2AaJnRwwdX4f932jJOW1lBu7mb79wT-m17VLuwTn6vODlUWUm08q3CUwIyu3s00TuD6jKfad5jEhMyyzNBf8xtNVDB7E99mIdN8qpbF_F8oCbLoOkbsufDwuTZyboMHOEXUUg5zJcDw9UAA/w609-h916/20240103-AK1I6792.jpg" width="609" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A Red-breasted Sapsucker provides a spark of fiery color during the cold, gray of Winter.</div></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQjtdqlK2A5S_Np6xXww0Nz2hKpk6Il235gul6GkCyVVODP-7gGWeRlBEtGtSR66Wr-aJLT-kFasA7p1haEUC9jajbq7G_3anrhKZAv-TKt_ZOSaPrrtWx5o68nLPwvcT9zWa2P_ong3jsTl_57k8mld0fz8LYBt_wJWRdbqsynOjwnQid3YcPO61_Q/s3835/20231231-AK1I5857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="3835" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQjtdqlK2A5S_Np6xXww0Nz2hKpk6Il235gul6GkCyVVODP-7gGWeRlBEtGtSR66Wr-aJLT-kFasA7p1haEUC9jajbq7G_3anrhKZAv-TKt_ZOSaPrrtWx5o68nLPwvcT9zWa2P_ong3jsTl_57k8mld0fz8LYBt_wJWRdbqsynOjwnQid3YcPO61_Q/w640-h426/20231231-AK1I5857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On New Year's Eve, while watching a Downy Woodpecker foraging among the branches of this Willow tree, a faint motion, next to the trunk of the tree, diverted my attention. I felt fortunate to spot a Red-breasted Sapsucker (RBSA). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz76UCv89g0G5h6DYMcrorswwTQR8p44DExRdZwFI6PM1Vtr0HGJ1P6HI3w5EEx78FNLjQZq6Hja7GI1xMWncmK78w7bnBD4F7t5zh8bZnktSIm4QCZPG9jx_864-DAxzHfiLfq5v1o4mRd3kfPfZ88ED_kmEh7GIB-RQnSojvD0RqfkJ57vZXrdlqtg/s3047/20231231-AK1I5880.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3047" data-original-width="2031" height="845" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz76UCv89g0G5h6DYMcrorswwTQR8p44DExRdZwFI6PM1Vtr0HGJ1P6HI3w5EEx78FNLjQZq6Hja7GI1xMWncmK78w7bnBD4F7t5zh8bZnktSIm4QCZPG9jx_864-DAxzHfiLfq5v1o4mRd3kfPfZ88ED_kmEh7GIB-RQnSojvD0RqfkJ57vZXrdlqtg/w563-h845/20231231-AK1I5880.jpg" width="563" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">By this time of year, most leaves from deciduous trees have fallen, I expect the sap created in the leaves would normally have already descended to the roots, and that hungry Sapsuckers would have usually switched to feeding on evergreen trees.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWngtxXkZQm7JGwYgouMZUr2kBpPoSc1pc56grKCZne8_TVkRbyuYvK_s8KDE74xTZmoq46NBlnThL49Zr62U8wiVP86IjJFwCmUcuBENe1J-OuNB9N4wlGJwkEG2WVTspobhjTm5jxQabTWeStbBK_4QQG5KFYGfoaReaeiwWimyJcGnc_SZISBd1Q/s4032/20240102-IMG_9464.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWngtxXkZQm7JGwYgouMZUr2kBpPoSc1pc56grKCZne8_TVkRbyuYvK_s8KDE74xTZmoq46NBlnThL49Zr62U8wiVP86IjJFwCmUcuBENe1J-OuNB9N4wlGJwkEG2WVTspobhjTm5jxQabTWeStbBK_4QQG5KFYGfoaReaeiwWimyJcGnc_SZISBd1Q/w640-h480/20240102-IMG_9464.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, this old Willow is unique. At some point, probably many years ago, the tree slipped into this horizontal position. The root system must have stayed intact. Not only did the tree survive, it appears to be thriving. It now supports numerous vertical branches, each of which behaves almost like an individual tree. I wonder if this single tree could one day become a grove of genetically identical trees. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This tree resides, or maybe I should say reclines, on the shore of Duck Bay, next to the path to Foster Island, in the Washington Park Arboretum.</span></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eTbH8SXBnrg2KThR8jsBJvb1JjqUsQtwUUPA9dlZlPB-cA-H1p3wtoFfEAYAQRK3wiC6HFW9ajkvuF2qKCq8-Uda7wO6IM0nJMhqc-E08oxgkvyQc3I6cLf1NGbf6w2rdB0LfeuiAv5Dk0S-HTtRetxTKJmwsURHdKb1-D_oe9Vd-G5Ui5bR1Zz61g/s2582/20240101-AK1I6331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="2582" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eTbH8SXBnrg2KThR8jsBJvb1JjqUsQtwUUPA9dlZlPB-cA-H1p3wtoFfEAYAQRK3wiC6HFW9ajkvuF2qKCq8-Uda7wO6IM0nJMhqc-E08oxgkvyQc3I6cLf1NGbf6w2rdB0LfeuiAv5Dk0S-HTtRetxTKJmwsURHdKb1-D_oe9Vd-G5Ui5bR1Zz61g/w640-h426/20240101-AK1I6331.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Surprisingly, this tree retained numerous leaves, even in early January. The presence of the leaves, the Sapsucker, and the obvious moisture around the fresh holes, indicated that the sap was still flowing. </span></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR38nI4wdIsyCjQlqadzAsZ_gz-K8bfp_hXEeMa7isSfL1uWqdBJXpdy-qn159kTCEIuvQNZ51QwUrq81pZa9m7VCTeQwnnCk5-uYQw7B-mP0PvcyyqFMYHLlFOrSmj7SgajjMwphINR1Ow6xDl4mZ_GpuF7N4oDIkVrEc1_l8pcuKrGo7kXnPmP8AQ/s4032/20240112-IMG_9497.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="734" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR38nI4wdIsyCjQlqadzAsZ_gz-K8bfp_hXEeMa7isSfL1uWqdBJXpdy-qn159kTCEIuvQNZ51QwUrq81pZa9m7VCTeQwnnCk5-uYQw7B-mP0PvcyyqFMYHLlFOrSmj7SgajjMwphINR1Ow6xDl4mZ_GpuF7N4oDIkVrEc1_l8pcuKrGo7kXnPmP8AQ/w638-h734/20240112-IMG_9497.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The<span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span><a href="https://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/gardens/map.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Arboretum Tree Map</span></a><span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span>says this tree is a "Salix sp." I understand that to mean it is one of more than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow#:~:text=Willows%2C%20also%20called%20sallows%20and,in%20cold%20and%20temperate%20regions." target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">300 species of willows</span></a> in the world, but which one is uncertain. I faintly remember a gardener suggesting that this tree might be a Salix alba. The word alba means white, which is apparently a reference to the light color on the underside of the leaves. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salix_alba" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Salix alba</span></a> is a willow species that originated in Europe and Asia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOzKFU_dHkg9CIhgmMo4GMpjBf_IOCcCFpl3MzVV5yePK5GyXwugh83Zb40YrEUFmH2lMP_mzS38xrjW92qb4wRpZVt2H61x3jhcmMthGygkKHciv6q8L-Tb0uNlRkBS8LhaQFpozucKqaIv3Mdn19m-uTHMjVIFFFUP0sme9aMF1dyh0uWYK4jmHag/s2191/20240103-AK1I6553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="2191" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOzKFU_dHkg9CIhgmMo4GMpjBf_IOCcCFpl3MzVV5yePK5GyXwugh83Zb40YrEUFmH2lMP_mzS38xrjW92qb4wRpZVt2H61x3jhcmMthGygkKHciv6q8L-Tb0uNlRkBS8LhaQFpozucKqaIv3Mdn19m-uTHMjVIFFFUP0sme9aMF1dyh0uWYK4jmHag/w640-h426/20240103-AK1I6553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After a while, the Sapsucker moved to a second set of holes on one of the other "trunks" of the tree. The Downy Woodpecker moved towards the sap wells that the Sapsucker had just abandoned. I suspect the Downy was hoping to find insects caught in the sweet, sticky substance. Immediately, the Sapsucker moved back to defend its investment in the original set of holes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qYWwLR8UE1bPjOwhfkaHZxTEsHYU_XJcdeI_VvH-Jmz9vYYCURXnrg0U_dlOp93jLnAg0S3mvYf3WCc8pIGFxjrP7NK5O5D4QhOKSiZy_m-xnfDl5JpshaMLkcMNH5c6cFKOLf9tSuvjB58qCSY19dDtc4FtsYDkkW3nvCDE4ucZt7Ro7tCsap7Ayw/s2791/20231231-AK1I5865.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2791" data-original-width="1861" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qYWwLR8UE1bPjOwhfkaHZxTEsHYU_XJcdeI_VvH-Jmz9vYYCURXnrg0U_dlOp93jLnAg0S3mvYf3WCc8pIGFxjrP7NK5O5D4QhOKSiZy_m-xnfDl5JpshaMLkcMNH5c6cFKOLf9tSuvjB58qCSY19dDtc4FtsYDkkW3nvCDE4ucZt7Ro7tCsap7Ayw/w426-h640/20231231-AK1I5865.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is interesting to note that there are only four Sapsucker species in the world, and they all live in North America. I suspect that trees from other areas in the world, like the Salix alba, may have been less motivated to develop thick bark, in part, because in their original range, they never encountered Sapsuckers. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To the east of the Cascade Mountains in Spring you can find Red-naped Sapsuckers (RNSAs) and Williamson's Sapsuckers (WISAs). Further to the east and up into Canada and Alaska are the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (YBSA) in the Spring. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The author of <a href="https://www.toknowtheland.com/blog/a-short-note-on-sapsucker-ecologies" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">this post,</span></a> about YBSAs, suggests that when they begin working on a tree the YBSA drills an exploratory set of horizontal holes. The idea is that they are looking for the highest volume of sap. When they find the desired sap flow they begin drilling their way up the tree, creating vertical sets of holes. Multiple sources imply that YBSA and RBSAs behave similarly. Perhaps, this behavior applies to RBSAs too i.e. the horizontal holes are exploratory and the vertical ones are maximizing their mining effort.</span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I can't say I have documented the behavior, but it will be interesting to pay closer attention to how they work.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvI_Q8LBwzE9SfeIK1Tq2Qnx3rjvnpK2HeNXnHE9wJyVG3c3xIlTB2iYXh_w0tvVgUf5PUdOiKTEHQGLHcGGeh9cuYqOJvF98hVr291tLxS6GXdgo8D-w5JcDXzqwkFpUV-PIZo07VF-mMuYCVv9D0jllt2pxOL_1lVSGLYjv696ADppwrxfvg7mx7Q/s3648/20231231-AK1I5891.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="3648" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvI_Q8LBwzE9SfeIK1Tq2Qnx3rjvnpK2HeNXnHE9wJyVG3c3xIlTB2iYXh_w0tvVgUf5PUdOiKTEHQGLHcGGeh9cuYqOJvF98hVr291tLxS6GXdgo8D-w5JcDXzqwkFpUV-PIZo07VF-mMuYCVv9D0jllt2pxOL_1lVSGLYjv696ADppwrxfvg7mx7Q/w640-h426/20231231-AK1I5891.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This Sapsucker did seem to feed primarily near the tops of the vertical columns of holes. That makes sense especially if it was feeding on the sap created in the leaves and flowing down to the roots.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> This sap travels down via the <a href="https://www.snexplores.org/article/scientists-say-phloem" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">phloem</span></a>. So it can</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> be safely stored for the winter without freezing. During, the first week or two in January, I found what appeared to be this same Sapsucker, in the same tree, multiple times. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWQ8rHlPy17g3dI2cImXt7IhKiM6b5JjLG7A90cyKj21xPckS9ZmUbfla84lsuZWfSogVQo0ztD2MPZcB8V4I7uX3NAIoldYYJVc-vk0womHQSe97B-2J9Nmp3FOCCFl6oD0P9h_WbxqQPW3Falvz5ZvDSmflCCzORv3xW_SCqGvwZwYZ-KZakHJdpw/s3296/20240101-AK1I6428.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2197" data-original-width="3296" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWQ8rHlPy17g3dI2cImXt7IhKiM6b5JjLG7A90cyKj21xPckS9ZmUbfla84lsuZWfSogVQo0ztD2MPZcB8V4I7uX3NAIoldYYJVc-vk0womHQSe97B-2J9Nmp3FOCCFl6oD0P9h_WbxqQPW3Falvz5ZvDSmflCCzORv3xW_SCqGvwZwYZ-KZakHJdpw/w640-h426/20240101-AK1I6428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I wonder if the Sapsucker knew that the cold snap was coming. Did it target the tree with the leaves? Were the leaves like little flags blowing the breeze, sending a signal that the sap was still flowing? In any case, the Sapsucker was clearly taking advantage of this last source of deciduous sap.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> RBSAs can also drill deeper holes to access the water and minerals that flow up from the roots via the <a href="https://www.snexplores.org/article/scientists-say-phloem" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">xylem</span></a>. The Xylem is a bit deeper in the tree than the phloem so the holes require different depths. However, with cold weather approaching, I would expect the tree would not be pulling up water that could potentially freeze and shatter the tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On January 3rd, toward the end of the day, the Sapsucker left the tree and flew west across Duck Bay. I could only think of one other tree, in line with its flight path, where I had seen a RBSA before. I figured it was a long shot but decided to check out, just in case.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnMlHu7a5H_ki3UiLGfxLP0hbrbufiX76xNkmzYvGxP2rTIVzpBdmHKH5r_59s3kusdVLZi6wGdP7h9mQnZy5zOwpdjQTfmS1u3lVnlzyAokL8eeig1ET4hLwYTDyh-qxNkzCT_hfNe3qb71KVSjcy1vKUKJT2gXoJp-gdci1NWNMS8Hl9pTIQ2UuYg/s2943/20240103-AK1I6847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="2943" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnMlHu7a5H_ki3UiLGfxLP0hbrbufiX76xNkmzYvGxP2rTIVzpBdmHKH5r_59s3kusdVLZi6wGdP7h9mQnZy5zOwpdjQTfmS1u3lVnlzyAokL8eeig1ET4hLwYTDyh-qxNkzCT_hfNe3qb71KVSjcy1vKUKJT2gXoJp-gdci1NWNMS8Hl9pTIQ2UuYg/w640-h426/20240103-AK1I6847.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To my surprise, it worked. There was a RBSA in the tree. But was it the same bird? </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrnDBVVp_5o-wYsp58yxznqmSZQw1Z5m-u8bwivm6PmR6yApod6dpDfZPHPFIhi7IlKN55KmeGyj_g9KjPKXuwcpZVYMCg3sFtNxxMftjTwjXq7gyha9vu-pi_AgM2mHvA72VW6dTkIgY5abBQ_PuYSJoh30pbzl3Imdez4m-DfSOzdI5ZOPIynxgSw/s2893/20240103-AK1I6756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="1929" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrnDBVVp_5o-wYsp58yxznqmSZQw1Z5m-u8bwivm6PmR6yApod6dpDfZPHPFIhi7IlKN55KmeGyj_g9KjPKXuwcpZVYMCg3sFtNxxMftjTwjXq7gyha9vu-pi_AgM2mHvA72VW6dTkIgY5abBQ_PuYSJoh30pbzl3Imdez4m-DfSOzdI5ZOPIynxgSw/w245-h368/20240103-AK1I6756.jpg" width="245" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5fbkXfqtAV6TiFchXnAk0NYijCaVkxloYoN8_ciBH3nAmKnO-btCGYj8Jhzj8lcvE3av7XZlV5ndJdP2H_mhBuc5T9XVVU6B0A8LpPNJqKW2CkxckzQLB9JgMklG_T1-wBg2xvAhyphenhyphenPL_ZmfNXIeRdk-vWlQpL6OubxIyYW-sKO1gvND3Eowxiv5Y-A/s3344/20240103-AK1I6761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3344" data-original-width="2229" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5fbkXfqtAV6TiFchXnAk0NYijCaVkxloYoN8_ciBH3nAmKnO-btCGYj8Jhzj8lcvE3av7XZlV5ndJdP2H_mhBuc5T9XVVU6B0A8LpPNJqKW2CkxckzQLB9JgMklG_T1-wBg2xvAhyphenhyphenPL_ZmfNXIeRdk-vWlQpL6OubxIyYW-sKO1gvND3Eowxiv5Y-A/w245-h367/20240103-AK1I6761.jpg" width="245" /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: right;">the RBSA moved to the opposite side of the trunk, t</span><span style="font-family: arial;">hese photos were taken </span><span style="font-family: arial;">just 7 seconds apart. They are both of the same bird.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do you notice any differences in the feather patterns between the two photos?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The white vertical bar, along the side of the bird, is very obvious in the second photo but mostly hidden in the first one. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The point is that birds can appear to be in pretty much the same position but still change the arrangement of their feathers (particularly wing feathers) and their appearance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This white bar covers the upper portion of their primary wing feathers. Whether we see it or not is dependent on the way the bird happens to be holding its folded wings. So, even though a wing bar is an obvious field mark, it is not be a useful way to distinguish one Sapsucker from another.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of years ago, I did notice a small set of white-tipped feathers on the backside of RBSAs that seem to be very consistent, often visible, and perhaps unique to each bird. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">(<a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2021/02/seeing-spots.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Click Here</span></a> to read my first explorations along this line.)</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3hGkFxPinCvuKisIan69IbUoMl-cBnWFlVn3xY5_n20ZSLEZov0CODefMB-Rqg3SWMkfdR4WLItpirVITK1z9SteUZjKfm6Du6TAJ2HLZy9oAdLzWqXa-7pGloUc1kmq5umqp09PTfixEBQ2kk3-eSgUC51plqPDWfJKW3MQ5UUtuE2ChSP0u2eYYw/s784/20240109-AK1I7067-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="523" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3hGkFxPinCvuKisIan69IbUoMl-cBnWFlVn3xY5_n20ZSLEZov0CODefMB-Rqg3SWMkfdR4WLItpirVITK1z9SteUZjKfm6Du6TAJ2HLZy9oAdLzWqXa-7pGloUc1kmq5umqp09PTfixEBQ2kk3-eSgUC51plqPDWfJKW3MQ5UUtuE2ChSP0u2eYYw/w270-h406/20240109-AK1I7067-2.jpg" width="270" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RsXb-hnfNqVAANf7dcWbTA6bRWrKjefpNQ4mHHar90Gt-yAkhtUTt6Yl5dPfwWGyBAPaD2isfMRtfVr4oIL8c0cguPz2Fp2neQ85AGF-LDIMaCPCbcoW51hRf2GlH6bHr0OA0owUISbKhgipO3uiuzL_3Ujpf2DSrg2UEWcjIdTa_9RDusU9IQ2A4w/s1435/20240103-AK1I6779-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="957" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RsXb-hnfNqVAANf7dcWbTA6bRWrKjefpNQ4mHHar90Gt-yAkhtUTt6Yl5dPfwWGyBAPaD2isfMRtfVr4oIL8c0cguPz2Fp2neQ85AGF-LDIMaCPCbcoW51hRf2GlH6bHr0OA0owUISbKhgipO3uiuzL_3Ujpf2DSrg2UEWcjIdTa_9RDusU9IQ2A4w/w269-h405/20240103-AK1I6779-3.jpg" width="269" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The bird on the left was photographed in the willow next to Duck Bay. The one on the right is the bird I saw further to the west. Do you see any markings that make you think they may or may not be the same bird?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllIL4BELacPMHcx5_hF8HgJ5nuESRIOnalny-VZZOoZU7PwdrgJ-vRwHGSu7JOPX8pQMbDC8YVd4ujt90WY5dLJXS_TZBzW73AwHSjd_IrpvqqllcCLhiu7uyDl7T_TkTO9C0SGqP5BV83GB_XC3HlzBijpFCdu-MNRDfyO03zKB2BOPq-x7XsCQZoA/s1920/compare%201.001.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllIL4BELacPMHcx5_hF8HgJ5nuESRIOnalny-VZZOoZU7PwdrgJ-vRwHGSu7JOPX8pQMbDC8YVd4ujt90WY5dLJXS_TZBzW73AwHSjd_IrpvqqllcCLhiu7uyDl7T_TkTO9C0SGqP5BV83GB_XC3HlzBijpFCdu-MNRDfyO03zKB2BOPq-x7XsCQZoA/w640-h360/compare%201.001.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I believe the red arrows are pointing to the tip of the innermost tertial, i.e. the innermost wing feather that is closest to the body, in this case, on the right wing of each bird. The yellow arrows point to the tip of the next tertial, i.e. one feather further out from the body of the bird. The white tips on the first bird look somewhat similar to the letter "U" while on the second bird, they look more like the number "</span><span style="font-family: courier;">1</span><span style="font-family: arial;">". </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The point is these markings are different for each of the birds.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In Birds of the World (BOTW), referring to RBSAs is says, "...the distal portion of tertials variably white along shaft and at tip." (Citation Below) This documented variability is what helps make the case for me that these are two different birds.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(By the way, BOTW is free to <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> members.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I think it helps that the location of these inner feathers protects them from wear and tear. Hence, the white tips are less likely to change shape between molts. Plus if they do not get much wear they may not need to be replaced during every annual molt.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These white-tipped feathers could look similar on some RBSAs. However, when the tips look distinctly different, at nearly the same time, I think it is logical to conclude they are two different birds.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VDtw2EZgfAd8WYVlWr19veJxYInioNN5HnABvdo47NB9DkYwT3jVGhVgHwipHq3-iI6e5jtTWK-6XvWP8ksaky2oCAsFb7qmgEVHlHp9q09PyinqqnnQpo8NnAnLAXUFSb7LSJpjcBvOzKZd0H52niLA7e_zD3qpkGHYL5Hv2G7SFGFpRqFtA8UXMA/s1163/20231231-AK1I5865-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="775" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VDtw2EZgfAd8WYVlWr19veJxYInioNN5HnABvdo47NB9DkYwT3jVGhVgHwipHq3-iI6e5jtTWK-6XvWP8ksaky2oCAsFb7qmgEVHlHp9q09PyinqqnnQpo8NnAnLAXUFSb7LSJpjcBvOzKZd0H52niLA7e_zD3qpkGHYL5Hv2G7SFGFpRqFtA8UXMA/w264-h396/20231231-AK1I5865-2.jpg" width="264" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-KcofEvJdtzOFhzSOy9bJ899O2B4PUeO_mFxuxeDAD_zLaCgVhnsDoRoLPjvCZxMVhPOm6xB7kuAujzVnm7MVRiUOFeUiDTVPgYBg9EHKJ3wde-QAZPqSCo8elasNCFSmH2hDNHaUPgqtZ_edAhya2CCZ6WmVNidBY_n5hVPW4SHV7W1end22ojbPw/s743/20240109-AK1I7068-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="494" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-KcofEvJdtzOFhzSOy9bJ899O2B4PUeO_mFxuxeDAD_zLaCgVhnsDoRoLPjvCZxMVhPOm6xB7kuAujzVnm7MVRiUOFeUiDTVPgYBg9EHKJ3wde-QAZPqSCo8elasNCFSmH2hDNHaUPgqtZ_edAhya2CCZ6WmVNidBY_n5hVPW4SHV7W1end22ojbPw/w264-h396/20240109-AK1I7068-2.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">On the other hand, when these feathers look alike, on birds found at the same location, over a week or two, it also seems fair to assume we are probably looking at the same bird. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The photos above, for example, were taken ten days apart and both birds were in the reclining Willow next to Duck Bay. Even though the angle is slightly different and the wings are held a bit differently the white tips of the visible tertials look remarkably similar. (I also</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> have additional photos that show these same patterns on the Duck Bay Sapsucker.) As the second photo illustrates, depending on how the bird holds its wings, not all four feather tips are visible all of the time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even though I believe this is the same bird, it is interesting how the other lightly-colored feathers, higher on the bird's back, look somewhat different in each photo. Trying to identify individual birds by their markings is certainly not foolproof, but it is a fun way to challenge ourselves to learn more about our wild neighbors.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='633' height='527' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwic2L8dTuFycA8ZzMM05saCU3Q4rfpSaE43aYiMWNrOFRqYiNJujFiYptdZTXo9K6a3gd8bAUtrSDSp_u00g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sadly, for the Sapsucker, last week some truly cold weather came to Duck Bay. I have not been able to locate a RBSA since then. However, a friend in Ballard did see one near his house this week. It is reassuring that they haven't all gone south. However, it does raise the question, How do they survive the bitter cold?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Overall, many probably survive by migrating south. However, if you watch <a href="https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/rebsap/abundance-map-weekly?week=10" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">eBird's weekly dynamic map</span></a> of sightings it is obvious that they migrate in two different ways. Some migrate north to south in the Fall, like other species, while others migrate east to west i.e. vertically. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the Spring, much of their nesting takes place in the mountains of British C</span><span style="font-family: arial;">olumbia and Washington. However, in the Winter, many RBSAs move to a lower elevations, instead of going south. Lucky for us, there are sightings of them year-round in the lowlands of Western Washington.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_vxMJsAzaTwkLqHnWa_aaqjmPvnubCtd_OYKA_WHKsL2AaJnRwwdX4f932jJOW1lBu7mb79wT-m17VLuwTn6vODlUWUm08q3CUwIyu3s00TuD6jKfad5jEhMyyzNBf8xtNVDB7E99mIdN8qpbF_F8oCbLoOkbsufDwuTZyboMHOEXUUg5zJcDw9UAA/s3118/20240103-AK1I6792.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3118" data-original-width="2077" height="813" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_vxMJsAzaTwkLqHnWa_aaqjmPvnubCtd_OYKA_WHKsL2AaJnRwwdX4f932jJOW1lBu7mb79wT-m17VLuwTn6vODlUWUm08q3CUwIyu3s00TuD6jKfad5jEhMyyzNBf8xtNVDB7E99mIdN8qpbF_F8oCbLoOkbsufDwuTZyboMHOEXUUg5zJcDw9UAA/w541-h813/20240103-AK1I6792.jpg" width="541" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I suspect that on cold Winter nights, those who spend the Winter here may use old nest holes as roosting cavities. Hopefully, the surrounding wood of a dead snag provides adequate insulation. Nonetheless, they almost certainly need to find food during daylight hours to secure enough energy to make it through the cold nights. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that some of you had RBSAs visiting your feeders during the cold snap.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 1rem; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">Recommended Citation</span></div><p><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><cite class="u-text-2-loose" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 0.75rem; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 1.6666; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial;">Walters, E. L., E. H. Miller, and P. E. Lowther (2020). <span class="notranslate" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Red-breasted Sapsucker</span> (<em class="sciname notranslate" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Sphyrapicus ruber</em>), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rebsap.01" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #0070b3; text-decoration: none;">https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rebsap.01</a></cite></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the way, the Arboretum, including the trees, birds, insects, nest sites, fruit, flowers, squirrels, salamanders, rabbits, pollinators, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, frogs, and to some degree even the coyotes, otters, beavers and the occasional deer, thrive because of private support. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Both the City of Seattle and the University of Washington contribute funding to the Arboretum, however, significant private support is required to keep it functioning. The most enjoyable way to support the Arboretum is via the <i>Annual Opening Night Party</i>. (If you sign up soon feel free to request a seat at my table. If the timing works out, we will have a chance to enjoy a delightful dinner during the birthday celebration.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Opening Night Party 2024</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Celebrate the Arboretum's 90th Anniversary </b></span><b style="font-family: arial;">at the</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Botanical </span></b></span><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Birthday Bash</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Tuesday, February 13, 2024</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">5 - 9 pm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With a preview of the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A Benefit for the Washington Park Arboretum (1934 - 2024)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">~~~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>You'll enjoy:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An opportunity to purchase and bid on unique and enticing </span><span style="font-family: arial;">experiences</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>(Like a hosted Raptor Road Tour around the Skagit area)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An exclusive preview of the Garden Festival before it opens </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to the public</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hosted social hours with drinks and appetizers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Seated dinner</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 90th birthday toast and celebration!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">~~~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://arboretumfoundation.ejoinme.org/ONP2024" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Click Here</span></b></a> to Sign Up</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><p><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><br /></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and the local native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125);">***************</span> </span></p><p>Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.</p><p><b>This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:</b></p><p><span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard:</b> </p><p><a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Additional content available here:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo with each post to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS6jzbYQxH5HuSBkC88hIvrS1jhtQOCwtgOt5w9rNomio5SQzJnUbzHgZT2MunFXJvzixWfx1MfcyKU82g58qePW0F954YAeRu8Rie_GTQHu1gtYUNLDxIGdXfBjak78a3f68bYY3nlMBzwoUm9WEwb4Ze7saqK7TWIIylWq_pEFLbeOcGI3Xr30zKQ/s2862/20230731-AK1I8946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2862" data-original-width="1910" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS6jzbYQxH5HuSBkC88hIvrS1jhtQOCwtgOt5w9rNomio5SQzJnUbzHgZT2MunFXJvzixWfx1MfcyKU82g58qePW0F954YAeRu8Rie_GTQHu1gtYUNLDxIGdXfBjak78a3f68bYY3nlMBzwoUm9WEwb4Ze7saqK7TWIIylWq_pEFLbeOcGI3Xr30zKQ/w320-h479/20230731-AK1I8946.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM6gAA-tsAliGoRIVL3rHRIMDWI4tJh9olRoysTHTjZbJfniY7fcG1k1M0LZi9c46gUiVpoCGHFtOZQiJ4eADuZh7tS65UM12Z08crxi_DeW1XkU4ZQwjxFzJcJIJKnW1vgFkkeDTmWo5u9MdfXPDTYjLC9Pu-o_do01YT2qy-7qtkXNUgo5qm3X7Kg/s3724/20230731-IMG_8494.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3724" data-original-width="2096" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM6gAA-tsAliGoRIVL3rHRIMDWI4tJh9olRoysTHTjZbJfniY7fcG1k1M0LZi9c46gUiVpoCGHFtOZQiJ4eADuZh7tS65UM12Z08crxi_DeW1XkU4ZQwjxFzJcJIJKnW1vgFkkeDTmWo5u9MdfXPDTYjLC9Pu-o_do01YT2qy-7qtkXNUgo5qm3X7Kg/w270-h481/20230731-IMG_8494.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which of these is a native Alder and which is not?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This next photo provides a hint about the common name of our native Alder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVg0qAP1sE9W-en1H4mj-0-bshEh-u-y2GTo0KVWtovOeVQx53GjlI5ef97_VXXPxgHjfCD_VBsuvI5Z8yGIN7LSUt9BxccFuXBOQmgLWRsEqzqHPWEglKONzyzkOi9aI3hg83kPs1NsjI53kpFnmuPMXhyphenhyphend9NAUwOR14JLfspiLpxc-2RsUxak0yQA/s3769/20240103-AK1I6720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2513" data-original-width="3769" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVg0qAP1sE9W-en1H4mj-0-bshEh-u-y2GTo0KVWtovOeVQx53GjlI5ef97_VXXPxgHjfCD_VBsuvI5Z8yGIN7LSUt9BxccFuXBOQmgLWRsEqzqHPWEglKONzyzkOi9aI3hg83kPs1NsjI53kpFnmuPMXhyphenhyphend9NAUwOR14JLfspiLpxc-2RsUxak0yQA/w640-h426/20240103-AK1I6720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS6jzbYQxH5HuSBkC88hIvrS1jhtQOCwtgOt5w9rNomio5SQzJnUbzHgZT2MunFXJvzixWfx1MfcyKU82g58qePW0F954YAeRu8Rie_GTQHu1gtYUNLDxIGdXfBjak78a3f68bYY3nlMBzwoUm9WEwb4Ze7saqK7TWIIylWq_pEFLbeOcGI3Xr30zKQ/s2862/20230731-AK1I8946.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2862" data-original-width="1910" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS6jzbYQxH5HuSBkC88hIvrS1jhtQOCwtgOt5w9rNomio5SQzJnUbzHgZT2MunFXJvzixWfx1MfcyKU82g58qePW0F954YAeRu8Rie_GTQHu1gtYUNLDxIGdXfBjak78a3f68bYY3nlMBzwoUm9WEwb4Ze7saqK7TWIIylWq_pEFLbeOcGI3Xr30zKQ/w320-h479/20230731-AK1I8946.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/alnus-rubra" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Red Alder:</span></a> Our native Red Alder tends to have the more pointed leaf. The European Alder, which can also be found in the Arboretum, has a much more "rounded" leaf. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Did you notice the holes in the native Alder leaves. These are a wonderful sign that a native life form, possibly caterpillars, know how to feed on this tree. Indirectly, this turns the tree into a food source for a wide variety of young birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div></div><p><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><b>Parting Shots:</b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLm8tOlZXJJOdzHvKhNvqrw0CZbhWANbBmBRUulwVH1lz2wFvOAjXQT38wJXnMa2MjpcrxLsIws6TYnlwR_ZSHk3aHKaTGp_A20SwQm1yTPPGEChyphenhyphenltEiOhkiFG5oFMBImCtbk76Z53XUH_KiCDtEr_lv12y5y4cv-Vzkg3b6oLcBqDN460q-BG7Btg/s2826/20240103-AK1I6839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="2826" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLm8tOlZXJJOdzHvKhNvqrw0CZbhWANbBmBRUulwVH1lz2wFvOAjXQT38wJXnMa2MjpcrxLsIws6TYnlwR_ZSHk3aHKaTGp_A20SwQm1yTPPGEChyphenhyphenltEiOhkiFG5oFMBImCtbk76Z53XUH_KiCDtEr_lv12y5y4cv-Vzkg3b6oLcBqDN460q-BG7Btg/w640-h426/20240103-AK1I6839.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSh8Ggj8HJ8HhP3CM3DtDUTGSUp6gthoklRsTmYmazUPS-aYdBbf9Wga1fwECkUkL83NOp-GKpogtKdzlFJIZj1PXvUAk2WzPq1jSVqbxEAyixfkGgrQSWU7BhaGHcz3JrekSgn-wpOk5yI-rDkteGcpdHzybdLYt6T7VsMIykJ8er5gVJEvRyA7BMA/s2225/20240106-AK1I6909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="2225" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSh8Ggj8HJ8HhP3CM3DtDUTGSUp6gthoklRsTmYmazUPS-aYdBbf9Wga1fwECkUkL83NOp-GKpogtKdzlFJIZj1PXvUAk2WzPq1jSVqbxEAyixfkGgrQSWU7BhaGHcz3JrekSgn-wpOk5yI-rDkteGcpdHzybdLYt6T7VsMIykJ8er5gVJEvRyA7BMA/w640-h428/20240106-AK1I6909.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JNwmJkMMlR7PTMhLHb8ZrS8NnOWAApMSwhGDugEpqLOiRnQYVBmjfrWKMeAiEMWt3APy7OMwuB_RWwLhZ3z8A0k6dCLZz1_C-dS9LVurZfFeppH2Yp4KxJLqavxsyq6PZdZNelgqn3b2QoQsKU-ZPegZ5AFkkCxG7rD8kJP5SCjbMkEEf7wH5y4Flw/s1743/20240106-AK1I6921.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1743" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JNwmJkMMlR7PTMhLHb8ZrS8NnOWAApMSwhGDugEpqLOiRnQYVBmjfrWKMeAiEMWt3APy7OMwuB_RWwLhZ3z8A0k6dCLZz1_C-dS9LVurZfFeppH2Yp4KxJLqavxsyq6PZdZNelgqn3b2QoQsKU-ZPegZ5AFkkCxG7rD8kJP5SCjbMkEEf7wH5y4Flw/w640-h426/20240106-AK1I6921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRc7uZ01oajXBF4szWiQ-MxRDJwlu0PE_USeOIbErmt9ocNzOqxWgxl3ANi3cZp9hRJ2PjeO3rSXwq1rczN2RhBnIu-gWwSNNuBsaxEunam2x3GV1xmEjrLz7HQpQ4Afg4C1El2CZsHRZ_xknG4T3PiDI-Xf_R6llqeXwHa5z8MS1KLB0tGrYZ9BDdHg/s1753/20240109-AK1I7000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1753" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRc7uZ01oajXBF4szWiQ-MxRDJwlu0PE_USeOIbErmt9ocNzOqxWgxl3ANi3cZp9hRJ2PjeO3rSXwq1rczN2RhBnIu-gWwSNNuBsaxEunam2x3GV1xmEjrLz7HQpQ4Afg4C1El2CZsHRZ_xknG4T3PiDI-Xf_R6llqeXwHa5z8MS1KLB0tGrYZ9BDdHg/w640-h426/20240109-AK1I7000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1631" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiA-RRyKTpR7XVYCwEg8hj1OlOryA75aw-trSuRyqmamKAJwVvNIU940eoXahXCif-yi2IIYSXSEInxBxiyPYFZTR6qdFxqR04rUuW35nLXGkG9iSEg6OcKLd70fFPDQr5uQ7w94yqMDpNGpoqdQJpRYH3DkSxMMUZKzzFN1K2_Mml6RhBe-IHDpY5w/w640-h426/20240109-AK1I7128.jpg" width="640" /></a><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_kcRrLIXj5Z0LUwZ1kRZyAmWY-hAhr4h_dfY46iHU7HQZbEumfb45uK0FB7zry3ZZySVpmfdoCDmPx-8DRnWfqJEaEEs2Fp14F5JvT7MTyfb7vZ4G9O8I91_C0e7-MswfHd4t-cLhzc1em9QAQsafXrjauInl2hPPXbyTcyfIqEOYIX7ZINMffNoSA/s2577/20240103-AK1I6632.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1718" data-original-width="2577" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_kcRrLIXj5Z0LUwZ1kRZyAmWY-hAhr4h_dfY46iHU7HQZbEumfb45uK0FB7zry3ZZySVpmfdoCDmPx-8DRnWfqJEaEEs2Fp14F5JvT7MTyfb7vZ4G9O8I91_C0e7-MswfHd4t-cLhzc1em9QAQsafXrjauInl2hPPXbyTcyfIqEOYIX7ZINMffNoSA/w640-h426/20240103-AK1I6632.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r6IxR3qikgA0R_aYzHXaTT-qgkZBLDvVV1zt1jU4SaAqQbjr5mFgkHz_GDDabmRk1_Bwv8ktnY68CalfvbaEo5-bff61EXt9uLqtR1elo3Tv5ngWdA8Lo-vmydmhzc7i5s-UXZtfv1yBQ3k9OtKx-ba5NXM0goYvN5xXoBpuA73s6G3UNH4LSy97AA/s2650/20240103-AK1I6620.jpg" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1767" data-original-width="2650" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r6IxR3qikgA0R_aYzHXaTT-qgkZBLDvVV1zt1jU4SaAqQbjr5mFgkHz_GDDabmRk1_Bwv8ktnY68CalfvbaEo5-bff61EXt9uLqtR1elo3Tv5ngWdA8Lo-vmydmhzc7i5s-UXZtfv1yBQ3k9OtKx-ba5NXM0goYvN5xXoBpuA73s6G3UNH4LSy97AA/w640-h426/20240103-AK1I6620.jpg" width="640" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r6IxR3qikgA0R_aYzHXaTT-qgkZBLDvVV1zt1jU4SaAqQbjr5mFgkHz_GDDabmRk1_Bwv8ktnY68CalfvbaEo5-bff61EXt9uLqtR1elo3Tv5ngWdA8Lo-vmydmhzc7i5s-UXZtfv1yBQ3k9OtKx-ba5NXM0goYvN5xXoBpuA73s6G3UNH4LSy97AA/s2650/20240103-AK1I6620.jpg" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_syfgsVqPk7DmA152kklio5EJJx0O2WhQrh155f4VxdJ0qka5BvoAKEmcU2P-d42PA5kichVRmMU_gBdH1s4PN9YauqRQ6jeif9xrJa9ILkb3uRLxB8APZ2TTlKmESPJSSpTZOwpYPI8K1QsSOadvCaEXgOHQmro0PjGMDIXFvCyarHypngxxSr9TQg/s3648/20240103-AK1I6779-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_syfgsVqPk7DmA152kklio5EJJx0O2WhQrh155f4VxdJ0qka5BvoAKEmcU2P-d42PA5kichVRmMU_gBdH1s4PN9YauqRQ6jeif9xrJa9ILkb3uRLxB8APZ2TTlKmESPJSSpTZOwpYPI8K1QsSOadvCaEXgOHQmro0PjGMDIXFvCyarHypngxxSr9TQg/w499-h750/20240103-AK1I6779-2.jpg" width="499" /></a></div></div><br />Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-65325130717189886752023-12-11T11:54:00.000-08:002023-12-11T11:54:52.087-08:00Overlooked<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUySYF-_QA_s2UWdQ_huds9D0Rdw-Ia1mnlAPJiHwyzI7TlpLESfncNphIf9ojYJHwPh22DT9lzHT02igOXL90kGPz10rym4uVZXy0AlrbJs-BNLypwAnrCqBcnHp40gKgt6pxM_O9mVvzPD8kA1eWjSvgd3Jc48WB8KniPHGiFff3MG2k4GeXBbszg/s2245/20231118-AK1I3609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="2245" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUySYF-_QA_s2UWdQ_huds9D0Rdw-Ia1mnlAPJiHwyzI7TlpLESfncNphIf9ojYJHwPh22DT9lzHT02igOXL90kGPz10rym4uVZXy0AlrbJs-BNLypwAnrCqBcnHp40gKgt6pxM_O9mVvzPD8kA1eWjSvgd3Jc48WB8KniPHGiFff3MG2k4GeXBbszg/w640-h426/20231118-AK1I3609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">At first glance, this duck looks a lot like most other female ducks. The basic brown feathers provide a subtle, similar, and widely worn type of camouflage. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO82Z8J1HGqCnEkexYcuGSsFW6HO9enlU_3wrQ0V4R6_TU8GmSsLllVkS8ylr7JZI_wfmi_lrrzNWFX1cSQ7XcLm4W87yQoozAqRF6541-sBVNipDaGBromjq81doZfK7LfRlRGAPfJCkj-rpN7Hla-LdCcPz03x5gFIyq2PUqmLHmvth_wzbfgogrA/s2729/20231118-AK1I3604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1818" data-original-width="2729" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO82Z8J1HGqCnEkexYcuGSsFW6HO9enlU_3wrQ0V4R6_TU8GmSsLllVkS8ylr7JZI_wfmi_lrrzNWFX1cSQ7XcLm4W87yQoozAqRF6541-sBVNipDaGBromjq81doZfK7LfRlRGAPfJCkj-rpN7Hla-LdCcPz03x5gFIyq2PUqmLHmvth_wzbfgogrA/w640-h426/20231118-AK1I3604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">However, when she displays her large, spoon-shaped bill, species identification is quickly resolved. Worldwide there are ten bird species in the spatula genus. Locally, there is only one with such a large distinctive bill, the aptly named, Northern Shoveler.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Elsewhere, there are three other species with similar-looking bills and the common name, Shoveler. Curiously, they all reside in the Southern Hemisphere, i.e. Africa, S. America and Australia, and unlike the Northern Shoveler, none of them are migratory. Each of these other species (i.e. the Cape Shoveler, the Red Shoveler, and the Australasian Shoveler) resides in the most southern portion of their respective continents. I suspect this is due to the lack of ice-free land closer to the South Pole. Apparently, there is no better place to be during their breeding season and also no more productive wintering grounds closer to the equator. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Click Here</span> to see how the Northern Shoveler migration involves nearly all of the Northern Hemisphere.</div></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBLMZ16XQ5pkKDfJJQwb0eUIqsZKWOzFxJ8lUlJyG_5RsBIs-_UKuapChTaJxLXJqbP99bZ_6URzq4yN4tQMx2v7aqDegS1mtM8eb9yhypWLpYW6iYCTd7vMcwJULnylbw570jfplEf3dlbyEqK4WEoAelNqzJVow_-Tt8bgvGVx9W9GcFa2F4usyNQ/s1374/20230331-AK1I9842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1374" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBLMZ16XQ5pkKDfJJQwb0eUIqsZKWOzFxJ8lUlJyG_5RsBIs-_UKuapChTaJxLXJqbP99bZ_6URzq4yN4tQMx2v7aqDegS1mtM8eb9yhypWLpYW6iYCTd7vMcwJULnylbw570jfplEf3dlbyEqK4WEoAelNqzJVow_-Tt8bgvGVx9W9GcFa2F4usyNQ/w640-h426/20230331-AK1I9842.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An adult male Northern Shoveler also has an easily identifiable bill. However, even when their bills are hidden, by feathers or distance, their breeding plumage provides a uniquely identifiable pattern</span><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaVT6eiJzzhV-5KW78AYK9Atv-Hdxm1O5G0SOOBa81X8YUz_2PGBtomXV-s418LoIbrGgoTVKgLk7DnpRMCzBCuM91CgHLGUOCNCV56B-im4snbfeSxRexMuemSpuvHpCzzx2648lF9dkTPqLhyphenhyphenbyxNvX2n_QmJ3tv6lc3EZZGUgPEsrbZXsIrH-EsA/s3250/20230102-AK1I5191.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2168" data-original-width="3250" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaVT6eiJzzhV-5KW78AYK9Atv-Hdxm1O5G0SOOBa81X8YUz_2PGBtomXV-s418LoIbrGgoTVKgLk7DnpRMCzBCuM91CgHLGUOCNCV56B-im4snbfeSxRexMuemSpuvHpCzzx2648lF9dkTPqLhyphenhyphenbyxNvX2n_QmJ3tv6lc3EZZGUgPEsrbZXsIrH-EsA/w640-h426/20230102-AK1I5191.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My friend Marcus taught me that the head is dark, the chest is light, the sides are dark, the hips are light, and the tail is dark. Regardless of which way the bird is facing the pattern is always, "dark-light-dark-light-dark". </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5NagNX1yVYQR1g-IxjKyUKZ3koTuSY-BR2PKkO8FJm9oh79NOUBDsdaCYp_m1_QZVAZF_3RfkOovjiLTPiu-7cBxZ1pgoXqTwmvo81vofSF8cOujUOQjtxetJwJ7xnlUiMrXsBCv_x6QCeWl3omfkdrsQAKgKTMF-qEJbIdIWACyIuNLWOIvra0UaQ/s3854/20220206-AK1I2703.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2570" data-original-width="3854" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5NagNX1yVYQR1g-IxjKyUKZ3koTuSY-BR2PKkO8FJm9oh79NOUBDsdaCYp_m1_QZVAZF_3RfkOovjiLTPiu-7cBxZ1pgoXqTwmvo81vofSF8cOujUOQjtxetJwJ7xnlUiMrXsBCv_x6QCeWl3omfkdrsQAKgKTMF-qEJbIdIWACyIuNLWOIvra0UaQ/w640-h426/20220206-AK1I2703.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">None of our other local ducks have this distinctive pattern.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvywEWfP43ZWaGksGPgGr3YJgdq7ToJNBwER8bQaepbjOL9Hkoli2AiGJwmtLizQLlxEeqkYu-MzaLxebTr-KbIuOBRtQYPlNH-JUPoUks-uNYryut_Y7viPh9yJfn7eMkj7nA3iEEU7lxdFM_gtgg4Zvbv7nqiL9-jDCfr-MecefwXCQrlfnu1TDhMQ/s2048/20170908-EB2R5206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvywEWfP43ZWaGksGPgGr3YJgdq7ToJNBwER8bQaepbjOL9Hkoli2AiGJwmtLizQLlxEeqkYu-MzaLxebTr-KbIuOBRtQYPlNH-JUPoUks-uNYryut_Y7viPh9yJfn7eMkj7nA3iEEU7lxdFM_gtgg4Zvbv7nqiL9-jDCfr-MecefwXCQrlfnu1TDhMQ/w640-h426/20170908-EB2R5206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When the males are in eclipse plumage (and also when immature) they are difficult to distinguish from females. Eclipse plumage typically happens during late Summer and early Fall while they are growing new flight feathers. This photo was taken in September.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiz6bDWe0fnH7mKm1yr2UhIuprnzDuofSWLXe-K_21j155aB_jl_Xeh7UeVJ0jpRFVmsdC1dtVmurvs7P0iwh71OI0KLB1pjzBxparUVKVuq7HzmlIeggrLGk5d0gnLUjy2l9xhsaVNBUxG83zwF6oWYh_T3dcms4cJ2DTq-QBmB9Wn6hHHOp5PWL3g/s1440/20221212-AK1I4000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiz6bDWe0fnH7mKm1yr2UhIuprnzDuofSWLXe-K_21j155aB_jl_Xeh7UeVJ0jpRFVmsdC1dtVmurvs7P0iwh71OI0KLB1pjzBxparUVKVuq7HzmlIeggrLGk5d0gnLUjy2l9xhsaVNBUxG83zwF6oWYh_T3dcms4cJ2DTq-QBmB9Wn6hHHOp5PWL3g/w640-h426/20221212-AK1I4000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes, an adult male in breeding plumage will still have dark little half-moon shapes on the chest which I suspect are the last remnants of their chest feathers from their eclipse plumage. This photo was taken in February.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAPg8KfH9CaVq6cpVU9QAvPIh8fJDNyzGnMc-Ae8EJTRlP8-sQ_VJg6uVkTUvdwi5E_-XSI-soXB7ApW-m8sDHAjmP3rLVtzm9w-XIZTDfXLtd7akz-rS0ubXPo-QZycMt1cgQjNGmuJheiaVt59NhzHHNvXZcHC8DwkRzzE6Wi65tDYRqQwDdv3uSg/s1911/20220209-AK1I3019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1911" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAPg8KfH9CaVq6cpVU9QAvPIh8fJDNyzGnMc-Ae8EJTRlP8-sQ_VJg6uVkTUvdwi5E_-XSI-soXB7ApW-m8sDHAjmP3rLVtzm9w-XIZTDfXLtd7akz-rS0ubXPo-QZycMt1cgQjNGmuJheiaVt59NhzHHNvXZcHC8DwkRzzE6Wi65tDYRqQwDdv3uSg/w640-h426/20220209-AK1I3019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is good to know that not every male in February is at exactly the same stage in their plumage replacement. Curiously, the bill on this bird is neither the black of an adult male in breeding plumage or the bright orange of an adult female.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4qvtCubL8yDZXLrT2NvSGvfaInqqZFjeIYYKh9nUpU79WfFlBHnltFgFGg8qntqM2fGyAMxtPoY0ItIBZB14g9xGPV8m2PASlKFGheG0v5pGtBlg0k0kjplQZchcELKSmZG3813ALD7Szr11SJYn4jDCCjoB6TQ7Fqq-1PGNWZ-BKv_2LXqDcx-F2Q/s2939/20190205-EB2R2046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="2939" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4qvtCubL8yDZXLrT2NvSGvfaInqqZFjeIYYKh9nUpU79WfFlBHnltFgFGg8qntqM2fGyAMxtPoY0ItIBZB14g9xGPV8m2PASlKFGheG0v5pGtBlg0k0kjplQZchcELKSmZG3813ALD7Szr11SJYn4jDCCjoB6TQ7Fqq-1PGNWZ-BKv_2LXqDcx-F2Q/w640-h426/20190205-EB2R2046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Regardless of their particular plumage adult males have yellow irises that are lighter than the yellow-brown irises of the females.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2FKGTxVJCdCviRWL7FpFLtsKmmVLnAmHG15WGLQToO4b9PXdpA5EvFQCVyNyFy3LDMTpQ5avz1zW97xYxfOtS6tBrV1tFAwiE6UXoCeenV2xM5NJgzqBNYueBCTUnyWggkb5dQZpfMyv0nLjihsr-leKfJv20EdLw2m4g_CHZPlrXJ7JjZn08CqBNA/s3338/20181124-EB2R0097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2225" data-original-width="3338" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2FKGTxVJCdCviRWL7FpFLtsKmmVLnAmHG15WGLQToO4b9PXdpA5EvFQCVyNyFy3LDMTpQ5avz1zW97xYxfOtS6tBrV1tFAwiE6UXoCeenV2xM5NJgzqBNYueBCTUnyWggkb5dQZpfMyv0nLjihsr-leKfJv20EdLw2m4g_CHZPlrXJ7JjZn08CqBNA/w640-h426/20181124-EB2R0097.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Note the darker irises. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo also shows how the Shovelers utilize their spoon or shovel-like bills. Inside the bills are comb-like lamellae which filter microscopic food out of the water. I suspect the depression in the water surrounding the front of their bills is caused in part by water flowing into the bills.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7Uv8fOAUckK7kpkjSLDvI7DYlwuJil7Y0iw9ek2hUcqudoepZ1guYaYeqav7RAqAB_lnokOspprLA0-r3UhWDiCnnwb8GNfHCyKE8Xc5XlrdjxH1HRzHIh1ZKnGiGzj10CjfKRKsLix2XALdeliEgNtVrRNaQXTlhBGLYyQ7b4xAPPs105CXay_O8w/s3003/20181124-EB2R0134.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="3003" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7Uv8fOAUckK7kpkjSLDvI7DYlwuJil7Y0iw9ek2hUcqudoepZ1guYaYeqav7RAqAB_lnokOspprLA0-r3UhWDiCnnwb8GNfHCyKE8Xc5XlrdjxH1HRzHIh1ZKnGiGzj10CjfKRKsLix2XALdeliEgNtVrRNaQXTlhBGLYyQ7b4xAPPs105CXay_O8w/w640-h426/20181124-EB2R0134.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is challenging to see, but the filtered water then exits on each side near the rear of the bill.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ07I_dgmsKqCBO70hfl2d5X2aGY2QuELDb2H6W0SHNwZSSoWWJQ2jOq8KZVkMnD9VbfP-5a2GJmJUOiut2xb4K1libc6Hc3_x2nkEkwS6dEspwpTH0n0UPJHCU3f5Ob9hKIj46kPZ2pn_fJUCAgaTdlpB8vmIkf2NflgfpqporCeWvd-eeTjvO6jcA/s2505/20221128-AK1I3470.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1671" data-original-width="2505" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ07I_dgmsKqCBO70hfl2d5X2aGY2QuELDb2H6W0SHNwZSSoWWJQ2jOq8KZVkMnD9VbfP-5a2GJmJUOiut2xb4K1libc6Hc3_x2nkEkwS6dEspwpTH0n0UPJHCU3f5Ob9hKIj46kPZ2pn_fJUCAgaTdlpB8vmIkf2NflgfpqporCeWvd-eeTjvO6jcA/w640-h426/20221128-AK1I3470.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Shovelers often swim in circles with their bills just below the surface. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Apparently, the circling helps to concentrate the density of their food. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzKlJOYG8ilMe26MFDBNjGfpmUfHOSg63XDCbQRbStfhxWE6VLNKu17E4aAZuILBTVTBV2mtfi0Hf26lzyP2emOze5raAxIZ40lfj_DVJrhVjPvvSu3fSYU3VhRrVge0T7jSMpqjUTedu5PWVyY9ZoLX77Y5k3GuWl2PDgAuy835MHFo-sg2CmItCDg/s2813/20181124-EB2R0081.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1879" data-original-width="2813" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzKlJOYG8ilMe26MFDBNjGfpmUfHOSg63XDCbQRbStfhxWE6VLNKu17E4aAZuILBTVTBV2mtfi0Hf26lzyP2emOze5raAxIZ40lfj_DVJrhVjPvvSu3fSYU3VhRrVge0T7jSMpqjUTedu5PWVyY9ZoLX77Y5k3GuWl2PDgAuy835MHFo-sg2CmItCDg/w640-h428/20181124-EB2R0081.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This feeding function reminds me of filter-feeding whales.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyUV1v8Uwv1ZS6aUa4nRyBcqTokwWa7M0Jy1oRKeaS_vtMpKwdVoYg-nEjg_eaVAl0em2eNxIIzyQvvdQ4hUWp25r4mh9Lki0MCTTE9gGNqLgQWkhh7960b-29JgAsTRfpIU-U2u9zvFTbrkXgYXqjstXrVf3tSsL6rBL0vnWQiAnn3KHXOA1QXMtqw/s2840/20231208-AK1I4601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1893" data-original-width="2840" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyUV1v8Uwv1ZS6aUa4nRyBcqTokwWa7M0Jy1oRKeaS_vtMpKwdVoYg-nEjg_eaVAl0em2eNxIIzyQvvdQ4hUWp25r4mh9Lki0MCTTE9gGNqLgQWkhh7960b-29JgAsTRfpIU-U2u9zvFTbrkXgYXqjstXrVf3tSsL6rBL0vnWQiAnn3KHXOA1QXMtqw/w640-h426/20231208-AK1I4601.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A simplified way of classifying ducks is to sort them into diving ducks and dabbling ducks. Diving ducks become fully submerged while searching for food, like fish and crustaceans. Dabbling ducks tend to focus more on plant material that they can reach with only their heads and chests underwater.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidthxL_L3O8ilmZuuijYwvjec_ymNxFdeeKg9Hyh0cqrhPW_bP2v4z3AdzmBCO4gYRujUjG1Gxdg_wSTuUhBh_RIBV4bU44YFXyc8mZLJUrPjxWvvJTG6WsVgIj3fH8XO4DDdkoij3ywH4xA1l5pB_JG-7FpUXCgR1mbb5jnRbIleKuzeKdmfoSevhMg/s2902/20231208-AK1I4633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1935" data-original-width="2902" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidthxL_L3O8ilmZuuijYwvjec_ymNxFdeeKg9Hyh0cqrhPW_bP2v4z3AdzmBCO4gYRujUjG1Gxdg_wSTuUhBh_RIBV4bU44YFXyc8mZLJUrPjxWvvJTG6WsVgIj3fH8XO4DDdkoij3ywH4xA1l5pB_JG-7FpUXCgR1mbb5jnRbIleKuzeKdmfoSevhMg/w640-h426/20231208-AK1I4633.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Shovelers are considered dabbling ducks, even though they filter feed more often than dabbling. Last Friday, the Shoveler on the right was dabbling. The one on the left had not yet fully committed.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAIpgy1NuEph46PftK8ZP08mY1Ezkjht3YdBHCdySmMWrF-eYYG_fcsMpOaYw_a5PDIoyfbTUmc8tuFv3jeIvSeQEueA4uBYgD-wV_zuMyGuCd6pFOfmo4FUdqwCq8Pjfdy89kzE0FV1flNOVaJDNITVhw6VQr10EjNm5HOmJcIlEnfXughs_yrQYoQ/s3304/20231208-AK1I4634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2204" data-original-width="3304" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAIpgy1NuEph46PftK8ZP08mY1Ezkjht3YdBHCdySmMWrF-eYYG_fcsMpOaYw_a5PDIoyfbTUmc8tuFv3jeIvSeQEueA4uBYgD-wV_zuMyGuCd6pFOfmo4FUdqwCq8Pjfdy89kzE0FV1flNOVaJDNITVhw6VQr10EjNm5HOmJcIlEnfXughs_yrQYoQ/w640-h426/20231208-AK1I4634.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon, it gave in to the urge. Like other dabbling ducks they use their webbed feet as positioning paddles to help maintain this vertical position. This results in this oddly undignified position during which their tails wave at the world. I am surprised that I have never seen a Bald Eagle snatch a dabbling duck out of the water. It does seem like the perfect opportunity for a raptor.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OdtvM99AtP5JIwp295oz7IVzhLiiMjxXyBwXLrWDk5-MPGHu7bFEUlJLA0OTqehMe_ecLf3jJiC87TfigIdmHCwDeJd-mVtvwTzO0JoVwxgg0gTZv9TLhUZesxwn0vhN6bNd2wvrNxFDPbHkhp1edw-3HZggNBLxQF_Dz3_s2QLu3dqnXXzxBBRkEw/s2280/20181124-EB2R8742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="2280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OdtvM99AtP5JIwp295oz7IVzhLiiMjxXyBwXLrWDk5-MPGHu7bFEUlJLA0OTqehMe_ecLf3jJiC87TfigIdmHCwDeJd-mVtvwTzO0JoVwxgg0gTZv9TLhUZesxwn0vhN6bNd2wvrNxFDPbHkhp1edw-3HZggNBLxQF_Dz3_s2QLu3dqnXXzxBBRkEw/w640-h426/20181124-EB2R8742.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Northern Shovelers </span><span style="font-family: arial;">are usually quite well-behaved.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> When circling and feeding they never seem to get irritated by their neighbors. They seem quite well-mannered.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqIQk05O1vwyr2Hmrba30Zqn9hyArNT-lvVFypoykH19FM2YQCNHXWouPYC_no-93jb8Csc03HTsysYdOseiWf1b2UoaXNvpwAJKzSxAwACt158RfYrVa8587g2WyXT2ob3jo8qLOwNf45vuBM4Nt8-Q4hDNafF05j7YcXbmBccQpYFixtZUnao58Xw/s2370/20231208-AK1I4675.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="2370" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqIQk05O1vwyr2Hmrba30Zqn9hyArNT-lvVFypoykH19FM2YQCNHXWouPYC_no-93jb8Csc03HTsysYdOseiWf1b2UoaXNvpwAJKzSxAwACt158RfYrVa8587g2WyXT2ob3jo8qLOwNf45vuBM4Nt8-Q4hDNafF05j7YcXbmBccQpYFixtZUnao58Xw/w640-h426/20231208-AK1I4675.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Friday, when the male on the left passed a bit close to the bird on the right it raised its head.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbebtYesRTGpEXujLr7oZW3aDoxrcWptp6f5mviPozZ_lbX1SiqC02xmyO2LOVf9Mu5zKF8ZSpwe1FLD0cewalta55Cfd0v4NWIQtvnTXqgHXm_s5akMJJ3sQUgF_q1NnzxbbeCbis3bYU4Qqa7tpRVrCT8E9iOlM2SJHtz1ODpcOnbNqp0MyoBwmxQ/s2480/20231208-AK1I4676.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1654" data-original-width="2480" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbebtYesRTGpEXujLr7oZW3aDoxrcWptp6f5mviPozZ_lbX1SiqC02xmyO2LOVf9Mu5zKF8ZSpwe1FLD0cewalta55Cfd0v4NWIQtvnTXqgHXm_s5akMJJ3sQUgF_q1NnzxbbeCbis3bYU4Qqa7tpRVrCT8E9iOlM2SJHtz1ODpcOnbNqp0MyoBwmxQ/w640-h426/20231208-AK1I4676.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A second later, they both lowered their heads at the same time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzCLi-uR9ZLq5fCPsSPG-dL3NUj4bbouScIJ-9UQlgjpfVur1tdiOAcpEq8pfCYY5-QnKz3p9czvYd33YTFpA5sJ5RGOvpwZneS8xG2BOQ1mAL3wp13zsxNRp54l7cV296jSev46kubaXmhynAywM99T19BXG5ofxoShyphenhyphent98oyhVHh3c6hDLQfcoD1g/s2646/20231208-AK1I4680.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1764" data-original-width="2646" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzCLi-uR9ZLq5fCPsSPG-dL3NUj4bbouScIJ-9UQlgjpfVur1tdiOAcpEq8pfCYY5-QnKz3p9czvYd33YTFpA5sJ5RGOvpwZneS8xG2BOQ1mAL3wp13zsxNRp54l7cV296jSev46kubaXmhynAywM99T19BXG5ofxoShyphenhyphent98oyhVHh3c6hDLQfcoD1g/w640-h426/20231208-AK1I4680.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Next, they lifted their heads together. This head pumping was repeated multiple times. I have read this can be part of the mating process. However, since this occurred between two males it seemed more like a friendly greeting. It reminded me of how one might say, "Pardon Me" when bumping into a stranger in the grocery store. It worked. They each went on about their business without any conflict.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBsowe19pqxa_9voSs6mF0HSm4j_jxI9E2ax2N0pr9YFxCqAWKmNVqKq7SXAb07e_jYp_stLF_U_8SanNJva_gkFFiv67YZWDceQ2D81ldmH6Q1nL6XgLbKJBdzs3kxfeoMGXwH3mPtjgLaYLhtuUD33IqRDs8OAy-QsizKJcdFwmwboA8vc3KtC2og/s4122/20160221-EB2R7168.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2748" data-original-width="4122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBsowe19pqxa_9voSs6mF0HSm4j_jxI9E2ax2N0pr9YFxCqAWKmNVqKq7SXAb07e_jYp_stLF_U_8SanNJva_gkFFiv67YZWDceQ2D81ldmH6Q1nL6XgLbKJBdzs3kxfeoMGXwH3mPtjgLaYLhtuUD33IqRDs8OAy-QsizKJcdFwmwboA8vc3KtC2og/w640-h426/20160221-EB2R7168.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In February 2016, near the beginning of the breeding season, these two males were not in such a forgiving mood. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-lEkRAlYKmyZ5xKlbJqgDGGnVhRfFZetKG9amBazsg-ba7qtXZ3triJxraSOH2SGHcACko-nvOcCbVLPmV3aknR2J9pp3avv0mIioKYGZC7bEvLE-A6czO_IujQUuOVZynVIuf9PoCQaP6YHf4Ooc3C13UkEK90eCXS7s4jCFMrbWU2i62b-jK7U8Q/s3468/20160221-EB2R7181.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2312" data-original-width="3468" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-lEkRAlYKmyZ5xKlbJqgDGGnVhRfFZetKG9amBazsg-ba7qtXZ3triJxraSOH2SGHcACko-nvOcCbVLPmV3aknR2J9pp3avv0mIioKYGZC7bEvLE-A6czO_IujQUuOVZynVIuf9PoCQaP6YHf4Ooc3C13UkEK90eCXS7s4jCFMrbWU2i62b-jK7U8Q/w640-h426/20160221-EB2R7181.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I did not notice a female nearby so I suspect this was a territorial battle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QbOva4aauGbxVavnGH74LcAFkz-SwX10rXXpAv4XrnuhIjBy6Bvq3m2jj1g2mU8sHqJlQlIdAqrTnT0BCsVhSlC27iseCbr3eLa388ylXRuEkiC7Oy1-8BT4sbUUpMGhmhQ2T7Dv1DFcb3wyGQkXs8g2Tt1uOHf09PewSrAoeOnBXnL6rrZLbU6gvw/s3890/20160221-EB2R7173.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2593" data-original-width="3890" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QbOva4aauGbxVavnGH74LcAFkz-SwX10rXXpAv4XrnuhIjBy6Bvq3m2jj1g2mU8sHqJlQlIdAqrTnT0BCsVhSlC27iseCbr3eLa388ylXRuEkiC7Oy1-8BT4sbUUpMGhmhQ2T7Dv1DFcb3wyGQkXs8g2Tt1uOHf09PewSrAoeOnBXnL6rrZLbU6gvw/w640-h426/20160221-EB2R7173.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The spray of water emphasized the thrashing, splashing and chasing. The open wings provided a flash of normally hidden colors.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9f5KR0L__i_LJ3ibXdO4oVaHpv9w3Ie3FU78Q6PPrvMiygJrM4BN1DO_pJ64E3M8SjB29tyzzhBmYDSH-azJdsUFgFAV3IOkkd_EpMEQ6Zl0arH1kvJqDh9AMKKlU8_ScbO9UMaToPtT2qb1epnD8VpAbL0Q_nUyDZNaTPBXseQYzfHHMACoIs8WcAA/s3591/20160221-EB2R7220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2394" data-original-width="3591" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9f5KR0L__i_LJ3ibXdO4oVaHpv9w3Ie3FU78Q6PPrvMiygJrM4BN1DO_pJ64E3M8SjB29tyzzhBmYDSH-azJdsUFgFAV3IOkkd_EpMEQ6Zl0arH1kvJqDh9AMKKlU8_ScbO9UMaToPtT2qb1epnD8VpAbL0Q_nUyDZNaTPBXseQYzfHHMACoIs8WcAA/w640-h426/20160221-EB2R7220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ultimately, the intimidation worked and one gave up and left.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQHVAThX3UzTfMtUvf-rZX167G048maHNy4rlobXaQH12pfdpMWhmLzI7EVNF-iZGpYMbfVVk91Ta0w3e3POiMflAN0hiY2mcVvPzeWfSrM1VgPPmyWoJc96mk-9pUyOAdSWuZp_1naZrL7DG-k9OBcsvmMKUK6ojoLQPC03yAk7N52U2EOn2rOdF4w/s3512/20160221-EB2R7230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2341" data-original-width="3512" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQHVAThX3UzTfMtUvf-rZX167G048maHNy4rlobXaQH12pfdpMWhmLzI7EVNF-iZGpYMbfVVk91Ta0w3e3POiMflAN0hiY2mcVvPzeWfSrM1VgPPmyWoJc96mk-9pUyOAdSWuZp_1naZrL7DG-k9OBcsvmMKUK6ojoLQPC03yAk7N52U2EOn2rOdF4w/w640-h426/20160221-EB2R7230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The victor proudly did a series of wing flaps.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The green on the lower secondary wing feathers is the speculum. The patch of pale blue above the white stripe is on the upper coverts. These coverts cover the base of the secondary wing feathers. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From the head to the tail, the exterior feathers on a bird are arranged so that they cover the base of the next feather enabling the feathers to shed water and keep the bird's downy under feathers dry. I suspect that humans learned how to arrange shingles on their roofs by studying the arrangement of feathers on the birds they were eating.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsaBMAcZWptfxCYz20yN8Lqm3lIwWwggvfhwohxLO_OkRmHECO04S6xO8vMxPXiyn01BDGljxGZUgO5NPQw8zTxHTtXQSC3tsbPgKVM3bUrQcSZLpNwVZaMUbQbLDOFBWs9cdmLiO2rfRj8G_ayri7MF4ushyphenhyphenXYb4nnLjKlQUbp0cH1ptYi0BDzu43A/s2514/20160219-EB2R6591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1676" data-original-width="2514" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsaBMAcZWptfxCYz20yN8Lqm3lIwWwggvfhwohxLO_OkRmHECO04S6xO8vMxPXiyn01BDGljxGZUgO5NPQw8zTxHTtXQSC3tsbPgKVM3bUrQcSZLpNwVZaMUbQbLDOFBWs9cdmLiO2rfRj8G_ayri7MF4ushyphenhyphenXYb4nnLjKlQUbp0cH1ptYi0BDzu43A/w640-h426/20160219-EB2R6591.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is a closer look at a Northern Shoveler's speculum.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of the ten spatula species, there are two others that I have seen around Union Bay. They are the Cinnamon Teal and the Blue-winged Teal. These two species are </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatula_(bird)#:~:text=Based%20on%20this%20published%20phylogeny,species%20is%20the%20northern%20shoveler." style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">closely related</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> to the four Shoveler species. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Based on an online review of photos, I believe the males of these species all have this same pattern of color on their speculums and secondary coverts.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7fF6WVtMK09A5YVE7I0UUoTwfII7VQkVbdJ8Apw3E1HKqFZq2mOivAClU91cD67pUgpopE-pvvT2Dsly77dBB8aftAvH68TJdR8kANLV4rD-Dpai8Yi3YLtp79JBKxiHY6f5Ia3Nes6mZIdE4dTaWg7idbQh18l3E3i-aocCYR7B9wV86fY97DNRHw/s4228/20170225-354A6051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="4228" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7fF6WVtMK09A5YVE7I0UUoTwfII7VQkVbdJ8Apw3E1HKqFZq2mOivAClU91cD67pUgpopE-pvvT2Dsly77dBB8aftAvH68TJdR8kANLV4rD-Dpai8Yi3YLtp79JBKxiHY6f5Ia3Nes6mZIdE4dTaWg7idbQh18l3E3i-aocCYR7B9wV86fY97DNRHw/w640-h426/20170225-354A6051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo from 2017 shows a bird (on the right) with the bill, eyes, and head coloring of a Northern Shoveler, however, it also has a white mark at the base of the bill. This mark looks like it might belong on a <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue-winged_Teal/photo-gallery/60292801" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Blue-winged Teal</span></a>. I suspect the two species are genetically similar enough to occasionally interbreed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CU9Sll4dV26oTHMpcDXpXSnOBtYg2jK48oVDOdx1sueUrn46pVzl5wTqDlIW9gubvkmZETKP7RqBxTV0xeHd6nWTL9da-_W17j5qNG7-IhOhPnxImbwGNdWMCgeezjX8Oh0LmjQSruENPMVq5TuZFBeKiumjLftx5yHZas8HwKw-3SFpXBA5pHZZdA/s3366/20160221-EB2R7281.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="3366" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CU9Sll4dV26oTHMpcDXpXSnOBtYg2jK48oVDOdx1sueUrn46pVzl5wTqDlIW9gubvkmZETKP7RqBxTV0xeHd6nWTL9da-_W17j5qNG7-IhOhPnxImbwGNdWMCgeezjX8Oh0LmjQSruENPMVq5TuZFBeKiumjLftx5yHZas8HwKw-3SFpXBA5pHZZdA/w640-h428/20160221-EB2R7281.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another stunning color on a Northern Shoveler is the bright electric orange of their feet.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTbTUv3advvp7uSsBgr38xdFzRcRuNBZdZbBq9K_j-2D9JoZbrxws_8baYfGkNktKtF7Fka1qR2H-vy-JIwDtZAvejgsSG_0mzHgWlfhPAHekwnDWmSeRkA-xJSDGJmQSdoSnsqPDZwO9uRbGM3ihlAQTMKHWwOt3CJqn6S6KZquT1Ds-AcjNFfcrgQ/s2750/20221128-AK1I3468.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1833" data-original-width="2750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTbTUv3advvp7uSsBgr38xdFzRcRuNBZdZbBq9K_j-2D9JoZbrxws_8baYfGkNktKtF7Fka1qR2H-vy-JIwDtZAvejgsSG_0mzHgWlfhPAHekwnDWmSeRkA-xJSDGJmQSdoSnsqPDZwO9uRbGM3ihlAQTMKHWwOt3CJqn6S6KZquT1Ds-AcjNFfcrgQ/w640-h426/20221128-AK1I3468.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next time you see a group of Northern Shovelers quietly paddling in circles, I hope you are inspired to take a second look. Even though they are normally calm and quiet, they are still uniquely interesting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125);">***************</span> </span></p><p>Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.</p><p><b>This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:</b></p><p><span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard:</b> </p><p><a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Additional content available here:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo with each post to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPpmgfhWwmTE1X9Nq826LJqK0GQsuGMYKFApW177pyxvOOJq_liYCR73HW5WVgViN1dCS5yh8gXCl8kYbuclw0u7A1sWuUlX5ldUw29A7gqSKaZ5sUdD-aXUp3OMjyoqujg2GjjkQtcdGLKjJENG5H8Ebma8TjQzsH88jSegd-uOdOwd1Xt80DH4Lkg/s3210/20230725-AK1I8786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3210" data-original-width="2141" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPpmgfhWwmTE1X9Nq826LJqK0GQsuGMYKFApW177pyxvOOJq_liYCR73HW5WVgViN1dCS5yh8gXCl8kYbuclw0u7A1sWuUlX5ldUw29A7gqSKaZ5sUdD-aXUp3OMjyoqujg2GjjkQtcdGLKjJENG5H8Ebma8TjQzsH88jSegd-uOdOwd1Xt80DH4Lkg/w426-h640/20230725-AK1I8786.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is this tree native to our area? What species is it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://burkeherbarium.org/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Prunus%20emarginata" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Bitter Cherry</span></a>: Yes, it is native in our area. The scientific name is Prunus Emarginata. In addition to flowers that attract native pollinators, this tree is one of the top species for facilitating the reproduction of butterflies and moths, via their caterpillars. Caterpillars are one of the largest and most helpful food sources for a large variety of young birds. Given the trees productivity and relatively smaller size it may be the all around best tree to plant in our PNW yards. You can learn more about why it is special by <a href="https://www.arboretumcreek.org/lifePictures/Top10PNWKeys.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Clicking Here</span></a> and <a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Here</span></a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Parting Shots:</b></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUvpCwIQJvqiSVc53oml-538_eWF2ayKushXj2uVRPyZy1geYw77LM9Xzvd-J0iDuKXwF3sxzjljR9aJF8AjI4viAQ6bIIKc919hyh6TbWUmCQrjLqGZLfDVwsqts1dxdrO63c1tFaZV9Pp61Y6P8d_HAjFkZawpEAJpmfpb3sJAUB3rNF1mj5ZeKuQ/s4451/20180421-EB2R8404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2967" data-original-width="4451" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUvpCwIQJvqiSVc53oml-538_eWF2ayKushXj2uVRPyZy1geYw77LM9Xzvd-J0iDuKXwF3sxzjljR9aJF8AjI4viAQ6bIIKc919hyh6TbWUmCQrjLqGZLfDVwsqts1dxdrO63c1tFaZV9Pp61Y6P8d_HAjFkZawpEAJpmfpb3sJAUB3rNF1mj5ZeKuQ/w640-h426/20180421-EB2R8404.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvN2u6b1k48bdrRZEtNXg5CgBkvztsCJHGf-9De_lW7KJbmEjZFoVn-xfA_-7bbOEx6VYr026XEbZR-eyfaNrUd0fvU8aI1eoXBvGikN-Shu-U53bHmKmpUZUUEmBafjWHGx-hGRkzxOzCB1-dcrQzyOMpMnF3q90dUoV4oUH55HHuVsIO7oTP2G0pg/s3492/20170906-EB2R4620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2328" data-original-width="3492" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvN2u6b1k48bdrRZEtNXg5CgBkvztsCJHGf-9De_lW7KJbmEjZFoVn-xfA_-7bbOEx6VYr026XEbZR-eyfaNrUd0fvU8aI1eoXBvGikN-Shu-U53bHmKmpUZUUEmBafjWHGx-hGRkzxOzCB1-dcrQzyOMpMnF3q90dUoV4oUH55HHuVsIO7oTP2G0pg/w640-h426/20170906-EB2R4620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQKbR_JZF1C8NVwMF9Lhhd9elyk7ovWQqE9gK6_w3k2bPYyVRbsv04NCkbITpW490f8VB6YmeZDbeCGlKhgQnrFmQy8TgDwnAPWz70ePhyphenhyphen8Be80O_MQ7TYXqLYDP3I815rJDlx4owmd9ma0-RZ5JJKDp4hYESBLVzFHB2twYQ8bvhLeE9GlUafhgXtg/s2937/20160221-EB2R7213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1958" data-original-width="2937" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQKbR_JZF1C8NVwMF9Lhhd9elyk7ovWQqE9gK6_w3k2bPYyVRbsv04NCkbITpW490f8VB6YmeZDbeCGlKhgQnrFmQy8TgDwnAPWz70ePhyphenhyphen8Be80O_MQ7TYXqLYDP3I815rJDlx4owmd9ma0-RZ5JJKDp4hYESBLVzFHB2twYQ8bvhLeE9GlUafhgXtg/w640-h426/20160221-EB2R7213.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjGSn0qTHDs60k2C5ZdTICZnj6_PmyNAGelHsrwLxpyPGA-6Vyufe2jDXEyLwtMWxpcdyOFiaGQBeEizrOTWOsB20RdtGYsjx-wz5NYb8RoKr96aIljTSYNxlUDH-gbQOWJxIP7Fzr3gqpQNINzu0G9wzee1hhqdvl4k8Poi16jau1PQl9FJASWUIJQ/s3394/20160221-EB2R7187.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2263" data-original-width="3394" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjGSn0qTHDs60k2C5ZdTICZnj6_PmyNAGelHsrwLxpyPGA-6Vyufe2jDXEyLwtMWxpcdyOFiaGQBeEizrOTWOsB20RdtGYsjx-wz5NYb8RoKr96aIljTSYNxlUDH-gbQOWJxIP7Fzr3gqpQNINzu0G9wzee1hhqdvl4k8Poi16jau1PQl9FJASWUIJQ/w640-h426/20160221-EB2R7187.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEcSlgeypa7qpaeyRb8aQNMjex93pLnAyN1wFC-vDzVNyNYkB_NQwwMnqwo7ADqm4eTz58AYEyclEmI7rG2DObaFzXLPMUM0-eBndz1wrbFSc9k4_oktF2T4i6cpWFWOAJQqYUtCyX3VRRdMWKep7IR8nL69dFghmOea6NsSwsVuI0MYmQXAJJmX-Iw/s3481/20160221-EB2R7180.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2321" data-original-width="3481" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEcSlgeypa7qpaeyRb8aQNMjex93pLnAyN1wFC-vDzVNyNYkB_NQwwMnqwo7ADqm4eTz58AYEyclEmI7rG2DObaFzXLPMUM0-eBndz1wrbFSc9k4_oktF2T4i6cpWFWOAJQqYUtCyX3VRRdMWKep7IR8nL69dFghmOea6NsSwsVuI0MYmQXAJJmX-Iw/w640-h426/20160221-EB2R7180.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjazKoHiEyF2ta4oe5d-OCWzH7rF6ih6bHEx_L3-LqNsb-hEPQ7RC90vBOzCXCHNC0MOcX1r3Rhyphenhyphen2H_sya9LsfBW6Vr0Irhcpd3P-Ab8boS-_XwCWa4bgGBHkhBCb-d4cf5-7l4I095WBHAbEwqQi5FAxsmD-s5QdzsMRtzu3txO-M5zlCMHD7kiGOg/s2093/20231208-AK1I4685.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="2093" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjazKoHiEyF2ta4oe5d-OCWzH7rF6ih6bHEx_L3-LqNsb-hEPQ7RC90vBOzCXCHNC0MOcX1r3Rhyphenhyphen2H_sya9LsfBW6Vr0Irhcpd3P-Ab8boS-_XwCWa4bgGBHkhBCb-d4cf5-7l4I095WBHAbEwqQi5FAxsmD-s5QdzsMRtzu3txO-M5zlCMHD7kiGOg/w640-h428/20231208-AK1I4685.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><p></p><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-67408747756151537292023-11-07T10:19:00.002-08:002023-12-11T11:09:01.321-08:00Free Spirits<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAc8i52Jq6lEv6OllICHWL6a0h7Fv4E6EDQ3ZKqlUcr5vFr_fCxgjNfjhLLb0pSbQhjzBw7rgc0iAR2_WkMJhtYoNIgRfuh-h1BV8_kCjereuvHsNjp9Dw019aLadr7se3hIKKZKeesdphHYg2VIAktHvRleOxRJkbZ3k_96Ve7fg0Ac-KglMfGZrzg/s3790/20231029-AK1I2409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="3790" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAc8i52Jq6lEv6OllICHWL6a0h7Fv4E6EDQ3ZKqlUcr5vFr_fCxgjNfjhLLb0pSbQhjzBw7rgc0iAR2_WkMJhtYoNIgRfuh-h1BV8_kCjereuvHsNjp9Dw019aLadr7se3hIKKZKeesdphHYg2VIAktHvRleOxRJkbZ3k_96Ve7fg0Ac-KglMfGZrzg/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Waxwings are a curious conundrum. They are free spirits, but they also flock together. They wander widely, while also being constrained within their social matrix. They may show up in different and distant locations from one year to the next, from week to week, and even from day to day, but they are always in a group. Someday, some smart scientist will determine how they choose the timing of their departures. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">They love fruit, especially, in the Fall when it is ripe. I suspect that following the fruit, as it ripens, is included in their decision-making process. Weather can vary greatly from year to year and, in turn, it can impact when and where fruit ripens. Nonetheless, w</span><span style="font-family: arial;">hen they find fruit, sometimes, they stay until it's gone, and sometimes they do not. The mystery continues.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I have watched them feeding on a </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Cotoneaster bush that was </span><span style="font-family: arial;">heavily laden with fruit.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> The next day, ninety percent of the berries were still there and the Waxwings were gone. Maybe, they only use Cotoneaster as fuel, to power their search for something sweeter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the other hand, I have found them feasting on the fruit of Hawthorn trees, more than once. On October 29th, they were on Foster Island feeding on the bright red berries. By the time I found them, the fruit was getting fairly sparse and much of what was left looked like it was past its prime. A week later, I could not find them on Foster Island or anywhere else nearby.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe5BRTmDSn2eYDekjXmsRxe0-2Lm5ByS0_Z8JfRgsRbtTC3hloLnhnkhfIO0229mwda4esJARKjxNN2n7NPDQ6pMwW7V8LQXE08K4-zvQQI9WcrWDX8JCqvqYIotY-xFMV3-Y50e96iU-lc7T1xrnbTxiTMhRc3AY6e9-2vhwnq9BKlW41tBOZMQEqw/s1693/20231029-AK1I2327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1693" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe5BRTmDSn2eYDekjXmsRxe0-2Lm5ByS0_Z8JfRgsRbtTC3hloLnhnkhfIO0229mwda4esJARKjxNN2n7NPDQ6pMwW7V8LQXE08K4-zvQQI9WcrWDX8JCqvqYIotY-xFMV3-Y50e96iU-lc7T1xrnbTxiTMhRc3AY6e9-2vhwnq9BKlW41tBOZMQEqw/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2327.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Most of the birds I found, on the 29th, were adult Cedar Waxwings. Please note the subtle yellow tummy and also the white </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">under-tail coverts.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mgDQOOy7E2SLSqAA1yBNVUYtZ3XpQ0K_6SjI65LzcTjLknxErJ0lIF-OcvD7H6HMtYpERe0AMtGWRdxiw6T-wR6VnHHoOW1cwtL6P7IoogfFag8YHNbJFHZjlR-aR1zc88It5HqzqrWv-btP82xk7Cb1tRqaRUOVktZReniPJlLeSP5B1qTE0fE42g/s2107/20231029-AK1I2391.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="2107" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mgDQOOy7E2SLSqAA1yBNVUYtZ3XpQ0K_6SjI65LzcTjLknxErJ0lIF-OcvD7H6HMtYpERe0AMtGWRdxiw6T-wR6VnHHoOW1cwtL6P7IoogfFag8YHNbJFHZjlR-aR1zc88It5HqzqrWv-btP82xk7Cb1tRqaRUOVktZReniPJlLeSP5B1qTE0fE42g/w640-h428/20231029-AK1I2391.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Besides the adults, there were also some first-year Cedar Waxwings. At this stage, the young ones have stripes on the chest instead of the clean subtle transition </span><span style="font-family: arial;">(from a beige chest to a yellow belly)</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> like</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> an adult. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, the bird in the first photo was not a Cedar Waxwing. Did you notice anything uniquely different about it?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX9jDD12gloVfZjurr1rfCUKWQgVoCe5lIn7h7_dWYLvM0BF5cKYoZQx6-hLH7b74OP-Bgbq-M-ENanqo6rZzTx2G6ruoyQuwuUQ1isC4d9u-zJYQcyN-PFURjZmPzPoqScdmHz94E9m8c3R20740rzgHjw1f10exn2wUhyphenhyphen02r8-mb5ohKSLs4P_WMQ/s4094/20231029-AK1I2254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="4094" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX9jDD12gloVfZjurr1rfCUKWQgVoCe5lIn7h7_dWYLvM0BF5cKYoZQx6-hLH7b74OP-Bgbq-M-ENanqo6rZzTx2G6ruoyQuwuUQ1isC4d9u-zJYQcyN-PFURjZmPzPoqScdmHz94E9m8c3R20740rzgHjw1f10exn2wUhyphenhyphen02r8-mb5ohKSLs4P_WMQ/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are two fairly obvious clues in that photo, and in this one, that will help you differentiate this bird from Cedar Waxwings. One is the rufous coloring both above and below the face mask. The second is the solid grey of both the chest and the belly. These are not the only differences, they are just the ones most easily seen when the bird is facing you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluyoGGUiYVGUIIuJMEEPwzUSUTtIiuGWWIDXWBUx7zt4VClq9o3TY1qLvUD_zqVpY1tJ9vlYrWViHCj8hyphenhyphen1Z7OZNzqC4CtS8op8zjamkdYFHYO5xqhbDHS2EtgLuTz4TyFO0IRgkaPdbRrL96zo4NiOV0xXqv1AtjCA7mumdsSAzIxG077OccZSHNsg/s3157/20231029-AK1I2436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2105" data-original-width="3157" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluyoGGUiYVGUIIuJMEEPwzUSUTtIiuGWWIDXWBUx7zt4VClq9o3TY1qLvUD_zqVpY1tJ9vlYrWViHCj8hyphenhyphen1Z7OZNzqC4CtS8op8zjamkdYFHYO5xqhbDHS2EtgLuTz4TyFO0IRgkaPdbRrL96zo4NiOV0xXqv1AtjCA7mumdsSAzIxG077OccZSHNsg/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of other critical distinguishing features are:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he mosaic of colors on their folded wings and</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The rufous feathering of their under-tail coverts.</span></li></ul></ul></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Worldwide, there are three species of Waxwings. They are all strikingly beautiful, they all have black masks, they all may have tiny, red, waxy structures on the tips of their <a href="https://avianreport.com/bird-flight-tail-feathers/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">secondary</span></a> wing feathers, and they all live in the Northern Hemisphere. </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Japanese Waxwings are found in Japan and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">nearby in Northeastern Asia. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Cedar Waxwings are typically found only in North America. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Bohemian Waxwings are much more dispersed. Depending on the time of year, they can be found in Europe, Asia, and North America. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The next two links dynamically display 52 weeks of sightings for the Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings. Be sure to press the white triangle, found on the blue background, to get the maps moving.</span></p><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/cedwax/abundance-map-weekly?week=48" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Cedar Waxwing</span></a></span> </li></ul><p></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For the Bohemian Waxwings you should start by clicking once on the plus sign, to enlarge the globe, then rotate the globe so that you are looking at Greenland. This is the best perspective for seeing the all the Bohemian migrations at one time.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> (Then click on the white triangle.) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Both the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings migrate east to west, as well as north and south.</span></p><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/bohwax/abundance-map-weekly?week=27" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"> Bohemian Waxwing</span></a></span></li></ul><p></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sadly, there is no dynamic display for the Japanese Waxwing. Unlike the other two species, their annual migration appears to be more of a conventional, north-to-south movement.</span></p><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/japwax1/cur/introduction" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Japanese Waxwing</span></a></span></span></li></ul><p></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You will not be able to enter the Birds of the World online application unless you are a member. However, as a guest, should still be able to see their <a href="https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/japwax1/cur/introduction" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">range map</span></a>, by scrolling down slightly. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">By the way, Birds of the World is a wonderful resource and it is available </span><a href="https://wos.org/birding-resources/birds-of-the-world/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">free with a Washington Ornithological Society membership</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is only the second time in a dozen years that I found a Bohemian Waxwing in the Arboretum. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">According to </span><a href="https://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/bohemian_waxwing" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Birdweb</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">, the Bohemian Waxwings are irregular visitors to Puget Sound.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> I understand this to</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> mean,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> they are even less common here than birds classified as "rare". Needless to say, I was quite excited to see this bird.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEnN5zJjR8BqfHFDTcyNORCkflBJH6t93iRiafvx2qqUR8fLFiiABGO7xqMeq5nqkihfGWjRi9x8d9ydLaCVpuDE-4AZLcQqgzyRskUpBwox0FebPF_D6Bu7Kr4OKTke99_bp4EOchiXliBSECRHqSkS0bFPYnzrs6I7O7eeHUQWLox2rKRo5jwggTw/s3051/20231029-AK1I2798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2034" data-original-width="3051" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEnN5zJjR8BqfHFDTcyNORCkflBJH6t93iRiafvx2qqUR8fLFiiABGO7xqMeq5nqkihfGWjRi9x8d9ydLaCVpuDE-4AZLcQqgzyRskUpBwox0FebPF_D6Bu7Kr4OKTke99_bp4EOchiXliBSECRHqSkS0bFPYnzrs6I7O7eeHUQWLox2rKRo5jwggTw/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2798.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Bohemian Waxwings weigh roughly twice as much as Cedar Waxwings. They also have more of a gray tint, which is most obvious when directly compared to the beige back of a Cedar Waxwing. The Bohemian is on the left.</span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyJjZSc9YDvDSbvxqkj95wb_pkXhFOyMzJa2cnstxG_mrAx_ueRz4-xT5LbOtDBHwK9IR4_EnuCYeR-uyjsTeu3vXe2HzwYc24LgPn4w9xSDTsdhVrzoXirS84Z0kBkP1V9H9HQ0g94lWoRGZWai9QuhwaOkv4KGHeLJ5jeSLhrso12JYE_Lf8eJhCA/s2589/20231029-AK1I2808-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1726" data-original-width="2589" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyJjZSc9YDvDSbvxqkj95wb_pkXhFOyMzJa2cnstxG_mrAx_ueRz4-xT5LbOtDBHwK9IR4_EnuCYeR-uyjsTeu3vXe2HzwYc24LgPn4w9xSDTsdhVrzoXirS84Z0kBkP1V9H9HQ0g94lWoRGZWai9QuhwaOkv4KGHeLJ5jeSLhrso12JYE_Lf8eJhCA/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2808-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here we can see the bright coloring on the tips of the Bohemian's </span><a href="https://avianreport.com/bird-flight-tail-feathers/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">primary</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> and</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://avianreport.com/bird-flight-tail-feathers/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">secondar</span></a>y</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">wing feathers. As mentioned earlier, both species may have these red wax-like structures, which gives them the name Waxwings. However, the Bohemians have considerably more white and yellow highlights. The arrangement of which, when their wings are folded, leaves me wondering where these colors are located on their extended wings.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYlfcqke4sfaZvQBn7A24O_Wa99P2nBOBCn701QRA2F0Mg35_WUV4o9H6WFc9CXAXuMu-cKuH_OHbyuyx1rUpyo2GbQ_XYouyctDWN8WsjLuIerVMe303kFjQLl4Qy1VjD_NYI4Z6Vlu3j2hgPqcTjuklbMDGFISmVu4Vpm6M1GDQLlZ2LS-73QVqQQ/s3760/20180116-EB2R2106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2507" data-original-width="3760" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYlfcqke4sfaZvQBn7A24O_Wa99P2nBOBCn701QRA2F0Mg35_WUV4o9H6WFc9CXAXuMu-cKuH_OHbyuyx1rUpyo2GbQ_XYouyctDWN8WsjLuIerVMe303kFjQLl4Qy1VjD_NYI4Z6Vlu3j2hgPqcTjuklbMDGFISmVu4Vpm6M1GDQLlZ2LS-73QVqQQ/w640-h426/20180116-EB2R2106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This older photo, of an adult Cedar Waxwing, shows that, with primarily just the red "wax", their wing tips are almost subtle by comparison.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPJBb13V9GNzebfA6kVllasN43CbdVwg4EVlkZA0ihjKCIh1MddcS06xQIlWuhvHGUZVIBvB3l4FYoSs3FUFZmNpIidb6itt0lP5ZKtHYAxZ68veXW_Hu650isM9EFxWadBtjaAE6SW9evlQ-p8ZW8zH-iQ1fg1UL5_O-qY3QeYbnya5tBK49kcu6gQ/s3801/20231029-AK1I2896.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2536" data-original-width="3801" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPJBb13V9GNzebfA6kVllasN43CbdVwg4EVlkZA0ihjKCIh1MddcS06xQIlWuhvHGUZVIBvB3l4FYoSs3FUFZmNpIidb6itt0lP5ZKtHYAxZ68veXW_Hu650isM9EFxWadBtjaAE6SW9evlQ-p8ZW8zH-iQ1fg1UL5_O-qY3QeYbnya5tBK49kcu6gQ/w640-h428/20231029-AK1I2896.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I understand that older adult males are not the only ones to have the red "wax", but they are said to have the most.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgQEBmaazl6JlRgLrDlynStorTS6q5bZFEkqJ6d8DLgwTDl71_jQSGdlSWLWi5xhht-0D8sX9zD2r_849YJIkDdRPIU6WNj_ecRXcuk1CTKN-iMZjilzQODnRW9BgmPiU01XNt206ymMVwP7V5TkHVwM0ILduAH0_2V2zI9pw6Y58gOiA55nhATeVqw/s1866/20231029-AK1I2814-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1866" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgQEBmaazl6JlRgLrDlynStorTS6q5bZFEkqJ6d8DLgwTDl71_jQSGdlSWLWi5xhht-0D8sX9zD2r_849YJIkDdRPIU6WNj_ecRXcuk1CTKN-iMZjilzQODnRW9BgmPiU01XNt206ymMVwP7V5TkHVwM0ILduAH0_2V2zI9pw6Y58gOiA55nhATeVqw/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2814-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo shows the Bohemian's </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">colored highlights on the extended left wing. The <a href="https://avianreport.com/bird-flight-tail-feathers/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">primary</span></a> feathers have mostly yellow tips on the leading edge and corner, except for, the first two or three which have white. Also, we can see a streak of white on the ends of the upper primary coverts. Finally, the <a href="https://avianreport.com/bird-flight-tail-feathers/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">secondaries</span></a> have white tips followed by the occasional round, red roll of "wax". </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is interesting how the yellow and white highlights are completely hidden when view</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ing the underside of the bird's right wing</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Could this be evolutionary camouflage? The bright colors are only viable when they are facing away from a predator, on the other hand when they are flying towards a predator their plain wings make them more difficult to notice.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cRiruB8Cc6FOkjDeh1b_8PZW4qLOjQzxSRI61lFtjd0fTm0kwqYT4nK0HZshyALuvy9AVOEwxuiAW83R72mm0gmZpuem5vP3yMWvkgtUEMOWZK41DskwaRY9cFM0Hm9Wk0IMwx9HzItEuy8OieBp2-UP-BrniaGLfwA5E0Mbm5GkkNsATj624jGkEg/s4342/20231029-AK1I2473.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2895" data-original-width="4342" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cRiruB8Cc6FOkjDeh1b_8PZW4qLOjQzxSRI61lFtjd0fTm0kwqYT4nK0HZshyALuvy9AVOEwxuiAW83R72mm0gmZpuem5vP3yMWvkgtUEMOWZK41DskwaRY9cFM0Hm9Wk0IMwx9HzItEuy8OieBp2-UP-BrniaGLfwA5E0Mbm5GkkNsATj624jGkEg/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2473.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was transfixed by the Bohemian. It would pick a berry and then fly away to a safer location to consume it.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5n2dy8Cr004AqyBrvwploYswcPwm9K06k-JwkmbkVoag9HXoBK3mOqA1rrw66xcQNOm2AiDaw3hnf56l_t7I0doyx7I56SvqVm54lXOcpk_MnGnMCWzjEL7etJAN-lDSIAKakcyvNUBrBMK-74tYLv1nFoTVh69bwiM1klbByxuljHNZaS7x9E5h8w/s3383/20231029-AK1I2526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2255" data-original-width="3383" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5n2dy8Cr004AqyBrvwploYswcPwm9K06k-JwkmbkVoag9HXoBK3mOqA1rrw66xcQNOm2AiDaw3hnf56l_t7I0doyx7I56SvqVm54lXOcpk_MnGnMCWzjEL7etJAN-lDSIAKakcyvNUBrBMK-74tYLv1nFoTVh69bwiM1klbByxuljHNZaS7x9E5h8w/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2526.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Multiple times it returned and repeated the process. Here, I suspect it was searching for predators before deciding if it was safe to look down and pick the berry.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRC47VcnKGqGKZTFUAxK4-mPVRpM5hbLHnttl_USgG0B9jQaFOvvibd8iK3e4IPlpVaOE1R2EqJ2RpxkypUTNkqS4SNac18GdvI8XNnkOLL4_chKq-xEXLXkkCuVhz-4-XMKc1_QvJrVJwAlRr1tZZ6ENse35weFx8tNzVOP-WRq_x6h3ADRSl4rV3g/s3591/20231029-AK1I2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2394" data-original-width="3591" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRC47VcnKGqGKZTFUAxK4-mPVRpM5hbLHnttl_USgG0B9jQaFOvvibd8iK3e4IPlpVaOE1R2EqJ2RpxkypUTNkqS4SNac18GdvI8XNnkOLL4_chKq-xEXLXkkCuVhz-4-XMKc1_QvJrVJwAlRr1tZZ6ENse35weFx8tNzVOP-WRq_x6h3ADRSl4rV3g/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It seems as if the fruit is calling its name.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTCnARQ-knk2DuG5grkBm5NGk1_yJD7dlW2kBewv7S0cobrO0rxfu-CV16av_XGU9f9tGHFIveuz67X-dF6IMChBdVjcpy7WmNS7_3uKwnpP6c05X5cwakRdBSxI1SAKQhSSSC2y8MCCYuARuA2sRCIQ7wkd9KkuyvST3VX_4yyIhlYb_WYulmfplTQ/s3593/20231029-AK1I2533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2395" data-original-width="3593" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTCnARQ-knk2DuG5grkBm5NGk1_yJD7dlW2kBewv7S0cobrO0rxfu-CV16av_XGU9f9tGHFIveuz67X-dF6IMChBdVjcpy7WmNS7_3uKwnpP6c05X5cwakRdBSxI1SAKQhSSSC2y8MCCYuARuA2sRCIQ7wkd9KkuyvST3VX_4yyIhlYb_WYulmfplTQ/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It cannot resist. It is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frugivore" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">frugivore</span></a> after all.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXuG_UEfSkyX4A0t1MOamU_4DypGB7_dB5QDj3x72jHlp7_02Hjtle7r0qm3iRS1DoHC9Nk6LRkW1-so70yAbsuxMSDD2mi03z94fTeK0KEIezdVKZ_n-bxrx6YV-qnReWIfJnbtDg1hNI8AjbQ9D3vEOOI__ShD50JkUGHV4yr6WCiTrFwIAouuPvQ/s3622/20231029-AK1I2553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2415" data-original-width="3622" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXuG_UEfSkyX4A0t1MOamU_4DypGB7_dB5QDj3x72jHlp7_02Hjtle7r0qm3iRS1DoHC9Nk6LRkW1-so70yAbsuxMSDD2mi03z94fTeK0KEIezdVKZ_n-bxrx6YV-qnReWIfJnbtDg1hNI8AjbQ9D3vEOOI__ShD50JkUGHV4yr6WCiTrFwIAouuPvQ/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This time it decides to stay and grab a second helping. Notice how the highlights are hidden when viewing the underside of the wings.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxD3gNvvR5pQEXZPpUlhrgABPXw9G1KUy2TyJKWsLwHUJEVTDMXwREkYhJHRM7OUXS-xzjP55uRL3xrs8jqjSVt04QlRQziK64Z5nrnayi8opRKoqDVBk-vMaNQAr72sRnYqQzwngUlDooJDaZ_6cCzgqY-5kgrBSO5Ner-QOSbq_139zso6NEhuxdA/s4001/20231029-AK1I2574.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="4001" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxD3gNvvR5pQEXZPpUlhrgABPXw9G1KUy2TyJKWsLwHUJEVTDMXwREkYhJHRM7OUXS-xzjP55uRL3xrs8jqjSVt04QlRQziK64Z5nrnayi8opRKoqDVBk-vMaNQAr72sRnYqQzwngUlDooJDaZ_6cCzgqY-5kgrBSO5Ner-QOSbq_139zso6NEhuxdA/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2574.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I counted at least six times that the Bohemian left and returned. Each time it came and sat directly in front of me with the sun shining over my shoulder. I was practically holding my breath while wondering when this streak of amazing good fortune would end.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These key Bohemian Waxwings </span><span style="font-family: arial;">characteristics </span><span style="font-family: arial;">will be most useful when your find a flock of Cedar Waxwings. With your binoculars, you will want to try and scan every bird in the flock. Look for the quick flash of white and yellow on the back, or from the front for the rufous around the face. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't worry about noticing the difference between the beige or grayish-brown back, given the subtlety involved. The lack of a yellow belly on an adult may also be helpful. In any case, when you finally spot a free-spirited Bohemian in a flock of Waxwings, I am sure you will smile with delight and satisfaction.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54Al4O5AiJq7GrAkIQ2CDJP7k7xIbFbw-prpjUevqcqRInr5uQ0z_RZ9Uwz-b6cl3ExwSRGpGjefXtNsbC6nYHoWlsHoyAblnAKZSKpinVCPyFKtsmn_Pt8Wc4AyTxNVj6Y3VYXKoOE9CdM18nrJnrYjr2KKFUkrFRSi_fpNFd6rwNXDIN36v2tN8QQ/s1659/20231029-AK1I3028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1659" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54Al4O5AiJq7GrAkIQ2CDJP7k7xIbFbw-prpjUevqcqRInr5uQ0z_RZ9Uwz-b6cl3ExwSRGpGjefXtNsbC6nYHoWlsHoyAblnAKZSKpinVCPyFKtsmn_Pt8Wc4AyTxNVj6Y3VYXKoOE9CdM18nrJnrYjr2KKFUkrFRSi_fpNFd6rwNXDIN36v2tN8QQ/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I3028.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">A few moments later, a young Northern Harrier flew over. I believe this might be the first one I have ever seen around Union Bay. Although, the local cattails and marsh have always seemed like the perfect habitat for the Harrier's low-flying hunting style. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I am assuming this one was a young bird because of the dark eye. Adult Harriers develop light-colored irises. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I expect this bird was scouting around trying to find its next meal while also trying to find its place in the world. I am not sure if a Waxwing would make a meal for a Harrier, but it would certainly be a nice appetizer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Surprisingly, the Waxwings did not panic and fly. Instead, they immediately stopped moving. There was no noise, no fluttering wings, and no picking of fruit. They sat perfectly still. Each Waxwing I could see was facing the Harrier and thereby hiding their bright contrasting colors. It was as though they became one with the tree. They were very hard to see. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Harrier either missed them or decided they were not worth the effort. It turned and flew south, apparently, back out over the cattails along the west side of Foster Island.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">A moment later, an American Robin flew north towards the Waxwings. It came from the same direction that the Harrier had gone. It was probably looking to distance itself from the threat. The moment the Robin flew over the Hawthorn tree the whole flock flushed. The Waxwings sprang to life and followed the Robin away to the north.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It has been a busy week. The last time I looked there were no Waxwings in the Hawthorn trees on Foster Island. I wonder when and where we will see them next.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and wandering visitors are always welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125);">***************</span> </span></p><p>Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.</p><p><b>This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:</b></p><p><span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard:</b> </p><p><a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Additional content available here:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo with each post to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8_-nGMu_8Irgiczq7fFVNlhDq6aK08myreq9WFp-tV2J35mPBui6GEVP80v6tz7mwuh2CX1As52_RDiKkLSvaPMX9S1lQ8xriXXpBm2KaS0FQmeuuP5Ad_Fo1J_i7HbQy6Smni20O4LII4IVK3czFmlOr-BHNevo0lwBp42Mj9uSfAoShxtGN5VDsg/s4961/20231104-AK1I3083.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3307" data-original-width="4961" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8_-nGMu_8Irgiczq7fFVNlhDq6aK08myreq9WFp-tV2J35mPBui6GEVP80v6tz7mwuh2CX1As52_RDiKkLSvaPMX9S1lQ8xriXXpBm2KaS0FQmeuuP5Ad_Fo1J_i7HbQy6Smni20O4LII4IVK3czFmlOr-BHNevo0lwBp42Mj9uSfAoShxtGN5VDsg/w640-h426/20231104-AK1I3083.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Is this Hawthorn tree desirable in our yards? Is it a native to our area?</div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/common-hawthorn" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Common (or English) Hawthorn</span></a>: No. I believe it is <a href="https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/english-hawthorn" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">an Old World Hawthorn</span></a> tree that out-competes native plants and trees and has thorns that deter native creatures (and deters removal by humans). Nonetheless, the Waxwings love the fruit and contribute to its dispersal. If you have one of these trees, my suggestion would be to remove it when it is small and replace it with a <a href="https://www.arboretumcreek.org/lifePictures/Top10PNWKeys.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">native Bitter Cherry</span></a>. The cherries will also attract and feed the Waxwings, without the invasive issues.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><br /></div></span></span><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Parting Shots:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NH0koRu45CR58XvbcP-laZ4BCLc9n53H9Oo4jnbeMfDncLIBLdTQqDsOdq8B2NCcE0syEXPy43r2ds_c-c-Kanj35NFGYxMN84AfMCKai3w8q1zeWG4yZRczPdmXcr-w4v__PnNSQzReZYOWrqaCWHu7WVkWTiOQ7wpAMPImjGLgUY117ILRI2IOSA/s3209/20231029-AK1I2260.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2139" data-original-width="3209" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NH0koRu45CR58XvbcP-laZ4BCLc9n53H9Oo4jnbeMfDncLIBLdTQqDsOdq8B2NCcE0syEXPy43r2ds_c-c-Kanj35NFGYxMN84AfMCKai3w8q1zeWG4yZRczPdmXcr-w4v__PnNSQzReZYOWrqaCWHu7WVkWTiOQ7wpAMPImjGLgUY117ILRI2IOSA/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2260.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuApu1OALzWfYFK6d8WLe2S57XtJAHxNu5iEAlEs_Eb-0tlRErBUDAf-DF55J7JYByaqQmGMCgbfWkBcPrkgxaWJhL4Gy_QbhGmR9WLlstnPHRKsDNbKBoB9p9wM-eKGkQBx7cvUc9oxGjubiao5Br7MhkbxxvfGPmQsFj-GvOYV-Cf4cOqbxHKKO9cw/s2663/20231029-AK1I2389.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1775" data-original-width="2663" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuApu1OALzWfYFK6d8WLe2S57XtJAHxNu5iEAlEs_Eb-0tlRErBUDAf-DF55J7JYByaqQmGMCgbfWkBcPrkgxaWJhL4Gy_QbhGmR9WLlstnPHRKsDNbKBoB9p9wM-eKGkQBx7cvUc9oxGjubiao5Br7MhkbxxvfGPmQsFj-GvOYV-Cf4cOqbxHKKO9cw/w640-h426/20231029-AK1I2389.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><b style="font-family: arial;"><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div></div></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-91159480082163973022023-10-20T11:59:00.005-07:002023-10-20T12:23:57.739-07:00Wonder and Spice<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXF-9UnWWcw-UBaoY-K92aQIGMBCzyCkZyaF6F9YIssS3vzArfOkrc9rC5YmsjvMRKYOCkIYzDa8PPpCykWw5afv1Nic2KbmpodPeTZqd9gXFzua1j_D2pbKd6250RMHBmEqt9N-odMbr2Ssit_VXHaR_azt5c30CSXTPR3zfqlKjzQ8xcUUToIingA/s2567/20230513-AK1I2593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1713" data-original-width="2567" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXF-9UnWWcw-UBaoY-K92aQIGMBCzyCkZyaF6F9YIssS3vzArfOkrc9rC5YmsjvMRKYOCkIYzDa8PPpCykWw5afv1Nic2KbmpodPeTZqd9gXFzua1j_D2pbKd6250RMHBmEqt9N-odMbr2Ssit_VXHaR_azt5c30CSXTPR3zfqlKjzQ8xcUUToIingA/w640-h428/20230513-AK1I2593.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When preparing to leave the nest, owlets are cute and cuddly-looking with their soft white feathering. T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">heir downy soft exterior,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> makes them look like a stuffed toy that has come to life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEsQlKvbL7baOPGrffM7Y9lO9tqX5M6mKVQBp17xr8K84keseUx8HFvMEmqIchCtjUIhVqahiz-XFN6LtEBoOGIl4wl078N7F-mn9ELN5LN7xAGq_FqH3xxgPLkqSgNe9kiWHQkg3VUeSfWW6Df3cahIixvu4ahcURT-_wWV5K1gUhoDc8lMh6bVMDw/s3806/20230513-AK1I2586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2537" data-original-width="3806" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEsQlKvbL7baOPGrffM7Y9lO9tqX5M6mKVQBp17xr8K84keseUx8HFvMEmqIchCtjUIhVqahiz-XFN6LtEBoOGIl4wl078N7F-mn9ELN5LN7xAGq_FqH3xxgPLkqSgNe9kiWHQkg3VUeSfWW6Df3cahIixvu4ahcURT-_wWV5K1gUhoDc8lMh6bVMDw/w640-h426/20230513-AK1I2586.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Their large dark eyes make them appear a bit forlorn, as if they could use a hug. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_HXdZSxgUa-owYrpnCXzE9uhOK5hudyz5iGzY7gg1oKbsDOHS4ykxf4rjRqFk8GWppBL-WjFCh_i2jZk1aKFt_da3E_DUlVlS3mFQngCDm7ci248a4tJQU1bOML_OD0Ibj0HS4Xzj4wMtYfThB7K4KrIxAaawJdBOkhhm-9OlV87jQbfNHh5__sspA/s2177/20230513-AK1I2467.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="1451" height="905" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_HXdZSxgUa-owYrpnCXzE9uhOK5hudyz5iGzY7gg1oKbsDOHS4ykxf4rjRqFk8GWppBL-WjFCh_i2jZk1aKFt_da3E_DUlVlS3mFQngCDm7ci248a4tJQU1bOML_OD0Ibj0HS4Xzj4wMtYfThB7K4KrIxAaawJdBOkhhm-9OlV87jQbfNHh5__sspA/w602-h905/20230513-AK1I2467.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, even if you could, I would not recommend hugging an owlet. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Even at this early stage, their talons are impressive. They are also a critical key to their survival. When they fall, their talons enable them to climb back up to the safety of the trees.</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gtP7f8pL6kmshRiL4Prr3-o4z8bP2J-QWyJLEzxFf_1rL3IAXX4FRfzc5BzVXQ_ZFyAFnqUAK17mzO0QvIPAPuZCfaXcB_tCnTOdSE7PJDpiqzl9shMoU6CSX4CGPgpgHlC_gAYcJLA3bvJuCdydEsgBAsJHj-zrYSYa4GktN4mbORkco8jHJR4JIw/s4112/20230517-AK1I3478.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2741" data-original-width="4112" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gtP7f8pL6kmshRiL4Prr3-o4z8bP2J-QWyJLEzxFf_1rL3IAXX4FRfzc5BzVXQ_ZFyAFnqUAK17mzO0QvIPAPuZCfaXcB_tCnTOdSE7PJDpiqzl9shMoU6CSX4CGPgpgHlC_gAYcJLA3bvJuCdydEsgBAsJHj-zrYSYa4GktN4mbORkco8jHJR4JIw/w640-h426/20230517-AK1I3478.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I suspect the initial focus on climbing is because there is not much room to exercise their wings, when their nest is inside a tree. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> During the</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> first week or so, after leaving the nest, they tumble and fall and often end up in oddly inept positions. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I do not remember ever seeing an adult "draped" over a branch like this owlet. Luckily, they learn quickly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2m51E0G3g2QgtDMqi5Ad-u9WGlQjdymBV3PJpYhqo9mP5Ao8vqRmHqiCJ2KNWWYJRwT8-33gqf78Pcoql3D2Yetp-qw21yy6zwYXCP7KBZ2_gY5cfLzobkWLmfyFgg4-qlcxK68aDujK0_w1wqykgL0F02znVKqk3ufCo-QvShpsDa5mlEW1PkAWi9A/s2138/20230513-AK1I2488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="2138" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2m51E0G3g2QgtDMqi5Ad-u9WGlQjdymBV3PJpYhqo9mP5Ao8vqRmHqiCJ2KNWWYJRwT8-33gqf78Pcoql3D2Yetp-qw21yy6zwYXCP7KBZ2_gY5cfLzobkWLmfyFgg4-qlcxK68aDujK0_w1wqykgL0F02znVKqk3ufCo-QvShpsDa5mlEW1PkAWi9A/w640-h428/20230513-AK1I2488.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Their sad-looking eyes, set in their fuzzy round heads, are actually one of their secret weapons. They take in so much light that owls only need a faint glimmer to locate their prey. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <a href="https://abcbirds.org/blog/owl-eyes/#:~:text=Night%20Vision&text=They%20have%20one%20important%20habit,even%20after%20the%20sun%20sets." target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">American Bird Conservancy</span></a> says owl eyes can constitute as much as five percent of their body weight. If a 160 pound human had a similar weight ratio, each eye would weigh about four pounds. For comparison, the average human brain weighs only three pounds. Besides being exceptional light receptors, I wonder if there is information processing, i.e. thinking, done inside an owl's eyes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0HtlJrqi_Qz6buzcQH0i2zgC3R8N8yltSg6qXTgNRXwDxP87SCWRqwg0HXLm4etH03Eji6TI5Q8yjdqgASdcKDDgaqEzKoTMkzF2w-vtqt_fZ20xTNYYzuZu3AJ2GTzmUNwGvYk4i3x3cdH1jqpHW4zH03EThoqU3o2rDsLZew8_NEdyHEE7M5gkPw/s2925/20230513-AK1I2513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1948" data-original-width="2925" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0HtlJrqi_Qz6buzcQH0i2zgC3R8N8yltSg6qXTgNRXwDxP87SCWRqwg0HXLm4etH03Eji6TI5Q8yjdqgASdcKDDgaqEzKoTMkzF2w-vtqt_fZ20xTNYYzuZu3AJ2GTzmUNwGvYk4i3x3cdH1jqpHW4zH03EThoqU3o2rDsLZew8_NEdyHEE7M5gkPw/w640-h426/20230513-AK1I2513.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At this very early stage, owlets often move their heads in an exaggerated triangular fashion.. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbLBmvhmfuC0r-U82VCXacS9Z0Nd4CLF7sSC8R8tvGh59EkdxXLQ_yQKj8KaYp7ambrUfZjcU4jKwsW2EpNpdOPLlBzK3MQYD_8ms5tvzXbtPeA5aIrBqK-v5hAzeD6fSws9z35dDLk1RJDGXPgIcsxDmFma9okzUAf6hHkxmdrVp5C0v-wCN95hAbw/s1736/20230513-AK1I2493.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1736" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbLBmvhmfuC0r-U82VCXacS9Z0Nd4CLF7sSC8R8tvGh59EkdxXLQ_yQKj8KaYp7ambrUfZjcU4jKwsW2EpNpdOPLlBzK3MQYD_8ms5tvzXbtPeA5aIrBqK-v5hAzeD6fSws9z35dDLk1RJDGXPgIcsxDmFma9okzUAf6hHkxmdrVp5C0v-wCN95hAbw/w640-h426/20230513-AK1I2493.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Clearly, they are searching and gathering visual information from multiple angles, i.e. polishing and refining their visualization and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">comprehension,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> to help develop their </span><span style="font-family: arial;">hunting skills.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkU0izLXyLlVz8ig1HdtzWzMm7_P-zDclPK82M0LDSEZb8yTbUNzSoz4jHlfBUoOpABbqsIDs4YWSA-_le2wBrPVM8cYyBXnTbKrShjR7UDt3jv6TkNVzBTRs4ScXKnGpp2UMvH_pPVJP9KMYCKqoZpCnacbdUYLtbS2V4J3pv1HVGOeNuen7hF7M8w/s1733/20230513-AK1I2541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1733" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkU0izLXyLlVz8ig1HdtzWzMm7_P-zDclPK82M0LDSEZb8yTbUNzSoz4jHlfBUoOpABbqsIDs4YWSA-_le2wBrPVM8cYyBXnTbKrShjR7UDt3jv6TkNVzBTRs4ScXKnGpp2UMvH_pPVJP9KMYCKqoZpCnacbdUYLtbS2V4J3pv1HVGOeNuen7hF7M8w/w640-h426/20230513-AK1I2541.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">As adults, their hunting skills are crucial for their own survival and also for the survival of their offspring.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By the way, I understand the <a href="https://urbanraptor.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Urban Raptor Conservancy</span></a> is close to releasing the their study results regarding the local impact of rodenticides on raptors, like Barred Owls and Cooper's Hawks. You may want to check the website, i.e. <span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://urbanraptor.org/research/rodenticides-in-raptors-project/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Click Here</span></a>,</span> over the next couple of weeks to learn about the new results.</div></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBqpRjdYKClFlw1IoJU2fdDm_4Xmzzja-JGpzec6H89gHc2FHMIqqa-PDbU_1dhhlRhymvgJSifvnVwic4HWJnVHOeBjYJSHdVQTLvVZIaY7_MR02AYhgKROIiAJ29ww4lyvd-WoWW9tKJIaKKJgXiFEnW21JsJphmBSZ-hZMD7-hLLKRwZP1DLV8Ig/s2708/20230513-AK1I2580.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1804" data-original-width="2708" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBqpRjdYKClFlw1IoJU2fdDm_4Xmzzja-JGpzec6H89gHc2FHMIqqa-PDbU_1dhhlRhymvgJSifvnVwic4HWJnVHOeBjYJSHdVQTLvVZIaY7_MR02AYhgKROIiAJ29ww4lyvd-WoWW9tKJIaKKJgXiFEnW21JsJphmBSZ-hZMD7-hLLKRwZP1DLV8Ig/w640-h426/20230513-AK1I2580.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For the last few months, I have been searching for Barred Owls in hopes of getting a few more photos to compliment these spring photos. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='545' height='453' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwwTcJSYHprnWORsZG3Gidxs2Z-XAmWjd7kW2TTlz1HB68i1-qmx-vCrOHYwki21uXh7zHE-gClZFGZ2DVwgQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Last week, while searching for Barred Owls in the Arboretum, I heard a knocking sound similar to this one. I knew it wasn't a Barred Owl. I suspected a Common Raven. </div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I am always trying an understand the meaning of avian calls, cries, songs, and sounds. I decided the opportunity was too good to pass up. So, I took a break from my Barred Owl search and starting searching for the Raven.</div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbQOb95tl_gIt1rJB3Xe_rZ9IJofY8RXMWaG-JPzkwZV6xyKEcCFTayNU4B545eMlvZ2PBMnoNqdX3VwL38WJGHaYRtpvkewJgDzRNMEddxDckLPDU9ZH7BFddNUL5o3Uo_8ysVpx6QXmr4sLVXowULD7wH2-uFb6hiqaS-SCMvMCjItzIV2bB8nO7A/s1928/20231003-AK1I1351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="1928" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbQOb95tl_gIt1rJB3Xe_rZ9IJofY8RXMWaG-JPzkwZV6xyKEcCFTayNU4B545eMlvZ2PBMnoNqdX3VwL38WJGHaYRtpvkewJgDzRNMEddxDckLPDU9ZH7BFddNUL5o3Uo_8ysVpx6QXmr4sLVXowULD7wH2-uFb6hiqaS-SCMvMCjItzIV2bB8nO7A/w640-h428/20231003-AK1I1351.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Raven was calmly eating an Eastern Gray Squirrel. The squirrel's body looked relatively intact, no obvious pancaking, so I assumed the raven caught it live, as opposed to picking up roadkill.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was more puzzled than ever about the meaning of the knocking sound. Does it mean "I have food", or could it mean "I am feeling content" or maybe there was something else going on that I totally missed. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For example, I entertained the idea that perhaps the "Knocking" was a warning that another predator was in the area. However, then I remembered an interaction from earlier this year. I was photographing an adult Raven who was sitting on a branch next to one of its young. Unexpectedly, the Raven leaped off the branch and started calling loudly. I was confused because I had been there for a few minutes and the Raven had not reacted to my presence. Then, the Raven flew to a branch above a parallel trail, downhill from me, and began escorting a Coyote away from the area. The Raven's calls were all loud, strident "Grawks". They were definitely not the soft stress-free "Knocking" sounds.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the way, Did you notice the size difference between the Squirrel and the Raven? Eastern Gray Squirrels (and American Crows) weight about a pound. A full grown Common Raven can weigh nearly four pounds according to <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Raven/id" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">All About Birds</span></a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After few minutes, the Raven lifted its meal and disappeared into the higher branches. With nothing more to see, I continued my search for Barred Owls.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7VF1SSHmkWbsh-6J0KvFp9nZTD5Ekwbb1zVGajMCzDg6p1OFA8_5M1zjM_yKr4yhWTKmAW5XxvaXjH0Zc_kjAwLvkhIvvDncsctrgbPQ4obvXk1tHtG_R0fthEK24bb_3kbxF2SRJpf7MV9SE-7rAn_Ovn52coIExp-klQeIVOEYUZxBmD25i4Ljqw/s2425/20231003-AK1I1382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1615" data-original-width="2425" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7VF1SSHmkWbsh-6J0KvFp9nZTD5Ekwbb1zVGajMCzDg6p1OFA8_5M1zjM_yKr4yhWTKmAW5XxvaXjH0Zc_kjAwLvkhIvvDncsctrgbPQ4obvXk1tHtG_R0fthEK24bb_3kbxF2SRJpf7MV9SE-7rAn_Ovn52coIExp-klQeIVOEYUZxBmD25i4Ljqw/w640-h426/20231003-AK1I1382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Further to the south, I found a native Douglas Squirrel picking up Cedar of Lebanon cones and hiding them in Sword Ferns. I suspect the squirrel had previously cut the cones free, since these cones normally stay upright on the branch as they slowly fall apart. Apparently, this was the second phase of the operation i.e. recovery and storage.<br /><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"> </span></div></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTL_YRUJ9mnnm1xyCZcWHycGheR3LOelWs-ucZu3bYmJnX4bg8lLH0XV3IAh2akWXgjylCok7w3-yC-o2cwZQu5jCVm5CeBITIkU9GhGICUoVOppupY1mOZw32II1V1zv806LZyxk0-LOu0NcekFLi46U5R4RYzbIqPMSUrP0vSQKEreTzKX1PBwbHg/s2246/20231003-AK1I1441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="2246" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTL_YRUJ9mnnm1xyCZcWHycGheR3LOelWs-ucZu3bYmJnX4bg8lLH0XV3IAh2akWXgjylCok7w3-yC-o2cwZQu5jCVm5CeBITIkU9GhGICUoVOppupY1mOZw32II1V1zv806LZyxk0-LOu0NcekFLi46U5R4RYzbIqPMSUrP0vSQKEreTzKX1PBwbHg/w640-h426/20231003-AK1I1441.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Further south I spotted a Varied Thrush searching for fallen fruit below the trees in the Sorbus collection. Finally, I turned and headed home. At which point, I had essentially given up on the Barred Owls.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Before long, I was surprised to hear a Barred Owl giving its typical "Who Cooks For You?" call. The call came from the northwest. Almost immediately, there was a response from the southwest. These sounded like contact calls, i.e. mated Barred Owls letting each other know their current location.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> in between the two owls and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">uncertain which way to go. I decided to split the difference and continue heading west. Perhaps one might continue calling more than the other and help me choose whether to turn north or south.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I had not gone far, when three Barred Owls passed in front of me! They were coming from the south and heading northwest. I suspect, given the time of year, that I was seeing one adult and two nearly full-grown young, who were still depending on the parents for food.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Barred Owls only weigh one to two pounds according to <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/id" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">All About Birds</span></a>. (They always seem larger and more impressive than that to me.) This makes them smaller than Ravens but, normally, larger than Crows. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Neither Ravens or Crows like Barred Owls. However, the response to each, from the Owls, is quite different. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Crows will harass the Owls mercilessly, and the Owls will often just sit and ignore them, sometimes flinching slightly if the Crows come close. Although, I have seen a Barred Owl eating an overly-confident Crow.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When a Raven comes after a Barred Owl, the Owls don't sit around. They head for safety. For example, an Owl will fly into a dense tree, like a Western Red Cedar, utilizing the thick foliage to discourage the Raven from coming closer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The three Owls were headed towards the area where I last saw the Raven and also towards the sound of the first Barred Owl call.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cTEmCiw98gMQzOcoSKLCqHqeqCLR8qz7sPi3MtWtT6Wxu3bbJdBAs4qQcfsho8OIfw65cF_lhBMxkmkeLQpivMmZ60VjOcT-4t1z1iV6wlC0ZB6EkhbhhR3WBKHAllmoyaMyXvi9pGm6s2Jsz0N-78_vcW9A9rysXunrdQJCTOXLeQ1VugX45hcvhA/s5472/20231003-AK1I1477.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="846" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cTEmCiw98gMQzOcoSKLCqHqeqCLR8qz7sPi3MtWtT6Wxu3bbJdBAs4qQcfsho8OIfw65cF_lhBMxkmkeLQpivMmZ60VjOcT-4t1z1iV6wlC0ZB6EkhbhhR3WBKHAllmoyaMyXvi9pGm6s2Jsz0N-78_vcW9A9rysXunrdQJCTOXLeQ1VugX45hcvhA/w563-h846/20231003-AK1I1477.jpg" width="563" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the Barred Owls stopped in a tree directly in front of me while the other two continued on. I stopped for a few photos and then continued on hoping to find the other two. They easily eluded me, with their silence and camouflage, as I searched among the nearby trees.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then suddenly they started caterwauling. (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12ioHWj-ZcI" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Click Here</span></a> to hear the best example I could find I that was similar to the sound they were making.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuESQ-v32OIB3tSa0pM0GrGAaAhf745P1ob41EmodYiGHsN25StlIHEj-MqSKi79oaw6Z2OPfWOHBO8sq80jKlo2yX4Viy5eyQdhV-_O0BVP63FpGtcxDXR2cDartEHgOp49tEh_xVglagUcQsu4yVKSSz3iCWI2JbA80-Jp6pWEeXpnnG0oOl6N-Rg/s3963/20231003-AK1I1492.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="3963" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuESQ-v32OIB3tSa0pM0GrGAaAhf745P1ob41EmodYiGHsN25StlIHEj-MqSKi79oaw6Z2OPfWOHBO8sq80jKlo2yX4Viy5eyQdhV-_O0BVP63FpGtcxDXR2cDartEHgOp49tEh_xVglagUcQsu4yVKSSz3iCWI2JbA80-Jp6pWEeXpnnG0oOl6N-Rg/w640-h426/20231003-AK1I1492.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One was perched on the leaning trunk of a Rhododendron.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CwkchZeN_XWH8TxA6XE9TsqLDbytCGNW3yNyar-kRBk54GTodNiwGKjG9maRpSCIL8GfVBmGP_bfyF1zDNzKXHj9nHHZTR4QHXnJCK1ThPzW8CGWOHGloWlQA-Bp3XW90mX_kMlAgSliBeq6V-BsJ8Z6huPz94e5AKoqwqrCBayylBnt54LeEKe18A/s4534/20231003-AK1I1499.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="4534" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CwkchZeN_XWH8TxA6XE9TsqLDbytCGNW3yNyar-kRBk54GTodNiwGKjG9maRpSCIL8GfVBmGP_bfyF1zDNzKXHj9nHHZTR4QHXnJCK1ThPzW8CGWOHGloWlQA-Bp3XW90mX_kMlAgSliBeq6V-BsJ8Z6huPz94e5AKoqwqrCBayylBnt54LeEKe18A/w640-h426/20231003-AK1I1499.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The other was just overhead on a smaller branch of the same tree-like bush. They quickly quieted down. At the same time, there was a Raven flying around and landing higher up in the surrounding trees. I am uncertain about the meaning of the caterwauling. Was is a warning call to alert the other two Owls? or Were they siblings begging the adult Owls for food?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp78knlkn3WsQVFtgNeCgcPDF_p9HaUpIehaDrEKV79P9UC7zKKWCQQBosW2k85io_iS0fg0poIEwL-Ihq3jTmFL4t_FbWmWw3mOpdvcLbJFAPkmZTc7KxZa1ULzGHbtd_QgcG7JaCD9NMArd3n7Kfozf5MhQDo2voJtiUpr7jfZUyCClhByPHR9ll7A/s3265/20231003-AK1I1503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2176" data-original-width="3265" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp78knlkn3WsQVFtgNeCgcPDF_p9HaUpIehaDrEKV79P9UC7zKKWCQQBosW2k85io_iS0fg0poIEwL-Ihq3jTmFL4t_FbWmWw3mOpdvcLbJFAPkmZTc7KxZa1ULzGHbtd_QgcG7JaCD9NMArd3n7Kfozf5MhQDo2voJtiUpr7jfZUyCClhByPHR9ll7A/w640-h426/20231003-AK1I1503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon, the upper Owl became calm enough to begin preening its tail feathers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzO_3KlUu1M5vvh1-cpdU96jG8Uvtm3iUW9jOUDBZ5fH9yZnZKSYa1f2FIeAJsrHWe-cot_yJbfWpNSPK4qdKmPSS3oID9UYL8A95OLwje4nCq1-ythllAeOrLMLDWet1Jx48OsFPxu7EtwplWBBkbwOnLdtmo8MBwDBvY41HoMpQpDYBB6JDiDNBLw/s4480/20231003-AK1I1511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2987" data-original-width="4480" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzO_3KlUu1M5vvh1-cpdU96jG8Uvtm3iUW9jOUDBZ5fH9yZnZKSYa1f2FIeAJsrHWe-cot_yJbfWpNSPK4qdKmPSS3oID9UYL8A95OLwje4nCq1-ythllAeOrLMLDWet1Jx48OsFPxu7EtwplWBBkbwOnLdtmo8MBwDBvY41HoMpQpDYBB6JDiDNBLw/w640-h426/20231003-AK1I1511.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">However, the lower Owl was not so calm. It flew up and landed on the same branch. Shortly after that they both disappeared. I suspect these two were siblings. For one thing, the first Owl - that I photographed earlier, was still in the same location when I went back to check on it. It was clearly less active and excited, which reminded me of an adult watching well-fed children.</div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wish I could understand the meaning behind all of the sounds made by Ravens and Owls. On the other hand, the unanswered mysteries certainly add wonder and spice when visiting the Arboretum.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and visitors are welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125);">***************</span> </span></p><p>Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.</p><p><b>This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:</b></p><p><span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard:</b> </p><p><a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Additional content available here:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo with each post to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This time I am asking you to identify the following four decidous plants and choose which ones of these are desirable, native plant(s).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>A.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvSgfPnPcnPLFKY0Zv7PvZmy77IBiY1YngKgMUu0CDlA645Er_7cJkn6Ri58Y5kAv7LHALrUnFUlsX1RLGrrsHZZvBeblJ92jZpLmyBNp_mr7i2bWPo6ULzZcwQ4MOghmAXe5Kw68SLHheYh6bFFdyGV0Azt_dYuFLhk445yItggkne7CCB7PJe8JuQ/s5472/20231017-AK1I1893.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvSgfPnPcnPLFKY0Zv7PvZmy77IBiY1YngKgMUu0CDlA645Er_7cJkn6Ri58Y5kAv7LHALrUnFUlsX1RLGrrsHZZvBeblJ92jZpLmyBNp_mr7i2bWPo6ULzZcwQ4MOghmAXe5Kw68SLHheYh6bFFdyGV0Azt_dYuFLhk445yItggkne7CCB7PJe8JuQ/w640-h426/20231017-AK1I1893.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">B.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfufgGw6eKA9WYHSWUqom96OOQTncW6XPdYMWbcL-eVT9zSx67ofFPDxnZmXCQCx1syXsAVTexkaw2IvJEHPJGlKYxusz2kOsw0c7Rl3u0Cy4K2gOqLNH6tYsoL5BoYZrqt9_jLIZDOpf59ZaF0w1hlQ6TNl2p7StsM09vrgs3mA3xcYWvRdh_pff0GA/s5472/20231017-AK1I1895.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfufgGw6eKA9WYHSWUqom96OOQTncW6XPdYMWbcL-eVT9zSx67ofFPDxnZmXCQCx1syXsAVTexkaw2IvJEHPJGlKYxusz2kOsw0c7Rl3u0Cy4K2gOqLNH6tYsoL5BoYZrqt9_jLIZDOpf59ZaF0w1hlQ6TNl2p7StsM09vrgs3mA3xcYWvRdh_pff0GA/w640-h426/20231017-AK1I1895.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsR1qQIxjrK08efQjO9vicZOJvkkof21BoN7n7BiVnUoDRcGsBLi6VkRZWTGgIycbGbl6pQsHpSqS95NeeICzJby2dymLfcoB7z_RMK_0KWjJvGA4aF_DaGnwBERYmMy7pMmsBu5R7vwOKKN5haN_How9mXlt1E6Ow8Wvxd9nMvflsGD1lhlKTeMTJA/s5472/20231017-AK1I1899.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsR1qQIxjrK08efQjO9vicZOJvkkof21BoN7n7BiVnUoDRcGsBLi6VkRZWTGgIycbGbl6pQsHpSqS95NeeICzJby2dymLfcoB7z_RMK_0KWjJvGA4aF_DaGnwBERYmMy7pMmsBu5R7vwOKKN5haN_How9mXlt1E6Ow8Wvxd9nMvflsGD1lhlKTeMTJA/w640-h426/20231017-AK1I1899.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">D.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmhk1NRDhyaSFoVVoNLocRDg2wBYtIi-uVlmAILCHSobefg7R2mnhijnfafZvQhVNGedlCB5RBWbI5WAm15PNaUHuV8ENM19l1jUjEW_4QzU61u-1ua_pxDzy5HxbLTn9WMmKuucxzRUq_fuxDTo7GPJXmAS90b0RJPzfQhI0_eMWxhfBkXNrxCUesw/s5472/20231017-AK1I1900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmhk1NRDhyaSFoVVoNLocRDg2wBYtIi-uVlmAILCHSobefg7R2mnhijnfafZvQhVNGedlCB5RBWbI5WAm15PNaUHuV8ENM19l1jUjEW_4QzU61u-1ua_pxDzy5HxbLTn9WMmKuucxzRUq_fuxDTo7GPJXmAS90b0RJPzfQhI0_eMWxhfBkXNrxCUesw/w640-h426/20231017-AK1I1900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A. <a href="https://your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/library/water-and-land/weeds/Brochures/Bindweed_factsheet.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Bindweed</span></a> An invasive noxious weed in King County.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B.<a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/english-ivy" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #e06666;">English Ivy</span></a> An invasive noxious weed in King County.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">C. <a href="https://green2.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Plant.aspx?Act=view&PlantID=77" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Native Blackberry</span></a> Note the pale bluish green stem and the very small thorns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">D. <a href="https://your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/library/water-and-land/weeds/Brochures/Blackberry_factsheet.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Himalayan Blackberry</span></a> An invasive noxious weed in King County.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A Parting Shot:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_4lZuq2lk5yc-y8BfTEDxA6Ed_6jyg02jT4ea2u8NTLrv_Y7yCJKAFeNU0LjmRK8Ul6LpeDwP1vGrzFwnIafKzCAck6eRxiAERR1iMNe1np28IZtxFmOnUHzFeW2FiFkW-HiaSK2kv8OVRQOFDYUSGsn1O0HeH2ekDCzq_yIouuTo-yyOpXsOLntmg/s5472/20231003-AK1I1514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_4lZuq2lk5yc-y8BfTEDxA6Ed_6jyg02jT4ea2u8NTLrv_Y7yCJKAFeNU0LjmRK8Ul6LpeDwP1vGrzFwnIafKzCAck6eRxiAERR1iMNe1np28IZtxFmOnUHzFeW2FiFkW-HiaSK2kv8OVRQOFDYUSGsn1O0HeH2ekDCzq_yIouuTo-yyOpXsOLntmg/w640-h426/20231003-AK1I1514.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See you later!</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div style="color: #bf9000; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-48891234099285639992023-10-01T18:26:00.003-07:002023-10-02T15:30:45.703-07:00Visiting Eagles<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRuyAz14Xy3pJx-r4Rvieh2rNoofpZWo4zM888SVg8e17Pg20VBp72jwhyQ0NKxHX_sErZkUAM1uCJwIC8Mnh4qVACzdjnvLx3UpbmVwqk-rTXsjHnNMAOk1ctmhzVg-JtbwSfbkt44GU3Eq6vTg6cv7hcTNUxSAAwcgsdpmByg__RBAkixy2joy56w/s4528/20230723-AK1I8726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3019" data-original-width="4528" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRuyAz14Xy3pJx-r4Rvieh2rNoofpZWo4zM888SVg8e17Pg20VBp72jwhyQ0NKxHX_sErZkUAM1uCJwIC8Mnh4qVACzdjnvLx3UpbmVwqk-rTXsjHnNMAOk1ctmhzVg-JtbwSfbkt44GU3Eq6vTg6cv7hcTNUxSAAwcgsdpmByg__RBAkixy2joy56w/w640-h426/20230723-AK1I8726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Monty and Marsha's young eaglet - Bi?Bəda?</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Earlier this year, I received an email from a gentleman who lives in London. He said his 10-year-old son, Alex, was interested in photographing </span><span style="font-family: arial;">bald eagles and that the family was planning a trip to Seattle. At the time, the Montlake Cut Bald Eagles, Monty and Marsha and their young eaglet, were still spending time near their nest site. The site is easily seen and normally young Bald Eagles will hang around the Montlake area for a month or two after they fledge. So, it seemed like a great opportunity for Alex to get his first photos of Bald Eagles..</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This year, only one of Monty and Marsha's young safely fledged. You can read the post, see the photos, and learn how the young eagle got its name by clicking on the following link:</span></p><p><a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2023/07/bibda.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: arial;">https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2023/07/bibda.html</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In early August, by the time Alex arrived in Seattle, the eagle's nest had fallen and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Bi?Beda? had learned to fly</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. I was unable to meet Alex during the brief time they were here. So, I sent his father the locations where I thought they were likely to find the eagle family i.e. near the nest tree or north of Montlake Cut near the UW Waterfront Activities Center. The following are Alex's photos and his story:</span></p><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b style="font-family: arial;">My Trip to the Seattle Eagles</b><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;"><b>By Alex Gray, London, Age 10</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We came to America for a holiday and one of my must-try-to-see things was bald eagles. As we came up the West Coast from San Francisco through the Cascades mountain range and the redwoods, I was impatient to see one and when we got to Seattle I was a bit bored, because there were no wild animals in the big concrete city. But I was wrong. As I nagged my dad to tell me when we were seeing eagles, he spat out and said we were going to try to see one the next day. I was so excited, I couldn't wait.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;">He told me that before we set off traveling, he had searched "eagles in Seattle' on Google and found this blog. He had emailed in to find out more, and was told that the baby eagle mentioned on the blog was in a tree with its nest on the ground, because it had fallen down. Larry had suggested to go to the pinpoint of the tree on the Google maps and see if it was there. If not, he told us to look in the trees on the other side of the creek.</span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;">We did just that, and when we found the spot, I was speechless and so excited to try and see it because it is my favorite animal. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1-KUwbFCMDB39KA_1Fp92vfPFPKIffw8bCZQRnkLYBfLT05tyN9KpJM-V9KIBN7j8B9hW2TpkukTrQ9DV5jEJXqou5DqS6erONWSC3W8jgWbpo3ZU3d6mIJzUncfJWfbUFKBpRuasfJCQFDTn79_6zAx2WkKi28CUXiphn-m239OZeZdPLx2zAPT8w/s4288/DSC_4544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1-KUwbFCMDB39KA_1Fp92vfPFPKIffw8bCZQRnkLYBfLT05tyN9KpJM-V9KIBN7j8B9hW2TpkukTrQ9DV5jEJXqou5DqS6erONWSC3W8jgWbpo3ZU3d6mIJzUncfJWfbUFKBpRuasfJCQFDTn79_6zAx2WkKi28CUXiphn-m239OZeZdPLx2zAPT8w/w640-h426/DSC_4544.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">I managed to find it by following its calls. As I saw it, I got my camera out and took some good shots of it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAoxbqvuDf57j1oVw411D6WOzT40jHddRVmK3oDDQJ0hr386-ZgSJXwB3vsH11n-ab60_ijZXbUFD9-X8gJPEmsYrVM-yCfHRiE0EO_spcdXzrjYsJbeflikItzZLhEun5m7gzf1d2jHEVQ20UuF-NQFh4mDuXj23W54SejQo8Pbl_2LkvFUO_n3eCg/s4288/DSC_4552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAoxbqvuDf57j1oVw411D6WOzT40jHddRVmK3oDDQJ0hr386-ZgSJXwB3vsH11n-ab60_ijZXbUFD9-X8gJPEmsYrVM-yCfHRiE0EO_spcdXzrjYsJbeflikItzZLhEun5m7gzf1d2jHEVQ20UuF-NQFh4mDuXj23W54SejQo8Pbl_2LkvFUO_n3eCg/w640-h426/DSC_4552.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I noticed that its parents weren't there, so I scanned the horizon to search for them like he said, but we couldn't see them so we went to the other area to see if the adults were there.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwHjgONXmiG4q0qYh2_QSJxIXdkp_srVEKk7BZ-1h87tuILUnSLiaTIKPEfpq2SnTDIelaFCXA-N7MP8wQJG-sK_wQZCjM3znp2tXL3gZs-dvPR5jb-j_1H_UzAVCcQEs3a_Fi9jQwYDVhr6S6qqPGu6F1OQvlz-aRLByVw5_id73cDMShfC6_KeLjw/s4288/DSC_4567.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwHjgONXmiG4q0qYh2_QSJxIXdkp_srVEKk7BZ-1h87tuILUnSLiaTIKPEfpq2SnTDIelaFCXA-N7MP8wQJG-sK_wQZCjM3znp2tXL3gZs-dvPR5jb-j_1H_UzAVCcQEs3a_Fi9jQwYDVhr6S6qqPGu6F1OQvlz-aRLByVw5_id73cDMShfC6_KeLjw/w640-h426/DSC_4567.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Incredibly, we spotted one! We quietly snuck up to the mature bald eagle, keeping a safe distance away, and got some wowing photos. </div></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEoSl1oldnNknE0QQP5DLJEt1IYuGUQkUOPHg7pheVkvez-GIbPuOFTDWJcsK8NAuI_yQjXyuf4s8LkJtD7zHYdcfn02hrfdq5SkibKQrOWILnSwQc8Z8yC66DSp5AKd-SrqfqsclS1_Ca_DJkbkfJsVBcuz1yBOz7IfNeZ3JVOgNqBNx42Jp67Ss5w/s4288/DSC_5260.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEoSl1oldnNknE0QQP5DLJEt1IYuGUQkUOPHg7pheVkvez-GIbPuOFTDWJcsK8NAuI_yQjXyuf4s8LkJtD7zHYdcfn02hrfdq5SkibKQrOWILnSwQc8Z8yC66DSp5AKd-SrqfqsclS1_Ca_DJkbkfJsVBcuz1yBOz7IfNeZ3JVOgNqBNx42Jp67Ss5w/w640-h426/DSC_5260.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But then the annoying but beautiful Blue Angels planes, which were practicing for the Seattle Airshow,... </div></span><span style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfKtbYVSyKy89O318v3uX9mKQ7T2A0eCKIfvktT251pWejV0xgN5MUpgFDgG9qbohp5HFOJL5mttpWX1zzvTCejKYL4UdbbPOwHDQ42c3d5wZMUfyVKsXmGh1vVyqyUeV_6-I4p0uG5Ym5EbuFyutrOzIReGCGYB5hDRyf-0kZijnBXv6dEpBIPFz2g/w640-h426/DSC_5266.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">...flew by and scared the eagle away. As it took off, we got to see its massive majestic wings. It was gone in a flash. We had to go looking again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w4GEKkYhEp-twaWMcqaSBYguYNc-5ZaAurUlVJJ35DarFCr8PYebW3UP2aWl0O4NkN5ym2yvZHhEKureLFPHjwEk5fI4qpVlMl6NNeadz5ANzaEDBeSpZKrXKSVrGP8Du2VADm8g2xhk9LOTTcVWaWCJQFfq8XrLCtz3I3g6nhbWAL19r94GQSBjZA/s3740/20230803-DSC_4578.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2484" data-original-width="3740" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w4GEKkYhEp-twaWMcqaSBYguYNc-5ZaAurUlVJJ35DarFCr8PYebW3UP2aWl0O4NkN5ym2yvZHhEKureLFPHjwEk5fI4qpVlMl6NNeadz5ANzaEDBeSpZKrXKSVrGP8Du2VADm8g2xhk9LOTTcVWaWCJQFfq8XrLCtz3I3g6nhbWAL19r94GQSBjZA/w640-h426/20230803-DSC_4578.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">On the way back to the other side, we spotted the eagle again, sitting on a log in the middle of the water. </div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlTvpZ0J7C0D_iT2hOA7Z_fAxPpV5NFlGTkd98VnPFl4jyS6_tyqyDtLvBez_C-DplpA0MalcdBE2fEHg6d-X4swoDREVYI5BXr5r2CxHJTX1neXb6qI0xAUSU59VShpfA73bOU2nfRevRE1KLhRfXT5DbBigjDJKmnoqd0Q6p-w5qSalHOz1-U3hkQ/s4041/20230803-DSC_4582.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2684" data-original-width="4041" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlTvpZ0J7C0D_iT2hOA7Z_fAxPpV5NFlGTkd98VnPFl4jyS6_tyqyDtLvBez_C-DplpA0MalcdBE2fEHg6d-X4swoDREVYI5BXr5r2CxHJTX1neXb6qI0xAUSU59VShpfA73bOU2nfRevRE1KLhRfXT5DbBigjDJKmnoqd0Q6p-w5qSalHOz1-U3hkQ/w640-h426/20230803-DSC_4582.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(191, 144, 0); color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">As we ventured toward the shore, a bunch of curious kayakers scared it away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(191, 144, 0); color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYyYr8FubLZy0ZE6X6RRhyJoFsS-ys2qZ7RcYCeYXr2mDOlc6bw7uYysqwWJbMF0XB3Ky_yPfyEtRkDQzal3liYM4CUU4jIY3Ebf-pfiNZFot4_zw6-RrO6uPV5lGmnKih5UFQbi7x5lwmJQBTU7LkVK2AJ0OyULjAfOAeYYQdv2K3UsDSwzFEqNK7g/s3981/20230803-DSC_4588.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2644" data-original-width="3981" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYyYr8FubLZy0ZE6X6RRhyJoFsS-ys2qZ7RcYCeYXr2mDOlc6bw7uYysqwWJbMF0XB3Ky_yPfyEtRkDQzal3liYM4CUU4jIY3Ebf-pfiNZFot4_zw6-RrO6uPV5lGmnKih5UFQbi7x5lwmJQBTU7LkVK2AJ0OyULjAfOAeYYQdv2K3UsDSwzFEqNK7g/w640-h426/20230803-DSC_4588.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(191, 144, 0);">So off we went again...</span></span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOuQv0ff-JC1av7HIX8Dbh8Kt6GRRdB4EHPk8-blHXz6igr_0soVggpATun3WX4MC81821qLFMB8RICB5wmCdM9ubq9IQYuDfmwx4UBnID6-KrAG9wB9qRYlZpP_0zUrrDBCZj9JbHEkQdPFa4MWBB6fHUSI_rnpLacN97jc3noOcCmzlIL-D2ierNQ/s4288/DSC_4592.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOuQv0ff-JC1av7HIX8Dbh8Kt6GRRdB4EHPk8-blHXz6igr_0soVggpATun3WX4MC81821qLFMB8RICB5wmCdM9ubq9IQYuDfmwx4UBnID6-KrAG9wB9qRYlZpP_0zUrrDBCZj9JbHEkQdPFa4MWBB6fHUSI_rnpLacN97jc3noOcCmzlIL-D2ierNQ/w640-h426/DSC_4592.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(191, 144, 0); color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">... back to the tree where we started, to see if it flew over there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymZkCR7rpcwo6bVOM-OO7vqq6SuoDxDzR-Qq6-kPr1siMl2CqjfGLkbyN-9VrNoHn9ZFA8hpL_cxsGiHpQ13tFWJBvIyM9LiC-51ZTiKRVwAuP3z_SpMKtv0eokhSUtX_24AU8CNEHP1AVv84GVMlejS3eK-3yziFNz-NA5P6721LWtzspeDJ8-kSVw/s4288/DSC_4550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymZkCR7rpcwo6bVOM-OO7vqq6SuoDxDzR-Qq6-kPr1siMl2CqjfGLkbyN-9VrNoHn9ZFA8hpL_cxsGiHpQ13tFWJBvIyM9LiC-51ZTiKRVwAuP3z_SpMKtv0eokhSUtX_24AU8CNEHP1AVv84GVMlejS3eK-3yziFNz-NA5P6721LWtzspeDJ8-kSVw/w640-h426/DSC_4550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(191, 144, 0); color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">It didn't, but the young eagle was still there, screeching for food. The second we saw it, it flew away and fledged!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h4LLA1MorE-o-CwpMWkQhNHzPW5HI1unOXberD1xGdmMMGWu6yofynWngjbQkwYvCmcHEO9xZDMJA_ag3hpSa5P6rymrEJFsFFV2yj7B66dbGN-VGzucriHq3c4puWm2uMaA4EYHyRRSaKoZITvt4_2B1RcNJsiBHDXFoB7_NAXNhVUERJotHm0_Cg/s4288/DSC_4594.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h4LLA1MorE-o-CwpMWkQhNHzPW5HI1unOXberD1xGdmMMGWu6yofynWngjbQkwYvCmcHEO9xZDMJA_ag3hpSa5P6rymrEJFsFFV2yj7B66dbGN-VGzucriHq3c4puWm2uMaA4EYHyRRSaKoZITvt4_2B1RcNJsiBHDXFoB7_NAXNhVUERJotHm0_Cg/w640-h426/DSC_4594.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(191, 144, 0); color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">It was a marvelous event, incredible to see its first time flying long distance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(191, 144, 0); color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;">It did not end there, though, because I nagged my parents to go to the other side again, so we did and somehow we saw both of them together in the air. The mature bald eagle swept down into a tree near the road but soon </span></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;">flew away again to hunt for fish. sadly our eagle spotting came to an end as we headed off to see some more volcanos - but as we left , we looked out the rear window of the car and saw all three eagles circling around a big oak tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;">It was one of my favorite parts of the holiday and it was all thanks to Larry for helping us find the right place. So, if you're in Seattle, I recommend you come the see the eagles that call Seattle home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Thank you to Alex, and his father, for this inspiring story and Alex's wonderful photos! </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Alex, </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Please, keep up the good work. The whole world needs to see that wild creatures are, or should be, our neighbors in every city and town.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Larry</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">**************</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once young Bald Eagles learn to fly their next critical achievement is to find their own food. They hang around with their parents for a month or two, but before winter begins they must be self-sufficient. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JFfONEC8yRqYMU1aRkBlmIujcPXexj_Ia5CXgoT4N3bts3tOYSTcoTaR76YQ4Yh9opcjG3BbEhT8h0ObuWdegrug-t22QTRxmNxhBVHXnAGQrpB_qzgiB5ofxVvvsh3juspz89-XbWHG59sfoaGYUYKPEeJG1xpyWbAROZf0Eq8RcFY1JAE-3OaxrQ/s2398/20230818-AK1I9488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="2398" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JFfONEC8yRqYMU1aRkBlmIujcPXexj_Ia5CXgoT4N3bts3tOYSTcoTaR76YQ4Yh9opcjG3BbEhT8h0ObuWdegrug-t22QTRxmNxhBVHXnAGQrpB_qzgiB5ofxVvvsh3juspz89-XbWHG59sfoaGYUYKPEeJG1xpyWbAROZf0Eq8RcFY1JAE-3OaxrQ/w640-h428/20230818-AK1I9488.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple weeks after Alex left, in mid-August, </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Bi?Bəda?</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> was still hanging around in Monty and Marsha's territory. Here it was seen just north of the Waterfront Activities Center still in the same area where Alex got his photos.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQn0T5sYuh42bPMHdQUaijXNqc81pijq_iEO7_KfsrXxTGKGNgaQ2lOg5wQnIgGCk_h_lvfm-jnigZwlfjddEl02GXlE_A4wQpYZNLVLyLoBJswLYOkKCwKsCwbbNsBbujw9PnOA0aoWT-7O6lprcswXCrGUi9b69HA8QRqdT4_T4BA7m5mL8OLd7tQ/s4987/20230818-AK1I9502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3325" data-original-width="4987" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQn0T5sYuh42bPMHdQUaijXNqc81pijq_iEO7_KfsrXxTGKGNgaQ2lOg5wQnIgGCk_h_lvfm-jnigZwlfjddEl02GXlE_A4wQpYZNLVLyLoBJswLYOkKCwKsCwbbNsBbujw9PnOA0aoWT-7O6lprcswXCrGUi9b69HA8QRqdT4_T4BA7m5mL8OLd7tQ/w640-h426/20230818-AK1I9502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Further north an adult, probably one of the parents, was perched on top of a birch snag and carefully watching Union Bay. A sitting eagle seems to always be watching for a good opportunity to catch food i.e. hunting. The young eagle kept fidgeting about, waiting impatiently. By choosing to hunt, in full view of the young one, the adult was providing an excellent demonstration of the skills the young one needed to develop - including patience.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSebM6GfsfXA0SOI5jaT9E1KXwEDVmlo5RBZWDbKbBa6oHoZzk2bUGhcxV5PWBUq4-mwSWIXnutLCAy1ZYEMzMpyTP5MEcVsRdDakRHJNtTfiHazlpz0ftDF_O_JgCKwoOxwyL8yROliI_wsiOH2UjpS3dGreqvsCBhyphenhyphenmvy4Qn_vjwkqu32gZbBV7rg/s3619/20230829-AK1I0228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2413" data-original-width="3619" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSebM6GfsfXA0SOI5jaT9E1KXwEDVmlo5RBZWDbKbBa6oHoZzk2bUGhcxV5PWBUq4-mwSWIXnutLCAy1ZYEMzMpyTP5MEcVsRdDakRHJNtTfiHazlpz0ftDF_O_JgCKwoOxwyL8yROliI_wsiOH2UjpS3dGreqvsCBhyphenhyphenmvy4Qn_vjwkqu32gZbBV7rg/w640-h426/20230829-AK1I0228.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Later, toward the end of August, I found the young one flying down to search for food on its own. It landed on a log, just offshore, similar to the adult in Alex's photo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87mtg4l-ukep1-MqdgYhhht5SAtCdacn5G04mH2NUeac2jvlFeymq1qiKXCYrz-9oJsDf8NHGgp6zobJMzmGFE5YFaYB4YRLzFPNVo1FQmSpwb9dYTg_-3WsgSutPQpDD2DhhkJVaNDQ73IUjOSH9Y7EnV8Oq4bXj0Us1U45SzxLuk8cPJ68V-S-vGA/s1965/20230829-AK1I0244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1965" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87mtg4l-ukep1-MqdgYhhht5SAtCdacn5G04mH2NUeac2jvlFeymq1qiKXCYrz-9oJsDf8NHGgp6zobJMzmGFE5YFaYB4YRLzFPNVo1FQmSpwb9dYTg_-3WsgSutPQpDD2DhhkJVaNDQ73IUjOSH9Y7EnV8Oq4bXj0Us1U45SzxLuk8cPJ68V-S-vGA/w640-h426/20230829-AK1I0244.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It appeared to try and catch a fish, or a frog, but ended up just splashing the water.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhCGWPg92mwSN7uxrSEe3484yte1NDpC8N6MMWgNP5J8pocsMAhzbOCbHUDNI51Vm5KcWTuYqqdO_RzpDPM7BQrngQqZij8AL57jdZapvzOP_-X_LfsD7F65FrGfZ3M1qBImAa9il0OUbwjjbzxWpLpitH25hXifftDhXtlyP0_0CoQHn5FHTsnoGNA/s2798/20230829-AK1I0281.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="2798" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhCGWPg92mwSN7uxrSEe3484yte1NDpC8N6MMWgNP5J8pocsMAhzbOCbHUDNI51Vm5KcWTuYqqdO_RzpDPM7BQrngQqZij8AL57jdZapvzOP_-X_LfsD7F65FrGfZ3M1qBImAa9il0OUbwjjbzxWpLpitH25hXifftDhXtlyP0_0CoQHn5FHTsnoGNA/w640-h426/20230829-AK1I0281.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon, it took off and flew to a more distant island. I found it very interesting to see how the eagle turned its tail to a vertical position to help slow its progress before landing.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdqcckxwdDKOZhMNGi5OZOvg5a1LOkUxkLsRia9huvDO7HCqZc2Cn4NAW6UN2yV_2fGqkNpbZpd9Eio1QOamCeZUMwk8fjc8M5fGSOGzmhVlCC0EoZCe91zSwvjiJ2NI3sxAGuma0CmuO0vuU6sinH93qZZxAjJHPr-Iou6mYGMrFALtTjQLoDuldrg/s2290/20230829-AK1I0332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="2290" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdqcckxwdDKOZhMNGi5OZOvg5a1LOkUxkLsRia9huvDO7HCqZc2Cn4NAW6UN2yV_2fGqkNpbZpd9Eio1QOamCeZUMwk8fjc8M5fGSOGzmhVlCC0EoZCe91zSwvjiJ2NI3sxAGuma0CmuO0vuU6sinH93qZZxAjJHPr-Iou6mYGMrFALtTjQLoDuldrg/w640-h428/20230829-AK1I0332.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After inspecting that island it headed back towards the trees along the shoreline. While reviewing these photos I noticed that its mouth was closed in this photo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmug1opDX5VX6To2y6as6Cugc1w0i-pBB7SADAvUdgffs3m7uahgc6QUGilt4SPVkTjYEUQxE1YN9m8PqSJr1xEniCPwc4rvlXeepdRX_XvkwP8ghKE2_FEFg716YEGJyy0y7Wmdk3lsEDxvfkZm59rldrxcN5BFLuYfPdNoFYM-e3WC2r_bcIUKgIg/s2066/20230829-AK1I0334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1375" data-original-width="2066" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmug1opDX5VX6To2y6as6Cugc1w0i-pBB7SADAvUdgffs3m7uahgc6QUGilt4SPVkTjYEUQxE1YN9m8PqSJr1xEniCPwc4rvlXeepdRX_XvkwP8ghKE2_FEFg716YEGJyy0y7Wmdk3lsEDxvfkZm59rldrxcN5BFLuYfPdNoFYM-e3WC2r_bcIUKgIg/w640-h426/20230829-AK1I0334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, as the wings reached the bottom of the downstroke the mouth opened up.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_E2qhYApOQMZHSDqvdqj76dFd7PKAo40iTqwkgrvG_G-d7eLCNHu1WcQIELqSWSCVxyhXHpxKm0w7UmediBHmNmCmMf8XDGNinDizhCKPAIlo2-3FNTGqoQz1Y1ssvDpQI5Xf2Mw8lA-nDomWHxKsi5oT9Ea7PQQ_p9Elpejm9iG_NvOJgb_mkuOtA/s1652/20230829-AK1I0337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1652" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_E2qhYApOQMZHSDqvdqj76dFd7PKAo40iTqwkgrvG_G-d7eLCNHu1WcQIELqSWSCVxyhXHpxKm0w7UmediBHmNmCmMf8XDGNinDizhCKPAIlo2-3FNTGqoQz1Y1ssvDpQI5Xf2Mw8lA-nDomWHxKsi5oT9Ea7PQQ_p9Elpejm9iG_NvOJgb_mkuOtA/w640-h426/20230829-AK1I0337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On the next upstroke the mouth is closed again. I reviewed enough photos to realize that the wingbeats and the pace of the breathing were not correlated. The eagle did not open its mouth with every downstroke. However, thinking about breathing reminded me that the lungs of birds are functionally far more efficient than ours.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT2BYsWspjuUrXzBEaTK2UvX3Hqbu5qy6AbpqxOxZ5EDmOgLigMqu8uoDQzIHIXAqcACoZ7e3E88wKxwlRSceAjrVQ5k00HojiYk1zSq0G0dqhaS4XfGPGZyYh5QCKCsk2g34f2nQLyp9mw3Dg7_iI7XaraJkuzHmFBEiqQO1ajtD0bBEzFkL0KtQjw/s1552/20230829-AK1I0344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1552" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT2BYsWspjuUrXzBEaTK2UvX3Hqbu5qy6AbpqxOxZ5EDmOgLigMqu8uoDQzIHIXAqcACoZ7e3E88wKxwlRSceAjrVQ5k00HojiYk1zSq0G0dqhaS4XfGPGZyYh5QCKCsk2g34f2nQLyp9mw3Dg7_iI7XaraJkuzHmFBEiqQO1ajtD0bBEzFkL0KtQjw/w640-h426/20230829-AK1I0344.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Like us, they use oxygen and they breathe in and out. However, they pass fresh oxygenated air through their lungs constantly. They take in oxygen as they inhale<i> and as they exhale</i>. They do this by passing one half of their inhalation through the lungs initially. The second half of the inhalation goes into a variety of internal sacs and during the exhale process it is pushed through the lungs in the same direction as the first half of the breath.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If this feels complicated and confusing don't worry. It is challenging. Click on the following link to see diagrams that will hopefully make the process a bit easier to visualize.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://farmer.biology.utah.edu/Evolution%20of%20Uniflow.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: arial;">https://farmer.biology.utah.edu/Evolution%20of%20Uniflow.html</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I found the first diagram with the white background to be the most helpful.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE69j3XDvbLlJ0pdCFgvpmteWY9GS_Yn6ttbDIMXKdlFMK0SE5MQnvX2g-s4UKXr9wjyZq-GnKoOEWFRdwtXyDzX5AIqN0vRYH16RdY0NA3ohxNZiOgpSHy0IpLekdmMCXWvWwzmvIw9oWw48-_23An2ICOJv9MmrsBPj1kKazNPhEGdlPBrhy7qjHsA/s4151/20230829-AK1I0345.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2767" data-original-width="4151" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE69j3XDvbLlJ0pdCFgvpmteWY9GS_Yn6ttbDIMXKdlFMK0SE5MQnvX2g-s4UKXr9wjyZq-GnKoOEWFRdwtXyDzX5AIqN0vRYH16RdY0NA3ohxNZiOgpSHy0IpLekdmMCXWvWwzmvIw9oWw48-_23An2ICOJv9MmrsBPj1kKazNPhEGdlPBrhy7qjHsA/w640-h426/20230829-AK1I0345.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After the young one returned from the distant island, it pulled a twig off the tree it landed in. I think young eagles must try out a wide variety of potential food sources before they figure out what is really good to eat. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen25ha6BB6DOSCYnL6xXEuCKMTtvkZJoAdPCfyfY80-vZQOibxD9kiC28SNSsmZ_erHFWh2YMjsLlhDjhSOSWUvq8JcyXP-ehC9tLe4zLsMFVOD0Z7GF7BZLYWcat9mAdPfUWSjA_El0ar3OyCFoyxtn3h3OgDUvABxkQgwJiKvRuG8d6bueNzpHYSQ/s2653/20230829-AK1I0433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1770" data-original-width="2653" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen25ha6BB6DOSCYnL6xXEuCKMTtvkZJoAdPCfyfY80-vZQOibxD9kiC28SNSsmZ_erHFWh2YMjsLlhDjhSOSWUvq8JcyXP-ehC9tLe4zLsMFVOD0Z7GF7BZLYWcat9mAdPfUWSjA_El0ar3OyCFoyxtn3h3OgDUvABxkQgwJiKvRuG8d6bueNzpHYSQ/w640-h426/20230829-AK1I0433.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After it gave up on the twig, the young one returned to a little island near the log. This time it apparently found the spinal remnants of an earlier meal. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">However, it appeared to be picked clean.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jRWgw8bvw5oZzW8MMFy4rSctgVXkpwQ2imKzLQM4CrFI4uMxEyUFbSIUdHYcGGSs2BBjQTFTGg4iuO73ozALavi_wAqpvT-k5NfdJzFkUUOWvqwOdS5ALZ0jihkrEJLp5sCU08WvlNb2mGds6mUKjlw6vG-ASz0rF9lMsVhmlo3P5GoKAeRBcsKHpw/s3900/20230831-AK1I0490.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="3900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jRWgw8bvw5oZzW8MMFy4rSctgVXkpwQ2imKzLQM4CrFI4uMxEyUFbSIUdHYcGGSs2BBjQTFTGg4iuO73ozALavi_wAqpvT-k5NfdJzFkUUOWvqwOdS5ALZ0jihkrEJLp5sCU08WvlNb2mGds6mUKjlw6vG-ASz0rF9lMsVhmlo3P5GoKAeRBcsKHpw/w640-h426/20230831-AK1I0490.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next day, on August 31st - or as Alex would say 31st August - I saw the young one once more. It was begging loudly for food while sitting in the same area.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since then, during September, I do not recall seeing any Bald Eagles. This is not a surprise. It happens every year. My hope is, that the parents lead the young ones to a location where salmon are plentiful and easy to catch. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">*********</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Maybe someday, if we restore the salmon runs through Union Bay and the Lake Washington watershed, other Bald Eagles will bring their young to feed around Union Bay in September. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the way, the Friends of Arboretum Creek are working to help restore flow and habitat in Arboretum Creek, just to the south of this location. Our ultimate goal is to help native fish return to the creek, while also removing pollution, especially that which harms salmon. You can learn more about our efforts at:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.arboretumcreek.org/"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: arial;">https://www.arboretumcreek.org/</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and get involved via:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.arboretumcreek.org/getInvolved.html"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">https://www.arboretumcreek.org/getInvolved.html</span></a></span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">***********</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The good news is, Monty and Marsha have always returned to their territory and have always rebuilt their nest when it has fallen. I expect they will come back sometime in October and certainly by November. By late March 2024, they should have rebuilt the nest and Marsha should have laid eggs and be starting the cycle again.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I have never seen any of their offspring return with their parents. From what I have read and seen young ones tend to join other immature eagles and together they fly about searching for food, while they continue to mature. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">By 2028, if this young one survives, it will have developed a white head and a white tail, at which point it should be ready to settle down, find a mate, pick a nest site (and hopefully a territory to defend), and begin raising young of its own. </span></div></span></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and visitors are welcome!</i></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125);">***************</span> </span></p><p>Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.</p><p><b>This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:</b></p><p><span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard:</b> </p><p><a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Additional content available here:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo with each post to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwt-Y6VeN9897KIcaxrhpjw0BXwUgxX22NKO_xNT7r_SIaB58mxtAd1cplEM-0cK-z1Im-AgxiTxtyWydZeJj0ziLyeXSpF4ODdv0SZ5zsCMkYUWoWAvZT_8BrQFpHIJQFrKelJBdm-Pw1Ra91HAuJO3iqGTl3SxWzhni30JNCAvcOPOdSb6SQL7OHA/s1682/20230730-AK1I8937.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1682" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwt-Y6VeN9897KIcaxrhpjw0BXwUgxX22NKO_xNT7r_SIaB58mxtAd1cplEM-0cK-z1Im-AgxiTxtyWydZeJj0ziLyeXSpF4ODdv0SZ5zsCMkYUWoWAvZT_8BrQFpHIJQFrKelJBdm-Pw1Ra91HAuJO3iqGTl3SxWzhni30JNCAvcOPOdSb6SQL7OHA/w640-h426/20230730-AK1I8937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">According to Douglas Tallamy, and his work with the National Wildlife Foundation, this is the most productive keystone plant or tree, for caterpillars, which are the prime food for young birds, in Western Washington. What tree is it?</div><br /><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://nativeplantspnw.com/oregon-white-oak-quercus-garryana/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Oregon White Oak</span></a>: The scientific name is Quercus garryana. The range of this Keystone tree has been critically reduced due to fire suppression - which allows conifers to grow up and shade them out. David Douglas reported that Native Americans set annual grass fires around these oak trees. This apparently had multiple benefits including:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Supplying food, i.e. acorns, for humans, birds and others.</li><li>Reducing competition from faster growing conifers,</li><li>Maintaining the prairies for camas growth, </li><li>Creating soft, fresh ground cover that attracts deer, and </li><li>Habitat for caterpillars, which are an critical food source for young birds.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>If you have a large enough yard this tree would be a very productive and beautiful addition.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To see the top ten Keystone plant and tree list, with local sample species, for Western Washington <a href="https://www.arboretumcreek.org/lifePictures/Top10PNWKeys.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Click Here</span></a>. </div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div></span></span><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A Parting Shot:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVlUaMnm9GCs9B9XTXWQ2yTGtGkOBuP8jNnGzKCo_QfahLsCSyksm4OJf4-qwFWw1Y-gEy4SziIPRJ2Hik_NwJr2oy-vrrFI8PSD6OqklC2aQUpIEDptuomtpLN0ecefLP-7leHvyzMxdjzr7SDK8V0aXDv9LaczJXCA-nKzMqLfFnArvYqfywcRXrw/s2503/20230829-AK1I0477.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1672" data-original-width="2503" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVlUaMnm9GCs9B9XTXWQ2yTGtGkOBuP8jNnGzKCo_QfahLsCSyksm4OJf4-qwFWw1Y-gEy4SziIPRJ2Hik_NwJr2oy-vrrFI8PSD6OqklC2aQUpIEDptuomtpLN0ecefLP-7leHvyzMxdjzr7SDK8V0aXDv9LaczJXCA-nKzMqLfFnArvYqfywcRXrw/w640-h428/20230829-AK1I0477.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><p><br /></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-69561029645572417552023-09-02T16:10:00.003-07:002023-09-04T13:56:48.066-07:00Simply Secretive<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ945E4KlRlbcMwz5EX1c4ooHvy4lZoIlZkdjsAJ9LOzSs6gnSuRPXF06JFZ6LVKyuGNAM6dOC0TiPTlVwn1VjHQ17frfysrlQhRL4RkxdDxmmv-VSKmbQ7VQL6iD6AcXPF279v555fjwdC61uHnj9Aru5Arnn_-biE7nUOTVmJEyYfCFVGbQQHmVWNA/s3923/20230718-AK1I7642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2615" data-original-width="3923" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ945E4KlRlbcMwz5EX1c4ooHvy4lZoIlZkdjsAJ9LOzSs6gnSuRPXF06JFZ6LVKyuGNAM6dOC0TiPTlVwn1VjHQ17frfysrlQhRL4RkxdDxmmv-VSKmbQ7VQL6iD6AcXPF279v555fjwdC61uHnj9Aru5Arnn_-biE7nUOTVmJEyYfCFVGbQQHmVWNA/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7642.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This story took place on Whidbey Island in mid-July. When I am on the Island, I always enjoy visiting Deer Lagoon. American White Pelicans are a wonder-inducing summer attraction that I find irresistible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So far, I have only noticed non-breeding Pelicans. However, I keep hoping that one day mature birds might choose to nest there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxGuYqmCBgVP8myX4vUcBdDl9i6YOgMOZMc2qTi6PY-bPywsj6jHIWFnrWQC1bM5X8wQdF7Z0gIUr70sKb6N6Oi3u7IXriVO3LbaYZEREI6IsLessh4vdVrLCt5t_7vs_-PEjDXZF0mF-9L7TbdRxdlVTFYqdIqZWbI6ivWtfB9fektO09737TBwSgw/s1460/20230718-AK1I7642-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="1460" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxGuYqmCBgVP8myX4vUcBdDl9i6YOgMOZMc2qTi6PY-bPywsj6jHIWFnrWQC1bM5X8wQdF7Z0gIUr70sKb6N6Oi3u7IXriVO3LbaYZEREI6IsLessh4vdVrLCt5t_7vs_-PEjDXZF0mF-9L7TbdRxdlVTFYqdIqZWbI6ivWtfB9fektO09737TBwSgw/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7642-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Drilling in on the first bird in the previous photo, we can see the start of a tiny bump on the upper bill. I think it might be an indicator of impending maturity. <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_White_Pelican/photo-gallery/304461551" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Breeding adults </span></a>have a much larger "horn" on their upper mandible. This beginner's bump fans the embers of my hope for a year-round colony on Deer Lagoon.</div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, this year, my luck took a turn in a different direction. While watching for Pelicans, Carlos (a member of <a href="https://www.whidbeyaudubonsociety.org/" target="_blank">Whidbey Audubon Society</a>), and his wife Toni passed by. After chatting about the local birds they happened to mention they were looking for a very secretive species that I had only photographed a few times. I asked if I could tag along and lucky for me they said, "Yes".</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VYoxaqoxcM_wOaoXqkc3krZnntFX-c6PF2AcLbAVfJ9tC4_khITsJCEFmOWFkTJ3lutOHZDVLQOKKqme3f3x5gYMkL3Zqt-tIKg59beJ25ZsUFPB4WCtciJgcbpmJBmG5wNyOtiOBeKAuhxug_ETe_c9oMcDW3uZekWtmzBT7EVNova_HoMHAizPIQ/s5472/AK1I7858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VYoxaqoxcM_wOaoXqkc3krZnntFX-c6PF2AcLbAVfJ9tC4_khITsJCEFmOWFkTJ3lutOHZDVLQOKKqme3f3x5gYMkL3Zqt-tIKg59beJ25ZsUFPB4WCtciJgcbpmJBmG5wNyOtiOBeKAuhxug_ETe_c9oMcDW3uZekWtmzBT7EVNova_HoMHAizPIQ/w640-h426/AK1I7858.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some bird species are seldom seen because their numbers are declining, some because they only pass through during migration, and some are only active at night. Still, there are other birds, that are local year-round residents, who are so secretive that we almost never see them. For example, Can you find t</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he bird in this photo?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This species' preferred habitat is, wet, muddy, and full of cattails, which helps to keep them hidden. Especially since we, comfort-loving humans, do not generally enjoy thick, tangled foliage, mud sucking at our shoes, and mosquitoes probing for our DNA.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifteiWBSgUhLOWxKsaV01W6zYqLP3IEeef3DvD_eudBJWa9bvQSe-I41WNIaq1cQ9W-LMZoGJJ3iUW5wS0xDipgyDKaCk8d-fPVMemHUTyYBqkpYZjLbvhCIYGOhbMRfWg-UYF64I_iOP3hqfJ4hyI1MFEO1dboNls_2rL3G94LTRikGYqqw3yEnz87A/s2759/AK1I7858-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1839" data-original-width="2759" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifteiWBSgUhLOWxKsaV01W6zYqLP3IEeef3DvD_eudBJWa9bvQSe-I41WNIaq1cQ9W-LMZoGJJ3iUW5wS0xDipgyDKaCk8d-fPVMemHUTyYBqkpYZjLbvhCIYGOhbMRfWg-UYF64I_iOP3hqfJ4hyI1MFEO1dboNls_2rL3G94LTRikGYqqw3yEnz87A/w640-h426/AK1I7858-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This second version of the photo, drills in on the bird.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnfi88vv4phOgB8lMkf3s9R6X4OVATT3sUcLwWTjBJdjfOl4RLn2SAE4fxRwQzdtfE3iR_NMxNwmFEM49Dfwsyc8-Po_EjvfRa3SINo5IvkeQmCoZc3-WtLm9VYZW5K0VSJIT1-Q3IeuxwAXdwKMHEpTrpjznF4CszgLT2W4Uzx4KdlfIrVwGDeFekQ/s1348/AK1I7858-3.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1348" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnfi88vv4phOgB8lMkf3s9R6X4OVATT3sUcLwWTjBJdjfOl4RLn2SAE4fxRwQzdtfE3iR_NMxNwmFEM49Dfwsyc8-Po_EjvfRa3SINo5IvkeQmCoZc3-WtLm9VYZW5K0VSJIT1-Q3IeuxwAXdwKMHEpTrpjznF4CszgLT2W4Uzx4KdlfIrVwGDeFekQ/w640-h426/AK1I7858-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An even tighter crop makes it a bit more obvious. Every characteristic of this species is perfectly adapted to wetlands, cattails, and mud.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0fR8gc9E_DeiGZ5Qx6nXaIEyavAidhiDW9aFvcDASq6cWawLUNys1-0_7pRvac2hRsiC-TS7SAxgVZM1tdOvnACIapuKxrS2g6yZdPRUZ_TmHvABzFqI9-6XG7GlWyCmeQo3_XPZC_-882bBsnO_LVkGnYCJvEMObg24kigc0pCtiSA9BWZ4yPaHvQ/s2790/EB2R4912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2790" data-original-width="1860" height="903" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0fR8gc9E_DeiGZ5Qx6nXaIEyavAidhiDW9aFvcDASq6cWawLUNys1-0_7pRvac2hRsiC-TS7SAxgVZM1tdOvnACIapuKxrS2g6yZdPRUZ_TmHvABzFqI9-6XG7GlWyCmeQo3_XPZC_-882bBsnO_LVkGnYCJvEMObg24kigc0pCtiSA9BWZ4yPaHvQ/w601-h903/EB2R4912.jpg" width="601" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Previously, in 2017, I caught my first identifiable photo. This occurred while I was paddling near the Union Bay Natural Area. I remember being in my kayak and watching two raccoons searching for food along the shoreline. Suddenly, I realized that if I positioned myself ahead of the raccoons, they might flush smaller creatures out of the cattails. Much to my surprise, it worked.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8dZu1aX9l8ApyOf-qAfywFAx4Gk3yJ75P87Lue23OfHJ-fkjtMLWJMcnq_Qcz5HFdeCB0IeQoKTvJ3b7lwPeXa8bR5souzao2keNGJ7gAb_v4dGqV2GFzTKRSTysYZukPQGPztwgZYNCZmAG4lWsNePMZexEAnu2TNe1cGW-drx2XgU__NDo7z1DFQ/s1751/20220726-AK1I7231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="1751" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8dZu1aX9l8ApyOf-qAfywFAx4Gk3yJ75P87Lue23OfHJ-fkjtMLWJMcnq_Qcz5HFdeCB0IeQoKTvJ3b7lwPeXa8bR5souzao2keNGJ7gAb_v4dGqV2GFzTKRSTysYZukPQGPztwgZYNCZmAG4lWsNePMZexEAnu2TNe1cGW-drx2XgU__NDo7z1DFQ/w640-h426/20220726-AK1I7231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last year, I was west of the UBNA when one of the same species flew up out of the cattails. I felt lucky to catch a single backlit photo. I mention these two instances to communicate how incredibly lucky I feel to supplement such meager accomplishments with the following photos.</div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4J39eKYss3dNnXi7XFvKIwmrgA0Lf0fRFQ6-O8-49SaNwP4jC3lvr0op3-UhB_ofXSA5Llp4Px6UjA5xvaHYeeqJ6Ff_NtKVB2ryUkwpRXV2-PcC257C4WBSwkwUmFLhaf1KWcMjoTO9MmGiBdW4IFnUkPEBNj6s_g1jQ3txrHw2izSay32Y1PKKfsA/s1849/20230718-AK1I7334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1849" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4J39eKYss3dNnXi7XFvKIwmrgA0Lf0fRFQ6-O8-49SaNwP4jC3lvr0op3-UhB_ofXSA5Llp4Px6UjA5xvaHYeeqJ6Ff_NtKVB2ryUkwpRXV2-PcC257C4WBSwkwUmFLhaf1KWcMjoTO9MmGiBdW4IFnUkPEBNj6s_g1jQ3txrHw2izSay32Y1PKKfsA/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carlos kindly pointed out the Virginia Rails. Occasionally, one would come out into the sunlight and behave as if oblivious to our presence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8ON3t1u08iWyRvvot2YBsN_7EaANz7rnsOQGl5CIyun8_IHv3mI7ebdWO_lcdel-MhRitqhJtB8BVvgyk0WtCPBfP0e1yyWFRP5OZ5KU63z0yqAl3q84Vcpw9dkiHlgU3ezDg20NtKnczR7bB1yw2128XOQCjHJP0IQAXVSjkAhBPG-8ilQZuKhPnA/s1296/20230718-AK1I7337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1296" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8ON3t1u08iWyRvvot2YBsN_7EaANz7rnsOQGl5CIyun8_IHv3mI7ebdWO_lcdel-MhRitqhJtB8BVvgyk0WtCPBfP0e1yyWFRP5OZ5KU63z0yqAl3q84Vcpw9dkiHlgU3ezDg20NtKnczR7bB1yw2128XOQCjHJP0IQAXVSjkAhBPG-8ilQZuKhPnA/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This bird was hunting for food.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxSzE2dBNgcAl2zvHDJ0a7iVFMVfpJuHYHBRAJ9Gud1dXVX3NII9_1Xvc-Vx-vcSVsawLRmZn2X0mEidnpgE96tP4HW4o-7ahFCK_MKCepq032VuD3GMikDQvJCy-a56BNGRQKgFk1n4YFvXC83zB68n4DEh-LRe5hfJnyOjYUpsaxXvKKdwp2u6IrQ/s1572/20230718-AK1I7382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1572" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxSzE2dBNgcAl2zvHDJ0a7iVFMVfpJuHYHBRAJ9Gud1dXVX3NII9_1Xvc-Vx-vcSVsawLRmZn2X0mEidnpgE96tP4HW4o-7ahFCK_MKCepq032VuD3GMikDQvJCy-a56BNGRQKgFk1n4YFvXC83zB68n4DEh-LRe5hfJnyOjYUpsaxXvKKdwp2u6IrQ/w640-h428/20230718-AK1I7382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The long bill is used to probe in the mud for grubs and other sources of nutrition.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFg6SzovT5yUqB-5zewvII1so7zlYRttMyEOThNEMDO8l8eGplnsaZNFnr0XZHQyKT0lFb9nyD5bL3rLNuykCs5KLvQBx0KsPfVlX7YiSARIsE2C5TdC8XI6hMgNcWmHl13cQBRyWRd_gyF0REZvGcx8Wj6VoWB43BLKHfJ6Jnq3ajKM8cgnm9ppGjUg/s2116/20230718-AK1I7388.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="2116" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFg6SzovT5yUqB-5zewvII1so7zlYRttMyEOThNEMDO8l8eGplnsaZNFnr0XZHQyKT0lFb9nyD5bL3rLNuykCs5KLvQBx0KsPfVlX7YiSARIsE2C5TdC8XI6hMgNcWmHl13cQBRyWRd_gyF0REZvGcx8Wj6VoWB43BLKHfJ6Jnq3ajKM8cgnm9ppGjUg/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7388.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">At least once, it flapped its wings. Maybe it was trying to scare some small aquatic creature into moving and revealing its location.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSacFBnfY4JpTd7kf7uN5xKq0agarAZErfeGcjnYRC9ZA8uSdeNsIFSrXkzwevedzgwdlx4Z6pRLGFWxrhMdaCypQGSH2ooRXYjQdpNIqAaDdx4HVOR7e5xRz4tRBgw2oe2sjWsgHC9BYN4Mf0W-2QPjDvt6t_LMWqE1Lp74f6of7JPueUC5WA_oYow/s3645/20230718-AK1I7767.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2435" data-original-width="3645" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSacFBnfY4JpTd7kf7uN5xKq0agarAZErfeGcjnYRC9ZA8uSdeNsIFSrXkzwevedzgwdlx4Z6pRLGFWxrhMdaCypQGSH2ooRXYjQdpNIqAaDdx4HVOR7e5xRz4tRBgw2oe2sjWsgHC9BYN4Mf0W-2QPjDvt6t_LMWqE1Lp74f6of7JPueUC5WA_oYow/w640-h428/20230718-AK1I7767.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later, a more complete exposure of the wings turned out to be a prelude to running.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unlike ducks, who have webbed feet, Virginia Rails have long skinny, individual toes. I suspect this enables them to minimize the width of their foot when moving through the narrow vertical openings between cattails. Notice how surprisingly slender the bird's left foot looks. I suspect it is the very wide spread of the long skinny toes that keeps the bird from getting stuck in the mud.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7KA3AgAgCYCLYEO38-LQc7RqrZclFGBIP6WL4reM8GpEXWkcSGxkfssXMJb5kmKDlD0AYFjsAnf6Mp3C_zKhoOErXkP8kVD-5ygHcF_W4Ef5De6X8-SRgP7kwmTz0eccM6uBq7dEqSeMndYTqb-OgxmAQ7KnZ2HAmsG-3sWlvZNVk99-3BcNWTH9bw/s2165/20230718-AK1I7775.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1443" data-original-width="2165" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7KA3AgAgCYCLYEO38-LQc7RqrZclFGBIP6WL4reM8GpEXWkcSGxkfssXMJb5kmKDlD0AYFjsAnf6Mp3C_zKhoOErXkP8kVD-5ygHcF_W4Ef5De6X8-SRgP7kwmTz0eccM6uBq7dEqSeMndYTqb-OgxmAQ7KnZ2HAmsG-3sWlvZNVk99-3BcNWTH9bw/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7775.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When the bird began running it was surprisingly quick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the way, the literature says, their wings can be used for underwater propulsion as well as for flight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bJEnXtbe4838CnsYFnvPhAe3U-00kuNK-p9a_MabMgndDx0VhklL55XuR5eOMvKbOL6IiToC2Wq7DhR3jVTO5_YAJHD1RjbJZY8yLFHjPRmipDBceTHFST2te7vNA_pYgEJ9eV5D5oZJWVlBnLhLutulfLPCxRAj9jku7dKvrYqmpAk8XSuu2tyGTQ/s1872/20230718-AK1I7353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1872" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bJEnXtbe4838CnsYFnvPhAe3U-00kuNK-p9a_MabMgndDx0VhklL55XuR5eOMvKbOL6IiToC2Wq7DhR3jVTO5_YAJHD1RjbJZY8yLFHjPRmipDBceTHFST2te7vNA_pYgEJ9eV5D5oZJWVlBnLhLutulfLPCxRAj9jku7dKvrYqmpAk8XSuu2tyGTQ/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In addition to their narrow feet the Virginia Rails have exceptionally narrow bodies, relative to their overall size. The old saying, "Narrow as a rail", was inspired by birds of this genus. They are also said to have particularly durable feathers on the front of their heads. Which must help protect their foreheads as they push their way through the cattails. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Awyu4ekGeXqBuku2Vd6bZ2VJ0KIKcj3hAM_vNVZQJQCz9nRydMRG_XWkALsOkC_MZqGCbhhhK6MlOEO3gs3Is9rU24QVTfyyQC9Fc7lMpfXAo7FXj7Q5kwfz_jnfSYFrpKHdTs_23wutmZCkNZK3SWSheb5RgVHg6H3ShSziV-DAp8IxtENx3nsPVw/s822/20230718-AK1I7743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="822" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Awyu4ekGeXqBuku2Vd6bZ2VJ0KIKcj3hAM_vNVZQJQCz9nRydMRG_XWkALsOkC_MZqGCbhhhK6MlOEO3gs3Is9rU24QVTfyyQC9Fc7lMpfXAo7FXj7Q5kwfz_jnfSYFrpKHdTs_23wutmZCkNZK3SWSheb5RgVHg6H3ShSziV-DAp8IxtENx3nsPVw/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We saw at least four different Virginia Rails. This one might have been the youngest of all. When they are very young the chicks are mostly black. The overall darkness of this bird makes me suspect this is a hatch-year bird.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVLlpQZhoCdr3TBVz7nYsEZLurKZ_Uxk432WgPl_9Ss6cLM6xQyWTdpep_Qxr997-9K0TmdTD3DnZR_9_elqSw0wxVUCPstLX1i_L3qR7dUoWgALDBZKBOMItJVOMbiGGR5HfHKi6Fz0gVmd7yxO_CFk9ccBMyZj5D-uwWQeZ7FTqyLPToCZ8GvJsLA/s1796/20230718-AK1I7490.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1796" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVLlpQZhoCdr3TBVz7nYsEZLurKZ_Uxk432WgPl_9Ss6cLM6xQyWTdpep_Qxr997-9K0TmdTD3DnZR_9_elqSw0wxVUCPstLX1i_L3qR7dUoWgALDBZKBOMItJVOMbiGGR5HfHKi6Fz0gVmd7yxO_CFk9ccBMyZj5D-uwWQeZ7FTqyLPToCZ8GvJsLA/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7490.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The following photos may be the least picturesque, but I find them the most interesting. They show interactions between two of the birds. Here, one bird is preening its feathers and the second bird lowers its head and is apparently wanting some allopreening, which is when one bird preens another.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeucQWre0o9CKE0rRiRT8kP3GZeD-ztSSLY9nyRT9P0o6nQJ-dCQppOGZg4ZU1hVysa5IyWzPGsUjAyxnbCMb-Maa2UlPCSJB-dyGRY2eLdDsw7yNPUvsDTRfE69zsVkkALDmaSPCmSy7UnXUkwJb05CYMvMu1LL_xwXI2h31-89LDkgTK6RNleb1IA/s1658/20230718-AK1I7494.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1658" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeucQWre0o9CKE0rRiRT8kP3GZeD-ztSSLY9nyRT9P0o6nQJ-dCQppOGZg4ZU1hVysa5IyWzPGsUjAyxnbCMb-Maa2UlPCSJB-dyGRY2eLdDsw7yNPUvsDTRfE69zsVkkALDmaSPCmSy7UnXUkwJb05CYMvMu1LL_xwXI2h31-89LDkgTK6RNleb1IA/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7494.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A moment later the second bird apparently decided the best method of requesting was to demonstrate by preening the other bird. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AB9qr6v-gqabQKjCpXqeYtFWBMb3gOKSW9ah_maUgFLt-60P0LonUuQU1Gvyh2T5Vu4TdXwRffJV26pPsKvsDITAmYLFp4WhHBN4g5FDffD73iWtY61_aWP0FDGfO8pEbfqYHjdVTgB9xn8qtd8VOzfJnHAbbWQvg2Qyb8U-n5ACL6g75BCOUBo4qg/s1571/20230718-AK1I7513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1571" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AB9qr6v-gqabQKjCpXqeYtFWBMb3gOKSW9ah_maUgFLt-60P0LonUuQU1Gvyh2T5Vu4TdXwRffJV26pPsKvsDITAmYLFp4WhHBN4g5FDffD73iWtY61_aWP0FDGfO8pEbfqYHjdVTgB9xn8qtd8VOzfJnHAbbWQvg2Qyb8U-n5ACL6g75BCOUBo4qg/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7513.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are places, under the chin for instance, where the Rails must find it difficult to reach with their long bills. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWlaQuUDteU_Q74tJIKsrw3p_YtNXwqKpTgY4p0UGNt_XRrum2nNQRv6OxWy_xlTu5pCFkB_g6WciQwU3Ee6d5zt4wujemJs4nW-NF0lNFhWCkCAQx8BRfTmI0a2oF_NbkRS89nQwNEX4fQ9-JRM3eSeL70xGCBzIcGnQMsh-OAtgZdb66J0kGRPF8Q/s2038/20230718-AK1I7553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="2038" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWlaQuUDteU_Q74tJIKsrw3p_YtNXwqKpTgY4p0UGNt_XRrum2nNQRv6OxWy_xlTu5pCFkB_g6WciQwU3Ee6d5zt4wujemJs4nW-NF0lNFhWCkCAQx8BRfTmI0a2oF_NbkRS89nQwNEX4fQ9-JRM3eSeL70xGCBzIcGnQMsh-OAtgZdb66J0kGRPF8Q/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having scratched its partner's itch the bird on the right once again lowered its head, as if saying please.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnKz8VUip2xAG6ULmjKfB2tYFfH3iGbbX_MdCcuBfZYMZHTW1e--uKy0mZCfWAtwkGWm7U_4EbRyuS7TGpD9uRTlLMVvG0F233cUSLIVGnyD8O3zm66YAoAQDXBHoohZl7AW3D9fiqmhGcToP8f5tNt_VbGYtQVQvqwz5MISGoNYdRfyLcvxZolYeZA/s1737/20230718-AK1I7560.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1737" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnKz8VUip2xAG6ULmjKfB2tYFfH3iGbbX_MdCcuBfZYMZHTW1e--uKy0mZCfWAtwkGWm7U_4EbRyuS7TGpD9uRTlLMVvG0F233cUSLIVGnyD8O3zm66YAoAQDXBHoohZl7AW3D9fiqmhGcToP8f5tNt_VbGYtQVQvqwz5MISGoNYdRfyLcvxZolYeZA/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7560.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luckily, quid pro quo was the order of the day. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4swRwVXm3v_U2-JKkRnY5c3snMinDtWjk5ffrw9fKWRUV7cVacCSzZoe2_HSrmrtc15V0imRgcxytixgFZCXbXKiJLg88jnUaiF62iVG9gFOOl1OBxfdaG-bSTkoSMInT8k63Qv0mWtu7KosXrJGuj-SQdGmtzXZqQRnXozPdQVy45IYXo_7PmLIlyQ/s1556/20230718-AK1I7593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1556" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4swRwVXm3v_U2-JKkRnY5c3snMinDtWjk5ffrw9fKWRUV7cVacCSzZoe2_HSrmrtc15V0imRgcxytixgFZCXbXKiJLg88jnUaiF62iVG9gFOOl1OBxfdaG-bSTkoSMInT8k63Qv0mWtu7KosXrJGuj-SQdGmtzXZqQRnXozPdQVy45IYXo_7PmLIlyQ/w640-h426/20230718-AK1I7593.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am always reassured when I see "civilized behaviors" among other life forms. We, humans, have certainly not cornered the market on kindness.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM106wuQ0wxWbDL-QhrsOoA1BvSYTOt95RYZqfO8IzMu-j-RYvOcXTBoRhtJZ_fVSTOU2QsJD_lbFPXnMfHh_icyHB6YbS1ZQL-GCRO-G-8qfgZpQoZkmuB7CsCSwsj0nW2VNYyCVEd17sIuQAgcii8Z6t6PyX3OAta5CIlwIb1u5zSoo7nUqIDKQ2A/s1805/20230718-AK1I7625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1805" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM106wuQ0wxWbDL-QhrsOoA1BvSYTOt95RYZqfO8IzMu-j-RYvOcXTBoRhtJZ_fVSTOU2QsJD_lbFPXnMfHh_icyHB6YbS1ZQL-GCRO-G-8qfgZpQoZkmuB7CsCSwsj0nW2VNYyCVEd17sIuQAgcii8Z6t6PyX3OAta5CIlwIb1u5zSoo7nUqIDKQ2A/w640-h428/20230718-AK1I7625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you doubt my interpretation of the Rail's behaviors I suspect this photo should remove your doubts. I cannot think of any other motivation for the the bird on the left to completely expose its throat. What else could it have been doing, other than, asking for a scratch under the chin?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeD0xHGr0mzaq_eFJg7hksCISA6Khs9lth03uMTsqv27Cf6PTd9jdLulrBUEJQcnb3bKLgbhGTNvv6e9Rr5SPCW0V8rVCa7I2LssZ0B2PnHsJZlLyzXqFraoLaad546EHMqo1CLKadCNcCrNbAVLYPFAFEsAxMpIGKoy8JtdgzOBNfNKSevitAgaejaQ/s1830/20230718-AK1I7629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1830" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeD0xHGr0mzaq_eFJg7hksCISA6Khs9lth03uMTsqv27Cf6PTd9jdLulrBUEJQcnb3bKLgbhGTNvv6e9Rr5SPCW0V8rVCa7I2LssZ0B2PnHsJZlLyzXqFraoLaad546EHMqo1CLKadCNcCrNbAVLYPFAFEsAxMpIGKoy8JtdgzOBNfNKSevitAgaejaQ/w640-h428/20230718-AK1I7629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clearly there was an exceptional level of trust between these two birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZsszmw58O0a596abUsNRCwCuTG9a4y3GQmPrm41d5-7S36FjAH-ngP-U73LfT3RPAgj97tN-JqCKNU0GEl4dvX3p3Ky948O3AYvngo2TcBHSPvC24wCaW3mLw7s9vIYCvXZnyRwbaOmeLMmEqlYb3fv5pEal0AkezlJzcki4zAJDB-9TZ63sQjJyrA/s1871/20230718-AK1I7702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1871" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZsszmw58O0a596abUsNRCwCuTG9a4y3GQmPrm41d5-7S36FjAH-ngP-U73LfT3RPAgj97tN-JqCKNU0GEl4dvX3p3Ky948O3AYvngo2TcBHSPvC24wCaW3mLw7s9vIYCvXZnyRwbaOmeLMmEqlYb3fv5pEal0AkezlJzcki4zAJDB-9TZ63sQjJyrA/w640-h428/20230718-AK1I7702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I suspect the two are a mated pair. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the past, wetlands where these birds survive and reproduce were often considered a waste of good land. Sometimes, they were drained for pasture land, or to grow crops, In Seattle, the Union Bay Natural Area was used as a city dump. To the south of Deer Lagoon waterfront homes along the beach and there are more on the hill to the north. Today, much of <a href="https://www.whidbeyaudubonsociety.org/deer-lagoon" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Deer Lagoon</span></a> is a partially protected sanctuary for waterfowl and other species. However, there are still some portions of this wonderful wetland that could be purchased and protected.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Carlos sent me the following thoughts that you might want to keep in mind if you choose to visit:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">"</span><i><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Deer Lagoon Preserve is an</span> <a href="https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Important Bird Area</span></a> <span style="color: #9fc5e8;">(IBA).</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Over 200 species of birds have been recorded at the Preserve.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">It is a sensitive birding area, critical migration stopover, unique habitat and a Whidbey gem.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Dogs are required to be on a leash at all times and waste picked up.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Please respect the surrounding private property.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">With the continued stewardship to preserve and protect the lagoon, which still needs additional protections, a quick email to</span> <a href="https://www.islandcountywa.gov/227/Meet-the-Commissioners" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Island County Commissioners </span></a><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">regarding the importance of actively protecting and preserving the area is </span></i><i><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">appreciated."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>********************</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Help the Union Bay Birds:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you enjoy wetlands, and the incredible variety birds that call them home, you may want to join Sarah Phillips and a team of kayaking volunteers as they clean up the marshlands in Union Bay. It will be fun to join a group of like-minded folks on the water and you never know, you might even see a Virginia Rail.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">September 10th: <a class="" href="https://pugetsoundkeeper.org/event/icc-union-bay-2023/" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">https://pugetsoundkeeper.org/event/icc-union-bay-2023/</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">September 24th: <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><a class="" href="https://pugetsoundkeeper.org/event/icc-union-bay-2023-2/" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">https://pugetsoundkeeper.org/event/icc-union-bay-2023-2/</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>********************</i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2 class="Heading Heading--h4" style="-webkit-box-align: baseline; align-items: baseline; box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 0.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Recommended Citation</span></h2><cite class="u-text-2-loose" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 0.75rem; font-style: normal; line-height: 1.6666; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Conway, C. J. (2020). <span class="notranslate" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Virginia Rail</span> (<em class="sciname notranslate" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Rallus limicola</em>), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. </span><a href="https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.virrai.01" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #0070b3; text-decoration: none;">https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.virrai.01</a></cite></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p style="font-family: arial;">Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p style="font-family: arial;">Note: Pollinators are also included as Keystone Plants.</p><p style="font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><b>This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:</b></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard:</b> </p><p style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><b>Additional content available here:</b></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</span></a></span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Both of these species of Lily Pads can be found on Union Bay. One is a native plant and one is not. Do you know which is which?</div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">A. <span style="text-align: center;">Nymphaea odorata</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEhEe2apZezGbikaBbbRFIPluN6CEcMH7EXNTFyxugFF0I9UUO_FaBEPeb56u40-950dLpNjc4aKVSYnj-T1JMfitHieX53MRJe9qLGfdOD4n8An3mvidIcaE84ZtHyjVcvPVQu2aydrpAHcRc5Vm5FnXypZ8P_WUeH4gb7j0gK5Sp9mj9xl7xiidXg/s2782/20230817-AK1I9381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2782" data-original-width="1855" height="714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEhEe2apZezGbikaBbbRFIPluN6CEcMH7EXNTFyxugFF0I9UUO_FaBEPeb56u40-950dLpNjc4aKVSYnj-T1JMfitHieX53MRJe9qLGfdOD4n8An3mvidIcaE84ZtHyjVcvPVQu2aydrpAHcRc5Vm5FnXypZ8P_WUeH4gb7j0gK5Sp9mj9xl7xiidXg/w475-h714/20230817-AK1I9381.jpg" width="475" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;">This lily has rounded leaves to go with its white flower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">B. <span style="text-align: center;">Nuphar polysepalam</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBhdkgxHBztommHxUAt0Q8z1DggPD5oR07SH24QYumVyqQZRT8gcsxrt-h2TDylyMrNLuEt1TEwB2a1hkFVmq3plfWvTaRBrm0-SXywLTLj3XuQ5byg36qrO98cqrnkSfM5q5m1RB2iqmV7FFjA8Bb6SZcU0M98sursEOFZD233T_cXt6pBzWnaFdNg/s3052/20230818-IMG_8571.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3052" data-original-width="2289" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBhdkgxHBztommHxUAt0Q8z1DggPD5oR07SH24QYumVyqQZRT8gcsxrt-h2TDylyMrNLuEt1TEwB2a1hkFVmq3plfWvTaRBrm0-SXywLTLj3XuQ5byg36qrO98cqrnkSfM5q5m1RB2iqmV7FFjA8Bb6SZcU0M98sursEOFZD233T_cXt6pBzWnaFdNg/w480-h640/20230818-IMG_8571.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;">This lily has heart-shaped leaves to go with its yellow flower.</div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/fragrant-water-lily" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Fragrant Waterlily, Nymphaea odorata</span></a>:</b> This non-native lily is considered a Class C weed by the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board. It is by far the most common Lily on Union Bay.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.wnps.org/native-plant-directory/171-nuphar-polysepala" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Yellow Pond Lily, Nuphar polysepalam</span></a>: </b>This native Lily still occurs on Union Bay but only in relatively small clumps. There is a patch south of East Point (which is at the southeast portion of the Union Bay Natural Area), there are a couple of clumps southeast of the Conibear Rowing Center, and a clump northeast of Duck Bay on the south side of Union Bay.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div></span></span><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br style="font-family: -webkit-standard;" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-79033728639607126742023-07-28T10:08:00.005-07:002023-07-28T15:16:48.762-07:00Bi?Bəda?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_1apRZKcNI5k0TYGsXmF9Y2rJpU6vO5oVzh8s25aEvxaBsyReVVRIJMatATk-nQQtJNfon5ajRdA2vDhsF_UInVhGTezp_J9kKazCUeiuD_gQAF9ZEnZUaJ9yZXJAQ_k6Y2uTcIkjLlDt1gM63mzDupysCSuXi_ahqomXoFgfncJfBixc596o4kLoA/s4521/20230726-AK1I8866.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4521" data-original-width="3014" height="943" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_1apRZKcNI5k0TYGsXmF9Y2rJpU6vO5oVzh8s25aEvxaBsyReVVRIJMatATk-nQQtJNfon5ajRdA2vDhsF_UInVhGTezp_J9kKazCUeiuD_gQAF9ZEnZUaJ9yZXJAQ_k6Y2uTcIkjLlDt1gM63mzDupysCSuXi_ahqomXoFgfncJfBixc596o4kLoA/w628-h943/20230726-AK1I8866.jpg" width="628" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Wednesday morning, Monty and Marsha's young eaglet/fledgling was begging for food every forty-five seconds, on average. In my mind, the constant begging indicates the bird is hungry, However, it also implies that it has been eating and is healthy enough to have the strength to be constantly calling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZtKUnwVHm1I-FbPoaCf8gwCXh3d5B6yd0rLSb3WwSp-Fqi8irlvYXxXIw2DjKUc9rT3N9TPoUTxPGscNP_238QpTmGPd63NutQUOfH7WdHqNEMAAvRlbeq_pT697UiWjuxJxgePmbb7aBWc9Qywd_hZTIdQLN0Q4s-Uysn1DdHwS82b6TYtWCaQkYA/s4030/20230722-AK1I8394.jpg" style="clear: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2687" data-original-width="4030" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZtKUnwVHm1I-FbPoaCf8gwCXh3d5B6yd0rLSb3WwSp-Fqi8irlvYXxXIw2DjKUc9rT3N9TPoUTxPGscNP_238QpTmGPd63NutQUOfH7WdHqNEMAAvRlbeq_pT697UiWjuxJxgePmbb7aBWc9Qywd_hZTIdQLN0Q4s-Uysn1DdHwS82b6TYtWCaQkYA/w640-h426/20230722-AK1I8394.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last week, the eaglet did not leave the nest. The nest left it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Unless you have a very clear memory, it can be hard to pick out the spot where something no longer exists. The following photo, from April, should help.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My most sincere thanks to all of you who let me know the nest was gone, especially since, I was out of town at the time. Thanks to Kris, Martin, Ronda, Marina, Susan, Sue, Anthony, and Jain! (If I have overlooked anyone else please forgive me.) It is wonderful to realize how much everyone cares about Monty and Marsha and how they, and their offspring, have become </span><span style="font-family: arial;">part of our community.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> A very s</span><span style="font-family: arial;">pecial Thank You to Martin, Ronda, and Kris who have been very invested and have provided multiple updates and observations regarding the local Bald Eagles!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">********</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Breaking News - Nearby Eagles</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ronda would like everyone to know that Talia and Russ, the Bald Eagles that nest northeast of Yesler Swamp, have successful raised three fledglings this year. They are all, Victoria, Vivian and Vernon, on the wing and doing well! Thank you! Ronda.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard">********</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0e6hpcZKI6klQf0DUlBjrH40TYHrJ9Q5acjMbHqds2Zmsk8zDOT0QmY4hR9KchSezRbNEJdyVeH93giMLPo15S4KTByx4JP8YhP8abzzKJprbZHLUnbXUzARyvM8MsLRIAZj7cT4A0n1OrU7tV8C6G1S4Vd7bA7_i_KFjDp8e9hBXycyfh4yjjrCzg/s5472/20230413-AK1I0967.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0e6hpcZKI6klQf0DUlBjrH40TYHrJ9Q5acjMbHqds2Zmsk8zDOT0QmY4hR9KchSezRbNEJdyVeH93giMLPo15S4KTByx4JP8YhP8abzzKJprbZHLUnbXUzARyvM8MsLRIAZj7cT4A0n1OrU7tV8C6G1S4Vd7bA7_i_KFjDp8e9hBXycyfh4yjjrCzg/w640-h426/20230413-AK1I0967.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is virtually the identical perspective, as in the previous photo, but it was taken in the second week of April. The nest was impressive, especially when you think that Monty and Marsha selected and individually removed each cottonwood branch </span><span style="font-family: arial;">from nearby</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> trees</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. One at a time, they flew them back </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to the nest. Essentially, the nest represents hundreds of flights and many, many hours of work.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the way, in this photo, Monty is standing on Marsha's back. I suspect he was trying to persuade her that additional mating was needed to properly utilize the nest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpjBYO-nJmNxnqNKSA2dRIxAwzmM0Se1JwlSnTSSNg0BWVOh9GJqtIuYY-Waca6qMgSg0z2ouzUObg9h_gI6FSLQNiJmS60M88c9qw0-sOU3rYb-VpcPCwDdT2YP9Z6m-nToJxsMJ0utopi3q8Uc1VB05rzgf9AgtbUpohIZC5kBdXra7MINMCedC0w/s2655/20230413-AK1I0981-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="1768" height="946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpjBYO-nJmNxnqNKSA2dRIxAwzmM0Se1JwlSnTSSNg0BWVOh9GJqtIuYY-Waca6qMgSg0z2ouzUObg9h_gI6FSLQNiJmS60M88c9qw0-sOU3rYb-VpcPCwDdT2YP9Z6m-nToJxsMJ0utopi3q8Uc1VB05rzgf9AgtbUpohIZC5kBdXra7MINMCedC0w/w630-h946/20230413-AK1I0981-2.jpg" width="630" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Moments later, Monty flew over and landed on the short, broken branch, that gave way when a previous version of the nest fell. This is the same broken branch that is nakedly apparent in the missing nest photo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This fork in the tree has only two major branches. As a result, the nest looks like a saddle without </span><span style="font-family: arial;">a cinch (or without </span><span style="font-family: arial;">a third major support) to help hold it in place. Curiously, Monty and Marsha keep coming back to this tree and as close as possible to the same site. Sadly, their nests keep falling. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">************</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The posts below provide some history about Monty and Marsha, and their first fallen nest:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2018/04/new-neighbors.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">New Neighbors</span></a></span></li></ul><ul><li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2018/07/eaglet-troubles.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Eaglet Troubles</span></a></span></span></li></ul><ul><li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #93c47d;"><a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2018/08/lucy-leaves-home.html"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: arial;">Lucy Leaves Home</span></a></span></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">************</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This nest location does have an excellent view of Union Bay and Montlake Cut but it sure seems like the larger cottonwood, immediately south of this one, might be structurally superior. We will just have to wait and watch to see when and where they build next year's nest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My understanding is this nest fell a week ago Tuesday. The next day, the young one was seen sitting in the fork where the nest had been. By Thursday, he or she was no longer at the nest site (Thank you, Martin). Kris saw it on the ground on Thursday and then safely up in a tree on Friday. Early on Saturday morning, Marina saw it back on the ground. When I arrived I searched the cottonwood grove around the nest extensively but could not find it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV55jAS086WMnnb41DLRvkj7Yr3wjuX8XYyUIUvqICZC7tHJO4GBeAa__kav3TXQwNrKwIpU2mzvliTWS4xjRg8pHnC22d6gts1sP8oAvbonzzuzORXJ4XzJN-kVu3UiSP0zfdlldFR3n9_T7EK-JZMm_OWCV_NGzogDzYem_3VVzAS9k9wZ_ZX9qOA/s2597/20230722-AK1I8337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1731" data-original-width="2597" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV55jAS086WMnnb41DLRvkj7Yr3wjuX8XYyUIUvqICZC7tHJO4GBeAa__kav3TXQwNrKwIpU2mzvliTWS4xjRg8pHnC22d6gts1sP8oAvbonzzuzORXJ4XzJN-kVu3UiSP0zfdlldFR3n9_T7EK-JZMm_OWCV_NGzogDzYem_3VVzAS9k9wZ_ZX9qOA/w640-h426/20230722-AK1I8337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I did find the parents on top of an old world Cedar tree just southwest of the nest tree. I was just about to give up and head home when I happened to glance at a house across the street.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsY5_HyUEyVC1_ifwoQeH5_XeUJL33BaZMBdV9I5upQFzbIw8TZ3F9xa3qQCtu7jj_XPH-ItSriz9T7PITa9DymC2hZvKJUipVTu6sH_qtraci2dxzYVZbR_AgGyhKHbUGSn_SFXWbWl5k-Hw4_2tIevM2-NktUy9Unygp4Vhha-CAYKMXC1EwJuvfeQ/s4111/20230722-AK1I8379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4111" data-original-width="2741" height="837" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsY5_HyUEyVC1_ifwoQeH5_XeUJL33BaZMBdV9I5upQFzbIw8TZ3F9xa3qQCtu7jj_XPH-ItSriz9T7PITa9DymC2hZvKJUipVTu6sH_qtraci2dxzYVZbR_AgGyhKHbUGSn_SFXWbWl5k-Hw4_2tIevM2-NktUy9Unygp4Vhha-CAYKMXC1EwJuvfeQ/w557-h837/20230722-AK1I8379.jpg" width="557" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was stunned to find the young one sitting on the chimney. I don't remember ever seeing Monty or Marsha, or one of their previous young, on a chimney or even a house. It reinforces the idea that as generations of birds live in the city they may become progressively more at ease with humans and the built environment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The parents could easily see the young one from their perches in the Cedar tree. He or she was perfectly silent while I watched. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I interpreted this as good news. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I suspect, it had just been fed, which would explain its unusual silence with the parents nearby. Being perched high in the air reinforced the idea that the young bird could fly. Plus, it implied that its wings were functional and unharmed. Finally, the quiet presence of Monty and Marsha suggested that they fully accepted that this is their offspring, even though it was no longer in the nest, and that most likely they will continue executing their parental duties i.e. feeding and looking after it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqkSAvAngfqvAowO5K1lF5JM2L9wnCWXUsn3NUFE-ciDnfoO66RwKPXH2jITfGBB1LzsgG9AL-aYQ-3SHsotwTcJ7YtxtlUiLsl6OlJixi_Yb4KPSQYRViN6SsgpHD7IiwLEMGg5d5fNND2OojyGHLv2gUXEYPY7Uvoaf9Fxcb0BCnoeRRrGDcz2yKg/s2973/20230723-AK1I8658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2973" data-original-width="1983" height="920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqkSAvAngfqvAowO5K1lF5JM2L9wnCWXUsn3NUFE-ciDnfoO66RwKPXH2jITfGBB1LzsgG9AL-aYQ-3SHsotwTcJ7YtxtlUiLsl6OlJixi_Yb4KPSQYRViN6SsgpHD7IiwLEMGg5d5fNND2OojyGHLv2gUXEYPY7Uvoaf9Fxcb0BCnoeRRrGDcz2yKg/w612-h920/20230723-AK1I8658.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Sunday, between Martin and I, we watched the young one all afternoon. </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Martin found it on the east side of the cottonwood grove and it stayed in basically the same small area the whole time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8MU9rAZbMyHSINqOQ85kvpS3vXTVBXb53TGaH_fEZ8FxLU9xUUU_GdTpWPvW6ZvcroBFe68YYwtXx9nlv-4Wq3oCzyjTRrZtLksUhRl6IU1qe4oLnsfB3nHlBhCCa7nLOWR3ieiWJC22uEyTxAbwNczCO55SKU_Iia3eJK84rcdN0MmvxMptL2Gs2A/s1770/20230723-AK1I8657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1770" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8MU9rAZbMyHSINqOQ85kvpS3vXTVBXb53TGaH_fEZ8FxLU9xUUU_GdTpWPvW6ZvcroBFe68YYwtXx9nlv-4Wq3oCzyjTRrZtLksUhRl6IU1qe4oLnsfB3nHlBhCCa7nLOWR3ieiWJC22uEyTxAbwNczCO55SKU_Iia3eJK84rcdN0MmvxMptL2Gs2A/w640-h426/20230723-AK1I8657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our best guess is the young one is just under three months old. At this point, it is or will most likely soon be larger than its parents. As this photo shows, it is fully equipped physically, with an adult-sized beak and talons. It has the tools, but has not yet developed the confidence and skill to secure its own food.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Notice the closed eyelid that is protecting the eye while the talons are nearby. I believe this is the nictitating membrane as opposed to the outer eyelid that matches its nearby feathers. The outer eyelid is partially visible in the last photo at the end of this post.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-OwvamXh3XwtLHiZXHWxmy6TpLTI-KW-UmM_v3ydIYlFiJH2ZCCSvZKNM7GTOmn53qzihwkvLU0mrOe8HFPMBL5vA9GgxkBZmOeHe9LFjOpnGC_bJhGU135dqilvjZK07O6il61Ny_IsvKyrG2g0yJYY0Efh488SDWSokY0MNCWEkraZQSRMcv7-8w/s3388/20230723-AK1I8653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3388" data-original-width="2259" height="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-OwvamXh3XwtLHiZXHWxmy6TpLTI-KW-UmM_v3ydIYlFiJH2ZCCSvZKNM7GTOmn53qzihwkvLU0mrOe8HFPMBL5vA9GgxkBZmOeHe9LFjOpnGC_bJhGU135dqilvjZK07O6il61Ny_IsvKyrG2g0yJYY0Efh488SDWSokY0MNCWEkraZQSRMcv7-8w/w625-h940/20230723-AK1I8653.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Often it would call for food. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='625' height='519' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZH1WZHwBeAWqqGlGOiYD7zStMkXyki1Djn71B5viHfGxeIz09Sd4yD2l8ks8hQ3rat6GFXjKw4nYUw-ndgA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is a quick example of the sound.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzxwPJKB1qNW2VMtnA8IF3QuVp64lcyHwKU4Pgio49uCr7AQ36833INWW2C_1q3oSlPkMkTkSkTX6WDYCNpZZdLj9EdG4tc1zMLfNcy1GztOFbCoZ_hsUBmuhCUoHRXSALqNHh4UnTWKuBu9vr3N5hWJK-zKCjHb1Jpa6ecxTMOLzMIguvT2fe4gbnQ/s5472/20230723-AK1I8704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzxwPJKB1qNW2VMtnA8IF3QuVp64lcyHwKU4Pgio49uCr7AQ36833INWW2C_1q3oSlPkMkTkSkTX6WDYCNpZZdLj9EdG4tc1zMLfNcy1GztOFbCoZ_hsUBmuhCUoHRXSALqNHh4UnTWKuBu9vr3N5hWJK-zKCjHb1Jpa6ecxTMOLzMIguvT2fe4gbnQ/w640-h426/20230723-AK1I8704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As I mentioned in the </span><a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2023/06/new-life.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffe599;">previous post</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> about this young one. I suspect that its flight feathers may have grown nearly 1/2 inch per day during the last month or so.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Typically, when a young eagle fledges their flight feathers are the longest they will ever be. It will take two years for them to replace the feathers and the replacements will all be shorter. Apparently, a little extra lift when they are learning to fly helps them make the most dangerous transition of their lives. Essentially, n</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ature gives them "training wheels".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8pm1BVvdyiLIqtTeKjy3004T3QztkW_HqYUNmI31YOPRtAz3I7FedY0QnGu198Zg3N-WkJzQVnAf6v310bEl9jULrykK82BHD8-Be5QLhKVoKPDVGbHNdETEWsLE3S-GkbVCR8rOdY70bS-g58-fS48UwjXMJrkaCiCgnaOp3Xu2thrpwPTKjreJIQ/s3681/20230723-AK1I8516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2454" data-original-width="3681" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8pm1BVvdyiLIqtTeKjy3004T3QztkW_HqYUNmI31YOPRtAz3I7FedY0QnGu198Zg3N-WkJzQVnAf6v310bEl9jULrykK82BHD8-Be5QLhKVoKPDVGbHNdETEWsLE3S-GkbVCR8rOdY70bS-g58-fS48UwjXMJrkaCiCgnaOp3Xu2thrpwPTKjreJIQ/w640-h426/20230723-AK1I8516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In addition to begging for food, it would </span><span style="font-family: arial;">occasionally </span><span style="font-family: arial;">walk about among a limited set of branches, but it did not fly while I was there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FVLRJ7vgMSNFHbFaAlrUlwqQFv29Le-5InbnBf4ywyB5_gODnzz-kFG26XwuNHhyUPXySEtOqIudPqZeFTl53q5Gnaa1Jd-3lwWekzr4Gb1eIUVRgIMQNLkVTT0qNx0kin7EkZwa3mMUkAUTekF3NO8gdb5tQ0Z_U6cpOzYSZA1LhYS-YPKTjtqFEg/s3339/20230723-AK1I8631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2224" data-original-width="3339" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FVLRJ7vgMSNFHbFaAlrUlwqQFv29Le-5InbnBf4ywyB5_gODnzz-kFG26XwuNHhyUPXySEtOqIudPqZeFTl53q5Gnaa1Jd-3lwWekzr4Gb1eIUVRgIMQNLkVTT0qNx0kin7EkZwa3mMUkAUTekF3NO8gdb5tQ0Z_U6cpOzYSZA1LhYS-YPKTjtqFEg/w640-h426/20230723-AK1I8631.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once, it grabbed a twig on a branch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUwA0vnWxXzqpigcYnIt_sSKV_GQ69fOmSTjmO5fZGgh-cnTVMc7kUl1dsHi5uKXtoqT0PPS5fDwwiwP7Ok4k5jTJkTcIsb0_WX6k_awxrWS1VdwgK90UMtIYZdLyJ1NefVD7xPE709M72x83VP4PryXZzdXRTm7bcnmlM6wbtjo21sYmwq7kFPRqIQ/s2844/20230723-AK1I8638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2844" data-original-width="1897" height="937" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUwA0vnWxXzqpigcYnIt_sSKV_GQ69fOmSTjmO5fZGgh-cnTVMc7kUl1dsHi5uKXtoqT0PPS5fDwwiwP7Ok4k5jTJkTcIsb0_WX6k_awxrWS1VdwgK90UMtIYZdLyJ1NefVD7xPE709M72x83VP4PryXZzdXRTm7bcnmlM6wbtjo21sYmwq7kFPRqIQ/w623-h937/20230723-AK1I8638.jpg" width="623" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am uncertain whether this behavior displayed hunger, boredom, or just a youthful desire to explore everything. Although, I do remember another young eagle doing a somewhat similar exercise with a pine cone. You may read that story by <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-eaglet-flies-whats-next.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Clicking Here</span></a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2LZSObaoQRvOkuK_Z6NCGCkDcuhXxxW2L2DWXoQzmWOwjVG3XheZHZN18Dn9Zq2SwQQMJ9ZZQY3MeXGDeBtFWYpHusqM-eA7js2WEGLTmTFCFosHQYdtWS9Qqdj9Ls-YaJ5WZDft7qN0nGyH0Bo3vEpfcWdUKNrDQUoP_MAKiD01XqWCnN47nJr4FQ/s4700/20230723-AK1I8544.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3133" data-original-width="4700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2LZSObaoQRvOkuK_Z6NCGCkDcuhXxxW2L2DWXoQzmWOwjVG3XheZHZN18Dn9Zq2SwQQMJ9ZZQY3MeXGDeBtFWYpHusqM-eA7js2WEGLTmTFCFosHQYdtWS9Qqdj9Ls-YaJ5WZDft7qN0nGyH0Bo3vEpfcWdUKNrDQUoP_MAKiD01XqWCnN47nJr4FQ/w640-h426/20230723-AK1I8544.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Later in the afternoon, when I thought I heard one of the parents calling nearby. The young one became excited and moved in that direction.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcXWHkmb16blC1CT6L0FrD2GyhWs4d0UM3XrdT30H8m_Fa48KTylern3O9gFm5jA-jQprpGxwYKvE39IZY7ef2Pk00jneamoRP9TV6YHxIKXoAj6MJ68M7C9dzRoS0bsonz6v6qLTh1MXG8gk8YFOFUSpauxD7sOk7nuHyFI33QJjqDk1rrbQkerWHQ/s4611/20230723-AK1I8666.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3077" data-original-width="4611" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcXWHkmb16blC1CT6L0FrD2GyhWs4d0UM3XrdT30H8m_Fa48KTylern3O9gFm5jA-jQprpGxwYKvE39IZY7ef2Pk00jneamoRP9TV6YHxIKXoAj6MJ68M7C9dzRoS0bsonz6v6qLTh1MXG8gk8YFOFUSpauxD7sOk7nuHyFI33QJjqDk1rrbQkerWHQ/w640-h428/20230723-AK1I8666.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, it still stayed put. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Its feathers seemed a bit askew. I think there are still more gaps between the feathers than what we see with adults. Perhaps, it still needs to do more preening, cleaning, and growing. I suspect the gaps make flight harder, but luckily, not impossible. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMYdkoASS0_hl516MhlDdZc_E0kRrqjNo_585GQLcU-fVx_XiHoki0QNHIC2-v6c7Svea0Gm-89ZDZ3sg-iDrB_JGm4UNvJd8Ths2eEj5xSM5cp9m5Vj2CjD1F81iMdanBALyYud7tHsoE0FYzPRcIHoWscOcNOzCQaep5mEzElKUgrBAuui3dYaEWg/s3946/20230723-AK1I8529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2631" data-original-width="3946" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMYdkoASS0_hl516MhlDdZc_E0kRrqjNo_585GQLcU-fVx_XiHoki0QNHIC2-v6c7Svea0Gm-89ZDZ3sg-iDrB_JGm4UNvJd8Ths2eEj5xSM5cp9m5Vj2CjD1F81iMdanBALyYud7tHsoE0FYzPRcIHoWscOcNOzCQaep5mEzElKUgrBAuui3dYaEWg/w640-h426/20230723-AK1I8529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By staying in one general area for many hours I wondered if the young bird was essentially creating a virtual nest site. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh3A1tIsXdbNFInOsokj4KFRkpKtkoEXk6gFGY0juQxW17P6kgTNXdzUtk1LlXlwC3GBJOhycJ_gbhLR1r-mjpTajscicbSnUM854H4k9N9_xPkbUBqc5HH_l0FgS4MFKNqABBlut7yLsIOk53kkyDVfDgl78QFWcWi8Q7n4cpIxNIgPxpy_OVgmtfw/s4507/20230723-AK1I8724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2619" data-original-width="4507" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh3A1tIsXdbNFInOsokj4KFRkpKtkoEXk6gFGY0juQxW17P6kgTNXdzUtk1LlXlwC3GBJOhycJ_gbhLR1r-mjpTajscicbSnUM854H4k9N9_xPkbUBqc5HH_l0FgS4MFKNqABBlut7yLsIOk53kkyDVfDgl78QFWcWi8Q7n4cpIxNIgPxpy_OVgmtfw/w640-h372/20230723-AK1I8724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Maybe the nest left the eaglet a little before it was truly ready to fledge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8suALk2M9b6lJTnbRqLZ5dHxKWUjSFgJw4YETgDg9tvVeO5kl8z6srZHirrHPaurNaCJSz6FiKDgox-eMBHE3sjB_9--Wu0Pe1ubXMfiGz-hikBABbEmKPMziStRShO5rZKMQKx4zK2rvSrJf2yRgJN8DbgPTEhGuG0ZPm5y5KE-uFQYJ2-X1b58hkg/s5472/20230723-AK1I8707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8suALk2M9b6lJTnbRqLZ5dHxKWUjSFgJw4YETgDg9tvVeO5kl8z6srZHirrHPaurNaCJSz6FiKDgox-eMBHE3sjB_9--Wu0Pe1ubXMfiGz-hikBABbEmKPMziStRShO5rZKMQKx4zK2rvSrJf2yRgJN8DbgPTEhGuG0ZPm5y5KE-uFQYJ2-X1b58hkg/w640-h426/20230723-AK1I8707.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bald Eagle development is kind of similar to humans. They</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> learn to fly before becoming independent,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> like a young person</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> learning to drive before leaving home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Surprisingly, Bald Eagle maturity is on a very different schedule. This young eagle will be independent, and hunting for all of its own food, by Winter. It will not be mature (with a white head and tail) </span><span style="font-family: arial;">for another four and a half to five years. It will not be ready </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to take a mate, declare a territory, build a nest, and raise young until after it matures.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the meantime, if you visit the southeast corner of Montlake Cut and follow the sound of the begging calls you might get to see the parents returning with food for their "little" one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRufHepvP_4yzwzbn_mSi8OOxvZZ7iTnd3dCamfy7VMvce3gb5QBGBl2Jrek_K6kUf0QaU5lFVDN-ADKZKXqcdjigdCg8MpShFck3-FLjZ3HtWk0S2OeEolWBVI6vc0nfCuXDfMdiR5zg4RV-g1Gaaxeb-2f5Y_dvjBRSQoUX2Y2ywAS1W1Tk99cEuTQ/s4181/20230723-AK1I8616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2787" data-original-width="4181" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRufHepvP_4yzwzbn_mSi8OOxvZZ7iTnd3dCamfy7VMvce3gb5QBGBl2Jrek_K6kUf0QaU5lFVDN-ADKZKXqcdjigdCg8MpShFck3-FLjZ3HtWk0S2OeEolWBVI6vc0nfCuXDfMdiR5zg4RV-g1Gaaxeb-2f5Y_dvjBRSQoUX2Y2ywAS1W1Tk99cEuTQ/w640-h426/20230723-AK1I8616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Sunday, many of the people who passed by asked what we were looking at. A common response, upon seeing a young fledgling eagle for the first time, is, "That's the Baby?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In honor of the Coast Salish people, on whose land we live, it seems appropriate the call this young one, Bi?Bəda? Which I understand means Little Baby in Lushootseed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It sounds like, "BeeBahDah", to me. You can hear it for yourself by <a href="https://tulaliplushootseed.com/2021/12/24/%CA%94itut-%CA%94itut-bi%CA%94b%C9%99da%CA%94-sleep-sleep-little-baby-away-in-the-manger/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Clicking Here</span></a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ps: If you have not yet responded to the Arboretum Foundation survey there is still time. Please <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2023/06/speak-up.html" target="_blank">Click Here</a> and let us know what is important to you. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(I wish I had remembered to write about how important peace and quiet is in the Arboretum. Hearing the birds sing, the wind in the leaves, and the sound of flowing water is so much more soothing than the sounds of vehicular traffic. I wonder if Lake Washington Blvd could be closed on Sundays? or If we could add more speed bumps? Slower traffic makes much less noise and it is safer for all creatures - including humans!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Also important from nature's perspective, would be writing about the value of fish and access for them via Arboretum Creek, which needs to be removed from the pipe just upstream from the mouth of the creek.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone plants are another great subject to help promote nature and birds. See more below.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Note: Pollinators are also included as Keystone Plants.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:</b></p><p><span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard:</b> </p><p><a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Additional content available here:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</span></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>A.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xem2Vf8fABOS7QZBxUygV2dy0i7803ke2IL-9uMUv8WmHzV9s3XU8ocPD-InfEQJuyUy8Zq5g7b6AgEw00CaoQ3-z1vsuAiCU5aDPcb-nWZJNT4tonVgP17NAi9GhGHE1rrVi8E4FdjwT6rNsBNLX0tEvMIboRRGsOC7uk90tqOwthJrTbOhlCBtVw/s5472/20230725-AK1I8753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xem2Vf8fABOS7QZBxUygV2dy0i7803ke2IL-9uMUv8WmHzV9s3XU8ocPD-InfEQJuyUy8Zq5g7b6AgEw00CaoQ3-z1vsuAiCU5aDPcb-nWZJNT4tonVgP17NAi9GhGHE1rrVi8E4FdjwT6rNsBNLX0tEvMIboRRGsOC7uk90tqOwthJrTbOhlCBtVw/w640-h426/20230725-AK1I8753.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">B.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpUD2qNWc6juegM066kQtR34HvIRIMcY3Qz45YzoNtVsDrtE0levrpLGJ0wLOpVT-mnKv8-r1usCcg7XxKwfze99uNc2DsjawHc9AZjBJnJdcZH1UnKA4PEHWEkljjjnsQw976kCeSFMLZHXtr6vz9VTtwFtI2BeFuPuFj8j0JXvyPaRMI4t0KlEbyw/s5472/20230725-AK1I8769.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpUD2qNWc6juegM066kQtR34HvIRIMcY3Qz45YzoNtVsDrtE0levrpLGJ0wLOpVT-mnKv8-r1usCcg7XxKwfze99uNc2DsjawHc9AZjBJnJdcZH1UnKA4PEHWEkljjjnsQw976kCeSFMLZHXtr6vz9VTtwFtI2BeFuPuFj8j0JXvyPaRMI4t0KlEbyw/w640-h426/20230725-AK1I8769.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>C.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSn49w3CHBpOc8BFiAGAyOCtm7wm_GA3u8xVvmDMv9xgwcwUjN5PxLVudVgxTQbEWnBO4olz-mzrLMwS6coxxzF4g1Th-ZPLnH9u7C5Z6w4TyDIPeGsmdpIGBfvZzve_8vG4B4ViAVxV_7MPxqh7eJXuwnFQ8vBu1JPQHlatIkRm2MPdBeYjfGtg40kg/s5472/20230725-AK1I8779.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSn49w3CHBpOc8BFiAGAyOCtm7wm_GA3u8xVvmDMv9xgwcwUjN5PxLVudVgxTQbEWnBO4olz-mzrLMwS6coxxzF4g1Th-ZPLnH9u7C5Z6w4TyDIPeGsmdpIGBfvZzve_8vG4B4ViAVxV_7MPxqh7eJXuwnFQ8vBu1JPQHlatIkRm2MPdBeYjfGtg40kg/w640-h426/20230725-AK1I8779.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>D.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRT87wPxCHJ9yQ3zhWhLm6TcH1NY35JFGF-PSJZUd4WFLB_SFFLfFnn9n6flMOrx2PVzefh0Gzh0YUUBrTy1Kt3lHlfHcyJlgjVJXZhnVWNv1N0FSwy03yUkepsMg18oxq8GYsSvBk09J3BPXZcYw7JwFJxtG-Up52QahIVj0wu2JXxokqDSopVV53A/s2188/20230725-AK1I8786.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="2188" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRT87wPxCHJ9yQ3zhWhLm6TcH1NY35JFGF-PSJZUd4WFLB_SFFLfFnn9n6flMOrx2PVzefh0Gzh0YUUBrTy1Kt3lHlfHcyJlgjVJXZhnVWNv1N0FSwy03yUkepsMg18oxq8GYsSvBk09J3BPXZcYw7JwFJxtG-Up52QahIVj0wu2JXxokqDSopVV53A/w640-h426/20230725-AK1I8786.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can you identify these four trees species that are members of the top ten Keystone tree genera in our ecoregion?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They are:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A = Vine Maple - Acer circinatum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">B = Pacific Crabapple - Malus fascia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">C = Oregon Oak - Quercus garrana</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">D = Bitter Cherry - Prunus emarginata</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is their order, by genus, in terms of value to the greatest number of insect species and therefore birds"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Genus: </b><span><b> <span> Insect Species Count:</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Quercus <span> <span> <span> <span> 436</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span>Prunus<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> 340</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Acer<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> 238</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Malus<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> 237</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>This information comes from the National Wildlife Federation. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> to see the supporting documentation.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPhTjqGVUltatgX0gyHQrU7T9M98a0WUIDVj9USW6EXAOTCa9e0vsPbTyJhiJqUpuPv14ibYJQpnnTHzjCUtMErU5wa7vDt8NCR7K1TsNCSO6DUV-YE3R-P_V5eK-I9gbcbU4IFDwqujpFwZooOm94-E156vpjk1fP_16C5mYbv0pLhES-B6Ph9WFyA/s2232/20230725-AK1I8784.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2232" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPhTjqGVUltatgX0gyHQrU7T9M98a0WUIDVj9USW6EXAOTCa9e0vsPbTyJhiJqUpuPv14ibYJQpnnTHzjCUtMErU5wa7vDt8NCR7K1TsNCSO6DUV-YE3R-P_V5eK-I9gbcbU4IFDwqujpFwZooOm94-E156vpjk1fP_16C5mYbv0pLhES-B6Ph9WFyA/w640-h426/20230725-AK1I8784.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="text-align: left;">Are partially eaten leaves good or bad for trees, butterflies, and birds?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nature is complex. The more I learn the more my perspective changes. Previously, I thought of partially eaten leaf indicated an invasive insect was damaging a plant or tree. However, given the value of caterpillars to young birds, a few partially eaten leaves might really, be a sign of a functional ecosystem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A Parting Shot:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gi5fgVTBYwkfMOHNUkzbYIYw7drGOfJ6oDEfGW9hJiL6ihHUw67hbmpD13rpmRVIuLnIvTd7Mqkyr6eywcv_7Zt0yRlP_wHv_JYAQoSww6N11H8PhHsE5U4h9dBA1lNaQTmERDtTwNBUlaP4nPkKuw7vqKNPF-VYU4qyR-inR98iAp5Iw_x3h8tmcg/s1908/20230726-AK1I8890.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="1270" height="951" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gi5fgVTBYwkfMOHNUkzbYIYw7drGOfJ6oDEfGW9hJiL6ihHUw67hbmpD13rpmRVIuLnIvTd7Mqkyr6eywcv_7Zt0yRlP_wHv_JYAQoSww6N11H8PhHsE5U4h9dBA1lNaQTmERDtTwNBUlaP4nPkKuw7vqKNPF-VYU4qyR-inR98iAp5Iw_x3h8tmcg/w633-h951/20230726-AK1I8890.jpg" width="633" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-50214583622015720412023-07-16T17:14:00.009-07:002023-07-16T17:49:20.439-07:00Parental Protection<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPerBz20CNM0iLi7cFtmDd2AEWZ149oSC-ydz2z3eYqxLFeN_jDzMhdf0rywekxnR0emU90ufKwpD8LDYVrAqzcQkMVuKGCCoZUu3iHYhNXuSsYyqNsa9VVgMl7Y6MU_lD4HPKgBIgABW2VqyzJ3_7sKTXvtfqw8KkOfSgF8cv0vLdNcKM9J6Lht0gA/s2597/20230709-AK1I6521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2597" data-original-width="1733" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPerBz20CNM0iLi7cFtmDd2AEWZ149oSC-ydz2z3eYqxLFeN_jDzMhdf0rywekxnR0emU90ufKwpD8LDYVrAqzcQkMVuKGCCoZUu3iHYhNXuSsYyqNsa9VVgMl7Y6MU_lD4HPKgBIgABW2VqyzJ3_7sKTXvtfqw8KkOfSgF8cv0vLdNcKM9J6Lht0gA/w522-h781/20230709-AK1I6521.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last Sunday, as my friend Ronda and I watched, a third mature Osprey attempted to land in Hope and Stewart's nest. My mind spun through one question after another. Was the unknown Osprey trying to get to the defenseless little chick? Was it attempting to steal left-over fish from the nest? Was the visitor a male trying to mate with Hope? Why did the parents allow the visiting Osprey to come so close? The behavior of all three adults seemed unusual. What was happening?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpjo_ah69W9lwgDwucA-vxEiaTMtuk7GcIzZnH6uAZkxGh1DuuZNsR6ywEOB8hIj-GtaTesDqpLiq2CIseIeVoxW-eZNJK0tFe4TrILiXRdQnGBjsYX_0CtaO5fWogYo_CUbuOtR4_gWzZ0GVpidm-DixTM9Fc-3DbqNyubDf-QRnFYYW2dANZqa8Zw/s2371/AK1I5884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2371" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpjo_ah69W9lwgDwucA-vxEiaTMtuk7GcIzZnH6uAZkxGh1DuuZNsR6ywEOB8hIj-GtaTesDqpLiq2CIseIeVoxW-eZNJK0tFe4TrILiXRdQnGBjsYX_0CtaO5fWogYo_CUbuOtR4_gWzZ0GVpidm-DixTM9Fc-3DbqNyubDf-QRnFYYW2dANZqa8Zw/w640-h428/AK1I5884.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The morning before was much easier to understand. The air had been crisp and cool, while </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the sun slowly crept above the horizon,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">behind a band of early morning clouds</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. Stewart and Hope, were actively improving their nest, just south of the U-Village QFC (in Seattle). In the photo above, Stewart brings up a clump of grass he snagged from the Intramural Activities field a hundred feet below.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA89QNC_wttoYiuiMh49iyMxN09GUfGrZza1KjfiKKquJoah5nubPEbY1TtduqMDcvmwERbpsJJBbvlNyc184Lp2Oc4qssl5FQX-ymBamcRoZ_18UXNppYK81cpxjxav5URw-VN2ehMmYyA41IHvtakGjH9X5DoEMw-KMzBPpIkWTXd_-bdBNnFHpDFA/s2146/AK1I5973.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="2146" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA89QNC_wttoYiuiMh49iyMxN09GUfGrZza1KjfiKKquJoah5nubPEbY1TtduqMDcvmwERbpsJJBbvlNyc184Lp2Oc4qssl5FQX-ymBamcRoZ_18UXNppYK81cpxjxav5URw-VN2ehMmYyA41IHvtakGjH9X5DoEMw-KMzBPpIkWTXd_-bdBNnFHpDFA/w640-h428/AK1I5973.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Taking turns, Hope would later bring a similar load to the nest. In my experience, adult female Ospreys have a brown "necklace" of speckled spots across the upper chest, while the adult males tend to have a pure white chest. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">*****************</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These gender specific identifiers are why the prior pair of Osprey, that nested further to the south in the Union Bay Natural Area, were called Chester and Lacey. You can learn about their trend-setting nesting attempts on Union Bay in these posts:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <span> </span></span>- <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2016/04/dancing-with-osprey.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Dancing with Osprey</span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <span> </span></span>- <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-symbiotic-hope.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">A Symbiotic Hope</span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <span> </span></span>- <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2016/07/something-to-celebrate.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Something to Celebrate!</span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">*****************</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82ZsxnXlpf9-z1z_rqW5MXP284RxZOEtT5S2Z74naoTA1FRyFEak15i9n-0c5n7ekdcKcBNcs52JFuSZRvosb4RqCUUydqCZMRXIXPeUpsgoGhXx7mwy8wkTKCQTfFB2dfguEUTaRXDu2I8goID53MS3gseZYouP-xf7CKP3czJsrYI74xG-brwrhPA/s3725/AK1I5947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2483" data-original-width="3725" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82ZsxnXlpf9-z1z_rqW5MXP284RxZOEtT5S2Z74naoTA1FRyFEak15i9n-0c5n7ekdcKcBNcs52JFuSZRvosb4RqCUUydqCZMRXIXPeUpsgoGhXx7mwy8wkTKCQTfFB2dfguEUTaRXDu2I8goID53MS3gseZYouP-xf7CKP3czJsrYI74xG-brwrhPA/w640-h426/AK1I5947.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">Hope and Stewart would also occasionally break off little, brittle branches from the trees lining the remnant of Ravenna Creek immediately to their west.</div></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjVORZfXQyER_eTPegzjYZKVEybbf_lfPcdDgRBhQ66wfmWgYynNwuJdv-mqc91sO2bfCZhE3mgDPp6DIMIgrIHP6ChlJrwn5lZzjjCJirW2doRR6KXklDmt9dhKMIxjZUij33LXTIjEti9txByf8LsALrVVveFdCyaGE2G-bUpSeTS6bPjo17HXBew/s2617/AK1I6120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1743" data-original-width="2617" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjVORZfXQyER_eTPegzjYZKVEybbf_lfPcdDgRBhQ66wfmWgYynNwuJdv-mqc91sO2bfCZhE3mgDPp6DIMIgrIHP6ChlJrwn5lZzjjCJirW2doRR6KXklDmt9dhKMIxjZUij33LXTIjEti9txByf8LsALrVVveFdCyaGE2G-bUpSeTS6bPjo17HXBew/w640-h426/AK1I6120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearly two hours after dawn, their young chick finally seemed to wake up. At least, that is when its little head first became visible above the edge of the nest. Hope promptly provided pieces of fish. Overall, the morning seemed quiet and uneventful. Sunday was different.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7LuuPf7CTFlkwiS1lStV7Om0y3UeqDpAlgnqTlm9sC-SZESSf8KkUiybuHpezHU5xLHaCagqduLIjW066vUm48cT6gbg3TdoazczCu7AzFlYpvQ3tdsNGlmN177cSyp0emQFvxDnAg2G5uzYPNPpzxQREHGCKAcvmLeC3FnlgX--gA7M6ovuUbsdSQ/s3777/20230709-AK1I6270.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="3777" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7LuuPf7CTFlkwiS1lStV7Om0y3UeqDpAlgnqTlm9sC-SZESSf8KkUiybuHpezHU5xLHaCagqduLIjW066vUm48cT6gbg3TdoazczCu7AzFlYpvQ3tdsNGlmN177cSyp0emQFvxDnAg2G5uzYPNPpzxQREHGCKAcvmLeC3FnlgX--gA7M6ovuUbsdSQ/w640-h426/20230709-AK1I6270.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I arrived Stewart was sitting peacefully on the west side of the nest, which is one of his favorite perches. Hope was sitting on our right. Can you see the size difference? Among all of the predatory birds around Union Bay the females tend to be larger than the males. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A moment later Stewart began calling excitedly and promptly jumped off the light pole and headed east.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFq3wFzHPXOThd6I9TfByOtAnjZD9DBjkme89uJD8CeMHXPht00dkAoZmUk21_lfVmvTryOv6Hl7batI-dEEZlZ8WM1ySjH8X6g88RERE2fSMXfiu12UYT-IWvozwvN_VfoWjTa4HiCIKSbzsLTRSuPRII9cfL3gwJvYx6e1hd-tZi8ZADJsHNo7Qzg/s2662/20230709-AK1I6290.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1775" data-original-width="2662" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFq3wFzHPXOThd6I9TfByOtAnjZD9DBjkme89uJD8CeMHXPht00dkAoZmUk21_lfVmvTryOv6Hl7batI-dEEZlZ8WM1ySjH8X6g88RERE2fSMXfiu12UYT-IWvozwvN_VfoWjTa4HiCIKSbzsLTRSuPRII9cfL3gwJvYx6e1hd-tZi8ZADJsHNo7Qzg/w640-h426/20230709-AK1I6290.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He had spotted a passing Bald Eagle and immediately began diving, harassing, and chasing the immature bird away. It takes around five years for Bald Eagles to mature. Up until then, they do not have a mate, a territory, or offspring. Their lives are almost carefree. They do have one all-consuming concern, <i>find food</i>. Stewart clearly did not want his young helpless offspring to be a snack for a hungry eagle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PVTMLgRaBkT_PX7UKBtxU8_IGJI8wncPLumVjgQ1ruRZOQDjmx68oLI6oqdPT6JKvROwzVgwsWolZZTiLv8-sW74w4DHAKTTxgs09xgJIFPLF5eQLHNKj6c68TsKi1A52Ee9s_PjKOtyZm9GrkgOKDjNt4i0Pn1MaInrL9vUFRgWpoHpljQbTZnYCA/s1578/20230709-AK1I6291.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1578" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PVTMLgRaBkT_PX7UKBtxU8_IGJI8wncPLumVjgQ1ruRZOQDjmx68oLI6oqdPT6JKvROwzVgwsWolZZTiLv8-sW74w4DHAKTTxgs09xgJIFPLF5eQLHNKj6c68TsKi1A52Ee9s_PjKOtyZm9GrkgOKDjNt4i0Pn1MaInrL9vUFRgWpoHpljQbTZnYCA/w640-h426/20230709-AK1I6291.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stewart wasn't leaving anything to chance. He dove with his talons extended. The eagle twisted around to meet the potential attack.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9stWOVv69SuQRdagG2t4hLYTqZSq4uF5qlDVwlDLrGt0_VdVhA7WA6RLD2prNbwKDJ_V1cJTB7b82-YCo_gSjfefDaEsUu_ctIbyD76KhV-v2TzDGGOzRz35-nb-eaaHFD5Vgfxbu1Cl2a6pLMjPGzW959g82RKnHV6H34UwuMgZDV97h_sqr7gleRQ/s1997/20230709-AK1I6295.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="1331" height="843" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9stWOVv69SuQRdagG2t4hLYTqZSq4uF5qlDVwlDLrGt0_VdVhA7WA6RLD2prNbwKDJ_V1cJTB7b82-YCo_gSjfefDaEsUu_ctIbyD76KhV-v2TzDGGOzRz35-nb-eaaHFD5Vgfxbu1Cl2a6pLMjPGzW959g82RKnHV6H34UwuMgZDV97h_sqr7gleRQ/w561-h843/20230709-AK1I6295.jpg" width="561" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The eagle tried to circle away but Stewart was smaller and more agile. The diving harassment continued.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ILID5PJi9uqWGzc4USAwYf6LVD0SErbCw_BUCiklDI2UBuN4yWmDVtpkTLVVyD0FBULF0MCyKQdD4RfHdOaKV-mx6axxBqxAsRYiYsvTQgHLRPBy-RsqH4c_ixnow-iztBU96fjoCOGTUe-zY0MXq8_5RZXmpUF51n83h2ZeFj9_Gtk-ReSJK6onsQ/s1268/20230709-AK1I6296.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1268" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ILID5PJi9uqWGzc4USAwYf6LVD0SErbCw_BUCiklDI2UBuN4yWmDVtpkTLVVyD0FBULF0MCyKQdD4RfHdOaKV-mx6axxBqxAsRYiYsvTQgHLRPBy-RsqH4c_ixnow-iztBU96fjoCOGTUe-zY0MXq8_5RZXmpUF51n83h2ZeFj9_Gtk-ReSJK6onsQ/w640-h426/20230709-AK1I6296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Osprey have a wingspan that is nearly 90 percent of the eagle's but they typically weigh less than half as much. (This allows Osprey to lift fairly large fish out of the water, shed the water, and fly away.) It also makes the Osprey faster and far more maneuverable. Clearly, Stewart would not be satisfied until he was sure the eagle was no longer a threat.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sRqjGjUMV0X1icX8--PnmDVePg7ZSFnI_mioXAuitrWFjym7J8pukBoTj5WRPCpv2SIYyhAfAbSE1TYLW1hOgS5ESjknnJrXMiGvGmH9IfwHW-elkFfNN1pDsIwto6pWQ1z2M2eMQVMTO_U_YoJ_tff_Y1e06fQGsGsI_RPJB38r9D6ZvvhljOIc3w/s1013/20230709-AK1I6308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1013" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sRqjGjUMV0X1icX8--PnmDVePg7ZSFnI_mioXAuitrWFjym7J8pukBoTj5WRPCpv2SIYyhAfAbSE1TYLW1hOgS5ESjknnJrXMiGvGmH9IfwHW-elkFfNN1pDsIwto6pWQ1z2M2eMQVMTO_U_YoJ_tff_Y1e06fQGsGsI_RPJB38r9D6ZvvhljOIc3w/w640-h426/20230709-AK1I6308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If they actually physically engaged, the much larger eagle would almost certainly win. But if Stewart hit the eagle from above he could do some damage. For example, an eagle with a broken wing, would be unable to hunt and (without human intervention) would almost certainly die. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The constant diving, rolling, and general anxiety was apparently too much for the eagle. It turned and headed north away from the osprey nest. Stewart apparently made the point that the airspace around the nest (i.e. the IMA Fields, the UW Golf Course, and U-Village) are a no-fly-zone for Bald Eagles when he and Hope are raising young.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIz8V4BszvHx5RbdCz_VhDnPvvT8rC2ZodTX7ciDnuHidZi4oD-LNw_OI8le1pyRoPz5gj_Ek-UhlWPoWUJ0okcgRx-JhrBCPtJy9wVk7i_Rl7dJWKFW21IIO42YjJrsInPE2AVns46SSgIH9-KzhY_3TCc4mp-_jfo5KL6XZ0kW9adjv93JYsEziRww/s3527/20230709-AK1I6373.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2351" data-original-width="3527" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIz8V4BszvHx5RbdCz_VhDnPvvT8rC2ZodTX7ciDnuHidZi4oD-LNw_OI8le1pyRoPz5gj_Ek-UhlWPoWUJ0okcgRx-JhrBCPtJy9wVk7i_Rl7dJWKFW21IIO42YjJrsInPE2AVns46SSgIH9-KzhY_3TCc4mp-_jfo5KL6XZ0kW9adjv93JYsEziRww/w640-h426/20230709-AK1I6373.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Less than a hour later, Stewart was on his primary roost preening and cleaning his feathers while Hope was in the nest with the chick.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuqwstWYTw_BS_LvLpGwOQstwkrBtP2vgUIaSVmkHdAjWAPadxr3Vr_DeVUBO2BzMSJhq8ly4it-0EngjX1Cqij9qsr9quqt-kK-ldVoiaa37TeZRavPqC-fmQE1i8rIYUq43c9conJGwV-q2Du45eQkUYUuM3YkhYlouTsvvfT1k0Hr9dqlHIikZuw/s896/20230709-AK1I6410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="896" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuqwstWYTw_BS_LvLpGwOQstwkrBtP2vgUIaSVmkHdAjWAPadxr3Vr_DeVUBO2BzMSJhq8ly4it-0EngjX1Cqij9qsr9quqt-kK-ldVoiaa37TeZRavPqC-fmQE1i8rIYUq43c9conJGwV-q2Du45eQkUYUuM3YkhYlouTsvvfT1k0Hr9dqlHIikZuw/w640-h428/20230709-AK1I6410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When the chick stretched its tiny wings, it was obvious that it will be some time, maybe a month or so, before it has grown flight-worthy feathers.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIySEq9R8RYYniikU0PNhZbPPbrUIbcX_Vlr13JH9jfJOe2oAcLAtfO2BE8KV85hgcSRZZrb9Vkjiwvh2FSwKjkmm6PRSpXTD_TKUodUAeYLuus0gKp6RfH2bGpCcG779oFyzfP3roUKyeIcEGP8xrbCmxwaGfYNXR36j6xq6yTlBWXVIa5FwRVDiMQ/s1651/20230709-AK1I6447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1651" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIySEq9R8RYYniikU0PNhZbPPbrUIbcX_Vlr13JH9jfJOe2oAcLAtfO2BE8KV85hgcSRZZrb9Vkjiwvh2FSwKjkmm6PRSpXTD_TKUodUAeYLuus0gKp6RfH2bGpCcG779oFyzfP3roUKyeIcEGP8xrbCmxwaGfYNXR36j6xq6yTlBWXVIa5FwRVDiMQ/w640-h428/20230709-AK1I6447.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just before noon the third Osprey approached. It came quite close before the parents reacted. Normally, Stewart notices Osprey at a distance, he (and sometimes Hope) immediately start calling, Stewart usually leaps into the air and approaches the intruder similar to how he went after the Bald Eagle and with a similar outcome. I doubt that both he and Hope missed this bird's approach.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNTIo1jfhjDOZ1SJLDVqVWK9OW7iVUS8dUidsRCR7MgDb394GfnB0Lcll-tRUqzEf0JkyrwUcsC57mvJ0jH7r-RMvZUNi6BjuNMc6vVztdslu6itRU8aWqY9HJuELy_IgF5tG67x_ze0VUkfzcRv7zudKI5KROoMkE52_DVsmLijizaAeI_cw4qVsuQ/s2335/20230709-AK1I6455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="2335" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNTIo1jfhjDOZ1SJLDVqVWK9OW7iVUS8dUidsRCR7MgDb394GfnB0Lcll-tRUqzEf0JkyrwUcsC57mvJ0jH7r-RMvZUNi6BjuNMc6vVztdslu6itRU8aWqY9HJuELy_IgF5tG67x_ze0VUkfzcRv7zudKI5KROoMkE52_DVsmLijizaAeI_cw4qVsuQ/w640-h428/20230709-AK1I6455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, this time, Stewart chose to simply fly over to the nest and land on the far side of the chick. Apparently, positioning himself so that he and Hope were on opposite sides of the young one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCBeRowj9U89OLQ1ZXsTVXSKiQsIpgy9_cjal0sDq0Z8IewGwpgoLRFNCq7_t8DldkiBkN7TxY3xSYzv5Z8fVqm8CARkak0cp2zKYM5iRYZgeVWqOHoYTuxcANbTbLKqSLZSvD2hWJtzuu4AVtzeRi5izjR-FQk2N882dg9hSC48lGjQ-xuVx_dPOmQ/s3511/20230709-AK1I6470.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3511" data-original-width="2343" height="915" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCBeRowj9U89OLQ1ZXsTVXSKiQsIpgy9_cjal0sDq0Z8IewGwpgoLRFNCq7_t8DldkiBkN7TxY3xSYzv5Z8fVqm8CARkak0cp2zKYM5iRYZgeVWqOHoYTuxcANbTbLKqSLZSvD2hWJtzuu4AVtzeRi5izjR-FQk2N882dg9hSC48lGjQ-xuVx_dPOmQ/w612-h915/20230709-AK1I6470.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They were clearly not happy with the approaching Osprey, but they were not their normally aggressive selves either, especially Stewart. He could easily have intervened earlier in the Osprey's approach instead of allowing it to within four or five feet.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TORHYKxXsHxjCgSJwWVOpJcXVQOhMB6OfxcwYU4h8lm00uWOOGY0QjCLbgxqivIjtqtWMEGNO15QEdcNM2bqsqbkguxYDxyWAhCpnhp6u65I40KZjMbSAz3-thSZELK1HH06JepAPkMcvUFDxW4h7dKKFJVofPCT8ojq9elBpKjO-6_pnK1bcSJi9g/s3648/20230709-AK1I6472.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="897" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TORHYKxXsHxjCgSJwWVOpJcXVQOhMB6OfxcwYU4h8lm00uWOOGY0QjCLbgxqivIjtqtWMEGNO15QEdcNM2bqsqbkguxYDxyWAhCpnhp6u65I40KZjMbSAz3-thSZELK1HH06JepAPkMcvUFDxW4h7dKKFJVofPCT8ojq9elBpKjO-6_pnK1bcSJi9g/w597-h897/20230709-AK1I6472.jpg" width="597" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The approaching Osprey had its legs extended as if attempting to land, although its talons were not open as I would expect if it was attempting to attack or snatch something out of the nest. Hope, on the left, seems to react the most strongly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, both of the parents spread their wings. Apparently, trying to hide the location of the young chick.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajZXXWr2jqOAEEE9j_2_QNBDlnAJ74liUomUkzKYPvqzYyOXMOR4FWixSQOKBFBUbDSciTX6UVYXEDJZpSklZbLGITLjPSXDRpGoyHx8Me9GvDKwwbenupC-A-vlGbsjKVrQ0Q7Kxe0Joiprmt_7RsCAYPd201y65PcA3TRUJZzEf0OWoUaRGoVim_A/s4433/20230709-AK1I6483.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="4433" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajZXXWr2jqOAEEE9j_2_QNBDlnAJ74liUomUkzKYPvqzYyOXMOR4FWixSQOKBFBUbDSciTX6UVYXEDJZpSklZbLGITLjPSXDRpGoyHx8Me9GvDKwwbenupC-A-vlGbsjKVrQ0Q7Kxe0Joiprmt_7RsCAYPd201y65PcA3TRUJZzEf0OWoUaRGoVim_A/w640-h426/20230709-AK1I6483.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The process was repeated multiple times.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtatxJYXsX-ut8FXNZd8I21tR7JdyFEBDjB3M1r77-r58LvyE_nJalFsIXiVsG_VVsvtNhb8A_pQlMG_LnxzN9j-PNBsR-WfXwce_IdsLFoEVRYTAsWXZWNKcltu57NEOAbRb3FS1wX9ke1vCipGxSd7nB2SCrl-defrjVRZ4AarfdTCRsfChjR2WstQ/s4105/20230709-AK1I6501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2737" data-original-width="4105" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtatxJYXsX-ut8FXNZd8I21tR7JdyFEBDjB3M1r77-r58LvyE_nJalFsIXiVsG_VVsvtNhb8A_pQlMG_LnxzN9j-PNBsR-WfXwce_IdsLFoEVRYTAsWXZWNKcltu57NEOAbRb3FS1wX9ke1vCipGxSd7nB2SCrl-defrjVRZ4AarfdTCRsfChjR2WstQ/w640-h426/20230709-AK1I6501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> The third Osprey would circle away and then approach the nest again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwO5gpuIaMQjsljSawypHko1o4fKB66s80qWpRUgwMbx-uZ983SP4QozzQSMbQ6D95AlQpQjXheKxxN3OkcuwHeGhb5CygZzHykFzELnKbPfXq3wdknJDHrFASYD2m_LphJLdU1jPmAbzjVGBHZ7XZmFMd_CCl5ycFkmeX1JqftrYjU48b7Ym71ZlGg/s2900/20230709-AK1I6520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwO5gpuIaMQjsljSawypHko1o4fKB66s80qWpRUgwMbx-uZ983SP4QozzQSMbQ6D95AlQpQjXheKxxN3OkcuwHeGhb5CygZzHykFzELnKbPfXq3wdknJDHrFASYD2m_LphJLdU1jPmAbzjVGBHZ7XZmFMd_CCl5ycFkmeX1JqftrYjU48b7Ym71ZlGg/w640-h426/20230709-AK1I6520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes, it would hover above their heads, as if searching, before</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"> circling around again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB0yXR487og7xhUERrqk1p3pM3qxH8QkJAsSO6F7LHg8ikFMurk7i6ny6ZBfu0p2OxmeJiPt12hKx3Od1U0RPJbAXx16F4OkNtiz4p1zgcjs6-2o-vhFQuHo3D5nRF1HHXr6VDIEWVAcn7f-u9mrULoTk2DJ7-9ybL0vGOXW3GoPkSa60khuz-LMtlQ/s4540/20230709-AK1I6525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="4540" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB0yXR487og7xhUERrqk1p3pM3qxH8QkJAsSO6F7LHg8ikFMurk7i6ny6ZBfu0p2OxmeJiPt12hKx3Od1U0RPJbAXx16F4OkNtiz4p1zgcjs6-2o-vhFQuHo3D5nRF1HHXr6VDIEWVAcn7f-u9mrULoTk2DJ7-9ybL0vGOXW3GoPkSa60khuz-LMtlQ/w640-h426/20230709-AK1I6525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Surprisingly, neither parent left the nest to chase the Osprey during these interactions. After the third adult gave up and flew away to the south Hope left the nest and followed it. But it was not an aggressive, close up harassment of the Osprey. It was as if she was tailing it from a distance just to make sure it did not circle back again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I do not have a definitive explanation for the behavior of the third Osprey. However, one idea that I wonder about is whether it might have been a second year bird that migrated north this Spring for the first time. Possibly, it has not yet found a mate or a territory. (I understand that Osprey typically spend their first two winters in the south before attempting their first return migration to their originating, northern breeding grounds.) Perhaps, this Osprey might even be one of the young that hatched in this nest in 2021. I wonder if that might explain the parent's almost lackadaisical response to its approach?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBuP6LOfWpQbXpeNjCH_qy7FhrsNjfjPqIkVyLVZsVbLnyn94EYb-OQFj7KhL1Hzu7noP11jcXlwaFOUMJaij0Nwbn9g_Fb92umjF9ym7Qhh1F8Ft_xL8nrIPdP1nikrXerl-mTX0UP7xEhLwOGeLsgp-qtZcQzHiLZcn-sx-RsdJUEMxukZjB1Vw_A/s1955/20230715-AK1I6721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1955" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBuP6LOfWpQbXpeNjCH_qy7FhrsNjfjPqIkVyLVZsVbLnyn94EYb-OQFj7KhL1Hzu7noP11jcXlwaFOUMJaij0Nwbn9g_Fb92umjF9ym7Qhh1F8Ft_xL8nrIPdP1nikrXerl-mTX0UP7xEhLwOGeLsgp-qtZcQzHiLZcn-sx-RsdJUEMxukZjB1Vw_A/w640-h426/20230715-AK1I6721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The good news is that the parents continue to go out of their way to care for their young bird. This is Hope returning to the nest yesterday morning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Imagine the heat in the nest when we have cloudless days with the sun constantly beating down. The young bird is unable to fly and so it has no access to water. Its only source of moisture is in the fish that the parents provide. Plus, on the top of the light pole there are no overhead branches providing shade and protection from the sun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEj1GjwIUllKfMLQ-WpUVeU1stlLGbhiF8aEb2JcPCk6LMAz959PcrR8QLxzQp0gY3BX9kBOmJYBxO3-mq9InZw8360P_IaaHhy_QYVvZdPU5QRRKy7vVx1ULCALxJpGhb6da7TAkvpkroO40PUYYb01gGIzaKqZARiintVfBOkgFlordMYHDu-_feRQ/s2451/20230715-AK1I6742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1633" data-original-width="2451" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEj1GjwIUllKfMLQ-WpUVeU1stlLGbhiF8aEb2JcPCk6LMAz959PcrR8QLxzQp0gY3BX9kBOmJYBxO3-mq9InZw8360P_IaaHhy_QYVvZdPU5QRRKy7vVx1ULCALxJpGhb6da7TAkvpkroO40PUYYb01gGIzaKqZARiintVfBOkgFlordMYHDu-_feRQ/w640-h426/20230715-AK1I6742.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hope landed on the far side of the nest. Then promptly and carefully walked around the young bird.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xBDIkM75VuK8QpxdEtCYKpyo1T3yOrQptgUGBil-eX4Pf8XeNKDlPwk7iLSwq4vBwASJDHhgsMyf4w6E-ZCmwqfZUH5qZvzAxGVE4teojvXKrF-Y0mHS27EAEMWRX6nvlIFM9hHGmAraDOL88paYWtlvWar61rjiiq6-lVPz2ly58gvuuyIXF_8CMQ/s2320/20230715-AK1I6751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="2320" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xBDIkM75VuK8QpxdEtCYKpyo1T3yOrQptgUGBil-eX4Pf8XeNKDlPwk7iLSwq4vBwASJDHhgsMyf4w6E-ZCmwqfZUH5qZvzAxGVE4teojvXKrF-Y0mHS27EAEMWRX6nvlIFM9hHGmAraDOL88paYWtlvWar61rjiiq6-lVPz2ly58gvuuyIXF_8CMQ/w640-h428/20230715-AK1I6751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It appeared quite intentional when she ended up on the southeast side of the nest, with her wings partially spread, turning herself into a parental umbrella.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uSUrYvNNnwPRZ0WuCpwPWV6IUesn9Sf-EBaf87oSXxI0BPb7oJUA4BalbQhPQikIM2quHWKFiNmxiVSsXB-6Q4lS9_kopH84uQF2D9scYHJxLDIN4aW05BEydHB-8fwnO34QJ4VAXZJX39GEUE2gX61plwyilkISjVE5bD0USmgAu-M_irG1q916_w/s2433/20230715-AK1I6767.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="2433" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uSUrYvNNnwPRZ0WuCpwPWV6IUesn9Sf-EBaf87oSXxI0BPb7oJUA4BalbQhPQikIM2quHWKFiNmxiVSsXB-6Q4lS9_kopH84uQF2D9scYHJxLDIN4aW05BEydHB-8fwnO34QJ4VAXZJX39GEUE2gX61plwyilkISjVE5bD0USmgAu-M_irG1q916_w/w640-h426/20230715-AK1I6767.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Moments later Stewart returned to the nest, demonstrating his devotion as well. I suspect he brought food, although given the angles involved I could not be positive.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During the next month or so, if you visit the IMA field just south of QFC, (binoculars suggested) you can watch the development of the young Osprey and the constant care provided by the parents. Hopefully, their vigilance will be rewarded with the young bird fledging and finding its way in the world.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In case you did not read their exciting fledgling story from last year, you may want to check out:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <span> - </span></span></span><a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2022/08/a-gordian-knot.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">A Gordian Knot</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ps: If you have not yet responded to the Arboretum Foundation survey there is still time. Please <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2023/06/speak-up.html" target="_blank">Click Here</a> and let us know what is important to you. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(I wish I had remembered to write about how important peace and quiet is in the Arboretum. Hearing the birds sing, the wind in the leaves, and the sound of flowing water is so much more soothing than the sounds of vehicular traffic. I wonder if Lake Washington Blvd could be closed on Sundays? or If we could add more speed bumps? Slower traffic makes much less noise and it is safer for all creatures - including humans!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Note: Tallamy also includes those plants that support pollinating bees and bugs as Keystone Plants.</p><p>Here are some relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyK_lMqVnMNkvVN8Izfr3XeKI522lNoyOVEIvdkGaap9PZc-dmYlDgXwBvE_joOX7Vxt0L3U4DecIz3OOvdVkzvLUHMhMuEmvUJOA-NGRFGh38RRgI6n6SY4LR0RCVuH3UdH8OQ4xZjVgZ8HsgnK0TxN9jS_Sx5s78XQLkc_n1wKvHmNmjEvTmCQVkA/s3560/20230626-AK1I5382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3560" data-original-width="2373" height="834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyK_lMqVnMNkvVN8Izfr3XeKI522lNoyOVEIvdkGaap9PZc-dmYlDgXwBvE_joOX7Vxt0L3U4DecIz3OOvdVkzvLUHMhMuEmvUJOA-NGRFGh38RRgI6n6SY4LR0RCVuH3UdH8OQ4xZjVgZ8HsgnK0TxN9jS_Sx5s78XQLkc_n1wKvHmNmjEvTmCQVkA/w555-h834/20230626-AK1I5382.jpg" width="555" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What type of plant has these flowers? Is it native to our area? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(This photo was taken in the Arboretum during the last week of June.)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6_5yqLZTLdNWiDYuHfnusiHMK-DiiSK5UkamuLM1MPShJwaPDBrvkS3-RGLHiggwl_89PXor1B5XePAMkcXVBy091PvkSig9_cfVzJlHnebMZy97w7lVQhfchPuVukTvm-KXwrcQjSYLotJf9QTn4VJLeooYe9SA1ppSwQa2ty_Jq46AMa1vfLNnrA/s3005/20230626-AK1I5383.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2003" data-original-width="3005" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6_5yqLZTLdNWiDYuHfnusiHMK-DiiSK5UkamuLM1MPShJwaPDBrvkS3-RGLHiggwl_89PXor1B5XePAMkcXVBy091PvkSig9_cfVzJlHnebMZy97w7lVQhfchPuVukTvm-KXwrcQjSYLotJf9QTn4VJLeooYe9SA1ppSwQa2ty_Jq46AMa1vfLNnrA/w640-h426/20230626-AK1I5383.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/life/lifestyle/native-plant-of-the-month-orange-trumpet-honeysuckle/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Orange Trumpet Honeysuckle</span></a>: Yes. It is a native plant and, surprising for me at least, a climbing vine. The first time I saw one I was positive it was too beautiful and exotic looking to be a native flower, but it is! The flowers are obviously adapted for pollination from hummingbirds and the fruit that follows is attractive to a number of native birds. I have some starting on a trellis but I am considering adding some on my Vine Maple.</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Click on the name of the plant to learn more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-17189187829020019102023-07-03T16:13:00.013-07:002023-07-03T18:05:26.944-07:00The Wild Things<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGby1oirn7GO_6IJ6Qqb50w9lm8DOFx5QVhEbFoQ8pjQAlTl7Y1IYI9E3_o78ZItWf2JJMt06itzAj5_mmZy2f7Y1TcnUo6aahOJnFCndyu49oS9cyuclTHcg3MeP-4_tisfEyvN_Q3SeEnEav4U7_tBwKq_M74umWoiCTSm7PLVluwMHL5TP2f4/s4032/20220407-IMG_6035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGby1oirn7GO_6IJ6Qqb50w9lm8DOFx5QVhEbFoQ8pjQAlTl7Y1IYI9E3_o78ZItWf2JJMt06itzAj5_mmZy2f7Y1TcnUo6aahOJnFCndyu49oS9cyuclTHcg3MeP-4_tisfEyvN_Q3SeEnEav4U7_tBwKq_M74umWoiCTSm7PLVluwMHL5TP2f4/w640-h480/20220407-IMG_6035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last year, a Douglas Fir fell across Arboretum Drive. It damaged part of the trellis around the Don Graham Visitor's Center (DGVC). Luckily, I don't think anyone was hurt. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The fallen tree left behind two Western Red Cedar trees. The three trees had grown up side-by-side-by-side. A trio of trees with interdependent root systems. The Cedars depended on the weight of the Fir tree to help hold them in place. With the weight gone there was concern that the Cedars could become unbalanced, fall over and injure someone. This issue was especially concerning because the trees are in one of the busiest parts the Arboretum i.e. just west of the DGVC, and</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> surrounded by multiple well-used walking paths</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. The UW Arborists decided it would be wise to remove the bulk of the weight from the Cedar trees.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmWpZaMqsCkDAWWr2h1p9wNIprblSyYpTK7aX2Vl9J7ZywhIoGfcoy1Er_VWwuJVc5NeUSMV8OUcA4rY9UnEWpha0wIwAy1XH2MmHpJEmGy2392ygeNXCA8edeUmn67bWUzAwRmAKCzLIy1784mPjyzi7t7x83_QPUUNKsRtid4vsMi_as29QLTw/s4705/20220407-AK1I8176.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4705" data-original-width="3137" height="764" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmWpZaMqsCkDAWWr2h1p9wNIprblSyYpTK7aX2Vl9J7ZywhIoGfcoy1Er_VWwuJVc5NeUSMV8OUcA4rY9UnEWpha0wIwAy1XH2MmHpJEmGy2392ygeNXCA8edeUmn67bWUzAwRmAKCzLIy1784mPjyzi7t7x83_QPUUNKsRtid4vsMi_as29QLTw/w508-h764/20220407-AK1I8176.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Luckily, Shea Cope decided to leave the lower portions of trees intact as wildlife snags. In fact, as an Arboretum Arborist employed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Shea went out of his way to not only leave portions of the trees but to also carve a nest site for Northern Flickers in the top of the taller one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Notice how his horizontal cuts are angled at about 45 degrees. The top cut goes up and the lower one goes down. This was followed by a vertical cut that connected to the two prior cuts. This created a slab of bark and trunk that was no longer connected to the tree. This allowed Shea to slide the slab sideways, remove it, and set it to one side, before continuing to excavate the Flicker nesting area. After finishing the nest site, he slid the slab back into place. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdyxp-EM9645wZV5FZcVi2RE-T8WW--AGAshC2_9jZwhyDfocYQ_RojxzkBf254xw8SsXkDEbx7tjoPg2cHVfUFC07TpLYF8O97nrSMlthUkeQiyHy_IK_KSxcnCWjOk0w-wnEXnExuS54BSWujHQiu9OVU5VxK-xBltC87Nt_YVpBhBsLtRchSg/s3733/20220528-IMG_6183.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3733" data-original-width="2800" height="683" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdyxp-EM9645wZV5FZcVi2RE-T8WW--AGAshC2_9jZwhyDfocYQ_RojxzkBf254xw8SsXkDEbx7tjoPg2cHVfUFC07TpLYF8O97nrSMlthUkeQiyHy_IK_KSxcnCWjOk0w-wnEXnExuS54BSWujHQiu9OVU5VxK-xBltC87Nt_YVpBhBsLtRchSg/w512-h683/20220528-IMG_6183.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Shea also added a small round entrance hole, sized precisely for a Northern Flicker. In this photo the slab has been re-installed.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> With its perfectly matching bark i</span><span style="font-family: arial;">t is very hard to notice. Look near the top of the taller snag. Nonetheless</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, the wild things noticed.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjLzb5WH1AqYaTwKWWFUzSE3frTQwsssz713aIhTck1L0mpUp_lr0xPTjmmA1Xcck6f4Oho3PUVM9hIdN1yPNZ4nkk4xrPf7xx3GZBCTuBIORgkOqKz8XzBXVJARc7meAOtwdHUhWwUhfUIOqfJj4sSG1jfF5DcLrY9x8pnIoqWEO3QH-kbWsnYE/s4933/20220717-AK1I5287.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4933" data-original-width="3289" height="791" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjLzb5WH1AqYaTwKWWFUzSE3frTQwsssz713aIhTck1L0mpUp_lr0xPTjmmA1Xcck6f4Oho3PUVM9hIdN1yPNZ4nkk4xrPf7xx3GZBCTuBIORgkOqKz8XzBXVJARc7meAOtwdHUhWwUhfUIOqfJj4sSG1jfF5DcLrY9x8pnIoqWEO3QH-kbWsnYE/w526-h791/20220717-AK1I5287.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The access hole is about 18 inches below the top of the snag. Later, Shea was quite excited when he saw a Douglas Squirrel enter the nest. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Douglas Squirrels are a native PNW squirrel. They have only returned to the Arboretum in the last few years. </span><a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2021/03/a-chickaree-resurgence.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Click Here</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> to learn more about their return.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf6z4kZOfhgMFaNWj3P9TdKohn0J6A13KFEgDzyMW-FkjYrPOCXuHwxPyxp-ce3E4OC8nawSLRUJ4VtkUzoVdzL06_ZmzzsUa8OenUskPyjuZl3kjrO6Yh4xVrXbSZYmz5ZI2tNLPOjP5x521RH74WM_vbX_yqsO0andyKifOM-5Nu7LZuon2aLk/s3066/20220717-AK1I5284.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2044" data-original-width="3066" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf6z4kZOfhgMFaNWj3P9TdKohn0J6A13KFEgDzyMW-FkjYrPOCXuHwxPyxp-ce3E4OC8nawSLRUJ4VtkUzoVdzL06_ZmzzsUa8OenUskPyjuZl3kjrO6Yh4xVrXbSZYmz5ZI2tNLPOjP5x521RH74WM_vbX_yqsO0andyKifOM-5Nu7LZuon2aLk/w640-h426/20220717-AK1I5284.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was also quite excited about the idea of watching their nesting process. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I started watching more closely to see what would happen. Seeing Douglas Squirrels nesting</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> would be a first for me.</span></div></div></div><p></p><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxXKdcMcxGDNQIG8q565IaXPb8f8exqwFr77t-GoJ_IJjJGdw5uwuBlQQhKwJrYAc4WH-5_Y8QCXZfavs-_fF_f8qL9ZtZ9ANHrrTI3f5ELjA52rSVqRcR7kQ6zXrDAJZA0Fb_MTHspkeCpnBM6yFxYZq1vmqPtCWfzXiGGaIvFm-BKhcjOQ_8BU/s2201/20220717-AK1I5314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2201" data-original-width="1467" height="885" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxXKdcMcxGDNQIG8q565IaXPb8f8exqwFr77t-GoJ_IJjJGdw5uwuBlQQhKwJrYAc4WH-5_Y8QCXZfavs-_fF_f8qL9ZtZ9ANHrrTI3f5ELjA52rSVqRcR7kQ6zXrDAJZA0Fb_MTHspkeCpnBM6yFxYZq1vmqPtCWfzXiGGaIvFm-BKhcjOQ_8BU/w589-h885/20220717-AK1I5314.jpg" width="589" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This Douglas Squirrel scampered around the tree, but it did not appear to be nesting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3tC4lOhKg7nhVSaa9gFpqFay5brTDKw3kTGrTcZJ8mGYG1KbHdfR8z-jHU6CyQqWW7SZO-9qKPgZ7o4Wy6hEcGF_qoMDqKPXsmZQZQ0r4ncXSzQdpk02kbI1Csta6UK7RtnbhilzHHJ4g4W8Hz6f-Wk5t48ywSs6IdRYE9oMPvs2gupAgLKe3oY/s5472/20220717-AK1I5296.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3tC4lOhKg7nhVSaa9gFpqFay5brTDKw3kTGrTcZJ8mGYG1KbHdfR8z-jHU6CyQqWW7SZO-9qKPgZ7o4Wy6hEcGF_qoMDqKPXsmZQZQ0r4ncXSzQdpk02kbI1Csta6UK7RtnbhilzHHJ4g4W8Hz6f-Wk5t48ywSs6IdRYE9oMPvs2gupAgLKe3oY/w640-h426/20220717-AK1I5296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Maybe it</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> felt the site was too exposed.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT6UlWGnPRFBCwRQwEQcCAUSIX5ROm6er6llbleR04OTXT97EnuzDr1nKcpgKluE8LYT8zF6sdFw2EKe7ZTI4zJBPx6B-9YOr89Z68TFBN7sz_YfRMOYwPeuWH0IRUTwFO875wipM5GjjnA9V0AbdqkSeJ8IuICTjZUa5JWL1DEUkHnjNDYZazUw/s5472/20221012-AK1I1598.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT6UlWGnPRFBCwRQwEQcCAUSIX5ROm6er6llbleR04OTXT97EnuzDr1nKcpgKluE8LYT8zF6sdFw2EKe7ZTI4zJBPx6B-9YOr89Z68TFBN7sz_YfRMOYwPeuWH0IRUTwFO875wipM5GjjnA9V0AbdqkSeJ8IuICTjZUa5JWL1DEUkHnjNDYZazUw/w640-h426/20221012-AK1I1598.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One quick way to tell a Douglas Squirrel from the more common Eastern Grey Squirrels is the color of the belly. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckzlFkOdA0Nn5nrIW32IjuTR8a4NaNsCnh6ujl9Sz6Dm_q__pOv4S3EeKjntiGM5x1iYEqyzFxxcGUZ6Tg8NvOjbMGJGPNdPiiwm7trsm-_HoeAoQviq5oYrnTriLXiiCFWXqAhhNRh50dC2peDKkTeuvVK_KbKbryNErA4s2QnSKlWY-YBhHotk/s3533/20230215-AK1I6780.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2355" data-original-width="3533" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckzlFkOdA0Nn5nrIW32IjuTR8a4NaNsCnh6ujl9Sz6Dm_q__pOv4S3EeKjntiGM5x1iYEqyzFxxcGUZ6Tg8NvOjbMGJGPNdPiiwm7trsm-_HoeAoQviq5oYrnTriLXiiCFWXqAhhNRh50dC2peDKkTeuvVK_KbKbryNErA4s2QnSKlWY-YBhHotk/w640-h426/20230215-AK1I6780.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The non-native, introduced, Eastern Gray Squirrels have white stomachs and chests. Their eyes also seem smaller relative to the size of their heads.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Douglas Squirrels are faster, smaller, louder, and harder to follow. They can be both shy and loudly quarrelsome. Their cantankerous approach seems to serve them well. I have watched one chase away one of the larger Eastern Gray Squirrels.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='585' height='487' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzrMkLr7MCewsmFi2sj6uHCJagN4rSEZukN3QoPaKenpGrPxQ1NdmUSAKw_hkAwQTcWWXSwjhdwqkhkLD9yHQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They often make a rapid "tchoo, tchoo, tchoo" call - which makes me feel like they are angry that I am near their tree and breathing their air. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3ExgNR_hm5B0eZaTg03IQvCGzYF3Hf_zBy0k7DVXIvzmLFGVDRxZN7UetpshRegu9T5m7Wxe7X72T8gDAJ8C0ZFjFzUDamLdQZl1DsJsSjaC8s_zacsU1Li5pBcrwt8mJfKPeG7_UFenOe1xCUyh_XE2GeKQBWgoVnldOE-p0udXrBW3Mvuv7BY/s4138/20221115-AK1I3203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2759" data-original-width="4138" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3ExgNR_hm5B0eZaTg03IQvCGzYF3Hf_zBy0k7DVXIvzmLFGVDRxZN7UetpshRegu9T5m7Wxe7X72T8gDAJ8C0ZFjFzUDamLdQZl1DsJsSjaC8s_zacsU1Li5pBcrwt8mJfKPeG7_UFenOe1xCUyh_XE2GeKQBWgoVnldOE-p0udXrBW3Mvuv7BY/w640-h426/20221115-AK1I3203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In February, I saw a Douglas Squirrel removing moss from the Wilcox walking bridge. Later my friend, John, thoughtfully suggested the squirrel may not have been eating the moss - as I had assumed. He thought it might have been stuffing its cheeks and then transporting the moss to line its nest. If only I had watched more closely I might have spotted my first Douglas Squirrel nest site.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_caNPXUHLXzR8-Jvt654DHQRyh692fp6OuN6PoPNxwcECYx7wipgNODJ1yDfjUFnkuO7IBMcm7MZDu_EhJxlzNnuig1B_vjSvb50FJYUm6oAF_zuHwzjElpwr-Te6qyP5y4IgyG77j32QNaAFAsxTLm-5qHLN-dD2C2eB9IyelJZlPYXhtPI6EDw/s3565/20230312-AK1I7879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3565" data-original-width="2377" height="876" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_caNPXUHLXzR8-Jvt654DHQRyh692fp6OuN6PoPNxwcECYx7wipgNODJ1yDfjUFnkuO7IBMcm7MZDu_EhJxlzNnuig1B_vjSvb50FJYUm6oAF_zuHwzjElpwr-Te6qyP5y4IgyG77j32QNaAFAsxTLm-5qHLN-dD2C2eB9IyelJZlPYXhtPI6EDw/w583-h876/20230312-AK1I7879.jpg" width="583" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By March, there were squirrels around the Western Red Cedar nest site, but they were not the Douglas Squirrels.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuntLYBnoN8GO7vCnIWYVPuzUpaY9hUtfUDYPxHCmRjawg3qdzs8EQDHxcl1pfF06LinhNI0mn9auww69Toi7lz_jxi2wbwK9BLFkUNOgejSrb94n1RUpHnrEGItsZrZr_dy2Z--yC28h9X87GLXzfNPubvp8RQ0aDOrKx65oEKH_MQsC1m7049JY/s5472/20230427-AK1I1794.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuntLYBnoN8GO7vCnIWYVPuzUpaY9hUtfUDYPxHCmRjawg3qdzs8EQDHxcl1pfF06LinhNI0mn9auww69Toi7lz_jxi2wbwK9BLFkUNOgejSrb94n1RUpHnrEGItsZrZr_dy2Z--yC28h9X87GLXzfNPubvp8RQ0aDOrKx65oEKH_MQsC1m7049JY/w640-h426/20230427-AK1I1794.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They were the Eastern Gray Squirrels. Luckily, they were not the only ones to find value in Shea's Wildlife Snag.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp1q69PSOC_ePcJHim-Hgkz7M1JE8nESYwryyBOKMNuh7iuWxxTOm-lxUCaMs-HKZB-MzXHB7JQnz0EZjCzh8cWmVYRlONPIDzCAY0T9JyMQPR1AlOK9xkfl-rT18rEavMu4b6PHrVxR6f_pR8Wa-5oU8yqn0pQH3BG97O3euJq2j6X9LoBp9R8w/s4776/20230606-AK1I4416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4776" data-original-width="3184" height="830" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp1q69PSOC_ePcJHim-Hgkz7M1JE8nESYwryyBOKMNuh7iuWxxTOm-lxUCaMs-HKZB-MzXHB7JQnz0EZjCzh8cWmVYRlONPIDzCAY0T9JyMQPR1AlOK9xkfl-rT18rEavMu4b6PHrVxR6f_pR8Wa-5oU8yqn0pQH3BG97O3euJq2j6X9LoBp9R8w/w552-h830/20230606-AK1I4416.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A few week's ago my friend Roy Farrow, Arboretum Grounds Supervisor, informed me that Brown Creepers were nesting there. In the photo above can you barely see the Creeper as it is exiting the nest hidden under the bark on the east side of the snag.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5rhnol8iG8_XX369OXLQJ8kk2Oox-8d4NcjrQdg8YiZIUGOdsWHacepZmcnKlT_j0XUWVveTn1x_BTRbYtjUsaOeY08pnFqYq8AQ9znqKVum4TwAvK9Y70-nUKAm3XXeNPcLs1K8GOV_nMJ4aCDHdjH62CgZTREaeI2OlO-WkleKXji0IsensBc/s2041/20230606-AK1I4428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2041" data-original-width="1360" height="825" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5rhnol8iG8_XX369OXLQJ8kk2Oox-8d4NcjrQdg8YiZIUGOdsWHacepZmcnKlT_j0XUWVveTn1x_BTRbYtjUsaOeY08pnFqYq8AQ9znqKVum4TwAvK9Y70-nUKAm3XXeNPcLs1K8GOV_nMJ4aCDHdjH62CgZTREaeI2OlO-WkleKXji0IsensBc/w549-h825/20230606-AK1I4428.jpg" width="549" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this photo, an adult is returning to the nest with a mouthful of spiders for its young. This is a fairly conventional nest for a Brown Creeper, but it is not what we might consider a conventional bird's nest.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKCKvNQPLVq4Z3OAUWtgHm5YARdRxCF_U2ubefbDYBsi7uWRhI0f3rlHcu-Mv1Vs6RzQSYnMa7Ne4cR_4v4MAg0oFkCICYuuE9bbXtOGpI29LvH4lduoRzOP4u0b0g3MVZD-AIpKrZ8eur2cWzEGMWbvSwp61OrPOQmvKtURg8fphJbLndUulsp4/s1791/20230606-AK1I4438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1194" height="825" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKCKvNQPLVq4Z3OAUWtgHm5YARdRxCF_U2ubefbDYBsi7uWRhI0f3rlHcu-Mv1Vs6RzQSYnMa7Ne4cR_4v4MAg0oFkCICYuuE9bbXtOGpI29LvH4lduoRzOP4u0b0g3MVZD-AIpKrZ8eur2cWzEGMWbvSwp61OrPOQmvKtURg8fphJbLndUulsp4/w549-h825/20230606-AK1I4438.jpg" width="549" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They typically build their nests under a loose piece of bark that has pulled away from a tree. Often, the bark is not even connected to the tree on the bottom side. I think of these type of nests as "shingle nests".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iiT4zDOVI0bn6qwLsKI_pWkMHVrQ231E82EtU3Ebp8sfTPR7uQOGLJpy3CRaPssZGGs4lvWnj9Wt8kPMaVfm_Yiz-b_dSr6baKOmcLMvMy-DZpah9-C3Rs6-otnHhrhY-KgWGQtCnn2zusEk70URTSMdTch2ZHk9JNKgGk9laAz1X165WC5T5OY/s2678/20230606-AK1I4443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2678" data-original-width="1780" height="812" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iiT4zDOVI0bn6qwLsKI_pWkMHVrQ231E82EtU3Ebp8sfTPR7uQOGLJpy3CRaPssZGGs4lvWnj9Wt8kPMaVfm_Yiz-b_dSr6baKOmcLMvMy-DZpah9-C3Rs6-otnHhrhY-KgWGQtCnn2zusEk70URTSMdTch2ZHk9JNKgGk9laAz1X165WC5T5OY/w540-h812/20230606-AK1I4443.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Whether connected at the bottom or not the critical part seems to be that the bark sticks out just enough so that they can sneak behind it and into the small, safe, vertical space. I suppose shedding rain is a secondary benefit of this nest type.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOdp4xK1QQi9D4LNzK-1QI6qui6lOc3QDZiKa9L_57AZAxETofeARIYUfqfT4Sopm3l5ceTHfLGvoqwWyLMjt-ihikEROMtvjpD2wRLBtOk5yhG-jhaJ20NC7S2rRLlTg45D3ztxBzvR0WWI0t0neASVzW0mrGcredb-29TRSdYCBRM1UgBa_9rA/s2534/20230515-AK1I3006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2534" data-original-width="1693" height="818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOdp4xK1QQi9D4LNzK-1QI6qui6lOc3QDZiKa9L_57AZAxETofeARIYUfqfT4Sopm3l5ceTHfLGvoqwWyLMjt-ihikEROMtvjpD2wRLBtOk5yhG-jhaJ20NC7S2rRLlTg45D3ztxBzvR0WWI0t0neASVzW0mrGcredb-29TRSdYCBRM1UgBa_9rA/w547-h818/20230515-AK1I3006.jpg" width="547" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even though the Douglas Squirrels did not nest in the Wildlife Snag, my friend Jeff Graham and I did happen to find some using a "hole" in a Big-leaf Maple Tree. We were following the young Ravens in the Arboretum when one of the young Ravens landed on the north side of this tree. The Raven started making curiously unusual sounds. While listening and watching I happened to notice a flicker of motion on the left-hand side of the tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE7BY8TBUIOdmgGPq0ztvh3SOasMP8E1q26uC19iJLXDcEg7Tbd1pvRm1zcOa36ArIF33_KQGEMRSkxu8UlJn-inHwTeEWN-VdHpPQJz2P5k3uwBQLpKMsJiIu02Y1GQ8SsS6no5h8CJoELqqK3F8QOxdDhqrhmJzspXcCJpMKgUsBXYXGFXEfu8/s2604/20230515-AK1I2767.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2604" data-original-width="1739" height="811" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE7BY8TBUIOdmgGPq0ztvh3SOasMP8E1q26uC19iJLXDcEg7Tbd1pvRm1zcOa36ArIF33_KQGEMRSkxu8UlJn-inHwTeEWN-VdHpPQJz2P5k3uwBQLpKMsJiIu02Y1GQ8SsS6no5h8CJoELqqK3F8QOxdDhqrhmJzspXcCJpMKgUsBXYXGFXEfu8/w542-h811/20230515-AK1I2767.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At first I saw just one and then two Douglas Squirrels.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lD6HBL7LNAyrAaXjvLIctc53otsWpQog2032BmTVSm7y4QsJO--93u-4X_lFHyUNYLankDKEO_EDpPrgfABnRxUO6SbJfBccLLWM2GvOJ8cVRsM2F0kcsDU8HY24XKPkgOi3-mYJkqyrnIMP5P5WcaNP2oKer8BwH2QEuDxqdga1cOWI6EQzzno/s4063/20230515-AK1I2826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2709" data-original-width="4063" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lD6HBL7LNAyrAaXjvLIctc53otsWpQog2032BmTVSm7y4QsJO--93u-4X_lFHyUNYLankDKEO_EDpPrgfABnRxUO6SbJfBccLLWM2GvOJ8cVRsM2F0kcsDU8HY24XKPkgOi3-mYJkqyrnIMP5P5WcaNP2oKer8BwH2QEuDxqdga1cOWI6EQzzno/w640-h426/20230515-AK1I2826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then I noticed a third and...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxe30_732qQgHa_TApMnZrcjYaL0pM_ekDGZhN6NEf4QFUm9hvLiiTeqmhLpVoG-bkMqoLYqixk6yG4w-Ag48jVCmViA-ADGz3h--OQuFtHAUw3X4jZD3pt0bFgmfWvk2O_JlgVsh3IZ6uMkGwehmTXV2UVp1H86n5uPvg0eVi1OWUJkDCD8wwIpg/s3624/20230515-AK1I2853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3624" data-original-width="2422" height="871" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxe30_732qQgHa_TApMnZrcjYaL0pM_ekDGZhN6NEf4QFUm9hvLiiTeqmhLpVoG-bkMqoLYqixk6yG4w-Ag48jVCmViA-ADGz3h--OQuFtHAUw3X4jZD3pt0bFgmfWvk2O_JlgVsh3IZ6uMkGwehmTXV2UVp1H86n5uPvg0eVi1OWUJkDCD8wwIpg/w582-h871/20230515-AK1I2853.jpg" width="582" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">...and finally, a fourth one.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SzquFA7xy_2gIbxBylILQ0baE1ysC14tK_7M1BX5DU-s5jfy05p3W9y4qGpFPQqRWHm2zkwCtkcmp84xwx7sl0mt54TytfLbJME53vXEV8NhoGo3FzlRz5tWQs_Korf_evavGU-SgleB8Qz1QokTx7BXXdQ7NmIgMWolOalIOBHBQkGPbUVGdKA/s3648/20230515-AK1I2855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="861" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SzquFA7xy_2gIbxBylILQ0baE1ysC14tK_7M1BX5DU-s5jfy05p3W9y4qGpFPQqRWHm2zkwCtkcmp84xwx7sl0mt54TytfLbJME53vXEV8NhoGo3FzlRz5tWQs_Korf_evavGU-SgleB8Qz1QokTx7BXXdQ7NmIgMWolOalIOBHBQkGPbUVGdKA/w573-h861/20230515-AK1I2855.jpg" width="573" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Every time a raven would fly by, all four would disappear into the hole faster than I could blink my eyes.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJffFRJNNu6Pu0-jQYGr9vwzUEFYxzIxiWBrnZUT9oLfx6-3rNCGN2et9ws9Opyh2FwyZTgkUgJEnSWJXscfGL_mdttQ4FVSTN6UEDhJlBUtEe4q1OS54z8kpci4jhcAXg3tA732orkQBEPTZHW7d7PCBKfUYpkv3HMc0rrn1eP3tJVH6ljabRuA/s2885/20230515-AK1I2873.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2885" data-original-width="1918" height="846" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJffFRJNNu6Pu0-jQYGr9vwzUEFYxzIxiWBrnZUT9oLfx6-3rNCGN2et9ws9Opyh2FwyZTgkUgJEnSWJXscfGL_mdttQ4FVSTN6UEDhJlBUtEe4q1OS54z8kpci4jhcAXg3tA732orkQBEPTZHW7d7PCBKfUYpkv3HMc0rrn1eP3tJVH6ljabRuA/w563-h846/20230515-AK1I2873.jpg" width="563" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This National Park Service <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/douglas-s-squirrel.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">website site</span></a>, says four is the average number of young for Douglas Squirrels. While I cannot prove this was their nest, they seemed to think it was a safe place to hide from the Ravens, which would be an important characteristic of a nest.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='591' height='491' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy-b-z35YJiMVbe6HhYeeaKLGKtK8HMfgAnbvTTAk0BKwWYWR6h0oxw9fmoIWCDvohkKSSttYhLl4rmGTWUtQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This brief clip is from Jeff's video of the squirrels. (Thank You, Jeff!).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The speed of the squirrel's preening and cleaning makes it look like the video has been sped-up. But as you can tell from the sound of the Raven this is the actual speed of the Douglas Squirrel's movements.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeRTERfPlDT35S6RyIMN00VcWLXRuN-2CHA_LpW-LVToOu5jzySGC0t3zG0ojf0n7s3SaIZjqQLlso8Vm7wsGznS_xLBq_Xe8EVOdGSN-R2hq070-hKGGU_tiic74Iwxmc-e5JKutmciomR-Lsc-6BFnhlmuKkkQ4hiWqZMF-1b2eRUSNOvQVfRU/s2787/20230613-AK1I4637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="2787" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeRTERfPlDT35S6RyIMN00VcWLXRuN-2CHA_LpW-LVToOu5jzySGC0t3zG0ojf0n7s3SaIZjqQLlso8Vm7wsGznS_xLBq_Xe8EVOdGSN-R2hq070-hKGGU_tiic74Iwxmc-e5JKutmciomR-Lsc-6BFnhlmuKkkQ4hiWqZMF-1b2eRUSNOvQVfRU/w640-h426/20230613-AK1I4637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lately, I noticed one more creature in the upper hole in the Wildlife Snag. At first I could not tell what it was.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqICtDMHq26KoghlRdSME03JI2i76cGLb2qyXLPpuEwNw7BMCKE-BP7SFnHNwMZcBm9b45hRz5N-rXE0UL_hEFhCmtGBjKhaMt0RqYNKgvuXYpjjBhbS4ctkKnSA55IPR6F46cnUQZVE5dqFjT5SnHqYYJxZ1Ejau16DDLaf1zTXljr3BMKXEOBI/s2868/20230613-AK1I4644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="2868" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqICtDMHq26KoghlRdSME03JI2i76cGLb2qyXLPpuEwNw7BMCKE-BP7SFnHNwMZcBm9b45hRz5N-rXE0UL_hEFhCmtGBjKhaMt0RqYNKgvuXYpjjBhbS4ctkKnSA55IPR6F46cnUQZVE5dqFjT5SnHqYYJxZ1Ejau16DDLaf1zTXljr3BMKXEOBI/w640-h426/20230613-AK1I4644.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">When it looked up the eye stripes were a give away.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbcs8khi4hidMYzmIezQv-cr9p-eVxjdo2M568-LQVe3Rh8CHJ8bhuFosiwPoJjLr7ZfRiW0-LMN5NuS1cgdusOIMfKUx72D5fNgzN2H1SyEGgFAEEZIVAb702pcsSafrt7lfSdscRZH8YL3unWRaIvTlLKdjvy_PPHXP27GNfl5diwxAdp686TQ/s3003/20230613-AK1I4639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="3003" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbcs8khi4hidMYzmIezQv-cr9p-eVxjdo2M568-LQVe3Rh8CHJ8bhuFosiwPoJjLr7ZfRiW0-LMN5NuS1cgdusOIMfKUx72D5fNgzN2H1SyEGgFAEEZIVAb702pcsSafrt7lfSdscRZH8YL3unWRaIvTlLKdjvy_PPHXP27GNfl5diwxAdp686TQ/w640-h426/20230613-AK1I4639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was a Red-breasted Nuthatch.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUdZopxhhoWD7s5_Pj0-y_KJ3obvKLgUlyyyt0ffLZS_B5c8Ejakz4LjEehw4jdsZbxTxkNI4QM6bDi61zOtgnExbxRLcUPw5y369JUbqWxpjdctKjNNDWQdqw3AmTl4a9u2DKdCNVlwNC7AQc4mnz_EMMkur1_pDMppWblnTuZ6MHrNHn5oZ4e0/s5472/20230613-AK1I4650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUdZopxhhoWD7s5_Pj0-y_KJ3obvKLgUlyyyt0ffLZS_B5c8Ejakz4LjEehw4jdsZbxTxkNI4QM6bDi61zOtgnExbxRLcUPw5y369JUbqWxpjdctKjNNDWQdqw3AmTl4a9u2DKdCNVlwNC7AQc4mnz_EMMkur1_pDMppWblnTuZ6MHrNHn5oZ4e0/w640-h426/20230613-AK1I4650.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was apparently just hanging out and resting in the protected site. I have not seen it there since. As it left, I noticed its tail looked short and I suspect it was a young bird curiously inspecting the world.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Shea's wonderful nest site is a great example for anyone who wants to attract wild creatures to their yard. However, Shea's flexibility maybe even more exemplary. He did the best he could to attract a Northern Flicker but then nature happened. Sometimes we have to re-adjust our expectations and just go with the flow. Even though what happened was unexpected we all must agree that Shea's efforts were a total success. The Arboretum would be far less interesting and much less hospitable to nature if Shea had simply removed the Western Red Cedar tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Thank you, Shea!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ps: If you have not responded to the Arboretum Foundation survey there is still time. Please <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2023/06/speak-up.html" target="_blank">Click Here</a> and and let us know what is important to you. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(I wish I had remembered to write about how important peace and quiet is in the Arboretum. Hearing the birds sing, the wind in the leaves, and the sound of flowing water is so much more soothing than the sounds vehicular traffic. I wonder if Lake Washington Blvd could be closed on Sundays?)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Note: Tallamy also includes those plants that support pollinating bees and bugs as Keystone Plants.</p><p>Here are some relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IxGqo70RsydDulaYdCb0OW-g7ZrYwfRc7_lKYwGCM4WYTzVzPsoIj89ojV0ZifzIuM_OmhjGZ57B3CnnyFhOI3uIgE_oXNW31G8cx2XaCYfwzMk_8msZ9-NCaj15hdleGrcfwo9Ib84xsVFqVZDOTxEeC-g_mNmPwKws8MYeVzSdP4bKcVtBkkSpBw/s5472/20230701-AK1I5486.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IxGqo70RsydDulaYdCb0OW-g7ZrYwfRc7_lKYwGCM4WYTzVzPsoIj89ojV0ZifzIuM_OmhjGZ57B3CnnyFhOI3uIgE_oXNW31G8cx2XaCYfwzMk_8msZ9-NCaj15hdleGrcfwo9Ib84xsVFqVZDOTxEeC-g_mNmPwKws8MYeVzSdP4bKcVtBkkSpBw/w640-h426/20230701-AK1I5486.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">B.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnUn7_Qa8Lh7Piu-eF9GsUReSBmZeWrNBMwxNclUWn_piJdweVeZQQfHwwdSG_7RNq4eeB6AcisEXuVh_KEuPEFfiIGZK3pKOiCYeKVPGl6ZY4mmup4pfvL4eUxv_d7_HutBK4-5kcUtN29gPsYQgXzIryYf5RjrHpciZgx0ubxkSU1Dd-T9IGkiKZg/s5472/20230701-AK1I5487.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnUn7_Qa8Lh7Piu-eF9GsUReSBmZeWrNBMwxNclUWn_piJdweVeZQQfHwwdSG_7RNq4eeB6AcisEXuVh_KEuPEFfiIGZK3pKOiCYeKVPGl6ZY4mmup4pfvL4eUxv_d7_HutBK4-5kcUtN29gPsYQgXzIryYf5RjrHpciZgx0ubxkSU1Dd-T9IGkiKZg/w640-h426/20230701-AK1I5487.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Are these flowers native to our area? Both are blooming currently.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><a href="https://green2.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Plant.aspx?Act=view&PlantID=38" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Thimbleberry</span></a>: </b>Photo A is a native Thimbleberry plant. King County endorses this plant as drought tolerant, edible fruit, and good for butterflies & birds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "arial";"><b><a href="https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/hedge-bindweed.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Hedge</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: times;"> </span></a></b></span><b><a href="https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/hedge-bindweed.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Bindweed</span></a>: </b>Photo B is an invasive weed that grows on other plants and trees using their strength for support while placing flowers and leaves that interfere with the underlying plant's ability to absorb sunlight. In photo B the bindweed is growing on Thimbleberry. The large leaves belong to the Thimbleberry and the smaller heart-shaped leaves belong to the Bindweed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Click on the names of the plants to learn more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-29084920792569444512023-06-24T13:42:00.003-07:002023-06-24T13:42:52.083-07:00Speak Up!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC90lDxj8cXh4Y0hCo27NW7Rp-4EzBZv1b0r2GLChnYC_YjpyUy-dmZOUqlilkRo_i6pE7w7e5EJTbiBRwZ-_O6C3Rh4sQQMc-v5l8nIEfTbvbMl3oom5s9eY1dSGQAgA-2SAerPRInQ0GygKckMKwx_wtoM4iTme0jiny7f2i6NC0DDGzN_En9J8vCQ/s1080/survey%20boost%20post%20gunnera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC90lDxj8cXh4Y0hCo27NW7Rp-4EzBZv1b0r2GLChnYC_YjpyUy-dmZOUqlilkRo_i6pE7w7e5EJTbiBRwZ-_O6C3Rh4sQQMc-v5l8nIEfTbvbMl3oom5s9eY1dSGQAgA-2SAerPRInQ0GygKckMKwx_wtoM4iTme0jiny7f2i6NC0DDGzN_En9J8vCQ/w640-h640/survey%20boost%20post%20gunnera.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Arboretum Foundation and UW Botanic Gardens have launched <a href="https://arboretumfoundation.org/community-survey/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">a broad, state-funded survey</span></a> to learn about the needs and preferences of our community regarding the future of the Washington Park Arboretum. They are hoping to get feedback from current park users and potential new visitors.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A focal point of the survey is the North End parcel, the 28-acre peninsula on the shores of Union Bay immediately northwest of the Arboretum. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">On </span><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1i2xwgknXB14_7RTDSo0tJEhCO4g&ll=47.64176119262849%2C-122.30721994796963&z=15" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">this map</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the area is labeled "WSDOT Peninsula" and it includes the land surrounding Kingfisher Cove. Currently, it is a staging/office area for the 520 bridge construction. The land is to be returned to the Arboretum, via the Seattle Parks and Recreation partnership, after the completion of the 520 projects. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the largest expansion of the Arboretum in decades and most likely nothing comparable will ever happen again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At this stage, the Arboretum leaders are collecting very broad input and ideas, but priorities include recognizing the Coast Salish peoples as the original inhabitants of the land, expanding shoreline access, and restoring Arboretum Creek.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2foFP-KZwEbVHl4LiZYkXlP0TCa0DvwvZ2eLGX2EOfQ3_4AHllGtJcoWvlTh6xgrbUFBcsb4Vp0W5PwLQ7zGgFwR5BYDaW8S8Dn8brDlRHbaVXk7l3Z4-OBrfBqKRmbqdGS0L5WrPQyCrg5LmGgp4h75e8zovvi7EYNKRvIuUVDXrUYDDIyPxGlV1w/s1474/TCG_EE10K094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1474" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2foFP-KZwEbVHl4LiZYkXlP0TCa0DvwvZ2eLGX2EOfQ3_4AHllGtJcoWvlTh6xgrbUFBcsb4Vp0W5PwLQ7zGgFwR5BYDaW8S8Dn8brDlRHbaVXk7l3Z4-OBrfBqKRmbqdGS0L5WrPQyCrg5LmGgp4h75e8zovvi7EYNKRvIuUVDXrUYDDIyPxGlV1w/w640-h414/TCG_EE10K094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">(This artwork, by Gail Wong, was paid for by a Seattle Neighborhood Matching fund grant.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <a href="https://www.arboretumcreek.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Friends of Arboretum Creek</span></a> are focused on three areas of restoration for Arboretum Creek:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Restoring year-round flow in the <a href="https://www.arboretumcreek.org/ourMaps.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">headwaters</span></a> of the creek, </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Adding native <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">keystone</span></a> plants and trees (as shown in the artwork above), and the</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Daylighting of the lower portion of Arboretum Creek. </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;">Together, these improvements will benefit native trees and plants, while attracting a wide variety of native fish and birds. While also, hopefully, inspiring a healthy and long-lasting relationship with nature for future generations of local residents. <a href="https://arboretumfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/hubbell_restoring-arboretum-creek.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Click Here</span></a> to learn more. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The daylighting, near the mouth of the creek, will return it to the surface and allow fish to enter the stream for the first time in nearly one hundred years.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, there are many other projects and potential aspirations for the Arboretum. <a href="https://arboretumfoundation.org/2023/03/13/get-to-know-the-arboretum/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Click Here</span></a> to learn more about a variety of current projects and endeavors in the Arboretum.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As the author of this blog, focused on co-existing with nature, as an Arboretum Foundation board member, and as the president of Friends of Arboretum Creek, I am asking you to please take a few minutes to complete this survey. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are both specific and open-ended questions in the survey.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Knowing what you find most important will help you to effectively express your guidance and direction.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">My suggestion is to decide on three points you would like to emphasize before you begin. T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">o take the survey</span><span style="font-family: arial;">:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/arboretum2023" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">CLICK HERE</span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for caring about our shared future in one of our most delightful, healthy, and inspiring public spaces!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ps: In case you are wondering how having fish in Arboretum Creek might enhance your park experience here are just a few of the species they attract to Union Bay.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mraEFGsBQFYwUfSsIGoD7mh5EPuk_5cWtrztHZ0GtQTYK4whgvHLarzWiG0l2RTd-XyESjhgamMfHvvwG2mLxHozJzkFVu82xYrrhN9jOd5WeNTblqoNRBGyBgxgmjCBtRuw5mRTi56VmTjQ5qExeC6tcxXxLzODteTBP-PZ-EMAMAeN2IAddgmEtg/s2260/20160108-354A2277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2260" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mraEFGsBQFYwUfSsIGoD7mh5EPuk_5cWtrztHZ0GtQTYK4whgvHLarzWiG0l2RTd-XyESjhgamMfHvvwG2mLxHozJzkFVu82xYrrhN9jOd5WeNTblqoNRBGyBgxgmjCBtRuw5mRTi56VmTjQ5qExeC6tcxXxLzODteTBP-PZ-EMAMAeN2IAddgmEtg/w640-h426/20160108-354A2277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Belted Kingfisher - female</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44Guw0FjCm10Ii4xs8ndUSfhoZamANQs1w4C1XT4XOzS81DHJ6UYtuUVNmfv6yoQdZDH9b8Sj7cTzh5iRO1qepPA1ejaEgi_fxZOkYD1nVBDpeguEQyO5IpgnHp7B6CMsW0zcsjRPdSOsIr1EcU_uCIXfmkU_r4vlmUdU0heWvtpDeWfiAb9UL_R4fQ/s1539/20180908-EB2R5308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1539" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44Guw0FjCm10Ii4xs8ndUSfhoZamANQs1w4C1XT4XOzS81DHJ6UYtuUVNmfv6yoQdZDH9b8Sj7cTzh5iRO1qepPA1ejaEgi_fxZOkYD1nVBDpeguEQyO5IpgnHp7B6CMsW0zcsjRPdSOsIr1EcU_uCIXfmkU_r4vlmUdU0heWvtpDeWfiAb9UL_R4fQ/w640-h426/20180908-EB2R5308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pied-billed Grebe - near 520</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgemxaxhay-TKcyW_b-q_5aaa3fDJS6CO2HsobkoVBQdPHmNE-pFvll_3v5WF-UNMkBWH1eDN6IyZIHYyB9erVhghQOIDxEXCkHYfiDBXWRzdhEMRcK7tGrAUSsSNs4dKfI4qWYewZTnZwhBTeCCPmmjPJw3GSKLBBbOiWRg8juT2Ss2zcpvk3IIvEuQ/s2115/20170823-EB2R3169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="2115" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgemxaxhay-TKcyW_b-q_5aaa3fDJS6CO2HsobkoVBQdPHmNE-pFvll_3v5WF-UNMkBWH1eDN6IyZIHYyB9erVhghQOIDxEXCkHYfiDBXWRzdhEMRcK7tGrAUSsSNs4dKfI4qWYewZTnZwhBTeCCPmmjPJw3GSKLBBbOiWRg8juT2Ss2zcpvk3IIvEuQ/w640-h426/20170823-EB2R3169.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Green Heron - first year</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwFNC9Lxwz3GspHf4Q8aZqY6J1LjYFMkte_YtUAAsSNAQlkFa8HplWCMBLEK1_ljwthYFmDGQ22aKtyVMc8WSOmRfIqKNVZ7uLfEr9YElqMKXQ0PQ0z0hDqSuwOb7ZTYX8ibJmyVhUgM3ysuBraF3y3gt3U2oE5rR7q3o-6H4TV-xXiOhwdaHieMJEw/s3102/20170404-354A0509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2068" data-original-width="3102" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwFNC9Lxwz3GspHf4Q8aZqY6J1LjYFMkte_YtUAAsSNAQlkFa8HplWCMBLEK1_ljwthYFmDGQ22aKtyVMc8WSOmRfIqKNVZ7uLfEr9YElqMKXQ0PQ0z0hDqSuwOb7ZTYX8ibJmyVhUgM3ysuBraF3y3gt3U2oE5rR7q3o-6H4TV-xXiOhwdaHieMJEw/w640-h426/20170404-354A0509.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Great Blue Heron</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWA6r9_dH2JyjqApeJo3vf1Jqr6ghchIe0DTdUQMJHnSgTD8U1IGXjRr2jwYSwv2kZ-jz2pyTtvU0n-CWDUM42TmBGXPL5tGR0Q6Oa2dR0Z4Pqb9BgJDLMkBIkG_EOtYk1Ci7YYRAD-XsC1l7-ivw64xl8t73GMo7fFNZSoU0wBqFiVMkJnpCf8UtPQ/s1118/20180703-EB2R5519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1118" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWA6r9_dH2JyjqApeJo3vf1Jqr6ghchIe0DTdUQMJHnSgTD8U1IGXjRr2jwYSwv2kZ-jz2pyTtvU0n-CWDUM42TmBGXPL5tGR0Q6Oa2dR0Z4Pqb9BgJDLMkBIkG_EOtYk1Ci7YYRAD-XsC1l7-ivw64xl8t73GMo7fFNZSoU0wBqFiVMkJnpCf8UtPQ/w640-h426/20180703-EB2R5519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bald Eagle</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-7c-6s9qkLl9YwWAyVZ297sgUc6-pEo9i9HE6ReC3QhtmWpMNFNx1OwYIWwYUR_5-rFI6saWhqOG3gHrhTvdBD3MAXL9SyrCsU0LvgBKw0QCj7Umg46LJZ2JfQLGtwdTylY_kztLzBVCt9jdYLNfQsc8-A_SLtrylDJvQodyJXtO7UXMeeMvOCa-Gw/s3096/20181224-EB2R7663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="3096" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-7c-6s9qkLl9YwWAyVZ297sgUc6-pEo9i9HE6ReC3QhtmWpMNFNx1OwYIWwYUR_5-rFI6saWhqOG3gHrhTvdBD3MAXL9SyrCsU0LvgBKw0QCj7Umg46LJZ2JfQLGtwdTylY_kztLzBVCt9jdYLNfQsc8-A_SLtrylDJvQodyJXtO7UXMeeMvOCa-Gw/w640-h426/20181224-EB2R7663.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Bald Eagle - near Husky Stadium</span></div></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSWgCeT9dQe8Wo_h6XfSzrSzqZTHas5BlJnVQog3NXH5CBGXjXDWFODQi33yRkoPmvKkoIRmVuftNHTxJ1EsVhIcGSLoxChWY_hFaT6fmydC3hKYHhBdU2d75Mll7WunO13viekrz0AVSvLAfEMJVMFkxD4AujU2gZHRXkO9KJe-YYAisljmBecCEcQ/s1763/20180707-EB2R5909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1763" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSWgCeT9dQe8Wo_h6XfSzrSzqZTHas5BlJnVQog3NXH5CBGXjXDWFODQi33yRkoPmvKkoIRmVuftNHTxJ1EsVhIcGSLoxChWY_hFaT6fmydC3hKYHhBdU2d75Mll7WunO13viekrz0AVSvLAfEMJVMFkxD4AujU2gZHRXkO9KJe-YYAisljmBecCEcQ/w640-h426/20180707-EB2R5909.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bald Eagle - Montlake Cut nest</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTcODcLOZc5mlAKHIJ3GTflxm9UbyDx_nYIgLUbO79vqVx9F3c-GtQEtCvOpkgH_y6KR2EazRwdYlOUwYrB3sY43Kg0V8zBo23_nhzfzBV98N2QYrY6LdQ6J5SJWSAkZeYhCoUIKxvlPYiZfjm9J3afChflGJzJ20NqQpZbShBCMvBc7uLfLtORDgBQ/s1786/20160724-EB2R5590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1786" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTcODcLOZc5mlAKHIJ3GTflxm9UbyDx_nYIgLUbO79vqVx9F3c-GtQEtCvOpkgH_y6KR2EazRwdYlOUwYrB3sY43Kg0V8zBo23_nhzfzBV98N2QYrY6LdQ6J5SJWSAkZeYhCoUIKxvlPYiZfjm9J3afChflGJzJ20NqQpZbShBCMvBc7uLfLtORDgBQ/w640-h426/20160724-EB2R5590.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Osprey</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64FvrWKUQT4D78Ohw7FeHxpsIqMTwQT-DcecuD4oasunHc-GdQ8lFqEpYbKQj9E30k3OqiRD70qYV1AHMukRb6OyLvtrS5hIvkWuQPz8JtI0ad54a9obuTK8VfI9xyHl_RRtjaKQ4Hfsv4p9RB9m259sbXh7zufcyUZgbWrz-Ru0xEc8ZlOrhN6nykw/s1756/20180726-EB2R2029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1756" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64FvrWKUQT4D78Ohw7FeHxpsIqMTwQT-DcecuD4oasunHc-GdQ8lFqEpYbKQj9E30k3OqiRD70qYV1AHMukRb6OyLvtrS5hIvkWuQPz8JtI0ad54a9obuTK8VfI9xyHl_RRtjaKQ4Hfsv4p9RB9m259sbXh7zufcyUZgbWrz-Ru0xEc8ZlOrhN6nykw/w640-h426/20180726-EB2R2029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Osprey - Union Bay Natural Area nest</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXmPRT8TFPuFOfpEpV1eRW-wPsGxVFRfKbgtwbikThvLVtu5x5NOG-KCvSUi5TqSJfAAy-xXqOfie1dZ6VvANDUV4svGHaYmHoq2lzz5bX0Ja7qveo1N7GvvXmAtsLFuqgrUtZFgxXa9YgiPq5gzIyk5ytiH0i9WP9uLwLE6c4hA8KXIu9asVMR6mBw/s3801/20170929-EB2R8508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2534" data-original-width="3801" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXmPRT8TFPuFOfpEpV1eRW-wPsGxVFRfKbgtwbikThvLVtu5x5NOG-KCvSUi5TqSJfAAy-xXqOfie1dZ6VvANDUV4svGHaYmHoq2lzz5bX0Ja7qveo1N7GvvXmAtsLFuqgrUtZFgxXa9YgiPq5gzIyk5ytiH0i9WP9uLwLE6c4hA8KXIu9asVMR6mBw/w640-h426/20170929-EB2R8508.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">River Otter - photographed on Duck Bay - into which Arboretum Creek flows.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-11551162050396943522023-06-12T15:34:00.001-07:002023-06-12T16:58:21.391-07:00New Life<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjOO9VwaUehIbAkcqNGtlZf8RPja4zgPmTSGYFzZx1NPoOjBVpNBGuQcyyITS-xqjhZqUNr5A4QwYwsRUnubG2u53sN2dOUs_VRcEGMfBp-JKb6bl5vqzTLppus3w215Tbg-Ih57XOVJWhXqsVcVMZ_4tAQa2uwMr9ODciSM3ruFimGP-p1Hzn70/s1266/20230521-AK1I3732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1266" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjOO9VwaUehIbAkcqNGtlZf8RPja4zgPmTSGYFzZx1NPoOjBVpNBGuQcyyITS-xqjhZqUNr5A4QwYwsRUnubG2u53sN2dOUs_VRcEGMfBp-JKb6bl5vqzTLppus3w215Tbg-Ih57XOVJWhXqsVcVMZ_4tAQa2uwMr9ODciSM3ruFimGP-p1Hzn70/w640-h426/20230521-AK1I3732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this photo, Monty and Marsha are clearly focused on someone new in their Montlake Cut nest. This photo was taken a week ago Sunday. May 21st. The evening before, I received two emails alerting me to new life in the nest. My friend, Susan, was the first to break the news. Thank you, Susan! That was followed by my friend, Alejandro, sending video and stills that helped document the situation. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The young eaglet is a little hard to notice but if you look straight down from Monty's neck the eaglet's upper head and one eye are barely visible below the horizontal "X" of small branches. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2B-ky1yLHGboUypYSaq-8U94BS-cGEkTgbJevJ6TzJRLYLNrRfTknh-rjnX7cT0MU3wdBEsxKZFZ7klhkKLMTPQixQaB6xVaqy0iGQy3oeSC2Muabi1efMouPLUcY6jqSzURcDu95v8BipzvFT8juePgjCEg9jkovHg6K9sU0YbFWxLsW5cqdOU/s1138/20230521-AK1I3737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1138" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2B-ky1yLHGboUypYSaq-8U94BS-cGEkTgbJevJ6TzJRLYLNrRfTknh-rjnX7cT0MU3wdBEsxKZFZ7klhkKLMTPQixQaB6xVaqy0iGQy3oeSC2Muabi1efMouPLUcY6jqSzURcDu95v8BipzvFT8juePgjCEg9jkovHg6K9sU0YbFWxLsW5cqdOU/w640-h426/20230521-AK1I3737.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Moments later, the eaglet stands out a bit more against the dark feathers on Marsha's chest. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This is also a good chance to compare the shadows around Monty and Marsha's eyes. My perception is, that Monty generally has just a tiny shadow in front of his eyes. On the other hand, Marsha generally seems to have smudges behind and below her eyes as well. I think they make her look somewhat tired and irritable, while to me Monty always looks rested and ready. Obviously, my perception of their emotions has nothing to do with their real feelings. However, even these imperfect perceptions are helpful as little hints of recognition. Knowing which one is which makes watching them and the roles they play very interesting.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the sixth Spring with Monty and Marsha nesting next to Montlake Cut. Before building their first nest they spent time just north of the Waterfront Activities Center (WAC) which is their most frequent hunting spot. About the same time as they began taking over the southwest portion of Union Bay, they also acquired </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Montlake Cut, Marsh Island, and Portage Bay,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> as parts of their territory. Each year, they have nested in the same centrally-located tree. Although not always in the same nest. Supporting branches have broken, the nests have shifted under the weight of growing eaglets and the nests have fallen more than once. At least three of their young have also fallen, before they could fly, and ended up at the </span><a href="https://www.paws.org" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Progressive Animal Welfare Society</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> i.e. PAWS. However, thanks to PAWS, all the young healed up and were released with a new lease on life. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">City birds face challenges that country birds seldom encounter. For example, each year on the Opening Day of boating season boats parade through Montlake Cut. They go back and forth all day long. Music blares. Motors roar and horns honk. It's a party! Amazingly, Marsha and Monty appear to have adapted. This is especially obvious because their young apparently hatch out right around the same time. Maybe we should teach Seattleites that Opening Day should also be a celebration of new life hatching out, i.e. eggs opening, in Monty and Marsha's nest</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINxbZ67twuQu5cPNbGs6iDVMEvTRiBvfGRhV3KF4RFV3aoEYUO7vtsGii6-TqSCq9FK8nSjQr_P4eLx5EDUK-RuROKcGMZcZFt7ycvnc2YPXvgevfDo_1Vxd9rk8n8XK7qrmudPIJ8MC_HhOvKeECp2JxfkieYASh2bG10jdOWLWARFBLUliD1qE/s1920/eagles_1.5.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINxbZ67twuQu5cPNbGs6iDVMEvTRiBvfGRhV3KF4RFV3aoEYUO7vtsGii6-TqSCq9FK8nSjQr_P4eLx5EDUK-RuROKcGMZcZFt7ycvnc2YPXvgevfDo_1Vxd9rk8n8XK7qrmudPIJ8MC_HhOvKeECp2JxfkieYASh2bG10jdOWLWARFBLUliD1qE/w640-h360/eagles_1.5.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of which, just hours after Susan's email, my friend, Alejandro, sent in this frame from a video he took on the same day. This is the very first proof I saw of young in this year's nest. A special Thank You to Alejandro Mallea!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='581' height='483' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx62bYIXHh1XUDPQfSDzN2MggPuo9jUKyBsDpjQ1JM6kPntd08dUaG3iC9KPM22VRp6T-mKs2VEAU4QcR82Mg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is a small portion of Alejandro's video that shows two young in the nest. Right at the beginning the first eaglet puts its head down and we are thinking a second one promptly raises his head just a little further to the right. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2BcG-5w4jbm6UP8dS0LIl9DtFIUcEmzy_FFQV9p6YX6Pk80KL1rlmgVtH304IcepdzpYvPSj8_pkOEideZJTlyc2HKx4Miv92IR78a0KiNTW78VWWBsA3jcKfX1MDB02nkQwZiP2SJCHl4qXyAL2Lv95PehzPinhzzvU_mIqCEYgu7dTYyYxM20/s1280/IMG_6599-Enhanced-NR-1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2BcG-5w4jbm6UP8dS0LIl9DtFIUcEmzy_FFQV9p6YX6Pk80KL1rlmgVtH304IcepdzpYvPSj8_pkOEideZJTlyc2HKx4Miv92IR78a0KiNTW78VWWBsA3jcKfX1MDB02nkQwZiP2SJCHl4qXyAL2Lv95PehzPinhzzvU_mIqCEYgu7dTYyYxM20/w640-h426/IMG_6599-Enhanced-NR-1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last Sunday, Alejandro also caught the adults having what looks like a parental discussion. I wonder if they discuss whose turn it is to hunt and who gets to sit at the nest?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCC04DMBUKk29_hlfAAQ9WBWyr-xTooBBxfuFgnyCpdIHcjHba5uSid1HquEHdJCbHXzKtp5v7PWGoCw9GbPzpu1DOOXJ-oZQvjbOp3Hw3XTyK6LxWzC7oAB2GfrkfCpuutGwmwbJXuxxYn0eptw2rn6Jhjho1iWzHm4n8xnYhhs9Z9EXczETKZg/s2304/20230530-AK1I4114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2304" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCC04DMBUKk29_hlfAAQ9WBWyr-xTooBBxfuFgnyCpdIHcjHba5uSid1HquEHdJCbHXzKtp5v7PWGoCw9GbPzpu1DOOXJ-oZQvjbOp3Hw3XTyK6LxWzC7oAB2GfrkfCpuutGwmwbJXuxxYn0eptw2rn6Jhjho1iWzHm4n8xnYhhs9Z9EXczETKZg/w640-h426/20230530-AK1I4114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 30th, Marsha put her head back and called while Monty was away from the nest. Shortly after, she left the nest. A few minutes later, Monty appeared. He came and sat on a branch just above the nest. It seemed obvious to me that she had called for him to come and watch out for the young.</span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lReBD4lGhV2P7yfE3wMAZrufR-U_yWN9lNOc-GZUe8vrHy52hTI1QXbml2HkxPv3TWTibuL9GxnnojMeek7xn0CasQDtB-DBOblbhLfPXQn4E1IgrJeB6pZIXRvCMJ4bEtvbVAnN4PKkqpCObV-0PmQfoFLjFMORC6Ot3rgdyBIoaKALKbp1RDE/s1280/IMG_6628-Enhanced-NR-1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lReBD4lGhV2P7yfE3wMAZrufR-U_yWN9lNOc-GZUe8vrHy52hTI1QXbml2HkxPv3TWTibuL9GxnnojMeek7xn0CasQDtB-DBOblbhLfPXQn4E1IgrJeB6pZIXRvCMJ4bEtvbVAnN4PKkqpCObV-0PmQfoFLjFMORC6Ot3rgdyBIoaKALKbp1RDE/w640-h426/IMG_6628-Enhanced-NR-1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sadly, since then we have not seen a second eaglet. The lone eaglet we have seen is now a week older in this photo (Thank you, Alejandro!). You can faintly see the yellow outline of its bill and the feathers on its head look more gray than white.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjcwh7PhA1_wguhjk-ghxXhtxj8S8Afl-vcXwsUrLJEtl6JF8CBezbbhQUyCwHuqBTKJfZk9Ew8HHqPCMSJvM9sBXxUgDWsHHWMR8B4b6kot_HdmrrtYaQFePtD3yFCT5iOVATLMZwpIcniKjtRVRJCduco9CFl8y7iwjumy5tnPmv73RwcUVN3Q/s1280/IMG_6692-Enhanced-NR-1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjcwh7PhA1_wguhjk-ghxXhtxj8S8Afl-vcXwsUrLJEtl6JF8CBezbbhQUyCwHuqBTKJfZk9Ew8HHqPCMSJvM9sBXxUgDWsHHWMR8B4b6kot_HdmrrtYaQFePtD3yFCT5iOVATLMZwpIcniKjtRVRJCduco9CFl8y7iwjumy5tnPmv73RwcUVN3Q/w640-h426/IMG_6692-Enhanced-NR-1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Alejandro even caught the moment when the adult was putting food in the youngster's mouth. (Very nicely done!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you would like to see more of Alejandro's incredible photography and video work. You can enjoy it at:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://instagram.com/janoma_cl" style="font-family: Helvetica;" target="_blank">https://instagram.com/janoma_cl</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH8iMOJHrJkJi2pWoMJvswNW4_kHpEImPFadgZqBv1t2UfCl3-u_ifue9GJVnrRfdYy3RH9_DNM7mgKwLuQOhKfx_pAEFVGtvPYOHzQRthUC-XeUq3MnTgkVMy1tgs-logm8WHOW-dz6m7_zo2z98iUIL1to9uFHmqtEf54yQNKNlRiomYCgYSe4/s1385/20230529-AK1I3774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1385" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH8iMOJHrJkJi2pWoMJvswNW4_kHpEImPFadgZqBv1t2UfCl3-u_ifue9GJVnrRfdYy3RH9_DNM7mgKwLuQOhKfx_pAEFVGtvPYOHzQRthUC-XeUq3MnTgkVMy1tgs-logm8WHOW-dz6m7_zo2z98iUIL1to9uFHmqtEf54yQNKNlRiomYCgYSe4/w640-h424/20230529-AK1I3774.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">The next day, I caught a few more photos of the young one in the nest. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFCqIAn8k6qLHhc9TdUMhzfy46TQfCCxC64lJmGWpNO5uIe-l7tAOXAl6mi5JPiA9zSwdXtbSVAj9-QuB5RAuVzaroRtNNMuuwqLCd5EMGhk_LRo6mizhC87oDMesEC9aYSfMo1phWTZgoxYeuCFU1u0F09e8Hhl7Dh0fpLGxDYgof8T2SrWdtxE/s1302/20230529-AK1I3781.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1302" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFCqIAn8k6qLHhc9TdUMhzfy46TQfCCxC64lJmGWpNO5uIe-l7tAOXAl6mi5JPiA9zSwdXtbSVAj9-QuB5RAuVzaroRtNNMuuwqLCd5EMGhk_LRo6mizhC87oDMesEC9aYSfMo1phWTZgoxYeuCFU1u0F09e8Hhl7Dh0fpLGxDYgof8T2SrWdtxE/w640-h426/20230529-AK1I3781.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The eaglet is holding its head high and looking larger by the day.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_CnSOAEg7E0EOPDaacgl0XJ7dKQzXD8YW-FOLA-QPB46utqtzjOJ6gd7SMrAZBqNDX0T6b4fILFEJG8FfdDeXVUHCQFp45wj4K22WTzgugTr0XaE8KFfYuzJDy_gikCqCJreGYbfXU1R93H1C3pb8BMxWk0bc_eEEYiPObUJnCpUVG7gZuyldHc/s1493/20230529-AK1I3806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1493" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_CnSOAEg7E0EOPDaacgl0XJ7dKQzXD8YW-FOLA-QPB46utqtzjOJ6gd7SMrAZBqNDX0T6b4fILFEJG8FfdDeXVUHCQFp45wj4K22WTzgugTr0XaE8KFfYuzJDy_gikCqCJreGYbfXU1R93H1C3pb8BMxWk0bc_eEEYiPObUJnCpUVG7gZuyldHc/w640-h426/20230529-AK1I3806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo feels like an optical illusion. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The eaglet has its back to us.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The bright yellow bill belongs to the adult even though it looks like it could be sticking out of the eaglet's head. The young bird's bill is mostly black, particularly near the tip, and it is pointed down on the right side of its head. It may take a moment to get the perspective. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">What is most interesting here is seeing the two pillow-like structures below </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the young bird's head and shoulders</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. I suspect these are partially-developed and half-folded wings. The gray downy feathers covering its body look almost like fur rather than feathers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9Pozi6fl-C2yHKNiFHLM477As0jwKnj81hJpbB5H3Aldnz3TKlFtyDlmcwhInBLbFnBQqnodhCkeWVGSVbI7fpkN3veGiBF47y5N1GMUQOe862lROoK1Fs6y2DJ7t46zUqalD11jp2gXRLG6jLq6wUv8JywSh9pq9Ag2cFvctQxFtFr1M9pGpFM/s1329/20230531-AK1I4231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1329" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9Pozi6fl-C2yHKNiFHLM477As0jwKnj81hJpbB5H3Aldnz3TKlFtyDlmcwhInBLbFnBQqnodhCkeWVGSVbI7fpkN3veGiBF47y5N1GMUQOe862lROoK1Fs6y2DJ7t46zUqalD11jp2gXRLG6jLq6wUv8JywSh9pq9Ag2cFvctQxFtFr1M9pGpFM/w640-h426/20230531-AK1I4231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Later, I caught this photo which confirmed the state of the young eaglet's wings, on May 31st. The primary feathers are just barely visible and they have a lot of growing to do. These tiny inch long nubbins will ending up being primary feathers a foot and half long before the end of July. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At the moment this photo was taken the wind was blowing briskly through the leaves and both adults were facing into the wind. The wind provides extra lift if they choose to take off and it helps to keep their feather properly in place so usually adult birds find a way to face into the wind. I was very surprised me when the young bird, with its useless little wings, also turned into the wind and began lifting its wings. Even though its first flight is probably a month or more away the eaglet already knows to face into the wind and it has the innate drive to begin working and strengthening its wings.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjq9xPdbhJrbHi-OU4ZD35daNCafYyS8zJX_o_j-xFZk9C-hWU_tuvKNLFMeM0LAIzXfTYLX-1VrS9PxQcjsgznqyRWPvi99mNUGooLrF3Pp3oE5N9q1IvHkqMVhvbd9hfDDRfYb6TnwiCVx5AhPYQnNgHj3nYV9ANQ3HTrcTh4gMa-dO3eeJUCs/s1253/20230530-AK1I4062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1253" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjq9xPdbhJrbHi-OU4ZD35daNCafYyS8zJX_o_j-xFZk9C-hWU_tuvKNLFMeM0LAIzXfTYLX-1VrS9PxQcjsgznqyRWPvi99mNUGooLrF3Pp3oE5N9q1IvHkqMVhvbd9hfDDRfYb6TnwiCVx5AhPYQnNgHj3nYV9ANQ3HTrcTh4gMa-dO3eeJUCs/w640-h428/20230530-AK1I4062.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During the next month or so we will have many opportunities to watch the young bird being fed and to see the parents hunting on Union Bay</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDldCyORYx4u7uUO1p1oQe6kv-giSy0IPgjLB7nPFT-Ay_UczKvdkbZwmumRZ_7jjM12I3rSSpZLXZepo0Vq4URxE_tcRwZ0o_51v8z2Fp8Pci4xOljvAY8hdlvTHvCRnF5t_ng98aYrK0FmbS36eOh36HO6orhJv12NmAC7mMnKhwXxXNZZpswM/s1802/20230531-AK1I4266.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1802" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDldCyORYx4u7uUO1p1oQe6kv-giSy0IPgjLB7nPFT-Ay_UczKvdkbZwmumRZ_7jjM12I3rSSpZLXZepo0Vq4URxE_tcRwZ0o_51v8z2Fp8Pci4xOljvAY8hdlvTHvCRnF5t_ng98aYrK0FmbS36eOh36HO6orhJv12NmAC7mMnKhwXxXNZZpswM/w640-h426/20230531-AK1I4266.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On the 31st, while the young one was out of sight, apparently sleeping, I went looking for Monty. I was hoping I might see him hunting. Just when I gave up and started for home Monty passed me heading north.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BXpsZbl-5i0CWDuIoS7hs79heZTdE_--XSl9EMqNci1gLQ6wiAcARzZ_BU73ZvBMqyUgZWDv6X2jxB3fbMNaqu01P9XQNRGEfsWrUNp34_C6f6BHb4ZhTIB7dhsUwrc0AZqZ4WPirLMA-1T8Cd2dKjxv5XrdLAm44ZuVGDyll1NLF5JAuFqrsho/s3068/20230531-AK1I4283.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2043" data-original-width="3068" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BXpsZbl-5i0CWDuIoS7hs79heZTdE_--XSl9EMqNci1gLQ6wiAcARzZ_BU73ZvBMqyUgZWDv6X2jxB3fbMNaqu01P9XQNRGEfsWrUNp34_C6f6BHb4ZhTIB7dhsUwrc0AZqZ4WPirLMA-1T8Cd2dKjxv5XrdLAm44ZuVGDyll1NLF5JAuFqrsho/w640-h426/20230531-AK1I4283.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He stopped on a low snag and actively watched in every direction. After a few moments, he sprung off the branch and dipped out sight toward the water. </span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wRTllYRfk0Lf__eRVcS1tOEIzg6CvI5dklkbNKZcCgTBYTQNFYzZgXJbwMlViPeSQVE27GutcbAzQkPJcfsDbGnufq9BzwvkoFPxPCVXap3lbN1LSgte23EZzlEV795i4YLeUy1Qu1VANbwF5oH0LZP5izth6-8h4kj916VyVb9uy8bE23Vr6uA/s3762/20230531-AK1I4297.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="3762" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wRTllYRfk0Lf__eRVcS1tOEIzg6CvI5dklkbNKZcCgTBYTQNFYzZgXJbwMlViPeSQVE27GutcbAzQkPJcfsDbGnufq9BzwvkoFPxPCVXap3lbN1LSgte23EZzlEV795i4YLeUy1Qu1VANbwF5oH0LZP5izth6-8h4kj916VyVb9uy8bE23Vr6uA/w640-h426/20230531-AK1I4297.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He was immediately escorted back in my direction by an irate crow. I would not be surprised if the crow had young of its own in the area.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkVr38T5zoNnraVxTUcSxWJ2chG5CLvLgjGJpQ-hC31H9KYRw02lGxw4SfF-Vg2lmCryzOs0vuWw9lm03aRfOBNjnOglX5JxmjY4XAsaNzr7Tf_jO_UWLFsJQYfFm8DPtDoYLlFE3HIY5sPYLpGm7KM_9oX6IYFyy4YFhRZIbpzVhU0hwDmSCthg/s2783/20230531-AK1I4300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2783" data-original-width="1855" height="824" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkVr38T5zoNnraVxTUcSxWJ2chG5CLvLgjGJpQ-hC31H9KYRw02lGxw4SfF-Vg2lmCryzOs0vuWw9lm03aRfOBNjnOglX5JxmjY4XAsaNzr7Tf_jO_UWLFsJQYfFm8DPtDoYLlFE3HIY5sPYLpGm7KM_9oX6IYFyy4YFhRZIbpzVhU0hwDmSCthg/w548-h824/20230531-AK1I4300.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Monty seemed irritated by the crow plus he might have been disappointed that he missed out on the food he was after. He perched for a moment and then once the crow flew away he made a second pass at the water.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-_DvA6x-vp9olf65eywoOLr4c7zxCOmgY7d7Ke-DYVIa4uFyT3IDt8DJw6ua09iIFZkEX8GQd9uaj-3kWyyOGSefxWRTfWCPqMKfvz7KXmdnXMLGegu7-yJcfb36GYFZrohu8dCxiRS3RW9MyAnuFphX6-yOn7Ir6aImuY4ksmFB5q8j-nFdLTk/s2261/20230531-AK1I4326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2261" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-_DvA6x-vp9olf65eywoOLr4c7zxCOmgY7d7Ke-DYVIa4uFyT3IDt8DJw6ua09iIFZkEX8GQd9uaj-3kWyyOGSefxWRTfWCPqMKfvz7KXmdnXMLGegu7-yJcfb36GYFZrohu8dCxiRS3RW9MyAnuFphX6-yOn7Ir6aImuY4ksmFB5q8j-nFdLTk/w640-h426/20230531-AK1I4326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This time he came up with a fish.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Currently, when the adults bring food to the eaglet they remove small morsels and feed it one little piece at a time. Before long that extra effort will come to an end. By July, the parents will just stop and drop the food. The young one will have to do all the meal preparation. Which is one step towards independence. Later, another step along the way will be jumping, hopping and flapping from branch to branch - called branching. This will help it gain the strength (and confidence) to fly.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Actually, flying is one more step in the process of independence. By Winter, the young bird will also need to hunt for itself and will most likely be totally on its own. Curiously, for eagles independence and maturity are not the same thing. They are independent b</span><span style="font-family: arial;">efore they are one year old, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">but it can take as long as five years before they mature. Only then do they get the white heads and tails that signal to prospective partners that they are ready to mate, defend a territory, and raise young. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Given that humans mature even more slowly than eagles I wonder why it is that we do not have a convention that separates independence and maturity. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During the years after independence and before maturity one of the things eagles often do is fight over food. <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2023/01/touchdown.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Click Here</span></a> to read about what was most likely a food fight earlier this year.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6W3QfXclvw3sUeGK8K7zRmhRuwTDIZnBCYCXkZNJfWdElycT59AUMYAHYdhxqGNpJPrzOqQkm_G9rTqKmoDw-wd4NOETBdFLeJZhby5LVV2u07q7Pc-FOCFbm7fWeuBFsshEBUxn9hQw1Xcvtu9ILyt0kbcGbt0TB0s_UoaHaQji0F_d5l2Ut6s/s1410/20230529-AK1I3935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="938" height="865" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6W3QfXclvw3sUeGK8K7zRmhRuwTDIZnBCYCXkZNJfWdElycT59AUMYAHYdhxqGNpJPrzOqQkm_G9rTqKmoDw-wd4NOETBdFLeJZhby5LVV2u07q7Pc-FOCFbm7fWeuBFsshEBUxn9hQw1Xcvtu9ILyt0kbcGbt0TB0s_UoaHaQji0F_d5l2Ut6s/w576-h865/20230529-AK1I3935.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During the next few weeks, it will be fun to watch the growth of the young bird as well as the roles the parents play in the process.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA44_rULGXqZghTqk_He2vPmpdBsNZK8u29uaMs8KFjL7MWOwgYSJOXOAoEJdbMGKOwAeleq6FdPXqW_ADXtnwrK6w0Cg-0S88cMCVIQjV91vWtc_TVPvlGi-I71JEDz-8Egc8vvTAMFp68TSwqBP4nem7umiudUADgrVLUDiJtuFTO_-9vqLRgpc/s2664/20230530-AK1I4122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="1776" height="906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA44_rULGXqZghTqk_He2vPmpdBsNZK8u29uaMs8KFjL7MWOwgYSJOXOAoEJdbMGKOwAeleq6FdPXqW_ADXtnwrK6w0Cg-0S88cMCVIQjV91vWtc_TVPvlGi-I71JEDz-8Egc8vvTAMFp68TSwqBP4nem7umiudUADgrVLUDiJtuFTO_-9vqLRgpc/w603-h906/20230530-AK1I4122.jpg" width="603" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Monty leaving the nest.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are some relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxZFGu9aoBjTiA6pMFdTH27XtsTr5lXabM1_AqPz_XDh0AXot0phXMZCb4EG4lk2T2La7n3sCDGNkvJ5kZwU7uSU3ZfhjESRgdAvUa0uurl8J5gItX4opuaaqLdAm8NmsMb_t5iPu87WvtdaU6Dgr9eV5hWt8m1vqQk8-Kw7qBaAezINJp3sdqRk/s5472/20230530-AK1I4029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="865" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxZFGu9aoBjTiA6pMFdTH27XtsTr5lXabM1_AqPz_XDh0AXot0phXMZCb4EG4lk2T2La7n3sCDGNkvJ5kZwU7uSU3ZfhjESRgdAvUa0uurl8J5gItX4opuaaqLdAm8NmsMb_t5iPu87WvtdaU6Dgr9eV5hWt8m1vqQk8-Kw7qBaAezINJp3sdqRk/w576-h865/20230530-AK1I4029.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is this flower native to our area?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><a href="https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/yellow-iris.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffe599;">Yellow Flag Iris:</span></a></span> No, it is not native. It out-competes many native plants and is a Class C noxious weed. Killing it with chemicals maybe the easiest approach, but the chemicals may also be most detrimental to native life forms as well.<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A Final Photo:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0uEAuw3RUxVFqH3wchV-m6ny1eXErMpESHU2_PDMqHFCHZztJdHqFKCZa99rhfQzXHV7gpv9DUH44WpByCAewYfrCri1QQk23x-qKpuSXf67j6DhAu6X-634gRQiW7qY8pVtUIxu4xUJPXdLqNx6QXjKeiwINq6zlf_3mOfphozvMMZWBG1Clj0/s1116/20230611-AK1I4498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1116" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0uEAuw3RUxVFqH3wchV-m6ny1eXErMpESHU2_PDMqHFCHZztJdHqFKCZa99rhfQzXHV7gpv9DUH44WpByCAewYfrCri1QQk23x-qKpuSXf67j6DhAu6X-634gRQiW7qY8pVtUIxu4xUJPXdLqNx6QXjKeiwINq6zlf_3mOfphozvMMZWBG1Clj0/w640-h426/20230611-AK1I4498.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As of yesterday, the eaglet is looking decidedly larger. I am guessing its primary feathers are growing almost a half an inch a day.</div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-16307037815743962812023-04-30T14:06:00.003-07:002023-04-30T14:12:28.002-07:00Boundaries<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrfbCVP1Ic4nNDQCayYRmx6NGB5R7iSvWeUQRBfZl9TLEW9r9lwJzt7u6rsotI5prvn1MBbklbrBP4r2hmAt_7iU2YYlZNK1JsWx61o5YqqZxT-lKJMbIMuarirlXgCGci1pjmTmuunybBjyUMCxZFlxxo7Lof1YC4k5aCd-N46v4O7YiVKMNGYc/s5472/20230428-AK1I2160-3.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrfbCVP1Ic4nNDQCayYRmx6NGB5R7iSvWeUQRBfZl9TLEW9r9lwJzt7u6rsotI5prvn1MBbklbrBP4r2hmAt_7iU2YYlZNK1JsWx61o5YqqZxT-lKJMbIMuarirlXgCGci1pjmTmuunybBjyUMCxZFlxxo7Lof1YC4k5aCd-N46v4O7YiVKMNGYc/w640-h426/20230428-AK1I2160-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Given the preponderance of crows in Seattle, the average park visitor in the Arboretum might understandably assume that a distant blackbird, sitting on an upper branch in a Douglas Fir tree, is an adult American Crow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DKkULg5WxccA7c6Z9UOZcGkhact3ZN6SIDcDdaA4yVSfXMMaN6sSjFTKDIQwu0q4IUidZNJzpU0siVUF_GCunWLUruGoKCD_oWO5xocHhh8sxY4Df9wHAy93ZC9pNAmze2qrPuCCvZ18CqG_AIcB0-_Pbr9jBk79AT2SsnvwXbmgdxiKDskIqiI/s1507/20230428-AK1I2160-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1507" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DKkULg5WxccA7c6Z9UOZcGkhact3ZN6SIDcDdaA4yVSfXMMaN6sSjFTKDIQwu0q4IUidZNJzpU0siVUF_GCunWLUruGoKCD_oWO5xocHhh8sxY4Df9wHAy93ZC9pNAmze2qrPuCCvZ18CqG_AIcB0-_Pbr9jBk79AT2SsnvwXbmgdxiKDskIqiI/w640-h426/20230428-AK1I2160-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In this case, a closer look reveals a small pink stripe on the inner portion of the bird's bill, which indicates it is actually a young bird. The long heavy bill and the nearly non-existent crown of the head inform us that it is not an American Crow but rather an immature Common Raven. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To the best of my knowledge, this is only the fourth Spring since Ravens have returned and resumed raising young in and around the Arboretum. I have seen no information that indicates Ravens nested in the area, before 2020, in either the 21st or the 20th centuries. I suspect their previous nearby nesting efforts occurred before the logging of old-growth timber in the later part of the 19th century. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During the last one hundred and twenty years many native trees flourished among the Arboretum collections and have grown to be over hundred feet tall. The fact that the Ravens have chosen older conifers as their nest sites, for the last four years, seems to validate the idea that tall trees are important as nest sites for the Ravens.</div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkC4eyfR3WhFTw4GAkHQ4jzBqBIew_lyYVyjE98D3eyG1CpJYEcN-sjwA3nptfZGxyACNZ8dpl7u387w2EjBzIfHGWsIkscgrYfm_9ueKa4mrhBReKh3rbJtYKCKEYVl4qruQ8eZK8nLPkvQMYcF7hgNVol5pmHM_Sgr00bU-sJxyxcwh-9xFy7Mc/s5472/20230428-AK1I2166.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkC4eyfR3WhFTw4GAkHQ4jzBqBIew_lyYVyjE98D3eyG1CpJYEcN-sjwA3nptfZGxyACNZ8dpl7u387w2EjBzIfHGWsIkscgrYfm_9ueKa4mrhBReKh3rbJtYKCKEYVl4qruQ8eZK8nLPkvQMYcF7hgNVol5pmHM_Sgr00bU-sJxyxcwh-9xFy7Mc/w640-h426/20230428-AK1I2166.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the young raven turned and began walking back down the branch it exposed another age-related hint.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJZjUX_F9qI2H3PlVJXv62P1pZE4S91iZ_70ad6aPvnkPzq0o7QwCqISzHFttrKrcS7Lri8qItPOIJ9gb60_3benSoeQ03B3_vov1a4iVflQqMWbSBgGOpHAdWhdGVQyLaxxNXI2yZCOOaA4Os8ppH1j9CewiVpvMd8S8pYtskV6b3J5opnsZkYk/s1711/20230428-AK1I2166-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1711" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJZjUX_F9qI2H3PlVJXv62P1pZE4S91iZ_70ad6aPvnkPzq0o7QwCqISzHFttrKrcS7Lri8qItPOIJ9gb60_3benSoeQ03B3_vov1a4iVflQqMWbSBgGOpHAdWhdGVQyLaxxNXI2yZCOOaA4Os8ppH1j9CewiVpvMd8S8pYtskV6b3J5opnsZkYk/w640-h426/20230428-AK1I2166-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bright white shafts of its primary feathers were fully displayed. In adult Ravens, these are hidden by their coverts, small black feathers, that cover the base of their primary feathers and help to create a seamless functional wing. This process of walking about among the branches, while young birds practice flapping their wings, is aptly referred to as 'branching".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='620' height='514' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwwHpmATO-9wglZXQRQHNQKdWRvtiTFd7Zo36JSMHv7uy0Bq5TWQoJLN9D56pqgAnKtD0uHOzHSQEQpzHSYbA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>In this video, one or two of the three young ravens can be seen working their wings on a branch just above the distant nest.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWjrGbybeyKvKy7tLYENwEhivLlwfjxBzfu5nXo9Xbfq14ZIWTc_5VLUIXIW9-5Bi0HB0QuD-01mICphi5eM3bcY_8TSWwn1GBvUW9yXjrKSY7vzvzGaqLuiRbJYDiaw1dXMKPV1Gft7jS8Q_zBUlJ3pYeeLb40BIMkdiFI9zLqhr1tFCsTM26Bk/s2264/20230428-AK1I2176-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="2264" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWjrGbybeyKvKy7tLYENwEhivLlwfjxBzfu5nXo9Xbfq14ZIWTc_5VLUIXIW9-5Bi0HB0QuD-01mICphi5eM3bcY_8TSWwn1GBvUW9yXjrKSY7vzvzGaqLuiRbJYDiaw1dXMKPV1Gft7jS8Q_zBUlJ3pYeeLb40BIMkdiFI9zLqhr1tFCsTM26Bk/w640-h428/20230428-AK1I2176-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back on the opposite side of the trunk the sibling, that we saw walking down the northern branch, quickly turns around when an adult approaches with food. The fledgling's excitement is made visible by the young bird flapping its wings, tipping its head back, and displaying its brightly-colored and wide-open mouth. These visual clues are the equivalent of the young raven begging, "Feed me, feed me". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelaM2BFuB_jcdFu_PEVgj2s62sQXEdjkOiYlUFDtwtuV2aCpGsg2X9y37FTLVkGTxyBJNoafVOpGEEe-6Kez692z9TtMG3ru-Ymq4hPLBmvIpsrgfY-CBHQnr4jn6lpf_U2Ys-ISXcypJ5uNUnNDiDbC819bOCQOh9oLyOsRaXNw2McXXfDH0fRE/s1802/20230425-AK1I1514.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1802" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelaM2BFuB_jcdFu_PEVgj2s62sQXEdjkOiYlUFDtwtuV2aCpGsg2X9y37FTLVkGTxyBJNoafVOpGEEe-6Kez692z9TtMG3ru-Ymq4hPLBmvIpsrgfY-CBHQnr4jn6lpf_U2Ys-ISXcypJ5uNUnNDiDbC819bOCQOh9oLyOsRaXNw2McXXfDH0fRE/w640-h428/20230425-AK1I1514.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ravens are like humans in that they are omnivores. This adult may have been looking for fruit to feed to the young. In the past, I have seen them eating fruit, blossoms from Big Leaf Maple trees, meat from creatures that appeared to have been killed by Lake Washington Blvd traffic, and many other varied and unknown food sources.</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8eVBnXY78pe3R1sY-slqvvHAcZhbqozDCkGYJ4k_JBcrcT9w-kwtmubx-PodwBTkvILqNF4xZv6E-pdqIMH3zlnylUkSjJ4h_RNm7ZogYWB3z7c_JXQbkgaui5ItWzDVxfNjepuz3-c55CPXsK-GO9T39wWZk1XZu7okWzaSHZq4fjbHJ4vyHhA/s3086/20230428-AK1I2103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2055" data-original-width="3086" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8eVBnXY78pe3R1sY-slqvvHAcZhbqozDCkGYJ4k_JBcrcT9w-kwtmubx-PodwBTkvILqNF4xZv6E-pdqIMH3zlnylUkSjJ4h_RNm7ZogYWB3z7c_JXQbkgaui5ItWzDVxfNjepuz3-c55CPXsK-GO9T39wWZk1XZu7okWzaSHZq4fjbHJ4vyHhA/w640-h426/20230428-AK1I2103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo focuses on the south side of the tree trunk and shows a small portion of the mostly hidden nest at the bottom. Above the nest, and slightly to the left are the partial outlines of three young ravens. They can be seen (kind of) sitting side by side. Their natural camouflage and the secretive siting of the nest are obviously effective.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">None of these three have demonstrated the ability to fly, that I have seen. However, their first flights could come at any time. In fact, I would not be surprised to discover an older sibling might have already flown the coup. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During the previous three years, I have documented that the adult Ravens had two, five, and three young, respectively. However, it is certainly possible I overlooked some additional offspring. This year, it is still early so I am cautiously stating, I think they have <i>at least </i>three young. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssmlylwuYv7YP5hvn0taV_lLxRbYFwm8CxBB1B-ByhFtqCS9OTWe-BGWJzIpUPcR-C837vpWO4xQU1LVmrn0sLXfbLcVuQJCUyH4u09o4sBAouFE2o5QUo1zwwy_26nT5yybMp97moaqbeAnvDAHd9L2FmARE1gfD9f2b-IHRUm6ujZhgt0czLp8/s3191/20230425-AK1I1585.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2127" data-original-width="3191" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssmlylwuYv7YP5hvn0taV_lLxRbYFwm8CxBB1B-ByhFtqCS9OTWe-BGWJzIpUPcR-C837vpWO4xQU1LVmrn0sLXfbLcVuQJCUyH4u09o4sBAouFE2o5QUo1zwwy_26nT5yybMp97moaqbeAnvDAHd9L2FmARE1gfD9f2b-IHRUm6ujZhgt0czLp8/w640-h426/20230425-AK1I1585.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the more exciting moments this last week was when the neighboring Red-tailed Hawks appeared to encroach into the Ravens' territory. The Hawks nested nearby in Broadmoor. In previous weeks a young Red-tail could be heard begging for food, also in a tall Douglas Fir, but could never be seen. I suspect that the young hawk may have accidentally flown closer to the Ravens and as a result, the parents on both sides jumped into action.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is interesting to compare the strikingly different shapes of their heads, wings, and tails in the photo above. The color difference is also obvious but depending on the light that is not always the case. The lighter-colored Red-tailed Hawk is on the left. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The photo below, of an American Crow, is intentionally small to provide an appropriately-sized comparison between the Raven (above on the right) and the Crow. Notice the shorter, and more rounded shape of the Crow's wings and the more wedge or diamond-shaped tail of the Raven, also the Raven's head and bill protrude more than those of the other two species.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWnsyykE3SLslUjWxWWZqkcquPUIvrivudtVG_xgjq-Cg3NEHFx1rvXJpkdxETkqIOP1_K-wv4pJHGypZEZXC2ArIodeIoO5EtIaeIPbcfUugIkBg6pFwdQwHlq-cDNNPbYRZxZIe2oRNwhz0DmO2pBkw7-ToVAE8dvd5tjljqlTPMMSV30dMVlk/s3264/20170418-EB2R5144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2176" data-original-width="3264" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWnsyykE3SLslUjWxWWZqkcquPUIvrivudtVG_xgjq-Cg3NEHFx1rvXJpkdxETkqIOP1_K-wv4pJHGypZEZXC2ArIodeIoO5EtIaeIPbcfUugIkBg6pFwdQwHlq-cDNNPbYRZxZIe2oRNwhz0DmO2pBkw7-ToVAE8dvd5tjljqlTPMMSV30dMVlk/w200-h133/20170418-EB2R5144.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aYnSeACguAv0mowtD1yk2UlMC8gYtXqLH8nrXLRJDPfiMcSHkQxTE6NPDEol1t6mDsAZL2P2G1tk7tAFxNv3nhUUrhs_z5tYDCGDcPBb4rwf7wF8bQ2oowTP_RJyJkGixttPsoGxGhe6s6e9b_q2vcGTQNXpgFvTvOJfmKPcM5lIzrxqLLQdCyY/s2628/20230425-AK1I1586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2628" data-original-width="1754" height="798" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aYnSeACguAv0mowtD1yk2UlMC8gYtXqLH8nrXLRJDPfiMcSHkQxTE6NPDEol1t6mDsAZL2P2G1tk7tAFxNv3nhUUrhs_z5tYDCGDcPBb4rwf7wF8bQ2oowTP_RJyJkGixttPsoGxGhe6s6e9b_q2vcGTQNXpgFvTvOJfmKPcM5lIzrxqLLQdCyY/w534-h798/20230425-AK1I1586.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Raven was far more agile and dived repeatedly at the Red-tailed Hawk. The Hawk rolled over in mid-air to present its talons in defense.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiHfJouH-iyGCJ_0zGTmtAIrXeYqTqoT5v8YXSjdgkXU-LidCKU0-YLIK1sIzN-O_mnOe0c4XKKcil2vgHng6fRQ--QD1iBp9wd6vSpSSKjBAQnsIMuy5A4zbdekpv3b3QRIpURPFyM9YzYjh7NiXmHmWR7yiRIV_zIHoVo_rWSrqTNCwqn6KbuU/s2101/20230425-AK1I1623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2101" data-original-width="1400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiHfJouH-iyGCJ_0zGTmtAIrXeYqTqoT5v8YXSjdgkXU-LidCKU0-YLIK1sIzN-O_mnOe0c4XKKcil2vgHng6fRQ--QD1iBp9wd6vSpSSKjBAQnsIMuy5A4zbdekpv3b3QRIpURPFyM9YzYjh7NiXmHmWR7yiRIV_zIHoVo_rWSrqTNCwqn6KbuU/w426-h640/20230425-AK1I1623.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Neither species was quick to leave the area.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQdnLynErvr3eddeejbldijYSfEJWDBptcjZiQnKvVwruoCz7TsDGBDTeOo4fjxB6cEZCAvb02MeWQFNfSdbiIF79eBS2y0F2o630Lm06zzgawzMOJbwg63xIv9puZQfnpRhlVCBEI-B5rvIi6KxoWKstZNR2Udq2ZkI1zyBcTg3mV7Vu3xiORsI/s1482/20230425-AK1I1624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1482" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQdnLynErvr3eddeejbldijYSfEJWDBptcjZiQnKvVwruoCz7TsDGBDTeOo4fjxB6cEZCAvb02MeWQFNfSdbiIF79eBS2y0F2o630Lm06zzgawzMOJbwg63xIv9puZQfnpRhlVCBEI-B5rvIi6KxoWKstZNR2Udq2ZkI1zyBcTg3mV7Vu3xiORsI/w640-h428/20230425-AK1I1624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I suspect strong parental motivation on both sides.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3GsKvWupNuEttWatjWe_lQ0IK8KD1t7FbFyi6VMFh_zXqi0pDj9rEOZ3wS4vaYlw5HiM31xv3Grom4mVdRsVIe5PHWvMvGqB-bQfHmGHba2LzaEKHDBah3NRU34m-13QQC8cDNzDPx2SUDwoAoa507FHzQgQHFrbzfnUeGjlU3Z05yfsehUbmFQ/s1913/20230425-AK1I1625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1913" data-original-width="1274" height="871" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3GsKvWupNuEttWatjWe_lQ0IK8KD1t7FbFyi6VMFh_zXqi0pDj9rEOZ3wS4vaYlw5HiM31xv3Grom4mVdRsVIe5PHWvMvGqB-bQfHmGHba2LzaEKHDBah3NRU34m-13QQC8cDNzDPx2SUDwoAoa507FHzQgQHFrbzfnUeGjlU3Z05yfsehUbmFQ/w580-h871/20230425-AK1I1625.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is another interesting comparison of their silhouettes. Notice the shape of the Raven's tail can change quite a bit depending on how it is held or used.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQVqu9cmD8CD78kTReetxCZKdHeSr-xHt22hySgYVd85cLzTbuUgK7ppbIfegQ0t28EXqnurKtg8dkaakKy8b6Rpw4ij3r-pcbzl12h5jvLcPFEJdUokAvsdcLYglZ6pe9a9XbWi2wO8zftUHPcAlwDfGArPVfI7GjxR_dzMjGyBCsSQ4tUf1jV8/s1180/20230425-AK1I1644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1180" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQVqu9cmD8CD78kTReetxCZKdHeSr-xHt22hySgYVd85cLzTbuUgK7ppbIfegQ0t28EXqnurKtg8dkaakKy8b6Rpw4ij3r-pcbzl12h5jvLcPFEJdUokAvsdcLYglZ6pe9a9XbWi2wO8zftUHPcAlwDfGArPVfI7GjxR_dzMjGyBCsSQ4tUf1jV8/w640-h426/20230425-AK1I1644.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ultimately, they decide to peacefully co-exist, which was probably a great relief for all involved.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKiKf9yByfktFe4QWLqcVWH8ruulOeLcCpFUQKB82iFin2Lc-Duyz92iyNZ9s-zUkbwivL_DM42TyeInFaaM_TjmFfYhTBcXFa9FbbWb8x5728wtzeka0XfqO80_rRKYxMccjhzu8rSkZMPTdjMZC5N4_6zhs5yCeP2WLtVLNAeKeoWBtQ1vwgxA/s5472/20230428-AK1I2116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKiKf9yByfktFe4QWLqcVWH8ruulOeLcCpFUQKB82iFin2Lc-Duyz92iyNZ9s-zUkbwivL_DM42TyeInFaaM_TjmFfYhTBcXFa9FbbWb8x5728wtzeka0XfqO80_rRKYxMccjhzu8rSkZMPTdjMZC5N4_6zhs5yCeP2WLtVLNAeKeoWBtQ1vwgxA/w640-h426/20230428-AK1I2116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As of today, these young ravens may have already left the nest. However, I suspect they are likely to hang around in the Arboretum for a few weeks. Most likely, they will slowly disperse to nearby places, like Interlaken Park, while spending less and less time with their parents. However, while this transition occurs they will be almost constantly begging for food and often traveling together in a small flock of siblings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='542' height='451' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy5QX0WCLtLWXbgHYvW4ZmfmZmIl-sjKGhLpYyEPkVwn0f2rC3_8d1EhHZyK7BVlQE4D35_9OHk8BkXmkMYeA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These calls were recorded in 2021. However, I anticipate if you visit the Arboretum during the next month or two you may hear similar sounds. I hope it is comforting to know these are not the sounds of people in pain or the weak cries of starving young Ravens. The volume with which they cry is the first clue to their adequate supply of food. Plus, I have heard them make the same exact sounds in between bites of food. As they mature they will learn to find their own food and learn there is value in doing so quietly. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ps:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div><p></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> <i>Article in the Seattle Times about improving your backyard habitat!</i></b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><i> </i></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/how-to-create-a-backyard-habitat-for-humanity-and-for-all-of-nature/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/how-to-create-a-backyard-habitat-for-humanity-and-for-all-of-nature/</span></a></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Coming Soon! A Douglas Tallamy presentation courtesy of the Washington Native Plant Society:</i></b></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.wnps.org/events/homegrown-national-park,-with-doug-tallamy" target="_blank">https://www.wnps.org/events/homegrown-national-park,-with-doug-tallamy</a></p><p style="font-family: arial;">(May 5th at 4pm)</p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are some relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Vu2nJObFIaKectG1whaV_kSSfJI1SPRdGfhMjtuWMG_6-1dLAJ_QUCFsjrgZP9ve5OqBIpN9xFoKD4iP4dHIAxComjkMlm_2luIEhtj_SuAqODl7EmudB9CFko2jjJRFEQrgOT3DYE3W-TL8NShdZwC9G3UBi1Xhe4zXa7CO-yosrfL3MHP6Nbk/s2590/20230422-IMG_7880.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1943" data-original-width="2590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Vu2nJObFIaKectG1whaV_kSSfJI1SPRdGfhMjtuWMG_6-1dLAJ_QUCFsjrgZP9ve5OqBIpN9xFoKD4iP4dHIAxComjkMlm_2luIEhtj_SuAqODl7EmudB9CFko2jjJRFEQrgOT3DYE3W-TL8NShdZwC9G3UBi1Xhe4zXa7CO-yosrfL3MHP6Nbk/w640-h480/20230422-IMG_7880.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This butterfly was spotted last week by a very observant participant in the <a href="https://arboretumfoundation.org/2023/04/27/earth-day-2023-report/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Arboretum Earth Day Work Party</span></a><span style="color: #93c47d;">.</span> What species is it? Is it native?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the way, if you thought this butterfly looks like it is upside down - you are correct. The online source, click on the name below to read more, says these butterflies often feed on the sap of trees and will do so with their heads pointed down. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIxJ2AMd3ledXPYmJ7mbM5IVznUJODKRAcONImzdydFZNTz26lT9RIgdyeXzczoHewU0GiYr7z7p12Y7icaHnTwSweXbVx4vEXPjYTqieu7U-cymsbvddkC8nV71n8UZR4k2SPIkXHN3TOdwgUJs7kuB31x3bcuBaNhChfBoQO8ZkIzRvfXshG3k/s2837/20230427-AK1I1905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1895" data-original-width="2837" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIxJ2AMd3ledXPYmJ7mbM5IVznUJODKRAcONImzdydFZNTz26lT9RIgdyeXzczoHewU0GiYr7z7p12Y7icaHnTwSweXbVx4vEXPjYTqieu7U-cymsbvddkC8nV71n8UZR4k2SPIkXHN3TOdwgUJs7kuB31x3bcuBaNhChfBoQO8ZkIzRvfXshG3k/w640-h428/20230427-AK1I1905.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Nymphalis-antiopa" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Mourning Cloak</span></a>: Yes. It is native to both North America and Northern Eurasia. For an interesting explanation of the name <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphalis_antiopa" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Click Here</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">.</span></a><span style="color: #ffe599;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This butterfly, found later in the week, is holding its head up. From what I read, it is most likely not feeding, but rather waiting in the sunshine while hoping to attract a passing female.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ps: If you still need a further distraction, You can try to find me waving at you in one of the photos from the <a href="https://arboretumfoundation.org/2023/04/27/earth-day-2023-report/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Arboretum Earth Day Work Party</span></a>?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A Final Photo:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_EX12rZYXhvWl7VfAFA4Gq94zNhT2Fb7rjGzDu37cXHMCjoke8vBpF8Xmkr12mL0vY8KpuLJSF_qaxw7vBl01jUXQXHaYrg8FPhgeCuKtO1Di9CRph-RJPdpjvSm8CDIBd1myGP2rOWF7X3Poc5PUuLzHtwmW-3p9DG84kZl3SNwO3uWNkltdAk/s5472/20230428-AK1I2212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_EX12rZYXhvWl7VfAFA4Gq94zNhT2Fb7rjGzDu37cXHMCjoke8vBpF8Xmkr12mL0vY8KpuLJSF_qaxw7vBl01jUXQXHaYrg8FPhgeCuKtO1Di9CRph-RJPdpjvSm8CDIBd1myGP2rOWF7X3Poc5PUuLzHtwmW-3p9DG84kZl3SNwO3uWNkltdAk/w640-h426/20230428-AK1I2212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> </div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-29160903492083040132023-04-21T16:09:00.004-07:002023-04-21T16:15:28.148-07:00Just Right<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2nri0-1a-PZBmn55-5s5NgrBZ5MMZiRNImeCvOQ8pwiea45hacNdkNulmsLJO-zzb6Xc8aMDny0gT4pW039n7WQ23sep1zvAWrDJ4rPkXX--BgU1lEJrKHwQgKPSwljXrf3QzQ8f5Pj-8t0Lmjkqfm1z4Z9Y3ovYORBdpz8D3sKaOcfUZr3QCN8/s2886/20230415-AK1I1322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1925" data-original-width="2886" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2nri0-1a-PZBmn55-5s5NgrBZ5MMZiRNImeCvOQ8pwiea45hacNdkNulmsLJO-zzb6Xc8aMDny0gT4pW039n7WQ23sep1zvAWrDJ4rPkXX--BgU1lEJrKHwQgKPSwljXrf3QzQ8f5Pj-8t0Lmjkqfm1z4Z9Y3ovYORBdpz8D3sKaOcfUZr3QCN8/w640-h426/20230415-AK1I1322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last Saturday, before I was fully awake, this Black-capped Chickadee was hard at work gathering moss from a tree in my front yard. The moss on the tree looks a bit raggedy because the crows have also been utilizing it to line their nest.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCm-j3IiJiFNmvYxcqPcUiRaebWeZQfjID0Oo-iAwvorWaMxZQuKFVReMJ9s2_9QhEXPWTTPmsAeotu0xeoKDjFkl4F1OvMYDYVrXJbdVGQNA3Ig6sNdnBU0S5Gt28YdNcCcVmSQMO2aur9FpzrJh-EqakZ7W5xtLOVUUpYIlw-IySbqUP7vn4ls/s2352/20230415-AK1I1310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="2352" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCm-j3IiJiFNmvYxcqPcUiRaebWeZQfjID0Oo-iAwvorWaMxZQuKFVReMJ9s2_9QhEXPWTTPmsAeotu0xeoKDjFkl4F1OvMYDYVrXJbdVGQNA3Ig6sNdnBU0S5Gt28YdNcCcVmSQMO2aur9FpzrJh-EqakZ7W5xtLOVUUpYIlw-IySbqUP7vn4ls/w640-h428/20230415-AK1I1310.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just like a human carrying laundry, the Chickadee tries to save trips by carrying the largest load possible.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxqds8aerhGQK7fFSJXFCCI7hBheBRS32IWqXBWJ7FaR1L8NKYdOPDh5UFKCrg-NKXOjk3Vy0lHJJb4jNNfPzDT9V4cbhriJAi0LCbdiTrVoP1K7yWZb8wWQYXYFUpAEVlv7evJkUiFDQ2OsMfLG3l1DXnelOIo8MpNiQtn0zN1D_qqvWVpEhCAk/s3972/20230415-AK1I1317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2648" data-original-width="3972" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxqds8aerhGQK7fFSJXFCCI7hBheBRS32IWqXBWJ7FaR1L8NKYdOPDh5UFKCrg-NKXOjk3Vy0lHJJb4jNNfPzDT9V4cbhriJAi0LCbdiTrVoP1K7yWZb8wWQYXYFUpAEVlv7evJkUiFDQ2OsMfLG3l1DXnelOIo8MpNiQtn0zN1D_qqvWVpEhCAk/w640-h426/20230415-AK1I1317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nonetheless, it still made multiple trips to the tiny birdhouse outside our kitchen window. Last year, the Bewick's Wrens used the same birdhouse. (It is always good to clean out nest boxes, during the prior winter, so </span><span style="font-family: arial;">any unwanted pathogens will be gone before</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> the next occupants move in.)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn6uM_u-kSEW9-VErJ8v_GPJBiMZ_QHja8TOWYGx3UzSeJ-tjJyxa-lAQQTodIYmEr0DamL33NqhuBMIIwbUiV6ncXiynQwuO59v9qyT-OalPP01NcFpjF6lNz6xZLUMmu1TI2NifF5TLVZdU3MZbD1dHeekeckH_TCPxLXMQmhHMm76miGINwh0/s4924/20230415-AK1I1315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3283" data-original-width="4924" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn6uM_u-kSEW9-VErJ8v_GPJBiMZ_QHja8TOWYGx3UzSeJ-tjJyxa-lAQQTodIYmEr0DamL33NqhuBMIIwbUiV6ncXiynQwuO59v9qyT-OalPP01NcFpjF6lNz6xZLUMmu1TI2NifF5TLVZdU3MZbD1dHeekeckH_TCPxLXMQmhHMm76miGINwh0/w640-h426/20230415-AK1I1315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Black-capped Chickadees are not as stunningly beautiful as Hummingbirds. They are not as large and majestic as Bald Eagles. They do not look as cuddly and cute as Bushtits. They do not sing as elegantly as Song Sparrows. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">However, they are abundant, cheerful, and adaptable. I have heard coaches say, "The best ability is availability." When other bird species migrate south in the winter, or in spring when other species migrate north to breed, the Chickadees remain. They are year-round residents. A bird for all seasons.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For a creature so small, a single Chickadee weighs about the same as 10 shelled almonds, they can survive our wettest winters and more impressively then can even survive snow-covered winters in much of Alaska and Canada. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">For a curious comparison of our local sub-specie with those in Alaska: </span><a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2016/12/chilkat-chickadees.html" style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Click</span> <span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Here</span></a><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: arial; text-align: center;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Black-capped Chickadees are particularly helpful to aspiring birders. to begin with, they say their own name i.e. "Chickadee, dee, dee". Also when they repeat the "dee" they can communicate with other bird species. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-capped_Chickadee" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">All About Birds says</span></a>, "The more <i>dee</i> notes in a <i>chickadee-dee-dee</i> call the higher the threat." When listening to a Chickadee, who was watching a Merlin eat a smaller bird, the greatest number of "dees" I have heard in a row was seven. This is also good information for a birder who is interested in finding predatory birds or creatures.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another fun benefit of watching Chickadees is that other species will often spend time in mixed flocks with Chickadees. Presumably, taking advantage of the flock's, mutual protection and alarm pact. Essentially, they can help the novice birder find other non-predatory species as well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa7QDyobkPC9r5nePQiS3jNjdLzYONlNLc1rIexhLguicRvtQnTt9zbgr4QCD0mAtAW8BilbP7Oh4Dk54mang70cURjgUg7z5GxlQHxb5stew7K98t81aOTf6Z77VVHAkVHlstXsj8h96YzZtq6tdhQkuwjQZixwBKf9KuED2lpYUNX4WqwLUtpc/s1889/20230414-AK1I1286.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1889" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa7QDyobkPC9r5nePQiS3jNjdLzYONlNLc1rIexhLguicRvtQnTt9zbgr4QCD0mAtAW8BilbP7Oh4Dk54mang70cURjgUg7z5GxlQHxb5stew7K98t81aOTf6Z77VVHAkVHlstXsj8h96YzZtq6tdhQkuwjQZixwBKf9KuED2lpYUNX4WqwLUtpc/w640-h426/20230414-AK1I1286.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In addition to their need for food, Chickadees need safe nest sites, to raise their young, and they also need protected roost sites - especially during the cold of winter. Last Friday, the bird in this photo was sitting on a dead branch in the Arboretum, just north of Rhododendron Glen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FNjcwnAEA6ZdRf7ADl2c7dUOU2kFqo4eVFgkowI7P5VP-cCJVr2TpshKNh8GorKHJcSDyr_R9GuPqsNmXbfBf3Mf_5oLKwiikCN3TRGkQGkwFhGmwApgpfQhi0axW1zVxuUwYeT6pWeocIwrDnez7_nLZqXV7x5oEtW3_13N5giGjXyrVBe7bJ0/s2124/20230414-AK1I1262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="2124" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FNjcwnAEA6ZdRf7ADl2c7dUOU2kFqo4eVFgkowI7P5VP-cCJVr2TpshKNh8GorKHJcSDyr_R9GuPqsNmXbfBf3Mf_5oLKwiikCN3TRGkQGkwFhGmwApgpfQhi0axW1zVxuUwYeT6pWeocIwrDnez7_nLZqXV7x5oEtW3_13N5giGjXyrVBe7bJ0/w640-h426/20230414-AK1I1262.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It, and its mate, entered the decaying knot hole multiple times to remove the soft inner wood and create space for a nest.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM-475_0AqP9ukEB_1ni71zuWlIzPiry846VKK-YXXoW5tTr0eYLVWvttNG4OIMhAXllj97B0-7DA2yQ5Kneoevf5ziU-sndoIuu-mfauF3QmAZrievoThk_DJrRAHLbAl6i7RE46OrRvn4zKdWv_CvXIhF0qLxUqr9xYRwvkxi4WFkshRxZIhRY/s2817/20230414-AK1I1268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1877" data-original-width="2817" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM-475_0AqP9ukEB_1ni71zuWlIzPiry846VKK-YXXoW5tTr0eYLVWvttNG4OIMhAXllj97B0-7DA2yQ5Kneoevf5ziU-sndoIuu-mfauF3QmAZrievoThk_DJrRAHLbAl6i7RE46OrRvn4zKdWv_CvXIhF0qLxUqr9xYRwvkxi4WFkshRxZIhRY/w640-h426/20230414-AK1I1268.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Afterward, usually in less than a minute, they would come shooting out of the hole with a small beakful of woody material which they carried away from the nest site. Apparently, trying to keep from advertising the nest's location.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FXxbonlsACwZ9HiL00cGXpSD-fdyK0AwATpWd-LK_pFNGiN5mX6MwZ7DuebfUBlyL-Id1HXO67UT-AANXwB8YJUSttyy9Z7vEb90oyBhFCDEZnHbUY_Mfwnnc9BvAePWDo-o58G1aztd4PbbTtfEsVQH9BZ0jVSM3WsaikbrVaKzyIHv71Fc-Sc/s1756/20150401-EB2R9333.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1756" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FXxbonlsACwZ9HiL00cGXpSD-fdyK0AwATpWd-LK_pFNGiN5mX6MwZ7DuebfUBlyL-Id1HXO67UT-AANXwB8YJUSttyy9Z7vEb90oyBhFCDEZnHbUY_Mfwnnc9BvAePWDo-o58G1aztd4PbbTtfEsVQH9BZ0jVSM3WsaikbrVaKzyIHv71Fc-Sc/w640-h426/20150401-EB2R9333.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chickadees do not care about the species or the size of the tree. Their biggest requirement is that the wood is soft and easily removed. This nest was in a crack in the stump of a long-dead Cottonwood tree on Foster Island. By the next Spring, the stump had lost its integrity and fallen over. Kind of like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the soft dead wood has to feel "just right" to attract the Chickadees.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBNVKG5SM-icSC_kDlcFksBiYw6qmq7ECjLsQ1orPnupn2s3likXybyPb4FzQ-tYFYlJBnVUJnRIxtn6akFOzQv0ALCMvw9HUqQlIVBR1W-62l4Ft_MGP3TOf7DgContnHgLbSNla_WdsbvWZgLz45c3HCGN3ByweJmJDoJ4Skr-yy22-eikI_ls/s3821/20200526-AK1I7854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2547" data-original-width="3821" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBNVKG5SM-icSC_kDlcFksBiYw6qmq7ECjLsQ1orPnupn2s3likXybyPb4FzQ-tYFYlJBnVUJnRIxtn6akFOzQv0ALCMvw9HUqQlIVBR1W-62l4Ft_MGP3TOf7DgContnHgLbSNla_WdsbvWZgLz45c3HCGN3ByweJmJDoJ4Skr-yy22-eikI_ls/w640-h426/20200526-AK1I7854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, the whole tree does not have to be dead. This nest was in a living Oregon Ash, in a knot hole created when a branch died or was removed, many years before.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-NblIUYCBHusvxdONXPKjlykeNe8fBfyOs2gmVS7Sd6kB4LFIkyoeqVzw0uQRt_6UowUwh5qp0ZwEoU89uCdCSwtbClhrH0Bkj0wH3x1fMIc_7lFyG0bnoQeHJKTd_FcPUzsnRLHnDPepj3KsTQ5DMOaoz8XipxJYtR0JhBuYx7Hlrh9weA560M/s2456/20220411-AK1I8351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1637" data-original-width="2456" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-NblIUYCBHusvxdONXPKjlykeNe8fBfyOs2gmVS7Sd6kB4LFIkyoeqVzw0uQRt_6UowUwh5qp0ZwEoU89uCdCSwtbClhrH0Bkj0wH3x1fMIc_7lFyG0bnoQeHJKTd_FcPUzsnRLHnDPepj3KsTQ5DMOaoz8XipxJYtR0JhBuYx7Hlrh9weA560M/w640-h426/20220411-AK1I8351.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">I suspect this<span style="text-align: left;"> birch tree was probably killed by the bronze birch borers. Luckily, the dead tree was left standing in the Arboretum and the Chickadees made good use of it last year. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="text-align: left;">By the way, <a href="https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9189/html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Oregon State University states</span></a> that "Native birch species are the most resistant to this insect." </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolCoHKhWV3Xl0bMcEVOWG81TKpQiI2VmUyDkUNSotPPMEs4VVzjMpW24NFNv-q4r9cQZmQ7HGPscgIFUJKuMlTDJA0Yjd3Tbjlsas5gdHG3Ld7bcIv-XZN3AnvsxawAO1KXhPYidnwQE2KhfFAyhspQkdOS54VmpD1voxD_BF5Py9lEvGKl1WpPA/s3399/20220411-AK1I8369.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2266" data-original-width="3399" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolCoHKhWV3Xl0bMcEVOWG81TKpQiI2VmUyDkUNSotPPMEs4VVzjMpW24NFNv-q4r9cQZmQ7HGPscgIFUJKuMlTDJA0Yjd3Tbjlsas5gdHG3Ld7bcIv-XZN3AnvsxawAO1KXhPYidnwQE2KhfFAyhspQkdOS54VmpD1voxD_BF5Py9lEvGKl1WpPA/w640-h426/20220411-AK1I8369.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On April 11th last year, this pair of Chickadees consistently returned to the Birch tree to remove more wood and open up their nest site. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiLHxfPJpxF2-_NqbvaissK9XasWo-QutihouQdot8JrHxDilAqPyHv-ykKOAynWPG-Ee_iyz6kSdXtlRMAwMR21hqper3ivNqPX1uREmaQ7oBTT5S694I61qOiMj_w_Sbpr1u6jug-n6yFPijNBPTtJSC35FQm9VC8lHnfMIfW_7SLX5sv2Lprw/s5472/20220416-AK1I9110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiLHxfPJpxF2-_NqbvaissK9XasWo-QutihouQdot8JrHxDilAqPyHv-ykKOAynWPG-Ee_iyz6kSdXtlRMAwMR21hqper3ivNqPX1uREmaQ7oBTT5S694I61qOiMj_w_Sbpr1u6jug-n6yFPijNBPTtJSC35FQm9VC8lHnfMIfW_7SLX5sv2Lprw/w640-h426/20220416-AK1I9110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Five days later, I found another pair doing the same type of excavation in a dead branch of a Pacific Madrone tree.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5URr5afagvThmG9JHPRKxbBTEHABMIkUHjDHnPxw28ovDnbIM3ZAJyXTXT6FF1gt4jdvVYdWa7G2f_eiyUl3-oGRXaO_NfFG-f7dm0wkOiQwEmYmRy8zyYupuXLXwhPtFhkMaLjGKvh-FhMynt7oBcxCYlPANPvfAvP5Pa9MkmmEEU8KBVmHl2LM/s2013/20220416-AK1I9126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="2013" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5URr5afagvThmG9JHPRKxbBTEHABMIkUHjDHnPxw28ovDnbIM3ZAJyXTXT6FF1gt4jdvVYdWa7G2f_eiyUl3-oGRXaO_NfFG-f7dm0wkOiQwEmYmRy8zyYupuXLXwhPtFhkMaLjGKvh-FhMynt7oBcxCYlPANPvfAvP5Pa9MkmmEEU8KBVmHl2LM/w640-h426/20220416-AK1I9126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not only did they remove the small loads of wood chips but...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvHq-QUwqQxIz4ConZQka-ngX0gVTLmNlFLzaL3XvtDMIDta_gbD52qHrLzubL7nsyQQXXJXY0gDIDNxXyiP_0bSuSTQ4i-jauP-7Fl1R5hWYa3hi51d6U18GJ3HomZqIz_SkYMsyOH2Hd23UqAlptB2klTRoHoj5HuIYHR40XV2DzVp_pO5yelw/s1867/20220416-AK1I9131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1867" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvHq-QUwqQxIz4ConZQka-ngX0gVTLmNlFLzaL3XvtDMIDta_gbD52qHrLzubL7nsyQQXXJXY0gDIDNxXyiP_0bSuSTQ4i-jauP-7Fl1R5hWYa3hi51d6U18GJ3HomZqIz_SkYMsyOH2Hd23UqAlptB2klTRoHoj5HuIYHR40XV2DzVp_pO5yelw/w640-h426/20220416-AK1I9131.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">...they also carried them away from the nest. This bird landed on a nearby branch and then began spreading the chips around. If you look closely, you can see two microscopically small pieces of wood flying away from the Chickadee.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORJM8yWBCSlYsHiRl85LInVElheW_VX2HkvTrUazhhVRjFHWDiZM5iEMm6Ncqwbpi2yLwOy81G2nsttYCdk3tSqs6geLo0oVl-goyxjkNCHnvSWnsIES6Qveiayaa3hbSZZlQ_n-8aDniThfIsk1Qe4KlwYoniuseZcdPpBXqT5WQ40wJ7icmMN4/s2569/20220416-AK1I9137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1715" data-original-width="2569" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORJM8yWBCSlYsHiRl85LInVElheW_VX2HkvTrUazhhVRjFHWDiZM5iEMm6Ncqwbpi2yLwOy81G2nsttYCdk3tSqs6geLo0oVl-goyxjkNCHnvSWnsIES6Qveiayaa3hbSZZlQ_n-8aDniThfIsk1Qe4KlwYoniuseZcdPpBXqT5WQ40wJ7icmMN4/w640-h428/20220416-AK1I9137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Perhaps the bird grew impatient with the distribution process.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivM4KbFkrvdNt_vn4bv1XZwbq9naKavbDU6QO1Gus2I4VYTLymn158FEqfBfsDGpOXfFarOipxUD_RWXUSA7pvX9_iQsLRuEofoE2IkBfVbgVIrYf8lgGh8bm8UpV8TpVNOMmeqyauxa__EWzrQNlMQw9b-MYkRoqIHD-bOZ2fGZ8JCKfhxmI9N8k/s3779/20220416-AK1I9138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="3779" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivM4KbFkrvdNt_vn4bv1XZwbq9naKavbDU6QO1Gus2I4VYTLymn158FEqfBfsDGpOXfFarOipxUD_RWXUSA7pvX9_iQsLRuEofoE2IkBfVbgVIrYf8lgGh8bm8UpV8TpVNOMmeqyauxa__EWzrQNlMQw9b-MYkRoqIHD-bOZ2fGZ8JCKfhxmI9N8k/w640-h426/20220416-AK1I9138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">It left part of the pile on the branch and took off with a remnant still in its mouth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNpTckcS2oJlM8dBaYinD-aMSmSHbP_LvSRzchjz7DoWLryXLJySxA-cYUgdpBhE09kMGI0ghOmbITETKRDPwjSNFDQcEV-6MLiDJ1tvRpAZn1eNRxXpRXjKCl6wcFm9aNOe6Yo1OTKZwjql6wsEj5tl6H-2H-gycKRPsm8k-zSCeR6UaZNukduc/s5472/20220519-AK1I0895.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNpTckcS2oJlM8dBaYinD-aMSmSHbP_LvSRzchjz7DoWLryXLJySxA-cYUgdpBhE09kMGI0ghOmbITETKRDPwjSNFDQcEV-6MLiDJ1tvRpAZn1eNRxXpRXjKCl6wcFm9aNOe6Yo1OTKZwjql6wsEj5tl6H-2H-gycKRPsm8k-zSCeR6UaZNukduc/w640-h426/20220519-AK1I0895.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The fun part of finding Chickadees' nest building is that you can return later and watch their progress as the family grows. This photo is from mid-May, 2022, and the adult bird is bringing some type of larva to the nest to feed its young.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwGwcbhNgeUtPcY2A_jmf_PBYygOX1PBYjgfjbL4eV8HEjCsm0Lnu6PmlvA9GK_tlIcciECNr_EMpCp3DuStCBTa5a9_ouH3UiEMxQ3tHjGJ3G5h0Aeqcu8TMhPRgHM55VjwbepOjfkWRgfQG2QH4YSEPI25L8dJPGZTfPMy0_akZbMWSHlSRcfY/s2754/20190522-EB2R2067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1837" data-original-width="2754" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwGwcbhNgeUtPcY2A_jmf_PBYygOX1PBYjgfjbL4eV8HEjCsm0Lnu6PmlvA9GK_tlIcciECNr_EMpCp3DuStCBTa5a9_ouH3UiEMxQ3tHjGJ3G5h0Aeqcu8TMhPRgHM55VjwbepOjfkWRgfQG2QH4YSEPI25L8dJPGZTfPMy0_akZbMWSHlSRcfY/w640-h426/20190522-EB2R2067.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Douglas Tallamy teaches that the larvae of butterflies and moths, i.e.caterpillars, are extremely nutritious and beneficial to the young of over 90% of terrestrial bird species in North America. With help from the National Wildlife Foundation, Doug and others have published information that tells us which genus' of native plants and trees are most beneficial to caterpillars and therefore native birds. There is more information about these special "Keystone" plants in the <b>Going Native</b> section below.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gWlLzSpb0F0vaknfgjwGYckegsBUhh71QjwqApiK3cGje6gdTNuy2rUmUOJp3mTYNPjwndRLfvySIRQo9MBVQL7upyEuLSgpbtww1UgvuoEkSTRv4X7AMtaW7zZoKx61oHwZxWRYvVQBF3OcXxemDJ9NGcB4LaHuleiiX71dxXmVSTUZgFmYbu4/s2263/20220603-AK1I0606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="2263" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gWlLzSpb0F0vaknfgjwGYckegsBUhh71QjwqApiK3cGje6gdTNuy2rUmUOJp3mTYNPjwndRLfvySIRQo9MBVQL7upyEuLSgpbtww1UgvuoEkSTRv4X7AMtaW7zZoKx61oHwZxWRYvVQBF3OcXxemDJ9NGcB4LaHuleiiX71dxXmVSTUZgFmYbu4/w640-h428/20220603-AK1I0606.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, the Chickadees will also pick up spiders and any other tiny creatures that they happen to find.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKoOSpMwuzoYoX2VeZ01yu4ckOKiTea4FmTHPN15KJnZoADwtGaqAM8F-M-TgnPt8qwT0hYi8ZEVugqOIjVjknyCKKMpUnS2dCIdWWW9agrC0dr_qOzUDo7tGFcWlh55WLBkGK419Xl8nQI5uFD6207uHebnhk0IEM5lLjs0nLaRWDhj2kqemDpM/s2546/20220603-AK1I0611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1698" data-original-width="2546" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKoOSpMwuzoYoX2VeZ01yu4ckOKiTea4FmTHPN15KJnZoADwtGaqAM8F-M-TgnPt8qwT0hYi8ZEVugqOIjVjknyCKKMpUnS2dCIdWWW9agrC0dr_qOzUDo7tGFcWlh55WLBkGK419Xl8nQI5uFD6207uHebnhk0IEM5lLjs0nLaRWDhj2kqemDpM/w640-h426/20220603-AK1I0611.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inside this nest hole, you can see the yellow gape, i.e. the inner bill, of the young bird that was begging to be fed.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIlM827a3w0lGbTWilCxdUxF2VCwxIRntWrz9aD5yNOVkwkf0YWopc240Sd-QSp9PMe_7UFSc0rqBAcjDEZLnkkf_czctj5nFHroIcifBI6eE8mo4nnAX5NxJIB_lmzfQ3aKIu9Zrr-cu1T6G_S8Ql_qI9UpSgXSH0yJUdFEqSj1diMntd0QBVps/s2295/20220603-AK1I0623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="2295" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIlM827a3w0lGbTWilCxdUxF2VCwxIRntWrz9aD5yNOVkwkf0YWopc240Sd-QSp9PMe_7UFSc0rqBAcjDEZLnkkf_czctj5nFHroIcifBI6eE8mo4nnAX5NxJIB_lmzfQ3aKIu9Zrr-cu1T6G_S8Ql_qI9UpSgXSH0yJUdFEqSj1diMntd0QBVps/w640-h428/20220603-AK1I0623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After feeding the young the adult carries away the fecal pouch. Removing it helps to keep the nest clean. It also keeps it from falling to the ground where it might signal the existence of a nest overhead.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_JDkmTp1b8ByXK2edAgLh-4bPP401TPBYiD1jsX6cewR5BqM8G1PwQbiUFiOkvKthM471BK5aXHWOUpatBxXcF31It3nqj2v8koZChGemrJSKedj7DLCnzE70-Ak4l9S97y-d7Amu2WzRjYpFUzy8MRv4RiqQ1IT186mIGZ08af1mxxKYmXbf-A/s1738/20220607-AK1I1359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1738" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_JDkmTp1b8ByXK2edAgLh-4bPP401TPBYiD1jsX6cewR5BqM8G1PwQbiUFiOkvKthM471BK5aXHWOUpatBxXcF31It3nqj2v8koZChGemrJSKedj7DLCnzE70-Ak4l9S97y-d7Amu2WzRjYpFUzy8MRv4RiqQ1IT186mIGZ08af1mxxKYmXbf-A/w640-h428/20220607-AK1I1359.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The previous photos were taken on June 3rd while this photo of a young bird out of the nest was taken on June 6th. (Notice the yellow coloring on the bill which will later turn black as the bird matures.) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My hope is that these photos will inspire you to leave dead trees and branches in your yards, whenever you can safely do so. Hopefully, this week we will all be watching for nest building, followed in the future by the feeding of young Black-capped Chickadees in our yards or local parks. None of these types of observations will happen with the speed and ease of an internet search. However, if we invest our time outdoors watching nature, I am positive we will reap many healthy and inspiring rewards!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay</span><i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span>Larry</span></div></span></div></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLc4WPXS6saBimnOcn8IGkgUI3JomBqdbtmNIKLiL7pV-ciSlEYLrcMJd8z0_C2APZIw9wlUlxh5MJ2DeWhzA7FJb3y_xYSi9LsmW4W1YDKsG4RYBVucfcNKCzwihS7pTb7jDTR867zkHiPudOYqKemzZ8PRyTl_Ljm-x7_JxgDdRSbc8sjX0ue4/s5472/20230421-AK1I1474.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLc4WPXS6saBimnOcn8IGkgUI3JomBqdbtmNIKLiL7pV-ciSlEYLrcMJd8z0_C2APZIw9wlUlxh5MJ2DeWhzA7FJb3y_xYSi9LsmW4W1YDKsG4RYBVucfcNKCzwihS7pTb7jDTR867zkHiPudOYqKemzZ8PRyTl_Ljm-x7_JxgDdRSbc8sjX0ue4/w640-h426/20230421-AK1I1474.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a flowering native plant found in Yesler Swamp this morning. What species is it?</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoqijtN0kVmp5k2Ye9fd_8WGBIhTirMyqUr4zUp7BRhAQPZbSwLOrDQbUoAgiecTaVw-CYz7d-o8gqnYBrMcF-qPW1UotiHca8lQQGdMQa2amuNWGIRCiqFTEXLQZzg7BvQsXclyxrMGiwTWTGBXAAd9qLQ0-MpH2uoad96M5llRJ5boR4VpawUE/s4586/20170424-EB2R5484.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3057" data-original-width="4586" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoqijtN0kVmp5k2Ye9fd_8WGBIhTirMyqUr4zUp7BRhAQPZbSwLOrDQbUoAgiecTaVw-CYz7d-o8gqnYBrMcF-qPW1UotiHca8lQQGdMQa2amuNWGIRCiqFTEXLQZzg7BvQsXclyxrMGiwTWTGBXAAd9qLQ0-MpH2uoad96M5llRJ5boR4VpawUE/w640-h426/20170424-EB2R5484.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://nativeplantspnw.com/red-elderberry-sambucus-racemosa/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Red Elderberry:</span></a> This photo was taken on April 24th, 2017. I wonder if this year's flowers will brighten up this much in the next three days or whether the rain and clouds will delay their full-fledged bloom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGBxJydrl9DPpdKLs9991a2lP7vywxNMq8toFYok1jw960DPpX_8ySnNlRf77trBAvPseD944t-E4DuYqhfBt8JggZonmE-Bl_PrBDlT8eINIW34TUT_08SOTO98tpqADkgcglJIvatqgsEt8IffVm6e0koVlzgF8tivRVaA2mY35YuEO5Q3xecA/s4673/20160609-EB2R9521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3115" data-original-width="4673" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGBxJydrl9DPpdKLs9991a2lP7vywxNMq8toFYok1jw960DPpX_8ySnNlRf77trBAvPseD944t-E4DuYqhfBt8JggZonmE-Bl_PrBDlT8eINIW34TUT_08SOTO98tpqADkgcglJIvatqgsEt8IffVm6e0koVlzgF8tivRVaA2mY35YuEO5Q3xecA/w640-h426/20160609-EB2R9521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This photo was taken on June 6th, 2016. It goes from flower to fruit in about six weeks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fruit of this plant is appreciated by a wide variety of birds. I have seen American Crows, Band-tailed Pigeons, Pileated Woodpeckers, and even Wood Duck ducklings eating them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-26186845811399793302023-04-01T13:37:00.003-07:002023-04-01T14:44:53.195-07:00The Gift of Spring<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYonNY09Z9uN6OSMcTrXYLAgOEUmF8spo55JrRfRg4eI8PUv9Ux5hKouH2kgSswOVNFs1HQVm8fGqvSCIORp9OWIC6cu3l7dY7CeJ9_SzGzGYJ0j5lw1jvt-WaG4whclF6byamSi50vqyAkBFLlXXEzeV65nhASeUIuRTAv5l9-pjrF4sB_XXq1vw/s4032/20230330-IMG_7741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYonNY09Z9uN6OSMcTrXYLAgOEUmF8spo55JrRfRg4eI8PUv9Ux5hKouH2kgSswOVNFs1HQVm8fGqvSCIORp9OWIC6cu3l7dY7CeJ9_SzGzGYJ0j5lw1jvt-WaG4whclF6byamSi50vqyAkBFLlXXEzeV65nhASeUIuRTAv5l9-pjrF4sB_XXq1vw/w583-h778/20230330-IMG_7741.jpg" width="583" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">The sky may be cloudy, the wind may be cold, and the rain may dampen our spirits, but please button your coat, step outside, and take a second look. Among the bare branches you will find buds in the trees and birds building nests. At eye level, you will see plants sporting fresh green leaves and some will have flowers in bloom. Spring is a gift and Winter is the box it comes in. </div></span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjMa1UtgwWlkaDvBhz9IiMRoXiIAnIKb2Hw7QuEl_HKA8ZWAKWtFKcLVJuNujGpgMSvaovF-mWRo6fXOaPNbhasB42rcRoUygPwpSV5HCWBDdx_PUVQqo06uDtUd10YKTwLhch4uf-XLmtUQUd0sTxH6ei6mIcRSo8kmowHgYvW7Q0WGLe3xj4hc/s3015/20230324-AK1I8656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="3015" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjMa1UtgwWlkaDvBhz9IiMRoXiIAnIKb2Hw7QuEl_HKA8ZWAKWtFKcLVJuNujGpgMSvaovF-mWRo6fXOaPNbhasB42rcRoUygPwpSV5HCWBDdx_PUVQqo06uDtUd10YKTwLhch4uf-XLmtUQUd0sTxH6ei6mIcRSo8kmowHgYvW7Q0WGLe3xj4hc/w640-h426/20230324-AK1I8656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last week, the Brown Creepers were gathering material for a new nest.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MU13b22M_ocM8W33V1vG8HMZee9qjnp02YWVh--OSqYcfXHlwIgMv8yhkLLCSsPwaHIXdRqLsK1ULYcwa9yIlgfPyoTigxcbfmTAOjKB6a1OMtJFSevUW6SbfaVAH8uhzzHk4Qef3I5jY9aSkcUuCKmJiRuyIZcI9TN3AluTzLIQJNK8RKfIhfI/s2417/20230328-AK1I9364.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="2417" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MU13b22M_ocM8W33V1vG8HMZee9qjnp02YWVh--OSqYcfXHlwIgMv8yhkLLCSsPwaHIXdRqLsK1ULYcwa9yIlgfPyoTigxcbfmTAOjKB6a1OMtJFSevUW6SbfaVAH8uhzzHk4Qef3I5jY9aSkcUuCKmJiRuyIZcI9TN3AluTzLIQJNK8RKfIhfI/w640-h426/20230328-AK1I9364.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This week, a Red-breasted Nuthatch was excavating a potential nest site. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK1G2cAIXfDdoWl_pt3gStViM62IrHK5ML-gse-vJFTzsbNF5J9MNKftYvBg93DafmKY2JxoP2vcOxO2Gp-Z43D1YsZbCxR4fZLpx0HblneEfptW4Gr2yrTvqNZZG3iFqwLJfN5xTKCNMI9Z9sJTHEkB3g4-BjynWZVyEnp1j-6DHWN4-A81zCDA/s640/20230331-image0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="763" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK1G2cAIXfDdoWl_pt3gStViM62IrHK5ML-gse-vJFTzsbNF5J9MNKftYvBg93DafmKY2JxoP2vcOxO2Gp-Z43D1YsZbCxR4fZLpx0HblneEfptW4Gr2yrTvqNZZG3iFqwLJfN5xTKCNMI9Z9sJTHEkB3g4-BjynWZVyEnp1j-6DHWN4-A81zCDA/w573-h763/20230331-image0.jpg" width="573" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday, my friend, Sam found, not just one, but two active Anna's Hummingbird nests. Each egg is about the size of a vitamin. (Thank you, Sam, for this photo.)</div></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtK7ajwp_0feDQEYIqNUl4mAQ_tkALTcrbrHXn25hIAje2U6cXt42bCJJ21WpKjm0kPIWXx5BkglpiMRIiyf_2Sab_NSDDYwtySzc21mRD0Zp3almxv8IFfj7gQxwdj9Q_35TcXjlSviSWajX-ukJoALD4Ozsof3YqGTzsVVFZU1qHpmg5aR-Nig/s1391/20230401-AK1I9875.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="1391" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtK7ajwp_0feDQEYIqNUl4mAQ_tkALTcrbrHXn25hIAje2U6cXt42bCJJ21WpKjm0kPIWXx5BkglpiMRIiyf_2Sab_NSDDYwtySzc21mRD0Zp3almxv8IFfj7gQxwdj9Q_35TcXjlSviSWajX-ukJoALD4Ozsof3YqGTzsVVFZU1qHpmg5aR-Nig/w640-h426/20230401-AK1I9875.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This morning, April 1st, the Ravens, in the Arboretum, appeared to be feeding their young. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They are quite intelligent, but I don't think they are attempting an April Fool's prank. I first noticed them behaving like they were on eggs around March 6th. According to <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Raven/lifehistory" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">All About Birds</span></a>, their incubation period is 20 to 25 days. So, it really is time. I suspect their young may be the first nestlings to hatch out in the Arboretum this year. Another sure sign of Spring.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zBMqnioK-W3Qrlf2WyTIcbPsm8t1-UsEA29cGd1c5IIrqnJgyEHXvCY8zMguHmTwKStOtXiMqjytNkCy3v5ZQJI3xijmO1wfd_QGU72_B5H-0YqoRH0lmykco9MKUDiSZuBHd-K359tNFnU0En2NZzZ0_VAJKlGNg5kPrSfaPuNb8Y_HvQx-69w/s4626/20230309-AK1I7640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3084" data-original-width="4626" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zBMqnioK-W3Qrlf2WyTIcbPsm8t1-UsEA29cGd1c5IIrqnJgyEHXvCY8zMguHmTwKStOtXiMqjytNkCy3v5ZQJI3xijmO1wfd_QGU72_B5H-0YqoRH0lmykco9MKUDiSZuBHd-K359tNFnU0En2NZzZ0_VAJKlGNg5kPrSfaPuNb8Y_HvQx-69w/w640-h426/20230309-AK1I7640.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">March 9th was the last time I saw pairs of Barred Owls. Soon after, I suspect they began incubating eggs. Lately, I have seen only solitary owls. I wonder if they are the males standing guard near the nests, while the females are on eggs and discreetly hidden from view.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o6tqcgv0LHkmTayO7c47yqjHGkGLRgZKMLUrg-Qyo3uGHUJHt2tn7W-Szv40AFohu39e5d0c5BWRPuUNbeIZubg4ZQGsJXZxq3vJrTpKC7Qbe2vHvCZ37VlaiYi2eRfidU3rhw8P66MvU_1y7xBiqHjiqJuRD_K2TX_-ZitVxmkn9igr6zc7bys/s4189/20230324-AK1I8545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2793" data-original-width="4189" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o6tqcgv0LHkmTayO7c47yqjHGkGLRgZKMLUrg-Qyo3uGHUJHt2tn7W-Szv40AFohu39e5d0c5BWRPuUNbeIZubg4ZQGsJXZxq3vJrTpKC7Qbe2vHvCZ37VlaiYi2eRfidU3rhw8P66MvU_1y7xBiqHjiqJuRD_K2TX_-ZitVxmkn9igr6zc7bys/w640-h426/20230324-AK1I8545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cooper's Hawks have been selecting small branches for their nests.</span></div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCWyUzqZvZegUxh_pW3anipwpGTZgz_ho4vinoRdZpn4wC0quYbotXDtwg5ifXB7ar0tmzZyujFGwIYzYRXalq28DubNrVYNyyZNWCH_GBOLCArSN-kuZX2hmvxIHeAfknpUUeJn_T_gL6DfwnYg0rnP8dMCEIX3XnYC3QuFqRRQh51unsZss69E/s5470/20230327-AK1I9035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5470" data-original-width="3647" height="836" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCWyUzqZvZegUxh_pW3anipwpGTZgz_ho4vinoRdZpn4wC0quYbotXDtwg5ifXB7ar0tmzZyujFGwIYzYRXalq28DubNrVYNyyZNWCH_GBOLCArSN-kuZX2hmvxIHeAfknpUUeJn_T_gL6DfwnYg0rnP8dMCEIX3XnYC3QuFqRRQh51unsZss69E/w556-h836/20230327-AK1I9035.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Pileated Woodpeckers are spending time together. Earlier in March, my friend, Sally, spotted the male excavating a hole in Red Alder snag. It was near the top and not very spacious so I am uncertain if he is really building a nest or perhaps just getting in shape for a more serious effort.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingIVoUwadikPUEeyjrCvXJgDt_eFrXznhWFWKStOEGZM51mHD3KGFoyueQF27040ZMcqZ34FxgXJZshYbEoCRzFlT_TnBdd7EXRjBz140rhGLfbndFgK4vQ97OgVQrShRh1NXXEUKgDvDARsP5Y-v_2xk-TVwNV2HPatQJxaLzDS4yhROw1UU6fk/s4062/20230330-AK1I9525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2708" data-original-width="4062" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingIVoUwadikPUEeyjrCvXJgDt_eFrXznhWFWKStOEGZM51mHD3KGFoyueQF27040ZMcqZ34FxgXJZshYbEoCRzFlT_TnBdd7EXRjBz140rhGLfbndFgK4vQ97OgVQrShRh1NXXEUKgDvDARsP5Y-v_2xk-TVwNV2HPatQJxaLzDS4yhROw1UU6fk/w640-h426/20230330-AK1I9525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">On Thursday morning, Monty and Marsha changed their behavior. For weeks, they have been around the nest tree, off and on. Sometimes, sitting on the edge of the nest, sometimes delivering sticks, and sometimes nowhere to be found. However, on Thursday, I noticed Marsha sitting low in the nest. Her positioning felt like the final declaration that Spring is underway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvyEdaamt7SceCEEMTsLdIOmXB1-xIlvsxAsL5p412wBsNlqILUwM1R9Uz-zd43x_fsX5-XPjV1Du-ws8pwWzyt2VMMmCZdESpksWzqgErgt52j72zkYoaKsN7iylWzoFnr5SlRl4usKx51pLulWsC6Ib6bDU4yUyN4_PUuBDd7ixUQ_UF6YJ1ck/s3298/20230330-AK1I9583.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2200" data-original-width="3298" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvyEdaamt7SceCEEMTsLdIOmXB1-xIlvsxAsL5p412wBsNlqILUwM1R9Uz-zd43x_fsX5-XPjV1Du-ws8pwWzyt2VMMmCZdESpksWzqgErgt52j72zkYoaKsN7iylWzoFnr5SlRl4usKx51pLulWsC6Ib6bDU4yUyN4_PUuBDd7ixUQ_UF6YJ1ck/w640-h426/20230330-AK1I9583.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">When she got up and put her head down in the nest I could see her tail wiggling but it was not the jerking movement that happens when she is eating. It was much more subtle.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2tutg2A8OIYgOan6-L_xh0TWLAzaawvH-OfXXHuqlnBqDSwGuwxpU5gjQ6jZQLh-9fydPbhkGDQhVH3K2lHgLsl6R8b4orGgwhnEfggFlVzHd7RwLNB47BpKQdjuqb5KL0v94lpB8rBg2GGqlawMgRY-hQvh1z1H2I5W5LGR9WTkAXZez34luGU/s3176/20230330-AK1I9591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2120" data-original-width="3176" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2tutg2A8OIYgOan6-L_xh0TWLAzaawvH-OfXXHuqlnBqDSwGuwxpU5gjQ6jZQLh-9fydPbhkGDQhVH3K2lHgLsl6R8b4orGgwhnEfggFlVzHd7RwLNB47BpKQdjuqb5KL0v94lpB8rBg2GGqlawMgRY-hQvh1z1H2I5W5LGR9WTkAXZez34luGU/w640-h428/20230330-AK1I9591.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Finally, when she turned and pointed her wingtips and tail feathers toward the sky there was little doubt in my mind about what she was doing. I suspect her subtle movements happened as she gently turned her eggs and that while showing her wingtips she was using her wings to shield her eggs from the cold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">When an eagle, while standing in a nest, lowers their secondaries next to its legs they create a shield on each side of the legs. At the same time, their primaries point toward the sky while their body provides protection from above. As far as I know, the only time they do this is when they are protecting eggs or eaglets in the nest. Thank you, Martin, for teaching me what to look for!</div></span><span style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvrPB2B42eZwmzdogaz4d7GRaVvqYVt0A2xEaLSugKKgv5wm_Atwh8pKjtGTbcOhcQ1oRvrVOOvbgDsHx0hQsnfIKdGy-Wpmh7kO2hh_d_zvXGpFo8L6Tq8ebgQ73TYHe8N2SGgrEYH_1Bt2NGmTbKBNkMrG6mcHJWYqYs5RkhsZ_JsRRtA_EY3I/s5472/20230313-AK1I8018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvrPB2B42eZwmzdogaz4d7GRaVvqYVt0A2xEaLSugKKgv5wm_Atwh8pKjtGTbcOhcQ1oRvrVOOvbgDsHx0hQsnfIKdGy-Wpmh7kO2hh_d_zvXGpFo8L6Tq8ebgQ73TYHe8N2SGgrEYH_1Bt2NGmTbKBNkMrG6mcHJWYqYs5RkhsZ_JsRRtA_EY3I/w640-h426/20230313-AK1I8018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">A couple weeks ago, I saw one of the Broadmoor eagles, probably Eva, sitting low in her new nest. (You can read about her nest falling late last Summer by <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2022/09/up-in-air.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Clicking Here</span></a>.) I remember hearing that older birds often lay their eggs earlier than younger birds. I suspect Eva may be one of the oldest Eagles around Union Bay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvtVW074El63_IT2mYnVJpa50FNiEh3a8dPlDi746DTXSdHo5mOVJyHzZxwUC03liG-GRbH1bssdhTmjpTC9iXbe6d1XYlfKxXsJw6akpx6IWdoPHqjtaRwXWzp3adfWD-kK25nOAWy9gH-Oj1vZM0oZoCrL3b5Z2zflJOLjFEqWlwqqHBeTv268/s839/20230313-AK1I8018-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="839" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvtVW074El63_IT2mYnVJpa50FNiEh3a8dPlDi746DTXSdHo5mOVJyHzZxwUC03liG-GRbH1bssdhTmjpTC9iXbe6d1XYlfKxXsJw6akpx6IWdoPHqjtaRwXWzp3adfWD-kK25nOAWy9gH-Oj1vZM0oZoCrL3b5Z2zflJOLjFEqWlwqqHBeTv268/w640-h426/20230313-AK1I8018-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">When we zoom into the photo we can just barely see her head poking up above the edge of the new nest. This made me think she began incubation on or before March 13th. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">If we assume incubation takes about 5 weeks and then it takes another week or so for the young eaglets to become visible above the edge of the nest, then we can hope to see young in the Broadmoor nest on or before early May and in the Montlake Cut aerie about two weeks later. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpisxLlpqEA-U-1Pk6oX1fl5FvnzuV9yjCiyLovvgzljcs_fQ3mW0LR-Nwx-5AxFNnLWU8KVV1VgWhaKWc8peKOr1kYDq7_FN0dBqJ8yfWuMxmk5lz6nA3pDs4-UiRo6djmw6ueZENjZU-M0T-rtbTC28faIXx_GIdu-tQby-3P4yMEPLh-HpzGk/s5472/20230330-AK1I9694.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpisxLlpqEA-U-1Pk6oX1fl5FvnzuV9yjCiyLovvgzljcs_fQ3mW0LR-Nwx-5AxFNnLWU8KVV1VgWhaKWc8peKOr1kYDq7_FN0dBqJ8yfWuMxmk5lz6nA3pDs4-UiRo6djmw6ueZENjZU-M0T-rtbTC28faIXx_GIdu-tQby-3P4yMEPLh-HpzGk/w640-h426/20230330-AK1I9694.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Back at Montlake Cut, on Thursday afternoon one of the adults was really low in the nest. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr2J77mABOaFdFkI_84mNU5T3dhqSLr54K6GmHPINAV-5hEqKz1V9AnZvuFJgTOKvLiG9OafQ2BMWswfdSl9iLZsn9IXJckqWwZ28p-_1wE1_SRifQ_7u-TUzO36HCnloAZ7G4lFqo20rorv6iktOVkroO4bhVO-bcn98KmnkSKFU2ePLmaYaK1E/s5472/20230330-AK1I9706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr2J77mABOaFdFkI_84mNU5T3dhqSLr54K6GmHPINAV-5hEqKz1V9AnZvuFJgTOKvLiG9OafQ2BMWswfdSl9iLZsn9IXJckqWwZ28p-_1wE1_SRifQ_7u-TUzO36HCnloAZ7G4lFqo20rorv6iktOVkroO4bhVO-bcn98KmnkSKFU2ePLmaYaK1E/w640-h426/20230330-AK1I9706.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even eagles get impatient and feel the need to move around, so they occasionally become more or less visible, while incubating eggs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WJPNW78Gt_V5ht5X_tTSefrBzTk-YRfjulxSRpOr3mNMPmaDFZ16w8kotzDsK_Rm0nQc4LMhhcgaUK6xzjGALMNVOhryqHdGtoCj853N2lMQf_zJoEXeHzXYEMZElSlaVr3j1VVZsuJ-KDyLrTYZxOxHazxxgMn-cR_xRdZJuW0PMZO3A_0U2rk/s2508/20230330-AK1I9691.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1675" data-original-width="2508" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WJPNW78Gt_V5ht5X_tTSefrBzTk-YRfjulxSRpOr3mNMPmaDFZ16w8kotzDsK_Rm0nQc4LMhhcgaUK6xzjGALMNVOhryqHdGtoCj853N2lMQf_zJoEXeHzXYEMZElSlaVr3j1VVZsuJ-KDyLrTYZxOxHazxxgMn-cR_xRdZJuW0PMZO3A_0U2rk/w640-h428/20230330-AK1I9691.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When the eagle became seriously interested in something to the west, I got an even better look. I felt pretty sure it was Marsha, due to the slight gray smudge behind her eye. Later, Monty returned to the nest with food. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAAr1IB7pE6bCDhtkAy6qhu-M1mRlgAUnXH5CObD7FNbZVAzd16nnmZnRt2jIZ312n5XnXHQEC3_0n86KWODUhUkv7RBee6fEZFb4sN9FkNATtYhTlFtWhBy8pcm2jbrKQNzgFRtRENVAgTDLDwR--o22FjfUrnzfe40aMzkTvVSayyhx0EnjrhM/s3843/20230330-AK1I9724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="3843" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAAr1IB7pE6bCDhtkAy6qhu-M1mRlgAUnXH5CObD7FNbZVAzd16nnmZnRt2jIZ312n5XnXHQEC3_0n86KWODUhUkv7RBee6fEZFb4sN9FkNATtYhTlFtWhBy8pcm2jbrKQNzgFRtRENVAgTDLDwR--o22FjfUrnzfe40aMzkTvVSayyhx0EnjrhM/w640-h426/20230330-AK1I9724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By that point, I was on the opposite side of the tree and the sun was in my eyes. I assumed an exchange was made and that Marsha was the one who took the food to a nearby treetop.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucsitH7HGDzTux6qNtB9nxxg_YIyO7ENGkJn8EFelRSO80j-L4nWjqRiA9ceHOEsM60fSoGwehJjSBdch7eEBBufWqW3aAXdGDj0Z1ZzBSwR1XeDMvo5IH0GMKLZrquwwbRvpiDjtYPOqfoSKwir-fqFzSznHjSsK1_ty7ZAfUNuI-Qj1ZwqlbN8/s3988/20230330-AK1I9739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2659" data-original-width="3988" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucsitH7HGDzTux6qNtB9nxxg_YIyO7ENGkJn8EFelRSO80j-L4nWjqRiA9ceHOEsM60fSoGwehJjSBdch7eEBBufWqW3aAXdGDj0Z1ZzBSwR1XeDMvo5IH0GMKLZrquwwbRvpiDjtYPOqfoSKwir-fqFzSznHjSsK1_ty7ZAfUNuI-Qj1ZwqlbN8/w640-h426/20230330-AK1I9739.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, when I studied the photo, I found the eagle, who was eating, looked more like Monty than Marsha.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZOWw7bmyEk0kEJYrsKmv9tFpb-pGkVK2i_jOm0mdfGV0hSSwTM7kiy_N4DiBkb_KKW0zDfFTQAEOCv_AZY00sry67GIW_VEoyHN4Ui_sUVPZhfDi2y8Fp7NkgQi_Pl3hPqzVE1CkgjzEyW0yAIP2xELMtwilISJ8JLAYTV7tYtr_rf1IwTVjf4M/s2425/20230330-AK1I9765.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="2425" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZOWw7bmyEk0kEJYrsKmv9tFpb-pGkVK2i_jOm0mdfGV0hSSwTM7kiy_N4DiBkb_KKW0zDfFTQAEOCv_AZY00sry67GIW_VEoyHN4Ui_sUVPZhfDi2y8Fp7NkgQi_Pl3hPqzVE1CkgjzEyW0yAIP2xELMtwilISJ8JLAYTV7tYtr_rf1IwTVjf4M/w640-h428/20230330-AK1I9765.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After eating, the eagle went back to the nest for a moment and then jumped out and flew a quick circuit over the east end of Montlake Cut. As it returned to the nest I caught </span><span style="font-family: arial;">this photo. Once again this eagle still looked like Monty. He is cleanly white behind the eyes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes, they take turns incubating the eggs and it can be challenging to tell which one is which.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3MN1yXGsFnCRBmW8DM6Z4Bq0Ez92oFvtStT8bcHIDSbpTKWXSt9XQPQt3xwMB1uBe_XCdwQkmaGGc7KkHJyYSOxd1JK9sYwhdlMlZbNgi5owAB6s_SgPIft0b2rf4Dnrou2UVfyhjfYtI5bdnbtpTN7dTZCDMbPJw1NH1sEsQUwvhgpabOlZJN0/s1883/20230330-AK1I9806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1883" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3MN1yXGsFnCRBmW8DM6Z4Bq0Ez92oFvtStT8bcHIDSbpTKWXSt9XQPQt3xwMB1uBe_XCdwQkmaGGc7KkHJyYSOxd1JK9sYwhdlMlZbNgi5owAB6s_SgPIft0b2rf4Dnrou2UVfyhjfYtI5bdnbtpTN7dTZCDMbPJw1NH1sEsQUwvhgpabOlZJN0/w640-h426/20230330-AK1I9806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While this was taking place the mate, Marsha I presume, was circling</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">above the UW Medical Center. Surprisingly, Monty decided to</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">join her. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The two of them circled together for a few minutes.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErBLQFus8WVh9Tuyzfza6AcjL9rwBl53_g2YpFbZ9MUSXIj-jZuLqDNcuB7nQIgKM1A67U9iRvlhDNjpvpEOPH7Xa-RMMPmw3_ZSAIHIKCSX3kTTWITnV9dXHQ7d-W3Dyt0mR4Obck_B6e4ZYm_w_GGeRoag0CbL2SkgSiX5GfC5lDQdt9sf8GqQ/s3574/20230330-AK1I9831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2383" data-original-width="3574" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErBLQFus8WVh9Tuyzfza6AcjL9rwBl53_g2YpFbZ9MUSXIj-jZuLqDNcuB7nQIgKM1A67U9iRvlhDNjpvpEOPH7Xa-RMMPmw3_ZSAIHIKCSX3kTTWITnV9dXHQ7d-W3Dyt0mR4Obck_B6e4ZYm_w_GGeRoag0CbL2SkgSiX5GfC5lDQdt9sf8GqQ/w640-h426/20230330-AK1I9831.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Before long, one of them returned to the nest. As my friend, Amy, pointed out maybe they just needed some time together away from the eggs</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">. Although, I also wondered if they had a heart-to-heart discussion about whose turn it was to have nest duty. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">In any case, while incubating eggs, I would expect that one or the other will be there almost constantly for the next six weeks. Although, as</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"> the cottonwoods leaf out it will become progressively more difficult to actually see them in the nest.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The good news is, both Monty and Marsha are present, accounted for, and moving forward with the parenting process. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Congratulations to Monty and Marsha. I certainly hope they have all the young they desire, that their nest is stable and stays in the tree and that their young successfully fly whenever they attempt to leave the nest.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay</span><i style="font-family: arial;">...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></div></span></div></div></span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="text-align: left;"></span><div><span style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ps: Can you find Monty and Marsha's nest in the very first photo in this post? If not, read just the Going Native answer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></span><div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The following four native plants, which are all close to or in bloom, are clearly heralding the arrival of Spring. Do you know their names? Which of these four might be considered odorous?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27uQ4z4tMV8PHdG2cpso7I14tw5dkwHu0a86jggX_kGjqe8DbMQGQoBzYsYo8M6EfnOg335X-jgsDV11cLOqMzWAcBfBFOC5Zx4CM8nSBqZO8WNoYV_hNlAhKgw5s6OMiTRsNOJQQNq1p8t1D8xaQ9K4exLwo9ZbKHaO3SPFQbAUL1cBzmgMC5gU/s5105/20230328-AK1I9339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3403" data-original-width="5105" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27uQ4z4tMV8PHdG2cpso7I14tw5dkwHu0a86jggX_kGjqe8DbMQGQoBzYsYo8M6EfnOg335X-jgsDV11cLOqMzWAcBfBFOC5Zx4CM8nSBqZO8WNoYV_hNlAhKgw5s6OMiTRsNOJQQNq1p8t1D8xaQ9K4exLwo9ZbKHaO3SPFQbAUL1cBzmgMC5gU/w640-h426/20230328-AK1I9339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eQV6zqYIi4kaY2hEMcgncP78ZgWZ-I-ct3lI4KSI_set8fNjfrYBP_oC3StW7fmVo_llsgdQQ_cZ6ur4Ko5AG_IeM3EI4ZIDMLJUTkQEoK2qiID-qDx5pOOV4Xhozj5wDwstnNN_ZmQ0PDhDuGBcukVrZpvoh94Q52_CIjd8ZBunqLJu3gAtLBg/s5472/20230328-AK1I9341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eQV6zqYIi4kaY2hEMcgncP78ZgWZ-I-ct3lI4KSI_set8fNjfrYBP_oC3StW7fmVo_llsgdQQ_cZ6ur4Ko5AG_IeM3EI4ZIDMLJUTkQEoK2qiID-qDx5pOOV4Xhozj5wDwstnNN_ZmQ0PDhDuGBcukVrZpvoh94Q52_CIjd8ZBunqLJu3gAtLBg/w640-h426/20230328-AK1I9341.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">C)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUjOkwE7Ef08BP0dWe6QHzhjYfxHWGp-J39luK0TUH_zdE1VD5TaCecA5u0yAee7Cfsv-RpQHQ671TwFLrZcEBG7mHq7osA5qpeR-b2EJnVB70fuslrQIkCxeVUyfXVcCtN6GOvsE1K9-3H4TdVajLl7UTi-ScvNIJ0neTQEHhEEIpOsZXmCUY8E/s5472/20230328-AK1I9348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUjOkwE7Ef08BP0dWe6QHzhjYfxHWGp-J39luK0TUH_zdE1VD5TaCecA5u0yAee7Cfsv-RpQHQ671TwFLrZcEBG7mHq7osA5qpeR-b2EJnVB70fuslrQIkCxeVUyfXVcCtN6GOvsE1K9-3H4TdVajLl7UTi-ScvNIJ0neTQEHhEEIpOsZXmCUY8E/w640-h426/20230328-AK1I9348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">D)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzVEDW4hDWt3gT8f0TMdPt_U5IuqyHDanTr-ixXoTGEBs_nvzQxbrW7NCi33WnbRPJLYiDgrbDeHw3Qb9bBdrC7A4pkgtAsnxVQa6Ddj_R3pfehxupwXHb_hYTK6am56ifGVQsrWGs97DoUj0jrDDV-JXuUGpL4aikDxwLF9yqCyjJ3SKMwrU-js/s4043/20230401-AK1I9870.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2695" data-original-width="4043" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzVEDW4hDWt3gT8f0TMdPt_U5IuqyHDanTr-ixXoTGEBs_nvzQxbrW7NCi33WnbRPJLYiDgrbDeHw3Qb9bBdrC7A4pkgtAsnxVQa6Ddj_R3pfehxupwXHb_hYTK6am56ifGVQsrWGs97DoUj0jrDDV-JXuUGpL4aikDxwLF9yqCyjJ3SKMwrU-js/w640-h426/20230401-AK1I9870.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A) <span style="font-family: arial;">Flowering-red Currant</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">B)</span> Osoberry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">C)</span> Oregon Grape</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">D)</span> Skunk Cabbage</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The name Skunk Cabbage is a complete giveaway. Yes, it is odorous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my opinion, the Red Flowering Currant also has an odor that is not perfectly pleasant. However, I suspect we do not all perceive odors the same. I suggest you find and visit an established and well-flowered bush before choosing to plant it in your yard. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(Monty and Marsha's nest is on the far left side of the first photo. It is about 75 percent of the way up the left most cottonwood.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></span></span><div><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-82760934889322986512023-02-22T14:08:00.002-08:002023-02-22T14:59:09.531-08:00Do Eagles Dream?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizQN7N7C_f9BZ-KdBNbL6TnRVxj87OXuukHYNwtuvYQWhZz3LXOnsgAC3S-TtJ6xgcoRxhoydLdzjs8o1U5WAwW5RVBPnvCOCtOyeayesebFvbWOEVjldce5PY5byOmUen7CSP8v5KDWFi0pmIoqr7PVGjoQloR43K-nVj9ORGa5DtP0gazG9y4c/s3660/20230217-AK1I6834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2440" data-original-width="3660" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizQN7N7C_f9BZ-KdBNbL6TnRVxj87OXuukHYNwtuvYQWhZz3LXOnsgAC3S-TtJ6xgcoRxhoydLdzjs8o1U5WAwW5RVBPnvCOCtOyeayesebFvbWOEVjldce5PY5byOmUen7CSP8v5KDWFi0pmIoqr7PVGjoQloR43K-nVj9ORGa5DtP0gazG9y4c/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Seeing a bald eagle is always special, but seeing one that you know a bit about, and maybe have a hint about his personality, is almost like unexpectedly running into an old friend.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJT17lw-mmtOVytKNUTOYPrNOFgw6gvLg4bJ0XC6iXg78i1MrVQZk8462yhR4nOtvoq9wkxHOX0lRbHtntGVrGBJ5_4po9aHOimY8XZLuA80gycb6V9JwW0RjosW8n0N3i_lJ2fYl_20qUexLb_DSvnhO37ui45tYudabutpV_Le7YE_w88lxAhU/s2825/20230107-AK1I5442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1885" data-original-width="2825" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJT17lw-mmtOVytKNUTOYPrNOFgw6gvLg4bJ0XC6iXg78i1MrVQZk8462yhR4nOtvoq9wkxHOX0lRbHtntGVrGBJ5_4po9aHOimY8XZLuA80gycb6V9JwW0RjosW8n0N3i_lJ2fYl_20qUexLb_DSvnhO37ui45tYudabutpV_Le7YE_w88lxAhU/w640-h428/20230107-AK1I5442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In January, in the <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2023/01/touchdown.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Eagles Down post</span></a>, we initially wondered if the eagle in the foreground was dead. The two eagles were laying perfectly still, with talons interlocked, after falling from the sky. Surprisingly, both eagles eventually "awoke" from their stunned state. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The younger one flew quickly away. The wounded adult (laying on its back in the photo) was only able to stand and shuffle off into the foliage. It could not fly. Seattle Animal Control arrived, caught the eagle, and held it overnight. The next day, they transported it to the <a href="https://www.paws.org/wildlife/found-a-wild-animal/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Progressive Animal Welfare Society</span></a> (PAWS) in Lynnwood. At PAWS, it was evaluated and determined to have a good chance of recovery.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Initially, since the injured eagle was found and captured at Montlake Playfield I wondered if it was one of the local pair, who I call <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2018/06/monty-marsha-and.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Monty and Marsha</span></a>. They are named after Marsh Island and Montlake Cut which is the core of their territory, along with the southwest portion of Union Bay. They also treat Portage Bay and the Montlake Playfield as part of their territory, however, their visits here are somewhat sporadic and I doubt they can really monitor it from their normal roosts near Montlake Cut. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After the injured eagle was caught, I eventually spotted Monty and Marsha together and going about their normal business. This confirmed that neither one of them was the eagle at PAWS. Most likely the injured one is a migrant - just passing through. Although, in the process, he may very well be searching for a mate, a place to settle down, and almost certainly any food he can find.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In any case, the wounded eagle spent the last five weeks, getting the appropriate medical attention, plenty of food, and living the good life in a PAWS protective enclosure. Last Friday, the folks at PAWS determined he was healthy enough to be released.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6p05wF6QcrGSYWaocRvFJSnbOTMvDhgEkaqVyXxHyorh3n6vRaJ2nGz1aiqdfkNTLGxvRt0OK26xm8CRigXRarnORyCQLZHDDdKc_r3su6ZmPBBrGWkcTIEJZ3MyPFKze6QF2YTqoRvUKkBkIPrV50LmC8j1_B4oAL5irOneq0LnhSX1rvKlO-U/s5179/20230217-AK1I6813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3453" data-original-width="5179" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6p05wF6QcrGSYWaocRvFJSnbOTMvDhgEkaqVyXxHyorh3n6vRaJ2nGz1aiqdfkNTLGxvRt0OK26xm8CRigXRarnORyCQLZHDDdKc_r3su6ZmPBBrGWkcTIEJZ3MyPFKze6QF2YTqoRvUKkBkIPrV50LmC8j1_B4oAL5irOneq0LnhSX1rvKlO-U/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6813.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kate and Ian from PAWS carried the bald eagle to an unobstructed portion of the playfield. The covering cloth, the careful and quiet placement, and the open surroundings were all choices made to minimize the eagle's stress during his release.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32Vk5gD3JNsDTYSwsWmBUTDYooI2F120kk-g6WvAKpfQDJpgCJ0afqfyK52kZkHwJ3wM4Z8OTe0P8BGuJUTHJdr2SieI5AnbfL6N7Ne6RgawoAuyZnkqsG8PvaLOYJduwGJ0_nZMKbCgvb3PZDfcHVgP0g3UU5fAkQaGkNM0Ifj1qlR5n4Y8RRv4/s5472/20230217-AK1I6818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32Vk5gD3JNsDTYSwsWmBUTDYooI2F120kk-g6WvAKpfQDJpgCJ0afqfyK52kZkHwJ3wM4Z8OTe0P8BGuJUTHJdr2SieI5AnbfL6N7Ne6RgawoAuyZnkqsG8PvaLOYJduwGJ0_nZMKbCgvb3PZDfcHVgP0g3UU5fAkQaGkNM0Ifj1qlR5n4Y8RRv4/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6818.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Anthony, also from PAWS, wearing leather gloves for protection, unlocks the door.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhuBil5x-jS7lbHj76vvrG18m_OUoaoZ8IGS3DLjEH828FQryI4fKDTIcIXaMxGGZxs_FJfQBnjeURmpIyZ0OzlrGWUs4LHfUPNE-wKb10XW7F_CL8Cb8hH-9Xo3D1hKR-6cZJsRY4fuCYQ2E5JVyfhUwS1zJjUVunpdYxLSQP1DFGqQLMtkn7cY/s4265/20230217-AK1I6820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2843" data-original-width="4265" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhuBil5x-jS7lbHj76vvrG18m_OUoaoZ8IGS3DLjEH828FQryI4fKDTIcIXaMxGGZxs_FJfQBnjeURmpIyZ0OzlrGWUs4LHfUPNE-wKb10XW7F_CL8Cb8hH-9Xo3D1hKR-6cZJsRY4fuCYQ2E5JVyfhUwS1zJjUVunpdYxLSQP1DFGqQLMtkn7cY/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Unlike a dog crate, this door is easily removed so it does not accidentally swing back and re-injure the eagle.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Before being set free, the eagle was also given some new, identifying jewelry by our friends from the <a href="https://urbanraptorconservancy.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Urban Raptor Conservancy</span></a>. </span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFPQ1sKEYdwwmyQZlq0aF-B-6-SLcapVdPADjqQq_UhX4rBHdKZidGKg2ouJ5KY91taU3SMvXs6LbQCbpA5iv3xmrpTa0HQ0fTH1g97LRXDpZbLgKc0YtGlfmtf6SiaU9W3wUZP96p6jg3qcL7N_Lv-LdpEVccECFEmSeYEC_DdnTzqy4n17C6So/s4481/20230217-AK1I6822.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2987" data-original-width="4481" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFPQ1sKEYdwwmyQZlq0aF-B-6-SLcapVdPADjqQq_UhX4rBHdKZidGKg2ouJ5KY91taU3SMvXs6LbQCbpA5iv3xmrpTa0HQ0fTH1g97LRXDpZbLgKc0YtGlfmtf6SiaU9W3wUZP96p6jg3qcL7N_Lv-LdpEVccECFEmSeYEC_DdnTzqy4n17C6So/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6822.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A special, Thank You to Patti and Molly!</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxjXWfmBNfXx9OOPPTcTemLFM41sZMd9_2NOotkrhNMAMAiwVDc8_IIEaXG5ZepAH3zTBtGw4fCdzFfL6EdUcGm9J1lPZzwVqeaiBUvclvGdEpyTL3y6T7zIWPHtmbp8wldbp44I-8mOD3y1yVU8669XpdoC1Ym6hpphGmdtKGuVQR5a2lBPj_2s/s946/20230217-AK1I6822-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="946" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxjXWfmBNfXx9OOPPTcTemLFM41sZMd9_2NOotkrhNMAMAiwVDc8_IIEaXG5ZepAH3zTBtGw4fCdzFfL6EdUcGm9J1lPZzwVqeaiBUvclvGdEpyTL3y6T7zIWPHtmbp8wldbp44I-8mOD3y1yVU8669XpdoC1Ym6hpphGmdtKGuVQR5a2lBPj_2s/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6822-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This mature male bald eagle now carries the code name, "8/H", on the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">new band on his left leg. The federally-required, silver-colored ban on the right leg also has a unique identifying code, but it is much more difficult to read. The folks from <span style="color: #f6b26b;"><a href="https://urbanraptorconservancy.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Urban Raptor Conservancy</span></a></span> place the more legible, colorful bands on raptors in hopes that you or I might see the bird sometime in the future and report back where we saw him and what he was doing. You can report sightings by <a href="https://urbanraptorconservancy.org/contact/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Clicking Here</span></a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you look closely you can see rivets on the Bald Eagle band. Smaller birds get bands that are crimped into place, but Bald Eagles are strong enough to pull that type of band apart. Rivets are required for a creature of this size and strength. </span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfhdhsyWIl-vwxWNeWRORpJ8dfwNVqnuRQDmo_cJHv_u3au5JC7PGkcKbJG_C__WPZAMi0gNFN24MJ3BAYd_dBdeKx1SR2_Msi5Go0PSqE64SMQuHrYRWcweylm8YHr64Dp8dRG-gbSCeV9JUUYIBfEaL5HgwQP9-Rxm09C-YAbx30pLvJY0zqNI/s4258/20230217-AK1I6827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2839" data-original-width="4258" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfhdhsyWIl-vwxWNeWRORpJ8dfwNVqnuRQDmo_cJHv_u3au5JC7PGkcKbJG_C__WPZAMi0gNFN24MJ3BAYd_dBdeKx1SR2_Msi5Go0PSqE64SMQuHrYRWcweylm8YHr64Dp8dRG-gbSCeV9JUUYIBfEaL5HgwQP9-Rxm09C-YAbx30pLvJY0zqNI/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After half a dozen hopping steps and a quick scan of his surroundings, the eagle took to the air. (A bald eagle's wing is quite likely longer than your arm.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Given that he originally appeared to be dead, and that on Friday he rose again, Shelley, my wife, suggested we should call him, Lazarus. The ability of living creatures to heal up and carry on is beyond my understanding. Every time healing happens, I feel like we should be stunned and amazed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We should also be very appreciative of the team at PAWS. Without their care and assistance, this eagle might very well have ended up as coyote food.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOQ8_UN9miMF90DqN4EwxWrlJH8eaGejvkqZuFtT12N5UuvX9If4WZSa6YeyHvQN2QHsTwdRRKIiIid6bNfLNzXeHOYwmB1b2USWjwzBA8ttqgwroRYJLow7g_bYbWj1rX55bsGlAzmek_3GhdLVE2Al7nc-T3gtlWOIyPZCrhQpmH_1MrCHEQ6g/s5472/20230217-AK1I6832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOQ8_UN9miMF90DqN4EwxWrlJH8eaGejvkqZuFtT12N5UuvX9If4WZSa6YeyHvQN2QHsTwdRRKIiIid6bNfLNzXeHOYwmB1b2USWjwzBA8ttqgwroRYJLow7g_bYbWj1rX55bsGlAzmek_3GhdLVE2Al7nc-T3gtlWOIyPZCrhQpmH_1MrCHEQ6g/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Initially, the eagle flew east - parallel to the 520 bridge in Portage Bay.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">His release, at the Montlake Playfield, was debated. I</span><span style="font-family: arial;">t seemed like a logical choice s</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ince it was where he was found and captured. The most critical consideration was whether there was any sign of danger. Luckily, neither Monty, Marsha, nor any other bald eagles were present. Having previous knowledge of their surroundings </span><span style="font-family: arial;">no doubt helps creatures adjust to the sudden change when they are released.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kufaDdEEgynRYhcRr72Fiw0Ag8hVuUhyg7WPLgbjcbGE2fYrZq8TVWcScM80KT8I_ct1KJjyuxR-loE_GmwUFdmWqMsfGcFgPDAdKCdLxuSbvRHXDBxXctyPakyqqSzvGDLC56X3oslgDM6IsyRNzq9JbhXnzHzhE-Nsidx9Z11yPY8ta0ROKrM/s5472/20230217-AK1I6833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kufaDdEEgynRYhcRr72Fiw0Ag8hVuUhyg7WPLgbjcbGE2fYrZq8TVWcScM80KT8I_ct1KJjyuxR-loE_GmwUFdmWqMsfGcFgPDAdKCdLxuSbvRHXDBxXctyPakyqqSzvGDLC56X3oslgDM6IsyRNzq9JbhXnzHzhE-Nsidx9Z11yPY8ta0ROKrM/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">As he gained altitude, the tall buildings in the University District flashed by in the background.</div></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VyEdrSyxWf7BmVZ_Kv1TwAreV4FiUwGh9qqmY9VnigSEnHCw6gBtseHJKBbevG5FUB4-2A9nHriQW7CI72693aGDLSK6w7JM9stYoYl9WOe3mPqJ--3kwGdw88VsMY6jAsrovcFCuleyxhAEOGAT92YI7FmCFXtpJ5Nzp3tWUKcjWciQbT4YGsk/s5472/20230217-AK1I6835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VyEdrSyxWf7BmVZ_Kv1TwAreV4FiUwGh9qqmY9VnigSEnHCw6gBtseHJKBbevG5FUB4-2A9nHriQW7CI72693aGDLSK6w7JM9stYoYl9WOe3mPqJ--3kwGdw88VsMY6jAsrovcFCuleyxhAEOGAT92YI7FmCFXtpJ5Nzp3tWUKcjWciQbT4YGsk/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6835.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon he turned to the southeast.</span></div>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREn7og9ekSjF0MP3oEmVhtA7-Ap4-dGKp1eRbLR4nQid7v71ntNbz4wGCsukwZBGLZedn-gRDoUnbTyQ-5Yr8_f1zqfv2jA-0sw__rc2HoUQSJUacX-NMZZ7yvyAR1Mh025srmHidsV1AmhqLkD_VTCV3DBF9EhNEY5ifPv38G6UNOJyrM9tztVs/s1832/20230217-AK1I6836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1832" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREn7og9ekSjF0MP3oEmVhtA7-Ap4-dGKp1eRbLR4nQid7v71ntNbz4wGCsukwZBGLZedn-gRDoUnbTyQ-5Yr8_f1zqfv2jA-0sw__rc2HoUQSJUacX-NMZZ7yvyAR1Mh025srmHidsV1AmhqLkD_VTCV3DBF9EhNEY5ifPv38G6UNOJyrM9tztVs/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He landed on the top of a distant tree where he carefully evaluated his surroundings. Looking to the north, he was probably close enough to see Monty and Marsha's nest near Montlake Cut. He might even have noticed if either one was present near the nest. Curiously, after a short time, he tilted his head back and appeared to be calling out. I wondered what motivated his cry. Was he attempting to gain Marsha's attention, i.e. hoping to mate with her, or might he have been trying to intimidate Monty. In either case, it seemed like an unexpectedly bold move.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Previously, Patti mentioned that while he was being cared for at PAWS, this eagle was said to be "sassy". S</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ounding off and drawing attention after </span><span style="font-family: arial;">just being released reinforced this</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> eagle-with-an-attitude idea.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Plus, the original reason he needed help was because he got in a fight. Apparently, he does not mind testing his limits. The name, "Testy", comes to mind. As a compromise with the name Lazarus, I am going with the initials, LT.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the way, Patti also mentioned that she had previously mentioned to Jeff Brown that there seems to be an increasing number of injured eagles in our area. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(</span><span style="font-family: arial;">You may remember Jeff, who previously worked at PAWs. Last summer, he released a young bald eagle, who had prematurely fallen from Monty and Marsha's nest. After the young one learned to fly, while at PAWS, Jeff picked a release point next to Union Bay. It was between, where Monty and Marsha were sitting on Marsh Island and their favorite roost near the Waterfront Activity Center. He was hoping the parents would see their offspring and resume feeding it. When it was released the young eagle took to the air and then, surprisingly, choose to land in the water out on Union Bay. This prompted Jeff to swim out and encourage it to come to shore. <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2022/07/eagle-reunion.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Click Here</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to see that story</span><span style="font-family: arial;">.) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jeff responded to Patti that the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">increasing eagle-on-eagle injuries</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> might</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> indicate that the local area is reaching its carrying capacity. I suspect this might be especially true during migration when the number of visiting eagles is at a peak. Our local Union Bay eagles reside here year-round, but the total number of eagles appears to increase during the colder months. </span><a href="https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/baleag/abundance-map-weekly?week=45" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Click Here</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> to see the dynamic weekly Abundance Map. It shows how sightings vary during the year. The competition for food, nesting territories, and mates seems likely to spur avian disagreements. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Note: One way to reduce these battles is to increase the productivity of our local ecosystem. This can be done in a variety of ways, for example removing invasive plants and planting native ones creates more food for creatures that the eagles may eat, removing pollutants from our waterways helps fish to survive and bald eagles love fish, building nest boxes for local waterfowl is another way to help restore our ecosystem. If you are interested in learning more, the <a href="https://www.arboretumcreek.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Friends of Arboretum Creek</span></a> are working on many of these ideas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3beEuvW49A55FnX5RvKLyZpb6seLMq79GtLnMa31HAl5-Ux4VSAAkLTlwMy6JMAGOMYyHIEnngEv_aC3DU3By-VC8XZglVQzvnLE3c1NVTfxMLXE1y-5IsaP2_n8K5zGJsXA8EoWyhfpf5TvYqOeMZUXuEXrFr_gm79EqZyqE-6Xhojk6ZXrpfWo/s1598/20230217-AK1I6848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1598" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3beEuvW49A55FnX5RvKLyZpb6seLMq79GtLnMa31HAl5-Ux4VSAAkLTlwMy6JMAGOMYyHIEnngEv_aC3DU3By-VC8XZglVQzvnLE3c1NVTfxMLXE1y-5IsaP2_n8K5zGJsXA8EoWyhfpf5TvYqOeMZUXuEXrFr_gm79EqZyqE-6Xhojk6ZXrpfWo/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After a while LT decided to turn around on his new perch. Eagles often change position when another bird is approaching. Since LT was looking north towards Monty and Marsha's nest, and because he was inside their territory, it was not surprising that he might have attracted their attention. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At this time of year, the larger female eagles are only about one month away from laying eggs. They seem to be spending more and more time sitting near their nests, possibly they feel less agile while adding nutrients and weight to facilitate their egg-laying. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The males, on the other hand, who are naturally smaller, are probably feeling pressure to defend their mates, their nest sites, and their territories which will be critical to feeding their future offspring.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2GmKVBUSGf2O8HhM_GoqwXeerr_MF76X6ElD8PjJxJ6ASJdVK3yqM9U9lRwnsz-5MOcHpuFUx3T1bhGkF4IXQ8dl2m0DyUxvRfdzghNb5I6tvB1CMUn8idrw7CqUg9LiXnCCu1CZe0ZuvRFDlkhmGZtKEPBvI9-ulFOjzY6Lcid7lY8MVteVp2M/s3506/20230217-AK1I6851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2337" data-original-width="3506" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2GmKVBUSGf2O8HhM_GoqwXeerr_MF76X6ElD8PjJxJ6ASJdVK3yqM9U9lRwnsz-5MOcHpuFUx3T1bhGkF4IXQ8dl2m0DyUxvRfdzghNb5I6tvB1CMUn8idrw7CqUg9LiXnCCu1CZe0ZuvRFDlkhmGZtKEPBvI9-ulFOjzY6Lcid7lY8MVteVp2M/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6851.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sure enough, a b</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ald eagle, Monty I suspect, appeared from the north and began escorting LT away.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3htyrlD9tM0fdeXpc5sSzM7T1iU7oA8ATrT1zd_3Sl5KpTcNWF4LbAcbuSE0nnM4unciP6Moh14lPrSILefPWNdqPuJwYAJjZVOgI1kKzq7-NYmcoxyEQZW4RkSS8j1rZosiuxH3lgukIKcKhxiynUO1EAUX5ESO3mQTQf9XtfzaS3zGI1KqfpYU/s1540/20230217-AK1I6855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1540" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3htyrlD9tM0fdeXpc5sSzM7T1iU7oA8ATrT1zd_3Sl5KpTcNWF4LbAcbuSE0nnM4unciP6Moh14lPrSILefPWNdqPuJwYAJjZVOgI1kKzq7-NYmcoxyEQZW4RkSS8j1rZosiuxH3lgukIKcKhxiynUO1EAUX5ESO3mQTQf9XtfzaS3zGI1KqfpYU/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6855.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo caught Monty (presumably), on the left, diving toward LT, who takes the hint and tries to escape to the south. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Notice the flight feathers on LT's left wing. This is the same wing that was injured. The feathers look ruffled and unkept. Given that LT has been in a flight pen for 5 weeks, with regular food deliveries i.e. no need to hunt, he had plenty of time for feather maintenance and yet his feathers are not properly aligned.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I suspect the feather gaps are not just ruffled but possibly damaged. Ultimately, bald eagles will replace feathers. However, to fully replace all their feathers takes two years. So, these gaps may be evident for some time.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdyGGbE8KkFVsBofFRxF1WxmI0uxpTQJsc9a6ktONc2bqcRlxD_JonGvfF5QsSxE59Evz_fM-weiUzWuDrMLMqXJhtXA1WYQ_sepQg3d_8KoiPPquX8jJv9SZ8VIp-gPkzIwBTN9H6rQrz9ZjFCOYCx2c3dP1Z2hnzEB-i_itsqx_sexQ0iavYa4/s2050/20230217-AK1I6860.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2050" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdyGGbE8KkFVsBofFRxF1WxmI0uxpTQJsc9a6ktONc2bqcRlxD_JonGvfF5QsSxE59Evz_fM-weiUzWuDrMLMqXJhtXA1WYQ_sepQg3d_8KoiPPquX8jJv9SZ8VIp-gPkzIwBTN9H6rQrz9ZjFCOYCx2c3dP1Z2hnzEB-i_itsqx_sexQ0iavYa4/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6860.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Realizing that Monty was gaining on him LT rolled over in mid-air and exposed his talons. Even though I could not hear the sounds in the distance, both birds have their mouths open and were most likely doing the eagle equivalent of cursing at each other.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxVkzo0kAW-VhU_fDuHVgDJXPA0U4mFnmiI4kOJfZpfUIJf08M_4Ix-c0lJjtCVHsMJdxt0o4mSLuXObZTb1f5ix_IrWTC0HbaEfcVyRAXkLjWJsNQS0s0nqs4JL5zsUHNh9CHmTbrA5sC_w85RA6-i5okO140fGzY3pVU66_E7asj-X81yQDOO8/s1445/20230217-AK1I6866.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1445" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxVkzo0kAW-VhU_fDuHVgDJXPA0U4mFnmiI4kOJfZpfUIJf08M_4Ix-c0lJjtCVHsMJdxt0o4mSLuXObZTb1f5ix_IrWTC0HbaEfcVyRAXkLjWJsNQS0s0nqs4JL5zsUHNh9CHmTbrA5sC_w85RA6-i5okO140fGzY3pVU66_E7asj-X81yQDOO8/w640-h428/20230217-AK1I6866.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Despite of the encounter, LT circled around, and after Monty headed back towards the Montlake Cut nest, LT returned to the air above Portage Bay and Montlake Playfield. On the other hand, he never ventured quite as close to the Montlake nest as he did on his initial flight.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnb2Qn-XkqQxATZu1THIPqoAfKv9j1TodxuhdzAyVkrWap0LPhyuyfSjw2CygeCYoGuOX76bBwksa8tnOFvSr2s7BMie2gGCZZC82o1Gx_vJsV0zQ_Bu9swbxygj9RmAE9SW4i74NM3n2tPMmfhEBgzhVt-zprDs7SkPORDT2m0q64Jr1IZD0fqM/s5472/20230217-AK1I6872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnb2Qn-XkqQxATZu1THIPqoAfKv9j1TodxuhdzAyVkrWap0LPhyuyfSjw2CygeCYoGuOX76bBwksa8tnOFvSr2s7BMie2gGCZZC82o1Gx_vJsV0zQ_Bu9swbxygj9RmAE9SW4i74NM3n2tPMmfhEBgzhVt-zprDs7SkPORDT2m0q64Jr1IZD0fqM/w640-h426/20230217-AK1I6872.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With three pairs of resident Bald Eagles, nesting around Union Bay I doubt LT will hang around. However, you might want to keep a close watch for a testy Bald Eagle with a band on his leg and a tattered left wing. He will certainly be one of a kind around Union Bay.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If he takes a wiser approach he might look for a nearby territory without an active Bald Eagle nest. The closest area that comes to my mind is probably Lake Union. If LT happens to find a mate and they promptly begin nest building there might barely be enough time for them to create offspring this year. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">You may think that sounds like a fanciful dream, however, I am willing to bet it is a dream that I share with LT.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><br style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;" /><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PNModGGie3eB0hYeG_c0gOaCxCV_5ebIpVivAGdr473SzrBf_JhujpDKWZ7oXGrk51pL36-PdPhD5HWujbA8Aef_W8DaeNVnnO4EdI1DwAawdpnLVs9bq5Yb0QU36aZJ7mNJhVJYhx2nAiNuLLQ3YWTV16aG66r3Mwa_aouO4PEjfez5N_6bfG4/s4558/20230221-AK1I6896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3039" data-original-width="4558" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PNModGGie3eB0hYeG_c0gOaCxCV_5ebIpVivAGdr473SzrBf_JhujpDKWZ7oXGrk51pL36-PdPhD5HWujbA8Aef_W8DaeNVnnO4EdI1DwAawdpnLVs9bq5Yb0QU36aZJ7mNJhVJYhx2nAiNuLLQ3YWTV16aG66r3Mwa_aouO4PEjfez5N_6bfG4/w640-h426/20230221-AK1I6896.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are current buds from three native berry plants. In random order, the plants are Black Twinberry, Thimbleberry, and Osoberry. Can you guess which one has the larger bud?</div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4g21MhNQUzCKG6QPbeff1jvw7LykQ8wGpDZe3-kQ3If4IQFoe1WJbxw7YiCMDmnnV9r_LmO9MUDBo4XVAN_RRd02neNGFc_Y9wzsezixRQjCpi7yUBbPD-dg0oXx4zraZsd_24JZoXeI2taiuceOqL2KSsQSHyWoeHDtnuGW2X7JQK9B3bu_jWk/s5184/20160524-EB2R4104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4g21MhNQUzCKG6QPbeff1jvw7LykQ8wGpDZe3-kQ3If4IQFoe1WJbxw7YiCMDmnnV9r_LmO9MUDBo4XVAN_RRd02neNGFc_Y9wzsezixRQjCpi7yUBbPD-dg0oXx4zraZsd_24JZoXeI2taiuceOqL2KSsQSHyWoeHDtnuGW2X7JQK9B3bu_jWk/w426-h640/20160524-EB2R4104.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.growingwithnature.org/osoberries-indian-plum/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Osoberry:</span></a> To my knowledge, Osoberry is one of the earliest native berries to develop buds. I have even found an occasional ripe fruit on the plant as early as May. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the previous photo, the bud on the left is Thimbleberry and the one on the right is Black Twinberry. I doubt I could tell these two buds apart without knowing where I planted the plants. Although the Thimbleberry tends to have more of a spreading habit as compared to the Twinberry.</div></span></div></div></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><p></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-80628197270234939852023-01-22T15:13:00.001-08:002023-01-23T12:28:49.517-08:00Surviving<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQJPQNK3H5ux9js-RoUMRrEu59-vkDa7baTju-N3nlEnXvOgtxSyWev5BEZD-nURYNHh0zcAuKRxucYKpAqMwaxlwEnNVCIWQ5fICiW9VVfJuQzpC1xPH3lHM4nndKzSXEPxHw5vdM23zi1yEwrpk7Ny5DFlggdjOhYsNRdKa0uDmOxju22do94c/s4322/20230117-AK1I5760.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="4322" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQJPQNK3H5ux9js-RoUMRrEu59-vkDa7baTju-N3nlEnXvOgtxSyWev5BEZD-nURYNHh0zcAuKRxucYKpAqMwaxlwEnNVCIWQ5fICiW9VVfJuQzpC1xPH3lHM4nndKzSXEPxHw5vdM23zi1yEwrpk7Ny5DFlggdjOhYsNRdKa0uDmOxju22do94c/w640-h427/20230117-AK1I5760.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This week, I happened to notice this coyote near Duck Bay. Almost everyone I talk to these days has seen a coyote. Plus, those who have not seen one often hear them howling at night. Curiously, there seems to be a lot less of the Eastern Cottontails. The rabbits seemed to be everywhere a year or two ago.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In fact, coyotes have been so plentiful lately we even made the news together. <a href="https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-montlake-coyote-sightings-wild-animal-residents-concerned-king-county-missing-pets-washington-department-of-fish-and-wildlife" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Click Here</span></a> to watch the video. The part that got left out of this brief interview was when I mentioned that Ginger, my daughter's dog, has never been attacked by a coyote, however, she has been attacked by an off-leash dog. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Statistics show we have much more to fear from </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_States" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">dogs</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">than</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><a href="https://www.cnet.com/science/biology/scientists-now-know-why-coyotes-unexpectedly-killed-a-human-in-2009/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">coyotes</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Like most predators coyotes would rather chase something small, like a rabbit, where the danger to them is minimal and the reward is an adequate meal. Admittedly, co-existing with coyotes may require some changes to protect our pets.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> However, keeping cats indoors protects not only the cats. It also protects the birds they like to catch. Keeping dogs on a leash not only protects the dogs but also other dogs, humans, and nearby wildlife - for example, ducklings that cannot fly. Plus, coyotes provide many benefits </span><a href=" https://www.friscotexas.gov/DocumentCenter/View/24389/Coyote-Fact-Sheet" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Click Here</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> to learn more.</span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rx1aLnh3kpx7o6-ehoVlVOfH-r0HHCk-R5PrnhZWTebC5oudNE9VCkjQbMDfmDRxDXEwd2c0r0-GasoPROxTi539xR4vvmPhFghrR7vCRNoXV8hsMdBBIJskgNHz5KlodNkGe-M8pdryoMXSg2cOaW6YVAppJZAHZwRNx17wDyFtICLbh0Hne5g/s1956/20230117-AK1I5813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1956" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rx1aLnh3kpx7o6-ehoVlVOfH-r0HHCk-R5PrnhZWTebC5oudNE9VCkjQbMDfmDRxDXEwd2c0r0-GasoPROxTi539xR4vvmPhFghrR7vCRNoXV8hsMdBBIJskgNHz5KlodNkGe-M8pdryoMXSg2cOaW6YVAppJZAHZwRNx17wDyFtICLbh0Hne5g/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5813.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Less than half an hour after seeing the coyote, I noticed this vertically challenged Canada Goose. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Previously, I had seen the same bird, but I had not realized that the odd neck arrangement was a permanent problem. Many birds, especially those with long necks, often tuck their heads beneath their wings. However, this time I finally understood this neck arrangement was not optional.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TeEezi6wGB0iChAREWiQKgK0yJWjRLN4XB-BbLfogUJ7zTf1OvhZkMAm66d6GFbkqqq4SwJq4OlSfN-XD7QThaJIbEF-zT0vVPG9Y9FCUa0_uioYWIz971NkatOqGb7DClODmFwAKGFPQxrhmyPMSra6FRbbWwKvWygzgDVkmfGWnKa4O9ynueI/s4403/20230117-AK1I5815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2935" data-original-width="4403" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TeEezi6wGB0iChAREWiQKgK0yJWjRLN4XB-BbLfogUJ7zTf1OvhZkMAm66d6GFbkqqq4SwJq4OlSfN-XD7QThaJIbEF-zT0vVPG9Y9FCUa0_uioYWIz971NkatOqGb7DClODmFwAKGFPQxrhmyPMSra6FRbbWwKvWygzgDVkmfGWnKa4O9ynueI/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5815.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As I watched, the bird walked with its family, or flock, from the grass it had been eating into the water. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">All</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> the other geese extended their necks and looked very watchful. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It did not.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLTqW92Co3TvyGhRpG4ucqru4WjSBoyTOlEs_PzK7NWgqNnuEfZNh7l96lRq1ppKg2dDlf1vBV5F3sBWFvYELQcpwiKcrZVSSikxdszwybt_WPWvfq4myGHYUx-QFdknc8uojizYNAh-qwcwu2u34uk4s0yKvixOPD-qTkRVDphkpMyQCsrmBRD0/s4838/20230117-AK1I5821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3225" data-original-width="4838" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLTqW92Co3TvyGhRpG4ucqru4WjSBoyTOlEs_PzK7NWgqNnuEfZNh7l96lRq1ppKg2dDlf1vBV5F3sBWFvYELQcpwiKcrZVSSikxdszwybt_WPWvfq4myGHYUx-QFdknc8uojizYNAh-qwcwu2u34uk4s0yKvixOPD-qTkRVDphkpMyQCsrmBRD0/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5821.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once it reached the water, it bent its head straight down, to drink. There was no evident extension of the neck. The head stayed off to the right side of the body.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_EgKMR1ngbCKq4Ozp5nE7TdPdZX_GQWznMVTLVw_r4ehKsl-lK_4zQaje2pkMfd8bDoaOUSmDv025sZ0B2R-YMkqLjmecIxMnZyi9oMOON7S7mYLa5VSLCWPbTNp9htcGZQDb8vYJSFSSGn-De7z-6z_xhEe00wu8x8w_-7Vh5Mv6IdfGymweoA/s3583/20230117-AK1I5825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2390" data-original-width="3583" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_EgKMR1ngbCKq4Ozp5nE7TdPdZX_GQWznMVTLVw_r4ehKsl-lK_4zQaje2pkMfd8bDoaOUSmDv025sZ0B2R-YMkqLjmecIxMnZyi9oMOON7S7mYLa5VSLCWPbTNp9htcGZQDb8vYJSFSSGn-De7z-6z_xhEe00wu8x8w_-7Vh5Mv6IdfGymweoA/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> I also noticed that the feathers on its left wing were unkept and poorly arranged. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiHrA8-cjaOLlj_uQIomZwRTam-i3CEFZlQ8v5x3BJC-MjddNmHt0hj43KjjO_VN-Jr4F3zXop1echosuWMsRkkutYLqWVsERHeGGxZvPVWaQVJIHTtc4OExoFsYoSRU-8K_hF4GlAPhjrdlIX-1S6O7Flso-awZ6c2d6nYIWt3_QaZppFIyRXD8/s1364/20230117-AK1I5825-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1364" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiHrA8-cjaOLlj_uQIomZwRTam-i3CEFZlQ8v5x3BJC-MjddNmHt0hj43KjjO_VN-Jr4F3zXop1echosuWMsRkkutYLqWVsERHeGGxZvPVWaQVJIHTtc4OExoFsYoSRU-8K_hF4GlAPhjrdlIX-1S6O7Flso-awZ6c2d6nYIWt3_QaZppFIyRXD8/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5825-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I suspect the disorganized feathers cause extra turbulence and make flying more challenging. </span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePTuerI4Zkh8DCz9l3BsyKBkypCI_pfhn-1jmd-zeoFzLQQNVDBmMBRxP8vTzBFXhjGdxERcQy3n4ANobFTMacIwC4qf1vtqPtSHTwEgAScmeXPqVpgqgBwqP0bNJ_lpikNbcuy8gt-2xsxJGxpAItIgiqs-wPLLarSepIXKOxPa4gC0ktJJUgTM/s2875/20230117-AK1I5830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="2875" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePTuerI4Zkh8DCz9l3BsyKBkypCI_pfhn-1jmd-zeoFzLQQNVDBmMBRxP8vTzBFXhjGdxERcQy3n4ANobFTMacIwC4qf1vtqPtSHTwEgAScmeXPqVpgqgBwqP0bNJ_lpikNbcuy8gt-2xsxJGxpAItIgiqs-wPLLarSepIXKOxPa4gC0ktJJUgTM/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In contrast, the feathers on the accessible right wing were cleaned, preened, and properly arranged. This reinforced the idea that the bird's neck was not functioning normally.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How this occurred is a mystery. Was it the result of an injury (like accidentally flying into a stationary object), or from being grabbed by a predator (and barely escaping), or did it hatch out in this condition?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfN4-hTgUKzA5dEAFQQtOLASHqZz2e0c-YLU3eW6XrvU0EVlhcfZeyh1QLw6PjQHnKharFqkv0P1XHnbOlb6oh50fFLUAKj0qpeVVq1riXgnbCbrTp_xsJL_VZ2kr6C7NWoSQaaLxVU81m7Jjz1rqzVBRnaTG0Da53PyRuIgUXp9Z8CIMcW57PLw/s4863/20230117-AK1I5850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3242" data-original-width="4863" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfN4-hTgUKzA5dEAFQQtOLASHqZz2e0c-YLU3eW6XrvU0EVlhcfZeyh1QLw6PjQHnKharFqkv0P1XHnbOlb6oh50fFLUAKj0qpeVVq1riXgnbCbrTp_xsJL_VZ2kr6C7NWoSQaaLxVU81m7Jjz1rqzVBRnaTG0Da53PyRuIgUXp9Z8CIMcW57PLw/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All the scenarios seemed sad. However, as I considered the situation further, it slowly dawned on me that this bird's survival is actually quite amazing. To begin with, even though the neck seems "broken" the internal muscles must still work well enough to swallow both food and water.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Plus, anytime it is feeding or drinking its vision is dramatically obscured. With its head down probably fifty percent of its surroundings are hidden. I doubt a solitary bird with this injury would last very long.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY-T5qHqSyt7jZruCKmIgo2W7hyDAt7yIrcyp0WoyJ7i5lH2g1_-41yUxsWeJ8ubXBREU9poUSb-sgzZII6RM-qV0e7CE0wN0XVhyGmSCI4kFiMb0AyJTaMTXKh_2XIupIEQF3cHwa17owB5yRVumAGRf58zP4-1de8hzoYnyd76IFeA9TTpku70/s2891/20230117-AK1I5756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1927" data-original-width="2891" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY-T5qHqSyt7jZruCKmIgo2W7hyDAt7yIrcyp0WoyJ7i5lH2g1_-41yUxsWeJ8ubXBREU9poUSb-sgzZII6RM-qV0e7CE0wN0XVhyGmSCI4kFiMb0AyJTaMTXKh_2XIupIEQF3cHwa17owB5yRVumAGRf58zP4-1de8hzoYnyd76IFeA9TTpku70/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A coyote, like the one I saw earlier, could easily sneak up from the blindside. (I am less certain whether river otters or raccoons might also be a threat, but it seems possible.) Luckily, this impaired Canada Goose benefits from the seven other pairs of watchful eyes in its family or flock. When any one bird senses danger they are all immediately on alert. This clearly shows that the power of a community can outweigh and overcome individual challenges. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo5zDe-osNds1Tv0m2sQ06eH1qxyHtgsLe-NKIYrbQ_84-afGTEGpGVS4MySG023JF_1jXxRIw_DFFZ7uEPYfmmBz6tQIhrpjfcHMu5vUnkgYllbhmvJOXaF1HRdhw2eEYWYJPzeVHDG14nrSoQU08rz-ej4tgEXuZt0pYCtKfNLyGdPScFTK_vw/s4299/20230117-AK1I5765.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2866" data-original-width="4299" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo5zDe-osNds1Tv0m2sQ06eH1qxyHtgsLe-NKIYrbQ_84-afGTEGpGVS4MySG023JF_1jXxRIw_DFFZ7uEPYfmmBz6tQIhrpjfcHMu5vUnkgYllbhmvJOXaF1HRdhw2eEYWYJPzeVHDG14nrSoQU08rz-ej4tgEXuZt0pYCtKfNLyGdPScFTK_vw/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5765.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As humans, we all benefit from being part of the most powerful species/community on earth. If we were alone in the wild our shortcomings would be quickly evident. However, when we work together no other species can compete with us. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sadly, when we fear and eliminate the creatures that intimidate us we reduce the larger community of life. We are both the greatest threat and the only hope for the community of life on Earth. Eliminating the creatures we fear not only reduces our joy and awe it also reduces what it means to be human. Nonetheless, we do need to know how to co-exist.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcAB6lALLd_zbrwvCIHAl6JFO0_qK6i4GOgoAyqos9gF-Z80yEvmwX1SgSP9hnjqBuaWE-pcqrmclHxw6bQIhLLz7I4FPd49CeqpIAC8bsOMsDJBzLMgLRlTSJDQFOYBU8Nx6ggrdFZo3CMbQ14hBbtZgQurCReB_-kOE71o46kiTCV11lYL3F_U/s4399/20230117-AK1I5781.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="4399" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcAB6lALLd_zbrwvCIHAl6JFO0_qK6i4GOgoAyqos9gF-Z80yEvmwX1SgSP9hnjqBuaWE-pcqrmclHxw6bQIhLLz7I4FPd49CeqpIAC8bsOMsDJBzLMgLRlTSJDQFOYBU8Nx6ggrdFZo3CMbQ14hBbtZgQurCReB_-kOE71o46kiTCV11lYL3F_U/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5781.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Earlier, as the coyote turned and disappeared into the undergrowth, I captured this photo that shows the darkness of fresh mud on its lower limbs. Given that the land we were on was surrounded by Union Bay on three sides, I suspect the coyote had been hunting ducks and geese along the shoreline. Most likely, it leaped after one (or more) and ended up in the shallow mud along the shore. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As I mentioned in the interview, Ginger's reaction to smelling a coyote is to tremble in fear. It has been many generations since one of Ginger's ancestors was responsible for its own survival. I doubt trembling is an effective survival skill. It only works for her because it motivates me to remove her from the situation. (<a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2017/03/coyote-karma.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Click Here</span></a> to read another coyote story that included Ginger and her trembling.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The lives of the Canada Geese, on the other hand, are totally dependent on their survival skills. It is interestin</span><span style="font-family: arial;">g to consider whether their approach might be useful to those of us who encounter coyotes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To begin with, the geese are always alert and paying attention to their surroundings. When they see potential danger their response is, to stop everything, stand up tall, and carefully watch the predator. If they feel flight may be required they may even fan their wings, loosening their muscles and looking even larger and more impressive. If the threat continues to come closer, they begin a slow stately walk to safety - for them that is the water, where they are more adept. During this slow steady transition, they continue to stand tall and do not take their eyes off the potential danger. If the threat continues to grow they will begin making very loud, irritating noises - predators prefer peace and quiet and will often turn and disappear if they are announced. Only as a last resort do the geese take flight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope your next coyote encounter is a positive, awe-inspiring experience.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ps: The Opening Night Party, <b><a href="https://arboretumfoundation.org/events/opening-night-party/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Love in Bloom</span></a></b>, will be a wonderful benefit to support the Arboretum. I hope to see you there!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="template-body" style="background-color: #d11922; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td align="center" class="template-shell-container"><div class="bgcolor"><table bgcolor="#D11922" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="bgimage" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: auto; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="main-width" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 620px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="layout" style="padding: 15px 5px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#D11922" class="layout-container-border" style="padding: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="center" bgcolor="#D11922" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" class="layout-container" style="background-color: white; padding: 0px;" valign="top"><div class=""><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-image"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-image editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><div class="publish-container"><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001i0icTjabuX0vSg4FiwRODZzLsHbA7fatjOXctVGHE9I_VDYxNKD2N9pvqGAUPladwdY51xdC67U-hXSxZbypSHZVX9nuoYa3oWxoaHbXCDZHfPZqRafvpeVLCHbyhOp4e974dXoUN8yr096cQV-kCpudDXcEbNF5Adz89AQCFf187TkB4gZXKf1R61KOls6w&c=0FyPps0l-aIgTqiQcDOlvoZ15TH9zWesaiEcmxpNIeDP-0RmRGQ2dA==&ch=3piwd3k6MvWp__y-93vHjlAgqQV_r-tcd4VN8ZzzazvR6phOH0461g=="><img alt="" border="0" class="" hspace="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/556f92b5101/1437e976-9784-4038-a273-62e335226873.gif?rdr=true" style="display: block; height: auto !important; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="610" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="headline editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="editor-text headline-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #007a5e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="text-container galileo-ap-content-editor"><span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Reserve Your Seats and Make a Date for Valentine's!</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="article editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="editor-text " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="text-container galileo-ap-content-editor"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001i0icTjabuX0vSg4FiwRODZzLsHbA7fatjOXctVGHE9I_VDYxNKD2N9pvqGAUPladwdY51xdC67U-hXSxZbypSHZVX9nuoYa3oWxoaHbXCDZHfPZqRafvpeVLCHbyhOp4e974dXoUN8yr096cQV-kCpudDXcEbNF5Adz89AQCFf187TkB4gZXKf1R61KOls6w&c=0FyPps0l-aIgTqiQcDOlvoZ15TH9zWesaiEcmxpNIeDP-0RmRGQ2dA==&ch=3piwd3k6MvWp__y-93vHjlAgqQV_r-tcd4VN8ZzzazvR6phOH0461g==" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #d11922; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;" target="_blank">RSVP by Tuesday, February 7</a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Whether you’re coming to LOVE IN BLOOM with your best buddies or your main squeeze, you'll have an unforgettable time at this special celebration of the Arboretum on February 14th.</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Your evening will begin with a champagne reception, followed by a preview of the stunning </span><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001i0icTjabuX0vSg4FiwRODZzLsHbA7fatjOXctVGHE9I_VDYxNKD2N032rcDlFga5uHQ5HvKL_YvfSyNaGt6MKAAQHfVTE_iglNd7XW5eDCMSvEokAwHUg8lNKNP7kUPZolDSCTAxHp8u7UJ7RA9Yyw==&c=0FyPps0l-aIgTqiQcDOlvoZ15TH9zWesaiEcmxpNIeDP-0RmRGQ2dA==&ch=3piwd3k6MvWp__y-93vHjlAgqQV_r-tcd4VN8ZzzazvR6phOH0461g==" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #d11922; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">Northwest Flower & Garden Festival</a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> displays. </span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">But that’s just for starters!</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Get ready to be wined and dined, while enjoying a live performance by the </span><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001i0icTjabuX0vSg4FiwRODZzLsHbA7fatjOXctVGHE9I_VDYxNKD2N9YS80fszG6LS_PEXNB6VwKDLF8tTNAPYywvwWKUUZa2AZS5LysG8DSmdddKOCaEH76VGjeuLV9KVOiBmIjZjeuQQaXrKi_4Zw==&c=0FyPps0l-aIgTqiQcDOlvoZ15TH9zWesaiEcmxpNIeDP-0RmRGQ2dA==&ch=3piwd3k6MvWp__y-93vHjlAgqQV_r-tcd4VN8ZzzazvR6phOH0461g==" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #d11922; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">Milo Petersen Quintet</a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, featuring stellar jazz musicians Milo Petersen, Phil Sparks, Jay Thomas, Steve Lytle, and Michaela Miller.</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You and your guests will have a chance to enter a raffle for a trip to New Orleans, including airfare, hotel stay, and botanical garden tours. Plus, you can sign up for unique experiences, such as bird tours in Arboretum, wildflower hikes with plants experts, and more.</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Ticket Price Includes</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">: FREE PARKING at the Washington State Convention Center, plus two FREE PASSES to the Garden Festival for use later in the week, and as always, an exclusive preview of the Festival gardens.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-button"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-button" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;">BUY TICKETS ONLINE</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="editor-text editor-text " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="text-container galileo-ap-content-editor"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Tickets are also available for purchase by phone at 206-325-4510.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="editor-text editor-text " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="text-container galileo-ap-content-editor"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Proceeds support core programs at the Washington Park Arboretum and Seattle Japanese Garden.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-image"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-image editor-image editor-image-vspace-on" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><div class="publish-container"><img alt="" border="0" class="" hspace="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/556f92b5101/b52cd36c-6fc6-4253-8c6a-a1d6f3d0aac5.jpg?rdr=true" style="display: block; height: auto !important; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="384" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold;">Opening Night Sponsors!</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="editor-text editor-text " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="text-container galileo-ap-content-editor"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Thanks to our generous sponsors for their support of the Arboretum.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZR-wKez80Ez7c_ekAc9R0QKoCwkRtHJ9lkZNfb35LKXaL7cyd5OeT-mFBkrGedSKwCKPBcFpLeGMtWTMd-xlGeOe_lkrX3Jp52TEyDfsAG4Aqlw2FLhJkpwd3g9WuLIAKeVr6yF-INwxDNEO4gFBpVZ7rTK6ykzUtyYmF8BNi8aCrOZuIT6CmRyQ/s5184/20160626-EB2R0993.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZR-wKez80Ez7c_ekAc9R0QKoCwkRtHJ9lkZNfb35LKXaL7cyd5OeT-mFBkrGedSKwCKPBcFpLeGMtWTMd-xlGeOe_lkrX3Jp52TEyDfsAG4Aqlw2FLhJkpwd3g9WuLIAKeVr6yF-INwxDNEO4gFBpVZ7rTK6ykzUtyYmF8BNi8aCrOZuIT6CmRyQ/w582-h874/20160626-EB2R0993.jpg" width="582" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What tree is this? Is it a native to Union Bay?</span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><a href="http://nwconifers.com/nwlo/whemlock.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Western Hemlock</span></a>: </span></span><span style="text-align: center;">Yes, it is native to Union Bay and Western Washington. The needles are shorter than our fir, pines, and spruce and its leader, the top tip of the tree, is usually bent over instead of vertical like most conifers.</span></div></span></div></div></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard">Larry</span><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A Final Photo:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAILHFJJIVBJLdzaB3T3y48TrgU6nADZRFe3gso4LSXyq6aZBzK9vICYQ9YgbbcHyv1VIEg4MLhLOVgYR4O5EDpMwvlC2b3DtaJoF8trVpl__6uwFAcc5yL-QN8TRt5Pfa1uFfZXmjwdJFl8ZO4ZSmQ8Ppp9Ii_WvwjCoJyVeX_D1URdtjV_v26nk/s4087/20230117-AK1I5776.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2725" data-original-width="4087" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAILHFJJIVBJLdzaB3T3y48TrgU6nADZRFe3gso4LSXyq6aZBzK9vICYQ9YgbbcHyv1VIEg4MLhLOVgYR4O5EDpMwvlC2b3DtaJoF8trVpl__6uwFAcc5yL-QN8TRt5Pfa1uFfZXmjwdJFl8ZO4ZSmQ8Ppp9Ii_WvwjCoJyVeX_D1URdtjV_v26nk/w640-h426/20230117-AK1I5776.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-1675664541736423572023-01-11T08:21:00.004-08:002023-01-23T12:28:02.879-08:00Eagles Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_WTxCfzbfslLuH-lA3-5qO6etYuV6ChJheNqjlBEPQE4-M7C37i7rouz2DNLMJZzbJCNNzQjdxWnR0kbCfw5qr_yWOFIU4KYSWQIVUlC_MVyN4CTdObVk2mUgHRTrEps-9G2PqQwTuU9Mo7cCA7uzWBFrVANfRSxPcnuidyS1AJkHqABtmvaNHA/s3638/EB2R7801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2425" data-original-width="3638" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_WTxCfzbfslLuH-lA3-5qO6etYuV6ChJheNqjlBEPQE4-M7C37i7rouz2DNLMJZzbJCNNzQjdxWnR0kbCfw5qr_yWOFIU4KYSWQIVUlC_MVyN4CTdObVk2mUgHRTrEps-9G2PqQwTuU9Mo7cCA7uzWBFrVANfRSxPcnuidyS1AJkHqABtmvaNHA/w640-h426/EB2R7801.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Eagles grabbing talons and cartwheeling through the air is not a common occurrence, but it does happen. This photo, from 2015, is the only time I have seen it happen near Union Bay. This pair of immature eagles ultimately let go of each other - thereby avoiding a splash-down in Montlake Cut.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My friend, Tom Cotner, pointed out that with adults cartwheeling is often part of their courtship behavior. Our three local adult pairs have been residents of Union Bay for many years.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> I have never seen any of them cartwheeling. I wonder if</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> courtship is no longer required once a relationship passes a certain age.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b-4z0S4k6p3DjFzaidnVnPeyBVuqDYIMwwakE5dNQrXdce6Q1g-WYKSaVmSLy4PlDlNQL97WDPzDa6NsiTcBeZBlYkPvunLF1nTt25iwQ1q74c_Z_5tz5CDQjxYUO0V_PF1F0bNC9VOQIx2KYuA0B2aWtOGMPuz0G-mefqOu6PWUNFnkEGTN87w/s2825/20230107-AK1I5442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1885" data-original-width="2825" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b-4z0S4k6p3DjFzaidnVnPeyBVuqDYIMwwakE5dNQrXdce6Q1g-WYKSaVmSLy4PlDlNQL97WDPzDa6NsiTcBeZBlYkPvunLF1nTt25iwQ1q74c_Z_5tz5CDQjxYUO0V_PF1F0bNC9VOQIx2KYuA0B2aWtOGMPuz0G-mefqOu6PWUNFnkEGTN87w/w640-h428/20230107-AK1I5442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Saturday, just before dark, I received a message from Tom. He had heard that two Bald Eagles had fallen to the ground and were still entangled near the Montlake Community Center. We assumed this was the result of them cartwheeling and then failing to disengage before hitting the ground. Tom was told that one of the two might be dead. He was wondering how and if we could help.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The only appropriate and legal way to help is to contact someone who is federally authorized and trained to handle Bald Eagles. However, I was hesitant to call for help without personally accessing the situation. Sometimes, stunned eagles can shake off a fall and simply get up and fly away. We both hurried to the site.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It was beginning to get dark, but there was still enough light to see both eagles were perfectly still. The open eye on the upper eagle did not even blink. I wondered if they were both dead. The upper eagle seemed a bit immature, given its tail and head were not quite completely covered with pure white feathers. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I wondered if it initiated the cartwheel as practice for future courting. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The other Bald Eagle looked mature. Although, in this case, there was some discoloration which appeared to be blood on the tail.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tom eventually moved slightly closer to the eagles while trying to determine if they were alive. I imagine he was looking for signs of breathing. Both eagles shifted their heads to keep an eye on him. I immediately called the Seattle Animal Shelter, explained the situation, and requested help. An officer was dispatched to recover the eagles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A few other concerned souls gathered nearby to quietly wait for the rescue. Behind us in the middle of the Montlake track, a group of people and their off-leash dogs were running around unaware of the eagles on the ground. While we waited, I explained to them that an Animal Control Officer was on the way to help with the eagles. They leashed their dogs, which was much safer for the eagles, before leaving.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even without dogs around, if the eagles were stuck on the ground at night they would not be safe. We have coyotes, otters and raccoons in the city and I imagine any one of them might be interested in a bald eagle that is unable to fly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBxpq8V0mzzjnoORCeC46OJT28_vn7ievh8KeLYqnBxi4S_f3Y20twtU5-qGoPiOpc0hoWkbrwj32AVyYSuM1i9FxU4Pmz_rd6ftOZGZG9gryeM-5CH21dhD6UFT3WKASU3FpDYm1_XbfxHdShY4N7ZSF9sqk6VzCjxIbQOfBWtPP6x8cy6XlJv8/s2318/20230107-AK1I5449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="2318" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBxpq8V0mzzjnoORCeC46OJT28_vn7ievh8KeLYqnBxi4S_f3Y20twtU5-qGoPiOpc0hoWkbrwj32AVyYSuM1i9FxU4Pmz_rd6ftOZGZG9gryeM-5CH21dhD6UFT3WKASU3FpDYm1_XbfxHdShY4N7ZSF9sqk6VzCjxIbQOfBWtPP6x8cy6XlJv8/w640-h426/20230107-AK1I5449.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Suddenly, both eagles seemed to come to life and started calling and struggling with each other. The one on top began flapping its wings and pulling to get free. They finally separated and for a moment they stood side by side. Then the younger bird spread its wings and flew away to the north. Disappearing into the dusk. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The older bird walked slowly into the surrounding foliage, something about its left wing did not look right. As darkness fell the reflection of its white head was the only clue to its location. Eventually, the Animal Control Officers arrived and captured the injured eagle. As they left the officers confirmed it was bleeding from the left wing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Eventually, I heard that on Sunday the injured eagle was transferred to PAWs, the <a href="https://www.paws.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Progressive Animal Welfare Society</span></a> in Lynnwood. The fact that the eagle lived through the night is encouraging. We will hopefully learn more about its prognosis in a few days after it is examined by a qualified specialist.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5iq2e1_-k9GNkpYLjU5JUAE87pUGRd0demCDj696w8VrFXihZCa-ERj7OpnwqzL3eDep_-khusYaepaYyIuyWCYSfR3JZ4Ksm1oGwbSrZ3o9N5bY0YMSxS8aW0XfPI658XeisAHAynGuMwjylcUUHiSQ7eSbo71QRTsartbEHDW3DOg_fpQ8xvw/s3068/20180107-EB2R0081.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2042" data-original-width="3068" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5iq2e1_-k9GNkpYLjU5JUAE87pUGRd0demCDj696w8VrFXihZCa-ERj7OpnwqzL3eDep_-khusYaepaYyIuyWCYSfR3JZ4Ksm1oGwbSrZ3o9N5bY0YMSxS8aW0XfPI658XeisAHAynGuMwjylcUUHiSQ7eSbo71QRTsartbEHDW3DOg_fpQ8xvw/w640-h426/20180107-EB2R0081.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">For the last five years, the area around the Montlake Community Center, just south of Portage Bay, has been part of the territory that belongs to Monty and Marsha, the Bald Eagles who nest near the southeast corner of Montlake Cut. This January 2018 photo shows <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2018/04/new-neighbors.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Monty and Marsha</span></a> at their first (p</span><span style="font-family: arial;">artially constructed) </span><span style="font-family: arial;">nest. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The scenario that seemed most likely was that one of these two local adults had been defending their territory when the encounter with the younger eagle </span><span style="font-family: arial;">occurred. While I wondered if the injured eagle was Monty or Marsha several other questions came to mind. How long will it take to recover? Would a healthy mate, who suddenly found itself flying solo, just before nesting season, decide to take a new mate in the meantime? If the injured eagle recovered and was then released, Would it return to the territory and begin fighting with its replacement? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These were interesting questions, but I actually had no proof that the older eagle was Monty or Marsha. I decided to try to determine if both of them were still present in their usual locations.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Sunday, I could not find either of the Montlake Cut eagles at any of their normal roosting spots. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwDrnzTSUS51gDx8IhO_IKMLF5ahUiW2MbORuUvgPf4LLzOXQiRZXyMk3k-6utKAfFoZuTtmcHdclMIXdDuNnB3hcdcWG0h8qRDQPjh0kxiUeRKYUjkf1F6bN-poNYE2IN764w9cqTWUzf8J07121ZhZLAjU25FaIj3YAq3F5ihr_t7k4wCDhWmY/s2314/20230109-AK1I5470.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="2314" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwDrnzTSUS51gDx8IhO_IKMLF5ahUiW2MbORuUvgPf4LLzOXQiRZXyMk3k-6utKAfFoZuTtmcHdclMIXdDuNnB3hcdcWG0h8qRDQPjh0kxiUeRKYUjkf1F6bN-poNYE2IN764w9cqTWUzf8J07121ZhZLAjU25FaIj3YAq3F5ihr_t7k4wCDhWmY/w640-h428/20230109-AK1I5470.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Monday, I found what appeared to be one of the two in their favorite cottonwood tree just north of the Waterfront Activity Center. At the time I wasn't sure whether it was Monty or Marsha, but after comparing it to other photos I believe this is a photo of Marsha.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Tuesday, my luck improved. I saw one adult Bald Eagle chasing after a second one that had just caught food. Later, I would learn that someone closer to the situation saw the eagle eating a bird with black feathers. I suspect it was one of the wintering American Coots.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After a bit, the eagles moved again, and I lost sight of them. I could still hear them calling. I headed towards the Waterfront Activity Center. I was planning to check their favorite cottonwood tree when I </span><span style="font-family: arial;">ran into my friend Sarah. She had also been watching the eagles but from a greater distance and a different angle. She had seen them head back toward the nest tree.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdndEthqYycLB1GRfCKzIbq6fHxxgCgq2jSqUAr7AnvI8H2fdnEnif6o3jhVQmeCkB2qfdNMOLbQ-Bq9OHzG7AeQy3kxiqITLGwxnw0lBpQetFWaI_95c1Avrldj_y_gWrIhmqr5Hsib8a30FokzqsCGDOTip2NU4kNx0VaxGtERv1ZqU4CsqJxRM/s4856/20230110-AK1I5510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3237" data-original-width="4856" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdndEthqYycLB1GRfCKzIbq6fHxxgCgq2jSqUAr7AnvI8H2fdnEnif6o3jhVQmeCkB2qfdNMOLbQ-Bq9OHzG7AeQy3kxiqITLGwxnw0lBpQetFWaI_95c1Avrldj_y_gWrIhmqr5Hsib8a30FokzqsCGDOTip2NU4kNx0VaxGtERv1ZqU4CsqJxRM/w640-h426/20230110-AK1I5510.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we circled back we noticed Marsha in the nest and Monty sitting in one of his usual protective spots just above the nest. At the same time, a third Bald Eagle was sitting a few trees to the east of the nest. Apparently, all of the noise was Monty and Marsha telling the intruder to move along.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbUhcAmuq_EvSleBQavZ-AS8NtNshKqQvw4z42wxi8s2oEmOODV0Dd7Bp4ls4g-5l8AO3f_v3LfKKH6DCnUAYYhmEQgkgj2QzsG6cxJAhaVZpPHLFYzXGkmPdmHPSjP6bbOkNp_0TOQ8yS6tYDcABS92PH0blcgY7KX8bD8TJ6OQMscwz44Cjhiw/s4857/20230110-AK1I5539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3238" data-original-width="4857" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbUhcAmuq_EvSleBQavZ-AS8NtNshKqQvw4z42wxi8s2oEmOODV0Dd7Bp4ls4g-5l8AO3f_v3LfKKH6DCnUAYYhmEQgkgj2QzsG6cxJAhaVZpPHLFYzXGkmPdmHPSjP6bbOkNp_0TOQ8yS6tYDcABS92PH0blcgY7KX8bD8TJ6OQMscwz44Cjhiw/w640-h426/20230110-AK1I5539.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I hurried back across the bridge and around to the south side of the nest in hopes of catching some photos with a bit better lighting. Monty had left but after a few minutes, he returned. I suspect he escorted the intruder away. In any case, if you look closely you can see that both Monty and Marsha are calling out greetings to each other.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmp2f6RJizPxGmJLn6z2iaofs9YbXrc9hivuRgNG7wkUzBfPEtT2-06dpyXOECjJJbVMNCNnbix7nyUMV4sopEkhKmu1i9O73q46wXzhx4s70Mwsy0SkSNJUu-OG5ZQDJm9fv5ye5j1-2E6oLaDKal404e9x-Ov460fbYXYIgZoVnsu9-nZaAy4Q/s5472/20230110-AK1I5557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmp2f6RJizPxGmJLn6z2iaofs9YbXrc9hivuRgNG7wkUzBfPEtT2-06dpyXOECjJJbVMNCNnbix7nyUMV4sopEkhKmu1i9O73q46wXzhx4s70Mwsy0SkSNJUu-OG5ZQDJm9fv5ye5j1-2E6oLaDKal404e9x-Ov460fbYXYIgZoVnsu9-nZaAy4Q/w640-h426/20230110-AK1I5557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Their faces do appear to be changing as they mature. Monty is getting more of a heavy eyebrow similar to Marsha's. However, Marsha still has a tinge of discoloration on her face immediately behind her eye. In the same area, Monty seems to be developing a small furrow running away from the "back corner" of his eye. Granted, these details can be enhanced or invisible depending on the lighting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am happy to know these two are still together and likely to produce young again this year. However, I am still concerned for the unknown eagle that was injured and picked up near the Montlake Community Center. I will let you know when I hear more about its prognosis.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since that eagle was not Monty or Marsha it makes me rethink what caused the entanglement that led to its injury. I wonder if it was the one who attempted a courtship ritual. Perhaps its efforts were not well received. The wonderful thing about the mysteries of nature is there are always more questions to ask and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">we will never know all the answers</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ps: The Opening Night Party, <b><a href="https://arboretumfoundation.org/events/opening-night-party/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Love in Bloom</span></a></b>, will be a wonderful benefit to support the Arboretum. I hope to see you there!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="template-body" style="background-color: #d11922; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td align="center" class="template-shell-container"><div class="bgcolor"><table bgcolor="#D11922" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="bgimage" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: auto; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="main-width" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 620px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="layout" style="padding: 15px 5px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;">BUY TICKETS ONLINE</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="editor-text editor-text " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="text-container galileo-ap-content-editor"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Tickets are also available for purchase by phone at 206-325-4510.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="editor-text editor-text " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="text-container galileo-ap-content-editor"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Proceeds support core programs at the Washington Park Arboretum and Seattle Japanese Garden.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-image"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-image editor-image editor-image-vspace-on" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><div class="publish-container"><img alt="" border="0" class="" hspace="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/556f92b5101/b52cd36c-6fc6-4253-8c6a-a1d6f3d0aac5.jpg?rdr=true" style="display: block; height: auto !important; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="384" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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height: 1px; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="editor-text editor-text " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="text-container galileo-ap-content-editor"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d11922; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold;">Opening Night Sponsors!</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="editor-text editor-text " style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="text-container galileo-ap-content-editor"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Thanks to our generous sponsors for their support of the Arboretum.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="footer-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; table-layout: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="width: 760px;" valign="top" width="100%"><div align="center" class="footer-max-main-width" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div><br /></div></span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-unqCiKhmCyjRgj-2VH8qsY_UV6O12wkEqGKoRb8Kv8RrFx1FATHlPBHRltsY-4A1fBVBz7GtkvKALfliocILbSrbTYHJLr343x9pubhXe4SzwpJdIdRsROORXeBDAys4EAjnObNJMnvh69c8RWhpEVvAfbQ7aJnWJ5wOIjLPFyv2B_cpsTd02Q/s2624/20221220-AK1I4584.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="2624" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-unqCiKhmCyjRgj-2VH8qsY_UV6O12wkEqGKoRb8Kv8RrFx1FATHlPBHRltsY-4A1fBVBz7GtkvKALfliocILbSrbTYHJLr343x9pubhXe4SzwpJdIdRsROORXeBDAys4EAjnObNJMnvh69c8RWhpEVvAfbQ7aJnWJ5wOIjLPFyv2B_cpsTd02Q/w640-h426/20221220-AK1I4584.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">What plant is this? Is it native to Union Bay?</div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://nativeplantspnw.com/common-snowberry-symphoricarpos-albus/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Common Snowberry</span></a>: Yes, it is a native plant. Follow the link, on the name, to learn more about the Snowberry plant. The linked site also shows a great example of the multiple leaf shapes on a single Snowberry plant. In the Spring, when the fruit is gone, all the different leaf shapes may make identification less challenging, as long as we know to expect the variety.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(It seemed particularly fitting to use a photograph of a Snowberry plant covered in our December snow.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></span><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span><br /><b>Bottom Line:</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard">Larry</span><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A Final Photo:</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNW_i1dppZpQIuojuWh30MHii3g1mfhi41ansXpMz0TgV7qGXF-wP6Dlto5UQMhi77B0dgnWYZJB28Q2FhAENikwDnnVl5KEJWXh-CG0Pi0Is-HrRuoQN9HBA2CL_DaIFirhdZO2o2Gks3XoP1oeNRwOH1byXdaPWPYOpXqtzFEfFIO3TaNKcYP8/s5170/20230110-AK1I5598.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3447" data-original-width="5170" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNW_i1dppZpQIuojuWh30MHii3g1mfhi41ansXpMz0TgV7qGXF-wP6Dlto5UQMhi77B0dgnWYZJB28Q2FhAENikwDnnVl5KEJWXh-CG0Pi0Is-HrRuoQN9HBA2CL_DaIFirhdZO2o2Gks3XoP1oeNRwOH1byXdaPWPYOpXqtzFEfFIO3TaNKcYP8/w640-h426/20230110-AK1I5598.jpg" width="640" /></a>After they both ate, Monty and Marsha moved back to one of their favorite roosts near the top of the sequoia above the Waterfront Activities Center.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-12634115030649722462022-12-12T16:44:00.000-08:002022-12-12T16:44:10.431-08:00The Wonders of Winter<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZRIY97-jeMQ6RUsaOSw_yS4G3hoqp-720GHhD4kEoCUVCL58X7Ik6FnO7BtXhghyhYzkmLggRUfqcjOA5vH5ZUcv3vtDm1Q_PdMYvVksvU8fd33ihvVO8vf6MERETj69-ZPKpW2kI6B-r9WhMMmjNVn_OebFnaQ5qEDLtLg4ILp6_A5zQ_3LfNY/s4659/20221208-AK1I3780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3106" data-original-width="4659" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZRIY97-jeMQ6RUsaOSw_yS4G3hoqp-720GHhD4kEoCUVCL58X7Ik6FnO7BtXhghyhYzkmLggRUfqcjOA5vH5ZUcv3vtDm1Q_PdMYvVksvU8fd33ihvVO8vf6MERETj69-ZPKpW2kI6B-r9WhMMmjNVn_OebFnaQ5qEDLtLg4ILp6_A5zQ_3LfNY/w640-h426/20221208-AK1I3780.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is almost Winter. T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he days are short and gray. T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he flowers and much of the green growth of Spring are gone. What's left of our native fruit is mostly past its prime. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the time when the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">beauty of nature</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> can provide a truly heartwarming boost.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The red waxy tips, on their inner wing feathers, inspired the last name of the Cedar Waxwings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxt_tWdZRebBpBZU8X7kamjrMcBA_gNwxc1-e9pBhcePQuMzQA1llWVkQToirKw0Nu2btXtUmhPcUSu5nQSkUIWLBFQfvdW6E_5ubCTMhSxkA1EURo7kFk_0QM61BHhmz9EZxiCs8pX8XOSphmDtH5bbki6DZIQCZzPhgutgmZJpSQExqZv81jFw/s2823/20221208-AK1I3772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2823" data-original-width="1882" height="963" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxt_tWdZRebBpBZU8X7kamjrMcBA_gNwxc1-e9pBhcePQuMzQA1llWVkQToirKw0Nu2btXtUmhPcUSu5nQSkUIWLBFQfvdW6E_5ubCTMhSxkA1EURo7kFk_0QM61BHhmz9EZxiCs8pX8XOSphmDtH5bbki6DZIQCZzPhgutgmZJpSQExqZv81jFw/w641-h963/20221208-AK1I3772.jpg" width="641" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A female American Robin is a surprisingly beautiful bird. Her head and back are similar in color to a Waxwing</span><span style="font-family: arial;">,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> the</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> white and dark streaks on her throat and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the broken white eye-rings </span><span style="font-family: arial;">create wonderful contrasting highlights. Best of all her breast is a subtle shade of russet-orange that may be the most beautiful hue on a </span><a href="https://www.sensationalcolor.com/color-wheel/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">color wheel</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0PCrrYskK7m035gODAKSPqjy88M5cOf4redGj5nBfCgq4s5pg-mNNWIOSkVBkc4cT0t_-4v8sx-RgnU7xa2gYNLPcpWsBQr7Vv9KeceaSjdGGkaBwncoYv7hsh0OMO88piL_W1eZcv34RLanoT2dMXjI_rnujPndvNNsfhTu-eNgs13_5WRQ3Ik/s3497/20221203-AK1I3632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2331" data-original-width="3497" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0PCrrYskK7m035gODAKSPqjy88M5cOf4redGj5nBfCgq4s5pg-mNNWIOSkVBkc4cT0t_-4v8sx-RgnU7xa2gYNLPcpWsBQr7Vv9KeceaSjdGGkaBwncoYv7hsh0OMO88piL_W1eZcv34RLanoT2dMXjI_rnujPndvNNsfhTu-eNgs13_5WRQ3Ik/w640-h426/20221203-AK1I3632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The glowing display of the last lingering leaves is another wonderful aspect of winter beauty.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the way,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">in my previous post, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">there is a new update </span><span style="font-family: arial;">regarding Varied Thrush</span><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> My friend Etta kindly reminded me </span><span style="font-family: arial;">that Varied Thrush do not breed in urban areas. This is also documented in </span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/varied_thrush" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">BirdWeb</span></a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">our local, free, online birding application from Seattle Audubon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgP5neqj88TKf6dqrjfLYGr3pAS1PHaaQGECtb7WQCESxymjKxrBACTgyQRcxvtbV7WQZxNw51cviggFwHG9Uo7MpVcOZMh_tvQlLT9Onvv17fwHhyF-N7B_cxbv7sKiQqlvAPKxrv9xuTlx24HWfuLmxBEgLg8Gf-BsZEtISD9VhJFRmQaqaWfY/s2325/20221130-AK1I3558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="2325" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgP5neqj88TKf6dqrjfLYGr3pAS1PHaaQGECtb7WQCESxymjKxrBACTgyQRcxvtbV7WQZxNw51cviggFwHG9Uo7MpVcOZMh_tvQlLT9Onvv17fwHhyF-N7B_cxbv7sKiQqlvAPKxrv9xuTlx24HWfuLmxBEgLg8Gf-BsZEtISD9VhJFRmQaqaWfY/w640-h426/20221130-AK1I3558.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last week, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">this tiny Hermit Thrush </span><span style="font-family: arial;">attracted my attention</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, as it searched for food on this moss-covered support for the Wilcox walking bridge, in the Arboretum. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rUqASBiKVnpIeLA1wIaWyhI2kG49mUhtADmcSXcjKJnKLpe9TDtYWIhsq27L21gf0WACt3KmIXHBH1HTosA3sCyENu4ljaHQYoFra3VnPvEhRg7hPy-vxQrLPYRL6I8CujrqP2P8sG8J_uCAzxcC-jGZ1FdIzI-4JCmWMY_wCgBZwIY_vnSgHQY/s3675/20221130-AK1I3567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2450" data-original-width="3675" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rUqASBiKVnpIeLA1wIaWyhI2kG49mUhtADmcSXcjKJnKLpe9TDtYWIhsq27L21gf0WACt3KmIXHBH1HTosA3sCyENu4ljaHQYoFra3VnPvEhRg7hPy-vxQrLPYRL6I8CujrqP2P8sG8J_uCAzxcC-jGZ1FdIzI-4JCmWMY_wCgBZwIY_vnSgHQY/w640-h426/20221130-AK1I3567.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When it flew, it landed nearby in this leafless tree. The Hermit Thrush was clearly focusing its attention on the little pink spheres.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='604' height='503' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxS8g10Kydgxv2CN5BaBnBlHs1FPNXYt01gxztjTRCYF9WgHOtRQtwGivqYnlyJ4T--a3aL-AkD1eCRJi9ruQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Its feeding strategy, i.e.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> fluttering up, and seizing the food while hovering in mid-air, seemed somewhat extravagant. I wondered, What was attracting this exceptional attention? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcnGFV1xUJEmzRHStq39oyBO9M3_q9mfPf7ZyOkAL_Ds9ru6lz9rKbFPGcNORa9Bj7_5WwrdejlM1yLCpEeTT-LrEmz72Ip4zU2Hg3GYRIl82_ycLgRFJzFRti8arFEwngS789BWBG6_L9ymKs6qe6g_czSmUJ5xN4TYKdJPxiYmFm5rzX9YRdE4/s2466/20221203-IMG_7395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1850" data-original-width="2466" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcnGFV1xUJEmzRHStq39oyBO9M3_q9mfPf7ZyOkAL_Ds9ru6lz9rKbFPGcNORa9Bj7_5WwrdejlM1yLCpEeTT-LrEmz72Ip4zU2Hg3GYRIl82_ycLgRFJzFRti8arFEwngS789BWBG6_L9ymKs6qe6g_czSmUJ5xN4TYKdJPxiYmFm5rzX9YRdE4/w640-h480/20221203-IMG_7395.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I looked more closely, my confusion increased. I wondered, What is this? </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Is it a fruit, flower, or seed? Are </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the outer pink parts edible? How much of this do</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> the birds eat? </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDHu018_qXsY4PhNnPwNyBakNxjTActnuZ7Fimd6soGl2aft2XG7hT8Iq2e0fxK1BQqTSmv3245lxOmyEldwl5AiG6oU8GGWiEfnkjaZS5yZjXWA4jmda_WUur9q6dZlfOkXTz8a1Dzw--baeoGcPPfUwxwx7qVzA-6ip_sBjIvq9BI3pw5djBqU/s1742/20221203-AK1I3622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1742" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDHu018_qXsY4PhNnPwNyBakNxjTActnuZ7Fimd6soGl2aft2XG7hT8Iq2e0fxK1BQqTSmv3245lxOmyEldwl5AiG6oU8GGWiEfnkjaZS5yZjXWA4jmda_WUur9q6dZlfOkXTz8a1Dzw--baeoGcPPfUwxwx7qVzA-6ip_sBjIvq9BI3pw5djBqU/w640-h426/20221203-AK1I3622.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After repeated trips, I documented one of the larger and calmer Varied Thrush as it sat and pulled out the inner reddish-orange part. Plus, as I looked closer, I realized that the empty pink "husks" were being left hanging on the tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Online, I found websites <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/spindle/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">like this one</span></a>, that solved the mystery. The pink unit as a whole is the fruit of the Spindle tree. The pink parts open up to reveal its orange seeds. On a cautionary note, this tree and its fruit are poisonous to humans, but it does not seem to bother our local Thrush.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The other mystery about this tree is how it got its name. It is called a Spindle tree because historically its durable wood was carved into <a href="https://straddlecreekspins.com/choosing-a-spindle/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">spindles</span></a> for spinning wool into yarn. </span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYWcmPVTDPRIt-t9obhq9P6Oyx2IUgzi2iomi94spGgbqrXyXmROJ3f1HaVe9dDo1bK6e7Jla2HdZ96f2EyHrQd7hJ2D8SE0-LBWxZ8pEmpr3ZIDCX0WZy1oYASNcuS_x7WrXH0l_GOXIzm5Zcv7fhvOed4IWjy00YJAptsGW75zQtijdiqDkROw/s2590/20221208-AK1I3642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2590" data-original-width="1725" height="941" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYWcmPVTDPRIt-t9obhq9P6Oyx2IUgzi2iomi94spGgbqrXyXmROJ3f1HaVe9dDo1bK6e7Jla2HdZ96f2EyHrQd7hJ2D8SE0-LBWxZ8pEmpr3ZIDCX0WZy1oYASNcuS_x7WrXH0l_GOXIzm5Zcv7fhvOed4IWjy00YJAptsGW75zQtijdiqDkROw/w626-h941/20221208-AK1I3642.jpg" width="626" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mallards are another common bird whose beauty can be easily overlooked. In early Winter, the males are adorned in a fresh set of feathers. Its beautiful new breeding plumage will hopefully attract a mate. The blue speculum, at some angles, looks purple, and it is often hidden by the bird's outer wing feathers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVPVlLK3CwpJwyY14ysTVuC190MHARymA-fH7ZsTIote27ZWm4XN3TRvw5Z91_R7ogvtkTEq9ggkV4iUTChdfI4FODbngt0hiRbAeNYiFDF1DaA46I2jDvsMy9VFeXV816fE7DUWdgOI6oVh5SM8bKmS-RDgJAoQ8ypRAADh5cXKams_Q8wg1aw0/s1929/20221208-AK1I3683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1929" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVPVlLK3CwpJwyY14ysTVuC190MHARymA-fH7ZsTIote27ZWm4XN3TRvw5Z91_R7ogvtkTEq9ggkV4iUTChdfI4FODbngt0hiRbAeNYiFDF1DaA46I2jDvsMy9VFeXV816fE7DUWdgOI6oVh5SM8bKmS-RDgJAoQ8ypRAADh5cXKams_Q8wg1aw0/w640-h426/20221208-AK1I3683.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We also tend to overlook female Hooded Mergansers, partly, because of the way their</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> subtle coloring blends with the world around them.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArqHI0BZDY7NZxJD95S8Fs25jaqTTX6fPKLaaVQz8owo25t1vxRAU_16-4qvgXTggtHDnYtXSSq2bM2mlMstlQsC4onhptQnK7Uhcw_cElZRhRpWA3pk95bmetOWdvV-WXP-5TRo2moWkFPMgwq5mbVdbYGDPMT3_thKq8nqgMqz43Efol37rc6Q/s2529/20221212-AK1I3880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1683" data-original-width="2529" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArqHI0BZDY7NZxJD95S8Fs25jaqTTX6fPKLaaVQz8owo25t1vxRAU_16-4qvgXTggtHDnYtXSSq2bM2mlMstlQsC4onhptQnK7Uhcw_cElZRhRpWA3pk95bmetOWdvV-WXP-5TRo2moWkFPMgwq5mbVdbYGDPMT3_thKq8nqgMqz43Efol37rc6Q/w640-h426/20221212-AK1I3880.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But also, because the more extravagant males, with their contrasting colors and flashy mating behaviors, easily attract our attention.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKToAgnR82cRF2eQ9kRey-iNcu1bJjQ-Xfxq-IIPkFm7__mSPWn8IaHJgrVOMqcXjMig3YbEhQ6u7pJWPSQKWz50KyOjv6GoEL9OCijD_mr-qJL3lyl0KGq3ODw2J08spTwmti7FL4PJLHO8NDbpyQcx3R-d_lmVSA2XMezYIMev6ERvShSuD2xSQ/s1522/20221212-AK1I3990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1522" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKToAgnR82cRF2eQ9kRey-iNcu1bJjQ-Xfxq-IIPkFm7__mSPWn8IaHJgrVOMqcXjMig3YbEhQ6u7pJWPSQKWz50KyOjv6GoEL9OCijD_mr-qJL3lyl0KGq3ODw2J08spTwmti7FL4PJLHO8NDbpyQcx3R-d_lmVSA2XMezYIMev6ERvShSuD2xSQ/w640-h428/20221212-AK1I3990.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The male Wood Duck has a beauty we see year-round, however with such a variety of colors, we tend to overlook the blue highlights on its back. I believe these are from the secondary feathers in its folded wings.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbQG-K6ckx9wlq2DoYQT4T5BFPndUPqgN6MtilpezbCvqkMcQb4MpV8wwWUzeIn3NfZQMqX7A6p5W5xL4MzVuK1ifkAWpplbXtZxul5uZ6HXjF3uL3C1S1ZWSRgRXNvHlrjfEby09TaOx2BReEfjSw7WgDYNmZP8nGs1D-LO2u01dl578Rm4NmvI/s1899/20221212-AK1I3885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1899" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbQG-K6ckx9wlq2DoYQT4T5BFPndUPqgN6MtilpezbCvqkMcQb4MpV8wwWUzeIn3NfZQMqX7A6p5W5xL4MzVuK1ifkAWpplbXtZxul5uZ6HXjF3uL3C1S1ZWSRgRXNvHlrjfEby09TaOx2BReEfjSw7WgDYNmZP8nGs1D-LO2u01dl578Rm4NmvI/w640-h426/20221212-AK1I3885.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another beautiful duck, that we usually see only during the colder months, is the Northern Pintail.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4d30DyjFookutHbXHciA-z2q1AoIhJIvpmjbsMjt5GoQ61MECU6J8tOy4V-JiKIPHYlVx0KbEwpc3ggh9zBtP0q1eLC4D3n7xH_83hgvgp0_l2jf708Qrfh5Rir-EYRvbMQYpMOB1qr6p2vKJ2RfIV_UY_HPm11utwj9foECwiEuNj8dWSUlgJQ/s2756/20221208-AK1I3728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="2756" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4d30DyjFookutHbXHciA-z2q1AoIhJIvpmjbsMjt5GoQ61MECU6J8tOy4V-JiKIPHYlVx0KbEwpc3ggh9zBtP0q1eLC4D3n7xH_83hgvgp0_l2jf708Qrfh5Rir-EYRvbMQYpMOB1qr6p2vKJ2RfIV_UY_HPm11utwj9foECwiEuNj8dWSUlgJQ/w640-h426/20221208-AK1I3728.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Year-round we can find Red-winged Blackbirds. Early in their lives, the males wear basic brown like the females. However, there is a window of time in their first year when the tips of their mature black feathers still retain beautiful youthful highlights of beige and brown. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX0D27OhHtzMw4-fd-PF0e6BNGO9YzFWgE1hjBWuh1LBa2ijkcZpeGzAd_yvDaHCey-cQ6OOyfBEvUa7BMWtgJqh6yt_VdnuGhX4VV00cgu09QABJ6OfKCb_K_-k-Dx4f-zD-h9Z-Ao9MXKXa9gkMPi8H9WSoHHDTNouDBSXH0TjHYTqwPCMSNos/s1440/20221212-AK1I4000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX0D27OhHtzMw4-fd-PF0e6BNGO9YzFWgE1hjBWuh1LBa2ijkcZpeGzAd_yvDaHCey-cQ6OOyfBEvUa7BMWtgJqh6yt_VdnuGhX4VV00cgu09QABJ6OfKCb_K_-k-Dx4f-zD-h9Z-Ao9MXKXa9gkMPi8H9WSoHHDTNouDBSXH0TjHYTqwPCMSNos/w640-h426/20221212-AK1I4000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This time of year, male Northern Shovelers tend to have dark green heads while still having a few dark crescents from their non-breeding plumage on their chests. Their rich chestnut sides do an excellent job of offsetting the bright green of their speculums.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJT7Aar04XcnMdZKVI9_DBbbawfHyDnFhmyQbbx2rTFXC3GTCOXzW8UqgJhzRtK4YCvkboe9KK-QIWfUIP1zyRm2RnNm7ZxWG6o9L5itUVbJm6-B7nTLPUKsx-nfueQmufehBDY_JB-kRmdIJta3nxs93aaR68T7U8kuuPu14TVE2p8HQpR1NVM4/s2222/20221128-AK1I3445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2222" data-original-width="1481" height="879" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJT7Aar04XcnMdZKVI9_DBbbawfHyDnFhmyQbbx2rTFXC3GTCOXzW8UqgJhzRtK4YCvkboe9KK-QIWfUIP1zyRm2RnNm7ZxWG6o9L5itUVbJm6-B7nTLPUKsx-nfueQmufehBDY_JB-kRmdIJta3nxs93aaR68T7U8kuuPu14TVE2p8HQpR1NVM4/w585-h879/20221128-AK1I3445.jpg" width="585" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Monty and Marsha, our local Montlake Cut Bald Eagles, have bright yellow bills that blend perfectly with the Fall leaves in their favorite cottonwood tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInOAr7OQUgYekFS-rIP7QoFgpSWyZWzNTOfQ8Otn5nQ06XPKkZDxWrI5BVZURyizfjPG2hi76TJgbdjeX0MhMrqAf8Mbv59D2RCLkdJ4BDfhpZGK0Htfv4z7sdTIHbWdh-gX1gyKgvgfroIp-klAt3cTvY7O0mgEfodKP_dA6Uifijzdin4ILQfM/s3727/20221128-AK1I3488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2485" data-original-width="3727" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInOAr7OQUgYekFS-rIP7QoFgpSWyZWzNTOfQ8Otn5nQ06XPKkZDxWrI5BVZURyizfjPG2hi76TJgbdjeX0MhMrqAf8Mbv59D2RCLkdJ4BDfhpZGK0Htfv4z7sdTIHbWdh-gX1gyKgvgfroIp-klAt3cTvY7O0mgEfodKP_dA6Uifijzdin4ILQfM/w640-h426/20221128-AK1I3488.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just to the north, mated pairs of the elegant Trumpeter Swans, calmly dip and feed on the aquatic vegetation below Union Bay. We are lucky to live near a bay that is shallow enough to have vegetation and yet deep enough, and south enough, to not freeze in Winter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCpWo1LZt0I8H73VOSklFSXua6JDF-QIL8FvG3Yj2p3W0E10x_UQ88hmnUsHPduQ5qIXBqWiMy3SoRYqH7Bu5m84g8M3WbBPD9EzpNDKwu0zslWgE_5NB9zaplH8sjAs69vRY38oGDR9yqWm1RF99S_eWqRqUTJHUBZRxLYY2XiHypB_9lOfAX2c/s1479/20221208-AK1I3853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1479" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCpWo1LZt0I8H73VOSklFSXua6JDF-QIL8FvG3Yj2p3W0E10x_UQ88hmnUsHPduQ5qIXBqWiMy3SoRYqH7Bu5m84g8M3WbBPD9EzpNDKwu0zslWgE_5NB9zaplH8sjAs69vRY38oGDR9yqWm1RF99S_eWqRqUTJHUBZRxLYY2XiHypB_9lOfAX2c/w640-h426/20221208-AK1I3853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, for me, one of the most heart-warming sights this week was repeatedly seeing this Wilson's Snipe and watching it bobbing its body up and down, while totally confident in its awesome camouflage.</span></div><p></p><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Have a great day on Union Bay.<i>..where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sincerely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Larry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYWD_4hCGBd8FLtVLNHC_JjT1jNZPQ6pohFog0JBL4qCZTtrxkhVNHMmOfAtunNHTwVq8GmFGBEzXhgzss9yFF3mPitX4vQKQX8LwxLkz7xEiFNmbtrDdQEK6gpEpZTlGny36b6-xqYUzMjmP3VrJtGa53c-tW1VudIVHEg7hiQJOncSveIvCdqI/s5472/20221212-AK1I4016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="688" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYWD_4hCGBd8FLtVLNHC_JjT1jNZPQ6pohFog0JBL4qCZTtrxkhVNHMmOfAtunNHTwVq8GmFGBEzXhgzss9yFF3mPitX4vQKQX8LwxLkz7xEiFNmbtrDdQEK6gpEpZTlGny36b6-xqYUzMjmP3VrJtGa53c-tW1VudIVHEg7hiQJOncSveIvCdqI/w458-h688/20221212-AK1I4016.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>2)</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh1M5ez6r9mVjZLplBSfS1ut9rvJtkeV6TEaALWArIjvCaLMGQIrVczqWcwxuHn2CEX2nJSvhyBNB1igoXOgKB1xfoguHVTQDQjZvtTbTGYjx_ZsJ4OWnjQTS7WT_Mkti45rt48iJ1clhu4SV0i8rzy6SM1OTaSCOeQCkQpnOK1zKGKZ3-uHN7JM/s5472/20221212-AK1I4017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="703" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh1M5ez6r9mVjZLplBSfS1ut9rvJtkeV6TEaALWArIjvCaLMGQIrVczqWcwxuHn2CEX2nJSvhyBNB1igoXOgKB1xfoguHVTQDQjZvtTbTGYjx_ZsJ4OWnjQTS7WT_Mkti45rt48iJ1clhu4SV0i8rzy6SM1OTaSCOeQCkQpnOK1zKGKZ3-uHN7JM/w468-h703/20221212-AK1I4017.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAotHqwJkcfWRkfM_KWW-PeACRPx_09wDGuOuaJ9Mnv_7HVrYsdEUDV1gyu6UJUsHXhGdGXPuG15WHri3214QfaFDODVj7MSrk9RURDy8_2msY4Er0mjyoh_kCOGGJMg9q_J6_3jRYxVb6RhRj3jQtx-YQQNlqtt39xClE_8nXGDtrLoHKeLDFel0/s1012/20221117-IMG_7286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="759" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAotHqwJkcfWRkfM_KWW-PeACRPx_09wDGuOuaJ9Mnv_7HVrYsdEUDV1gyu6UJUsHXhGdGXPuG15WHri3214QfaFDODVj7MSrk9RURDy8_2msY4Er0mjyoh_kCOGGJMg9q_J6_3jRYxVb6RhRj3jQtx-YQQNlqtt39xClE_8nXGDtrLoHKeLDFel0/w480-h640/20221117-IMG_7286.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These three trees are non-native, deciduous conifers that can be found in the Arboretum. Every year, when the weather turns cold, they lose their needles and look like they are dying, but they are not. In alphabetical order they are: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span></span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A) Bald Cypress</div></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">B) Dawn Redwood</div></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">C) Japanese Larch</div></span></span></span></div></div></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Your challenge is to associate the appropriate photo number with </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the correct letter and name</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The answers are:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 = A - Bald Cypress</div></span></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 = C - Japanese Larch</div></span></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 = B - Dawn Redwood</div></span></div></div></div></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Curiously, The Bald Cypress is the only one that originated in North America. It comes from the S.E. portion of the United States. The Dawn Redwood comes from China. It's only two living relatives come from California. However, our North American Redwoods are not deciduous conifers. The Japanese Larch obviously comes from Japan, but it has a nearby Pacific Northwest relative in Washington State, i.e. the Western Larch, which is a deciduous conifer. Nature is just one mystery inside of another.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpTTRG7xN7PDrMDdu0c-LyLVGBd1vwKS022AQw2LNoyLBR9P8E-cLDpYc5Wul6dIiEDwqseOCaddYc8l4vAU_UpwNVR-UGKcnpvMb0eb0i36AXR-ZivATtW6bTY_ZyH_HaZzanYVOYo3E6VcpxPnmAdFsKPrwB0pif-bnMK2F1k_YDFnR4zaoQKU/s5472/20221212-AK1I4020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpTTRG7xN7PDrMDdu0c-LyLVGBd1vwKS022AQw2LNoyLBR9P8E-cLDpYc5Wul6dIiEDwqseOCaddYc8l4vAU_UpwNVR-UGKcnpvMb0eb0i36AXR-ZivATtW6bTY_ZyH_HaZzanYVOYo3E6VcpxPnmAdFsKPrwB0pif-bnMK2F1k_YDFnR4zaoQKU/w426-h640/20221212-AK1I4020.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Dawn Redwood photo, in the prior set, is from November. If you go looking for that tree today you would find it has already lost its needles and its foliage looks like this photo. The other two species were photographed this morning.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;">Thank you!</div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span><br /><b style="font-family: -webkit-standard;">Bottom Line:</b><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br /><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><i><br /></i></div><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard">Larry</span><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A Final Photo:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCEHHJeiuksZS0LADcaeM9mCmP2CbI8EwKL-6Gi7TzWmGXFFugwXAYrRfrzFnLheQXWCuPAKuMICXVOc7r1u1kZ_Xvyoj5iLPb37iHrlmew7--il2NzaB9I3mXyoUffiVvN1vFbAd14fop6RuH2r0RNsbbPfJ8ITZFlfP6c_ng0crjIdhXzFFYRo/s3888/20221208-AK1I3788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCEHHJeiuksZS0LADcaeM9mCmP2CbI8EwKL-6Gi7TzWmGXFFugwXAYrRfrzFnLheQXWCuPAKuMICXVOc7r1u1kZ_Xvyoj5iLPb37iHrlmew7--il2NzaB9I3mXyoUffiVvN1vFbAd14fop6RuH2r0RNsbbPfJ8ITZFlfP6c_ng0crjIdhXzFFYRo/w640-h426/20221208-AK1I3788.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-5614479165242432942022-11-28T12:42:00.002-08:002022-11-28T12:56:35.392-08:00A Frugivore Test<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7sdQldBxqpoAFSmx21vXK3OKd-TGq3xB44ajiMtggrEjWk8fPH2mrTIcDvUw3xF6pg1rG82Zpmbl0rYCgYo3Tba37sCWkh_ak_VgoWxYT4YGkPi8cr0RZFGcivwHfQsobfnBOvKojpMeQBCv8DubnEbBCjgheSTglpbhLkK-TqDYbjTSkgkXJr8/s5472/20211015-AK1I9622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7sdQldBxqpoAFSmx21vXK3OKd-TGq3xB44ajiMtggrEjWk8fPH2mrTIcDvUw3xF6pg1rG82Zpmbl0rYCgYo3Tba37sCWkh_ak_VgoWxYT4YGkPi8cr0RZFGcivwHfQsobfnBOvKojpMeQBCv8DubnEbBCjgheSTglpbhLkK-TqDYbjTSkgkXJr8/w640-h426/20211015-AK1I9622.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Fall provides an ephemeral beauty. One moment the leaves are bursting with color and the next they are on the ground, turning brown, replenishing the soil and providing food, shelter, and warmth for a variety of small creatures. Leaves tend to follow a fairly fast path around the circle of life. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Fruits and nuts also fall from trees but they have the potential for much longer lives</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. I find it mind-numbing to wonder how many times a seed molecule might become part of a new tree, and then be transferred again into a new seed and then into another tree, and so on. Surely, the odds are slim for this process to be repeated infinitely, but it seems technically possible.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnUs4KGi74RnbvOxyU6E9t_bzwbldbm8eE23ciFJ4uLr7flGdjUF_WRRo-mbuaaZ3erexNm6eS77GOzF-Ew2TVVfoYhtFbjiEdGOMyCeMmRhwZRfhqGGN8hR933azpdReWITnde-PmOAKztVBSXuX75eQvi1qrr8mdu9OxUZ8_29XRfxkj9IY9xE/s2114/20221105-AK1I2689.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="2114" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnUs4KGi74RnbvOxyU6E9t_bzwbldbm8eE23ciFJ4uLr7flGdjUF_WRRo-mbuaaZ3erexNm6eS77GOzF-Ew2TVVfoYhtFbjiEdGOMyCeMmRhwZRfhqGGN8hR933azpdReWITnde-PmOAKztVBSXuX75eQvi1qrr8mdu9OxUZ8_29XRfxkj9IY9xE/w640-h426/20221105-AK1I2689.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, the seeds in most fruit do not become trees. Often when the fruit is</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> consumed by other species, the seeds do not land in a fortuitous location, and the fruit molecules involved take a much shorter ride along the swifter side of the circle of life. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">This post focuses primarily on some of our local fruit-eating birds. Not only do they help enable the life cycles of fruit trees, but their own lives, and life cycles, are also enabled by the fruit they consume.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooAyr6e7-7SkXilRZaN0wj11aQp0fjEyvzrORYXixfxXC9PH_UBLZOKDniagCkl-Fzxxf8lgJ7GzxnJxN1iMkpeCxjMh2m_WjxldQRoVTTG_MnBvSXvj4u97aN-THzSTXqgBrSUfp7I2rt9gMJGKe58ugO--PhBDcDWSpqFJL2sk5QmguIdTyQvY/s1430/20221120-AK1I3423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1430" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooAyr6e7-7SkXilRZaN0wj11aQp0fjEyvzrORYXixfxXC9PH_UBLZOKDniagCkl-Fzxxf8lgJ7GzxnJxN1iMkpeCxjMh2m_WjxldQRoVTTG_MnBvSXvj4u97aN-THzSTXqgBrSUfp7I2rt9gMJGKe58ugO--PhBDcDWSpqFJL2sk5QmguIdTyQvY/w640-h428/20221120-AK1I3423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this post, your challenge is to determine which of the six bird species shown are frugivores. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Note: For our purposes, any </span><span style="font-family: arial;">birds that eat fruit are frugivores. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It does not matter if they are part-time fruit eaters - since fruit is seasonal this is the most likely situation.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLCdC1-gP8Z4pFevfUxEtEOwYwbaWRpt5Sc2BaSnXmgDlV2lyYHe8ly9xn4N0Ao-TQ4k099Q1WKGFPYmwvuas-kTviC0MANYen_YkYfkQCM9wpCm0-xs6xxYxuHz46ZMkT0Eg8nH0gWdaMT1DKZI4Kd6be_uzWH3ht64q_Smw_CuYd0b5mAlyi7I/s2861/20221105-AK1I2798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2861" data-original-width="1907" height="936" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLCdC1-gP8Z4pFevfUxEtEOwYwbaWRpt5Sc2BaSnXmgDlV2lyYHe8ly9xn4N0Ao-TQ4k099Q1WKGFPYmwvuas-kTviC0MANYen_YkYfkQCM9wpCm0-xs6xxYxuHz46ZMkT0Eg8nH0gWdaMT1DKZI4Kd6be_uzWH3ht64q_Smw_CuYd0b5mAlyi7I/w623-h936/20221105-AK1I2798.jpg" width="623" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All six species have been photographed near fruit in the last month.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqriR_Y_d86ZSU4A2lyK8G6ryc5pp3_kk4WcUKrOMNpE79l7l-6_MaCeKReqrND9TFdUH6BSlQs8_3eTcyOLuRUcEHkFbnkBo2AVVxChHe6Sme1Yygs1ueXvH4Lmu4G498mw8q6vOSKP2cx9YDFy9eJ0fPYMrrNQ501rnVuOtoSaZz4fgn0_EWVbM/s2890/20221105-AK1I2818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1927" data-original-width="2890" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqriR_Y_d86ZSU4A2lyK8G6ryc5pp3_kk4WcUKrOMNpE79l7l-6_MaCeKReqrND9TFdUH6BSlQs8_3eTcyOLuRUcEHkFbnkBo2AVVxChHe6Sme1Yygs1ueXvH4Lmu4G498mw8q6vOSKP2cx9YDFy9eJ0fPYMrrNQ501rnVuOtoSaZz4fgn0_EWVbM/w640-h426/20221105-AK1I2818.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some are common birds. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFcxcGAQ2AUlKQuHpho4ZBaFFHDa7mUNsjZ5FruQ4s2vuylbnLhTERck7dGq1h9QMWdnqfewGx5jc65SwjdqeKOZJ9f8w-RkmvfTKYxtE6_IDjJ4O1ldwXMAcPX0LIDfBIWEUxE2sKGWHJkJp_OshGunF5zlEWyCxhRYovoIKWRwsLOSNhwOPoP0/s3030/20221108-AK1I2862.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="3030" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFcxcGAQ2AUlKQuHpho4ZBaFFHDa7mUNsjZ5FruQ4s2vuylbnLhTERck7dGq1h9QMWdnqfewGx5jc65SwjdqeKOZJ9f8w-RkmvfTKYxtE6_IDjJ4O1ldwXMAcPX0LIDfBIWEUxE2sKGWHJkJp_OshGunF5zlEWyCxhRYovoIKWRwsLOSNhwOPoP0/w640-h426/20221108-AK1I2862.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some are not seen so often.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvbPHvawyMvUEALdpFO0qTcc8CV84DOGO7XoVxTqsqnMYNoE_ilPOUC9TC3WCGsf-WfgJjIyr7ot7QApgGWL9wyqttoegXKCQIsBTCd3nW6Xu6JTtI6EdfBhBRATB8FF13R5WjPv5okg6ZqNik-B35K7U5_H3UCCiyAkx59YPhY8svWjftsM6evw/s2416/20221028-AK1I2117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1612" data-original-width="2416" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvbPHvawyMvUEALdpFO0qTcc8CV84DOGO7XoVxTqsqnMYNoE_ilPOUC9TC3WCGsf-WfgJjIyr7ot7QApgGWL9wyqttoegXKCQIsBTCd3nW6Xu6JTtI6EdfBhBRATB8FF13R5WjPv5okg6ZqNik-B35K7U5_H3UCCiyAkx59YPhY8svWjftsM6evw/w640-h428/20221028-AK1I2117.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">Of the species shown above, three belong to the Thrush (Turdidae) family, two are Warblers (Dendroica) and one is a Waxwing (Bombycilla). All are winter residents in our area. (For the advanced birders a secondary challenge is, Which of these species does not breed locally?)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the same order they were presented the six species are:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Varied Thrush</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Townsend's Warbler</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Cedar Waxwing</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. American Robin (also a Thrush)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Hermit Thrush and</div><div style="text-align: left;">6. Yellow-rumped Warbler</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To be totally open and consistent it is the foods listed for each species in <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">All About Birds</span></a> that have been used to objectively determine whether we consider them frugivores. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Your primary challenge is to determine from memory which of these species are not known to eat fruit. You should make your mental list before proceeding.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*******************</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Spoiler Alert! </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The following photos will show many of these species eat fruit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*******************</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbUOOqodj6pJosskJZYdya5UlvYFO68l43CpI-DbqRkFuDwvJ-VN5AWMdktdmGnTBEb3RjnU-EuIyRK3bktNH-cy6BG1PNOe9TWrtSUUQ84Pf9KASnBw3YFjMLIb8KfE4STDm_qViDWCUie5teyjSw4xG9TzAapsdcqzm84dU4aEtS4gyYYjYxoQ/s3036/20221120-AK1I3402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3036" data-original-width="2023" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbUOOqodj6pJosskJZYdya5UlvYFO68l43CpI-DbqRkFuDwvJ-VN5AWMdktdmGnTBEb3RjnU-EuIyRK3bktNH-cy6BG1PNOe9TWrtSUUQ84Pf9KASnBw3YFjMLIb8KfE4STDm_qViDWCUie5teyjSw4xG9TzAapsdcqzm84dU4aEtS4gyYYjYxoQ/w532-h800/20221120-AK1I3402.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">American Robins are the most commonly seen of these Fall frugivores.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYMFAK4Duti584853jSFacyb7Z7n3fIeWFdBaaiLBWzeadsN9yIYsOQwhRAayiEJAaHgDsbSh3wzD0AdwYGKO1djlQIERbt6fOPvTDIsijkYBofExmPtlFEWtQR3dFCDC98J7_smN9BLSKTVTpRWZ5JW1DcBXDPRs_Smdn6kqvsZsdaBrAWfk6ds/s3575/20210608-AK1I2121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2380" data-original-width="3575" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYMFAK4Duti584853jSFacyb7Z7n3fIeWFdBaaiLBWzeadsN9yIYsOQwhRAayiEJAaHgDsbSh3wzD0AdwYGKO1djlQIERbt6fOPvTDIsijkYBofExmPtlFEWtQR3dFCDC98J7_smN9BLSKTVTpRWZ5JW1DcBXDPRs_Smdn6kqvsZsdaBrAWfk6ds/w640-h426/20210608-AK1I2121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the Spring, you will often see them sporadically sprinting across lawns, sometimes stopping to listen, and then snagging, stretching, and securing worms, to take to their young.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypYNYfqC72qZ5vwYtcx-LponYPxmXl6EbKI6UQliheM8rGotSLXEiRLAZlnvwOH3KX9xepaTJfPPYN1tRMAlkCAuwa6RPcIcI4O6c9bnUzWbzck6jcmPsE4Evr1jNk8B7edKFYW4CNuLzInVEFcx0uO1VwtcZCKfG9FQ5NY31bZsN42yqqivl8I4/s2031/20221108-AK1I2856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2031" data-original-width="1354" height="892" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypYNYfqC72qZ5vwYtcx-LponYPxmXl6EbKI6UQliheM8rGotSLXEiRLAZlnvwOH3KX9xepaTJfPPYN1tRMAlkCAuwa6RPcIcI4O6c9bnUzWbzck6jcmPsE4Evr1jNk8B7edKFYW4CNuLzInVEFcx0uO1VwtcZCKfG9FQ5NY31bZsN42yqqivl8I4/w594-h892/20221108-AK1I2856.jpg" width="594" /></a></div>Their similarly-sized cousins, the Varied Thrush, tend to raise their young in forested areas. In the Spring, while American Robins may be searching for worms in Western Washington cities, Varied Thrush are more likely to be found in the forests of the Olympic or Cascade Mountains, looking through the leaf litter for insects. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In the Fall, some of them come to the cities. However, they are bashful. When you find a fruit tree full of feeding Robins look closely at the birds on the far side of the tree, sometimes, you may see a Varied Thrush.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMhAEHWUMIG3BvUC0MOuRbdJVXY2NbjAQXUK_0yfw4DxsPyEREcA7HtVL80oTwMC6VVI2KrZu93qYXhCIUV_6MDo6coyxCOx09gAVBMX17H9fz5jl73ykVlOnb6_Z-gGf1BsZKsXfUCKsRHeuvy3uiVtXbPjeZ7Zy6mm0IGIxKrMwoes9siJPTaQ/s2668/20221105-AK1I2750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="2668" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMhAEHWUMIG3BvUC0MOuRbdJVXY2NbjAQXUK_0yfw4DxsPyEREcA7HtVL80oTwMC6VVI2KrZu93qYXhCIUV_6MDo6coyxCOx09gAVBMX17H9fz5jl73ykVlOnb6_Z-gGf1BsZKsXfUCKsRHeuvy3uiVtXbPjeZ7Zy6mm0IGIxKrMwoes9siJPTaQ/w640-h426/20221105-AK1I2750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the same Fall fruit trees, small flocks of Cedar Waxwings can occasionally be found. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K6lCxvhiGkWEAQylQDEOT7R7kCT0YVw3z0cypf3Et1QWqftxzoAqcqDQxdDYrx2ETgrY8Q-5cpTJDXdIO9dElp6B85LcbYZOWNkML_q6IUYGgv2g8RmqrQwe06yS9_n1pO8iDg7MG6b_qzAd1zOQoNzWolOC-KC5z8YOtBVafly8gPBpdBZm9fI/s2823/20221105-AK1I2749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="2823" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K6lCxvhiGkWEAQylQDEOT7R7kCT0YVw3z0cypf3Et1QWqftxzoAqcqDQxdDYrx2ETgrY8Q-5cpTJDXdIO9dElp6B85LcbYZOWNkML_q6IUYGgv2g8RmqrQwe06yS9_n1pO8iDg7MG6b_qzAd1zOQoNzWolOC-KC5z8YOtBVafly8gPBpdBZm9fI/w640-h426/20221105-AK1I2749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is obvious they are attracted to the fruit, but how they decide when and where to feed is a mystery to me. Unlike the Robins, they are not likely to feed until the fruit is gone. On the whole, they feed more briefly, return less frequently, and flock more tightly.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJJMd-nDHeYD9bvw4ZraDCVVCSPPw0-ANubWJhg7J1BRCyH7uum3ffrlF380iwCE0AGd8afbO8uEb4cQ-kmugWya8562WjbvvDPGlWYv5ZZgJzMdy6NtAo0d7WLzK0fppMlzUGcrb7QWnthef47_RJig--DYa-LgVLcnvsALfLnQtb2bDrbvrMok/s3351/20221108-AK1I2894.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2234" data-original-width="3351" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJJMd-nDHeYD9bvw4ZraDCVVCSPPw0-ANubWJhg7J1BRCyH7uum3ffrlF380iwCE0AGd8afbO8uEb4cQ-kmugWya8562WjbvvDPGlWYv5ZZgJzMdy6NtAo0d7WLzK0fppMlzUGcrb7QWnthef47_RJig--DYa-LgVLcnvsALfLnQtb2bDrbvrMok/w640-h426/20221108-AK1I2894.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">Of the three Thrush mentioned the Hermit Thrush, true to its name, is the least likely to be seen. It is also the smallest in size and roughly three times smaller in weight. Visually, they are closer in size to Song Sparrows than to the other two Thrush. However, their shape is clearly quite similar to their larger cousins.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Their size has a logical impact on where they can be seen. Since Thrush prefer to eat fruit whole they tend to be found feeding in trees with the smallest of fruit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH1VeqPDsXAqAgbnpeiUfbIH9JD4Lh_Cp_R_k7w02avdYir5fXYEohrvAWDCC99Bq0os_pBlUUPo88BlAqGr9n0jU1T3h2ToiLIq0oV-7PdtzVBjiAPDCqHGW18w9xFAT6e9wN7PlNhc2BdU5QWLdLn_-fYzDYwDXr4_BKzcOl3xjy5q3pYgO3gE/s2228/20221105-AK1I2776.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="2228" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH1VeqPDsXAqAgbnpeiUfbIH9JD4Lh_Cp_R_k7w02avdYir5fXYEohrvAWDCC99Bq0os_pBlUUPo88BlAqGr9n0jU1T3h2ToiLIq0oV-7PdtzVBjiAPDCqHGW18w9xFAT6e9wN7PlNhc2BdU5QWLdLn_-fYzDYwDXr4_BKzcOl3xjy5q3pYgO3gE/w640-h426/20221105-AK1I2776.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Curiously, Cedar Waxwings are similar in weight to the Hermit Thrush, but they appear to be able to eat larger fruit. Their bills seem longer and apparently able to open wider. They may be just better adapted as frugivores.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV_zRrKN-YUiMZqtR72LJ59dVWiyoNBc-X3KFj0B14SrXp_GULzjeyCqCO0R5LVyzySZblJ5iED7h1YFPS05EdR8yD9QHtglfMq8MoMPBJThzjZplF8rRRHwnPL0hYGGspvvGkMGnGvQB67z5IfTelH1YkTDOlsyLM5Y4m3mp2WfEc4NW_uhv-NE/s1875/20221028-AK1I2155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1875" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV_zRrKN-YUiMZqtR72LJ59dVWiyoNBc-X3KFj0B14SrXp_GULzjeyCqCO0R5LVyzySZblJ5iED7h1YFPS05EdR8yD9QHtglfMq8MoMPBJThzjZplF8rRRHwnPL0hYGGspvvGkMGnGvQB67z5IfTelH1YkTDOlsyLM5Y4m3mp2WfEc4NW_uhv-NE/w640-h426/20221028-AK1I2155.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The last frugivore in our group may be the most surprising of all, the Yellow-rumped Warbler. By weight, they are about half the size of the average Hermit Thrush. (On the other hand, they can be as much as fifty percent larger than the Townsend's Warblers - which is the only other winter Warbler found in Western Washington.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUL-jgZ-ax00TNgLKuNOtNIUhKt28Z8hPKuWschIP-mFm05gp6keoOBC73XX3jxNF5oHvmnF8jHXC_6MalLno_2w1MxPrRqegP5TzBJDqayujfOmle50TUrjZBXZy9fExRQkDEWJCxyzzRd3uRBpL3NU72Z-2LpEltjHxVWmLAnpLVLD3M5aDq9Y/s2141/20221028-AK1I2161.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="2141" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUL-jgZ-ax00TNgLKuNOtNIUhKt28Z8hPKuWschIP-mFm05gp6keoOBC73XX3jxNF5oHvmnF8jHXC_6MalLno_2w1MxPrRqegP5TzBJDqayujfOmle50TUrjZBXZy9fExRQkDEWJCxyzzRd3uRBpL3NU72Z-2LpEltjHxVWmLAnpLVLD3M5aDq9Y/w640-h426/20221028-AK1I2161.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yellow-rumped Warblers have the ability to process and eat the fruit of Wax Myrtles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNmpmzN490F6ZbHuhvWpuw35z5n1HLbcEXDPzeQqecNxuHNvpX0-KaEHeKlEpOH60ttBdP9ymm_EI0svWrXgZ7f50nfxyxLpZO3e6I4Ghm6GM_3S0feoUsejsxCSvBPT0x6MRRVQ689L2wvYzJJtjj2VZpQOyy8P2K6S0mccXOas4Ohu55sIEQik/s1892/20221028-AK1I2117-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="1892" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNmpmzN490F6ZbHuhvWpuw35z5n1HLbcEXDPzeQqecNxuHNvpX0-KaEHeKlEpOH60ttBdP9ymm_EI0svWrXgZ7f50nfxyxLpZO3e6I4Ghm6GM_3S0feoUsejsxCSvBPT0x6MRRVQ689L2wvYzJJtjj2VZpQOyy8P2K6S0mccXOas4Ohu55sIEQik/w640-h428/20221028-AK1I2117-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This ability is such a specific adaptation and preference that the white-throated variety of the Yellow-rumped Warbler is named the Myrtle subspecies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphrjdwfCvnPyavsZ4ghbsQzWc2975V7VkJSAJirhgzrkW-DwBciPAq_nuCeiKyDIxDGzcvL--Aw2CzGOjfs9NwekPzlL8lLq6PbEHPwJ_Oc4vXS9df5G_URNnz_naAQWNrjSs_p7GBFX0UkeD1MmEV27HkegeKGXaT-T682_trsnk0EM-JS-tsT4/s1606/20221120-AK1I3426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1606" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphrjdwfCvnPyavsZ4ghbsQzWc2975V7VkJSAJirhgzrkW-DwBciPAq_nuCeiKyDIxDGzcvL--Aw2CzGOjfs9NwekPzlL8lLq6PbEHPwJ_Oc4vXS9df5G_URNnz_naAQWNrjSs_p7GBFX0UkeD1MmEV27HkegeKGXaT-T682_trsnk0EM-JS-tsT4/w640-h426/20221120-AK1I3426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In conclusion, while the tiny Townsend's Warbler may search for food in fruit-bearing trees, it is actually the only one of our six species that, per All About Birds, is not mentioned as a fruit-eater.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In answer to the other, earlier question, the Hermit Thrush is the only one of the six species not known to breed in Western Washington per the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hermit_Thrush/maps-range" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">All About Birds range maps</span></a>.</div></div></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Have a great day on Union Bay.<i>..where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sincerely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Larry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1g5sDPdXrLp6reFRoGA4zevdP0qv4cV5ySHZxS9PctdRvoocaILd-iG9X74Jo7uQrr5qTwvgA5zuGv8YCp6yOJMjy322bMjeXgw7nPC2mgnmZwJj7r0Zi2XZs9oZdH-Uzd2BMPsrLNZyY7lUOSANevaSxGFbmqTI41ebJm1s8dUCQZDpXZhMI5c/s1606/20221120-AK1I3426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1606" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1g5sDPdXrLp6reFRoGA4zevdP0qv4cV5ySHZxS9PctdRvoocaILd-iG9X74Jo7uQrr5qTwvgA5zuGv8YCp6yOJMjy322bMjeXgw7nPC2mgnmZwJj7r0Zi2XZs9oZdH-Uzd2BMPsrLNZyY7lUOSANevaSxGFbmqTI41ebJm1s8dUCQZDpXZhMI5c/w640-h426/20221120-AK1I3426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What type of tree is this? Is it native to our area?</span></div><br /><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(224, 102, 102);"><b><a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/pacific-madrone.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Pacific Madrone:</span></a><span style="color: #f6b26b;"> </span></b></span>Yes, this tree is native to the West Coast. It is our only native, broad-leafed, evergreen tree. Its fruit attracts a variety of birds and the hardwood of its dead branches and snags is utilized by a variety of cavity-nesting birds to create enduring and easily recycled nest sites.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;">Thank you!</div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><span face="-webkit-standard"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span face="-webkit-standard">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span><br /><b style="font-family: -webkit-standard;">Bottom Line:</b><span face="-webkit-standard"> </span><br /><span face="-webkit-standard">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><span face="-webkit-standard">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard">Larry</span><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Final Photos:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE3ykxKXSs6KCKxSPjQbfYF4JsN9iNsi3rtofHSSDP_6_ZsvUJ4kO6jA1eU-UQn_gLrro_UIZGGTOXqGDOGoDbpwirCC_U5ShM8lN6a3AzfU57h1mQv92jC_gnlXP-6OBpkI1JYIppXgncsrPzIPvQYdYwLSqJRZ_k4lu5bbbuwsAwKrpd7CncB4/s2561/20221028-AK1I2030.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2561" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE3ykxKXSs6KCKxSPjQbfYF4JsN9iNsi3rtofHSSDP_6_ZsvUJ4kO6jA1eU-UQn_gLrro_UIZGGTOXqGDOGoDbpwirCC_U5ShM8lN6a3AzfU57h1mQv92jC_gnlXP-6OBpkI1JYIppXgncsrPzIPvQYdYwLSqJRZ_k4lu5bbbuwsAwKrpd7CncB4/w640-h426/20221028-AK1I2030.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yellow-rumped Warblers, weighing half an ounce or less, may be one of Union Bay's smallest Frugivores.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoGe_cZK7jsVceJblNKXZkMa_gEixdSx7sv_uSCbBGwpxpolyOO4KazrVIF6j6mPwjmRIEQhQ7K_vXELB0nqIn1r6fFKwrvHgWQsVLMfOfA_KNlBuVHs8bMaojR379_e_U6tmcuilYra0G7KTw-KqlhkR0LHTPd3pZTla2_F9N8T-fIBBtVsSULI/s2590/20221028-AK1I2031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1727" data-original-width="2590" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoGe_cZK7jsVceJblNKXZkMa_gEixdSx7sv_uSCbBGwpxpolyOO4KazrVIF6j6mPwjmRIEQhQ7K_vXELB0nqIn1r6fFKwrvHgWQsVLMfOfA_KNlBuVHs8bMaojR379_e_U6tmcuilYra0G7KTw-KqlhkR0LHTPd3pZTla2_F9N8T-fIBBtVsSULI/w640-h426/20221028-AK1I2031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4280x-kTcSx0KPoxfHkIQ2BKi2SRFIlLk0hF8UEMPeKiC7ClNZkqW6jGzpmsFlf2fXlp83uipY2wvBWV3OQsmQIOoMS72nqN3SmHqb_PwQIbNuSDNq5eNTTIfUSe_qD6taPvlr3sSk3suu2jaUIwX16shqHn8zdP6bGhbG5a9yl9-miTWUIhJlHc/s2506/20221028-AK1I2039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1671" data-original-width="2506" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4280x-kTcSx0KPoxfHkIQ2BKi2SRFIlLk0hF8UEMPeKiC7ClNZkqW6jGzpmsFlf2fXlp83uipY2wvBWV3OQsmQIOoMS72nqN3SmHqb_PwQIbNuSDNq5eNTTIfUSe_qD6taPvlr3sSk3suu2jaUIwX16shqHn8zdP6bGhbG5a9yl9-miTWUIhJlHc/w640-h426/20221028-AK1I2039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAd-t8jHBmZImuT2mqtkf-XEfyd4lWEJGZRY6SD9pbvsuTTlVZ_eOiL9AtkG0xUWaJG8BebDwiwFY1MjyhcC-5Qca0sn49jIIRPjA1U0bvvg8XQ1YVrng7_sV_BQyeHNXA1Z_NipqSwzWDoT97G7F0ehmNC7sMHaCU-x8E-L1MRGAKlSMVaFPk9k/s2427/20221028-AK1I2061.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="2427" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAd-t8jHBmZImuT2mqtkf-XEfyd4lWEJGZRY6SD9pbvsuTTlVZ_eOiL9AtkG0xUWaJG8BebDwiwFY1MjyhcC-5Qca0sn49jIIRPjA1U0bvvg8XQ1YVrng7_sV_BQyeHNXA1Z_NipqSwzWDoT97G7F0ehmNC7sMHaCU-x8E-L1MRGAKlSMVaFPk9k/w640-h426/20221028-AK1I2061.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGpbtGjO1JdxMPA1DPeJlh9MU7iSqUbkkGTfi_6FvEo-utXs3AnQYAjSNSvAUk6T7JFJ9GrtPRuohkUYnqXAAIoLMMpH2qYD2iv29yyj7dzw5fiA3PYhArU-tmdWAOHsVw5ORjTiMwQbXy9nlN6P46igfJtx-Oku7Raypw7MstpX-7gW8CcQIFdk/s2412/20221028-AK1I2229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="2412" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGpbtGjO1JdxMPA1DPeJlh9MU7iSqUbkkGTfi_6FvEo-utXs3AnQYAjSNSvAUk6T7JFJ9GrtPRuohkUYnqXAAIoLMMpH2qYD2iv29yyj7dzw5fiA3PYhArU-tmdWAOHsVw5ORjTiMwQbXy9nlN6P46igfJtx-Oku7Raypw7MstpX-7gW8CcQIFdk/w640-h426/20221028-AK1I2229.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrnDOFQFrmVX9ffTeUKtfx7obRXPhwKwhjvM-rBCS6S0bGgr9KZa-55_wDYz0qEFK6AiiB9Ml5ksU82FmSrvqZtJ-p9xu_Sa_0KeKRU-pSwTpd_WLMvyY_9IZJBD8a1JZ7dlShzswYnLBNDIU_fQrH5sBwmR2VDN7qFxnhSYcxErT_04GJx1RXDo/s2265/20221028-AK1I2252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="2265" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrnDOFQFrmVX9ffTeUKtfx7obRXPhwKwhjvM-rBCS6S0bGgr9KZa-55_wDYz0qEFK6AiiB9Ml5ksU82FmSrvqZtJ-p9xu_Sa_0KeKRU-pSwTpd_WLMvyY_9IZJBD8a1JZ7dlShzswYnLBNDIU_fQrH5sBwmR2VDN7qFxnhSYcxErT_04GJx1RXDo/w640-h426/20221028-AK1I2252.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p></div></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-39098598721181741392022-11-13T14:41:00.009-08:002022-11-14T10:22:38.136-08:00Watch and Wonder<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql4lrNyugaByLd7_FQNZ8Lc0mnvNJEQK9qS_mXhQYuadKOC2BAm-39XntwVF9dc9M37dkscTk4uEM9fBtHMe_BaVif2x5hdQ6-ypf00VnNVE9S0RaL6S-todrBz_zBzale4j7ybTlv2N5hcVDnlFWYeuhOjHuNTivza7K_uFykKZFhNm6czRvG5w/s2691/20221109-AK1I3071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2044" data-original-width="2691" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql4lrNyugaByLd7_FQNZ8Lc0mnvNJEQK9qS_mXhQYuadKOC2BAm-39XntwVF9dc9M37dkscTk4uEM9fBtHMe_BaVif2x5hdQ6-ypf00VnNVE9S0RaL6S-todrBz_zBzale4j7ybTlv2N5hcVDnlFWYeuhOjHuNTivza7K_uFykKZFhNm6czRvG5w/w640-h486/20221109-AK1I3071.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Good News! Eva and Albert are nest building! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The September 2022 post, entitled, <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2022/09/up-in-air.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Up in the Air</span>,</a> documented how their nest suddenly fell. Their rebuilding effort seems a bit earlier than expected and it involves a surprising twist. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Eva's obvious need for a nest normally happens near the end of March, when she lays her eggs. In previous years, when their neighbor's nests have fallen, i.e. Monty and Marsha near Montlake Cut, that pair usually began<i> </i>rebuilding in late November.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEudYWFmfvQkLEiP41WLRvmp3nXkeVkIASv_u89u6XCqaCq-GizAyH3DtqaJDUAHywsMtFQDJdj4sXTkgiH5nyvmjaSdP72J2ddsvLxaHvJWWHEvcwz0As7PlhIPuUgRKjHsixAN6QLDDIBzVDpfaYsFaPZKgwO4bWcTxCohrM0dp3S7VnouNQVTM/s5472/20221109-AK1I3100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEudYWFmfvQkLEiP41WLRvmp3nXkeVkIASv_u89u6XCqaCq-GizAyH3DtqaJDUAHywsMtFQDJdj4sXTkgiH5nyvmjaSdP72J2ddsvLxaHvJWWHEvcwz0As7PlhIPuUgRKjHsixAN6QLDDIBzVDpfaYsFaPZKgwO4bWcTxCohrM0dp3S7VnouNQVTM/w603-h906/20221109-AK1I3100.jpg" width="603" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Eva and Albert are not procrastinating. Their early effort may be an indication of their territorial devotion, i.e. site fidelity, and their appreciation for this unique tree. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The tree is surprisingly remote from noise and traffic. It sits peacefully in the calm green expanse that is the Broadmoor Golf Course. The tree is also far taller than any nearby trees which enables the eagles to watch for approaching danger. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The nest tree can be seen from a great distance. Even though it is on the south side of Union Bay, it can be seen from the Union Bay Natural Area (UBNA) on the north side. Binoculars or a scope are helpful. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To spot it, from UBNA, look due south and then follow the horizon to your left. If you get to Mt. Rainier you have gone too far. The tree is approximately 10 degrees east of south, depending on where you are standing. It is the only mostly naked tree standing taller than all the others with a fringe of green on top. See the photo below.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaAw8BmqRjxGlTzkCI-bIsz7H35CgKqAYMR-WFgyvTbqX1lXo0YqwDhdWS_4tTlAtOaabCC_IZdwaAfmGCH2mq_hpBeEl9AWDvL-TLwM4FibIdCA1RJ8iAR8_-e0UbrHFHrtKlOjycXRj1krsCmP99u0rJanXvilDA_F2aJtvra-EDEFwoFiu7tQ/s4259/20210428-AK1I4701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4259" data-original-width="2839" height="881" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaAw8BmqRjxGlTzkCI-bIsz7H35CgKqAYMR-WFgyvTbqX1lXo0YqwDhdWS_4tTlAtOaabCC_IZdwaAfmGCH2mq_hpBeEl9AWDvL-TLwM4FibIdCA1RJ8iAR8_-e0UbrHFHrtKlOjycXRj1krsCmP99u0rJanXvilDA_F2aJtvra-EDEFwoFiu7tQ/w586-h881/20210428-AK1I4701.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This photo, from last year, shows their prior nest while it was still intact. It also gives you a great idea of what this tree looks like from a distance. In this case, the photo was taken from Foster Island. Notice how bare and empty the tree is between the nest and the upper fringe.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From what I have seen, Eva and Albert's offspring often pull off the green foliage during what may be an experimentation phase, while they are branching, i.e. just before learning to fly. The young remind me of toddlers who experiment by putting everything they can find in their mouths.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfCwn5A-wxDS_7a7NvrtU3oX5AYX7fRNeoVlJHc5kVsaRMe7_jBLxyagcs2t2EV5gYIKElWfJ2vCSLjy68rB301htzHQmrB_RigcXCsom4LeyEoEdlfAX2fYuq3ZI175-vAh8QIbX_ePWaD-RXrJG-CKq4tfGOf9R6dmPQ3Sd_1OD-T29GkIpLZ8/s3360/20220315-AK1I6195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3360" data-original-width="2240" height="898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfCwn5A-wxDS_7a7NvrtU3oX5AYX7fRNeoVlJHc5kVsaRMe7_jBLxyagcs2t2EV5gYIKElWfJ2vCSLjy68rB301htzHQmrB_RigcXCsom4LeyEoEdlfAX2fYuq3ZI175-vAh8QIbX_ePWaD-RXrJG-CKq4tfGOf9R6dmPQ3Sd_1OD-T29GkIpLZ8/w597-h898/20220315-AK1I6195.jpg" width="597" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">By mid-March of this year, Eva was just about ready to begin incubating eggs. You may also want to note the little blip of new green growth halfway between the nest and the upper fringe.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAncPF2_02DtBulWSjb6v1rqaTHr69jV5WUNgUmWSTYgobukY5-2bC4datMqLeoIMaPFI6w_bj3YZkRvR17GRu0zrLmWoXGIM4kty8323bA6qm_ovJu3R7qDBt-YDXTBTqcspLtW0tcpYUxc8L_tuhLf6aO39VLxv_L_zmyyyw6mA_U6Kyan_JZ0/s5472/20221109-AK1I3094.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAncPF2_02DtBulWSjb6v1rqaTHr69jV5WUNgUmWSTYgobukY5-2bC4datMqLeoIMaPFI6w_bj3YZkRvR17GRu0zrLmWoXGIM4kty8323bA6qm_ovJu3R7qDBt-YDXTBTqcspLtW0tcpYUxc8L_tuhLf6aO39VLxv_L_zmyyyw6mA_U6Kyan_JZ0/w640-h426/20221109-AK1I3094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This week, watching the pair bring sticks while building out a new nest, is a great relief. They do not appear to be relocating elsewhere. In this photo, we can see the new nest taking form in the crotch of the tree - the part that resembles an upturned hand. This is exactly where the old nest sat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxP7Ko86qSpQPZl9QOulPupueJNIwzz6Uc3Cgnl8Xpe9byfnHJ1ZV3Pin-nmPMmGs6h3WjfpPbbv6qpv5pa60urg1sdJsBbmtUfHOgQmaf17WfoPt-n81RRqgL4qC77GvtPI5-eSyOZA7jL4L3E8zWV9A-2gEXV3hkrTMUyuQ7qiE9rSrzMUy0A4/s2223/20221109-AK1I3094-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2223" data-original-width="1481" height="883" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxP7Ko86qSpQPZl9QOulPupueJNIwzz6Uc3Cgnl8Xpe9byfnHJ1ZV3Pin-nmPMmGs6h3WjfpPbbv6qpv5pa60urg1sdJsBbmtUfHOgQmaf17WfoPt-n81RRqgL4qC77GvtPI5-eSyOZA7jL4L3E8zWV9A-2gEXV3hkrTMUyuQ7qiE9rSrzMUy0A4/w588-h883/20221109-AK1I3094-2.jpg" width="588" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The new nest is in the upper part of the photos. The sticks sloughing off of the nest may be near misses in the current building process or remnants of the prior nest. Either way, the reflections of the new freshly broken sticks are obvious.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpwN1bsp7EvxvHnLXpD9rlBU0EI-RcLtNouDDkc-vmNrxzS1MfZWQJtE4hA-DKTVCzuQ21u4_MYxxrHHZ9IMPf9ktjo8plWTRzQAZKn3P3fVR9Jp9iPEPIl75g4cX0S2u8DAZvss45himYrk6jjNddObymoeCo6zMFghQsrTL_OaGEZbo65V1JNI/s5472/20221109-AK1I3095.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpwN1bsp7EvxvHnLXpD9rlBU0EI-RcLtNouDDkc-vmNrxzS1MfZWQJtE4hA-DKTVCzuQ21u4_MYxxrHHZ9IMPf9ktjo8plWTRzQAZKn3P3fVR9Jp9iPEPIl75g4cX0S2u8DAZvss45himYrk6jjNddObymoeCo6zMFghQsrTL_OaGEZbo65V1JNI/w640-h426/20221109-AK1I3095.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Already, the nest looks nearly big enough to incubate eggs, but maybe not quite large enough to raise next year's young. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The nest will get a lot of wear and tear before their 2023 young leave home. The young grow to the size of their parents in two to three months. Before fledging they spend a significant amount of time flapping their wings, lifting off the nest and landing over and over. Sometimes, they even develop a habit of returning to the nest to be fed after they have learned to fly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Adult Bald Eagles usually land with an experienced and gentle touch - similar to the way a paper airplane glides to a soft stop on a horizontal surface. However, the young are often not so graceful, which adds stress on the nest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By a year from now, next year's young will already be out on their own. Their primary focus will be searching for food for the first four or five years of their lives. After which they mature and take a mate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unlike our resident Union Bay Bald Eagles, most adults are migratory. Usually, they have breeding territories in the north and winter in the southern portion of North America. We happen to live at the southern end of a small coastal strip where relatively few Bald Eagles are lucky enough to have year-round residences. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To see how this plays out, check out this eBird-based, dynamic weekly abundance map for Bald Eagles:</div></div></span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/baleag/abundance-map-weekly?static=true&week=2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">C</span><span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">lick Here</span></span></a></span> then push the white triangle in the blue box on the right side to see their movement during the year.</span></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Did you notice the Nov</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ember blip in their migratory behavior? While most of their movement is along a north/south axis there is a November deviation when Bald Eagles suddenly congregate in southeast Alaska. The Bald Eagles arrive around Thanksgiving at the same time as the last annual run of salmon enter the Chilkat River near Haines, AK.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2016, some friends and I were lucky enough to visit and photograph their feeding behavior. To see the photos:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2016/12/chilkat-bald-eagle-preserve.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Click Here</span></a></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrQi2ROmfIDq6_E5UlblxqiSkMYrFoEDR0KlG6V0VsQtWEDs5u9HyDkShqP-_OIUYnvlidXLJEI73ZZBToB7PNuw-wy495F_O76QorJzGoC91apfpmKY52OQWlqtYYoCksYN8u73JaQGk-b-ixmAxXtfzgSOlAam8zt95qVyl9lP8KEgIuWRMm2E/s5472/20221109-AK1I3096.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrQi2ROmfIDq6_E5UlblxqiSkMYrFoEDR0KlG6V0VsQtWEDs5u9HyDkShqP-_OIUYnvlidXLJEI73ZZBToB7PNuw-wy495F_O76QorJzGoC91apfpmKY52OQWlqtYYoCksYN8u73JaQGk-b-ixmAxXtfzgSOlAam8zt95qVyl9lP8KEgIuWRMm2E/w640-h426/20221109-AK1I3096.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Given their exceptional eyesight, and how they alertly watch for distant feeding opportunities, it makes sense that adult Bald Eagles would prefer to build their nests without a lot of obstructing branches...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk_jTAONH_ZO47-4p3lJ3_zfA8j2TID1EVViCcdoSw5EU5gXaruknWy8JXMJjX4M_sDwyUTl5bqRb4WqmLv7Kf_PiHNlz-JDXieDeVhGo919Ira5vjyLm45Cx-XeSOlUp2Rr2x56Hw_7dfdrGj8QLbHoyoBOUcjVckEosUEkk4yu_Uo-okSf2WTs/s5472/20221109-AK1I3098.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk_jTAONH_ZO47-4p3lJ3_zfA8j2TID1EVViCcdoSw5EU5gXaruknWy8JXMJjX4M_sDwyUTl5bqRb4WqmLv7Kf_PiHNlz-JDXieDeVhGo919Ira5vjyLm45Cx-XeSOlUp2Rr2x56Hw_7dfdrGj8QLbHoyoBOUcjVckEosUEkk4yu_Uo-okSf2WTs/w640-h426/20221109-AK1I3098.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">...<span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">especially given the length of the sticks and the frequency of their restoration flights.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI2YTvYfmIwqrAHniZ_GdpnLZGnuCLwPzrP3whGEh6KQ4nsnBcnc6tlP0sOXWpJpnSKKwKM_T5gfmPt_nvSp0QmEPN4Yu7eyUv5oXe0rOORS58nFBX87LM3lWLt6T8roHNoamRmH3UGMh1fDCXJ_8JOxalVLdC7bb8PptWKDXMmcG3bf7YEkOIno/s2098/20221109-AK1I3083.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="2098" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI2YTvYfmIwqrAHniZ_GdpnLZGnuCLwPzrP3whGEh6KQ4nsnBcnc6tlP0sOXWpJpnSKKwKM_T5gfmPt_nvSp0QmEPN4Yu7eyUv5oXe0rOORS58nFBX87LM3lWLt6T8roHNoamRmH3UGMh1fDCXJ_8JOxalVLdC7bb8PptWKDXMmcG3bf7YEkOIno/w640-h426/20221109-AK1I3083.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">There is no question that the Broadmoor pair is rebuilding. However...</span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZePyX-fX3RQeAF_uWeGPEL-rTg7R4EiAXIaRw1o0vEaOOdhP69lJXVEQ38dvSXosjsYwl4v8-mSPsDHX0CKwMqtF3ni5Gtjmj04r19huaVk5rNl8WGi1xQ1t_rwrn5Z8zkqfU_nr5Xi7B2SoNt732vz9y_qcnmqwaECqpof8Npq58cLrPYMpWp0/s3860/20221109-AK1I3010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2573" data-original-width="3860" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZePyX-fX3RQeAF_uWeGPEL-rTg7R4EiAXIaRw1o0vEaOOdhP69lJXVEQ38dvSXosjsYwl4v8-mSPsDHX0CKwMqtF3ni5Gtjmj04r19huaVk5rNl8WGi1xQ1t_rwrn5Z8zkqfU_nr5Xi7B2SoNt732vz9y_qcnmqwaECqpof8Npq58cLrPYMpWp0/w640-h426/20221109-AK1I3010.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">...there seems to be some indecision about the optimal site.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig21NfV3hF69t3TT_nNwGeb6gv2I-4spW649xk9N7p-FBqL9PBP_7ik48rnz6DJ2ApelBXeSy7zS7cfEJOJXcp-Lm_Mv4AYiKP3_3cuwKxRUJqFTbsWBJcZDnrtZ38wPftTLhmuLIgBaLRkMpFhaUPkrWXPU5r1TlERSS8XQfe1MssV-2VcP1cyM0/s2555/20221109-AK1I3011-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1703" data-original-width="2555" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig21NfV3hF69t3TT_nNwGeb6gv2I-4spW649xk9N7p-FBqL9PBP_7ik48rnz6DJ2ApelBXeSy7zS7cfEJOJXcp-Lm_Mv4AYiKP3_3cuwKxRUJqFTbsWBJcZDnrtZ38wPftTLhmuLIgBaLRkMpFhaUPkrWXPU5r1TlERSS8XQfe1MssV-2VcP1cyM0/w640-h426/20221109-AK1I3011-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is that clump of foliage halfway above their original nest site.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This week they have been adding sticks to this site as well as to the nest below. When one returns with a stick the other often leaves to look for more.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Cbh5tf3KimzLNLCUFX7QU6Ojiul-shrVbKffaZeiqIk--0aAf2asZDKg_QNuGc9XAdh9LIcYU4TWwmiwM2otZ4HafZJsVqaxCb2UYD8huf2llzA3VCTU8cOeA-hDgqzz8UWo2WFbo-Wu9NNWl50BhCsh-S2Q60eFYxapr2NrTty6imQ4Pxn5wcI/s3648/20221109-AK1I3022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="909" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Cbh5tf3KimzLNLCUFX7QU6Ojiul-shrVbKffaZeiqIk--0aAf2asZDKg_QNuGc9XAdh9LIcYU4TWwmiwM2otZ4HafZJsVqaxCb2UYD8huf2llzA3VCTU8cOeA-hDgqzz8UWo2WFbo-Wu9NNWl50BhCsh-S2Q60eFYxapr2NrTty6imQ4Pxn5wcI/w605-h909/20221109-AK1I3022.jpg" width="605" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this case, Albert, I suspect, works on the lower site while Eva inspects from above.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My observations of Bald Eagles are primarily limited to the pairs within walking distance of Union Bay. This development of two sites in the same tree is surprising. Locally, I have never seen anything like it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One year, after their primary nest fell, Eva and Albert's neighbors, Monty and Marsha, did start a second site before abandoning it and focusing on building in their usual tree. However, this was in a different tree and it seemed like an obvious test of the alternative site.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In some areas, Bald Eagles are known to have multiple nest sites in the same territory. Apparently, the theory around second nests is, that the female chooses where she wants to lay her eggs and if the clutch from the previous year fails maybe that motivates her to move to an alternate location.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, building two nests at the same time in the same tree, just a few feet apart does not seem like significantly different options. Is the upper site truly a second nesting site or will it be a "crow's nest" where Albert can sit, watch, and defend the nest below? Could it be that after a decade of not needing to build a new nest they are simply experiencing a pent-up instinctual demand to build? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Either way, this couple seems to be demonstrating a unique shared behavior. (If this was normal then double-decker Bald Eagle nests would be common. A google search did not reveal any examples.) One thing is certain, this is an excellent opportunity to watch and wonder while we observe nature in action. </div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have a great day on Union Bay.<i>..where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sincerely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Larry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Going Native:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36LL0wVvwyo_3dDGw0MupqDfUfqlMaUm3axodlUDAPXtluaJCd19RsKNZ-wT618AA3FvmLPFNLuOhNHWLZrq_JGO06HIRYoNcBGj-LIfbSi4_pV9IArpOuCDduWaS5mrI-GFF54hSd9j4mU82r1rSIQqVpDe2NKlYYW09wN-bDNeij8iUtdBdUf4/s5472/20210428-AK1I4921.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36LL0wVvwyo_3dDGw0MupqDfUfqlMaUm3axodlUDAPXtluaJCd19RsKNZ-wT618AA3FvmLPFNLuOhNHWLZrq_JGO06HIRYoNcBGj-LIfbSi4_pV9IArpOuCDduWaS5mrI-GFF54hSd9j4mU82r1rSIQqVpDe2NKlYYW09wN-bDNeij8iUtdBdUf4/w426-h640/20210428-AK1I4921.jpg" width="426" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What type of tree is this? Is it native to our area?</span></div><br /><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/horse-chestnut" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Horse Chestnut</b></span></a> - <i>Aesculus hippocastanum</i>: These European trees are not native to our area. They are also not edible. The National Institutes of Health website says, "The raw seeds, bark, flowers, and leaves of horse chestnut are unsafe because they contain a toxic component." (<a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/horse-chestnut" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Click Here</span></a> to read it for yourself.) It is also on the <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/laws/list.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">King County Noxious Weed List</span></a> along with non-native bindweed, creeping yellow buttercup, and English holly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last month, someone asked me, "What eats horse chestnuts?" so I started watching. I have not found anything eating them. I did spot one person collecting them. I asked what he intended to do with them. He said, "Take them down to the lake and practice my golf swing." At the time, that sounded humorous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, after learning they are toxic, and testing to find out that the nuts float, I realized knocking them into the lake would probably cause them to invade additional sites where they are likely to outcompete native vegetation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For example, they grow to a similar size and structure as Big Leaf Maple (BLM) trees. However, BLMs are a keystone species with numerous benefits for our native ecology including attracting native butterflies and moths and providing sites for their caterpillars to winter over and grow. Caterpillars are especially nutritious and beneficial for young birds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cannot think of any reason why we should allow Horse Chestnut trees in our yards. We can do better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry,</i><i> </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for your patience and interest!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bottom Line:</b> </span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-50517129052573760202022-10-23T14:10:00.007-07:002022-10-28T10:46:58.949-07:00Talaris - Eagles<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolYXpFrJJg83if98yBxPYIjIKAh3APQfCtOw2nZPCjjmM4Tn5JKZPte1q9CnYEPE8QxjuW_dPi5a70oq7spZexFrhFROBMhTnsg89XoGqg3WjaTGZVT7YXODvxEOMdmEV1ZAlqYalL3jEBW1N95uLv29t_ZO9tjLO-OC6ajBUG7kbKDOEcOVLJAQ/s2057/20190205-EB2R1567.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="2057" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolYXpFrJJg83if98yBxPYIjIKAh3APQfCtOw2nZPCjjmM4Tn5JKZPte1q9CnYEPE8QxjuW_dPi5a70oq7spZexFrhFROBMhTnsg89XoGqg3WjaTGZVT7YXODvxEOMdmEV1ZAlqYalL3jEBW1N95uLv29t_ZO9tjLO-OC6ajBUG7kbKDOEcOVLJAQ/w640-h426/20190205-EB2R1567.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Talaris property </span><span style="font-family: arial;">at 4000 N.E 41st Street, Seattle, WA has been the nest site for a pair of Bald Eagles for more than a decade. I have taken to calling them Talia and Russ because these names, when said in that order, sound similar to Talaris. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon4UrVgL32oHEApRyqVrS4Yrec46AysBHK2ylft6WjKE_HULWf7_eskm2-19qSG4a7TtSjo-jPXwIouFlw1npb-gT0dCCM8GYQCJ8D-5qv2AQv5LXoYjlJi4O2vOOa5JI_afda81wKYWA6b-HBfNjSMALGJcyzmpuLSra4gIUHk8cxdz-f5ISXQQ/s4659/20221022-AK1I1683.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2409" data-original-width="4659" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon4UrVgL32oHEApRyqVrS4Yrec46AysBHK2ylft6WjKE_HULWf7_eskm2-19qSG4a7TtSjo-jPXwIouFlw1npb-gT0dCCM8GYQCJ8D-5qv2AQv5LXoYjlJi4O2vOOa5JI_afda81wKYWA6b-HBfNjSMALGJcyzmpuLSra4gIUHk8cxdz-f5ISXQQ/w640-h330/20221022-AK1I1683.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The following sign, facing NE 41st St, informs those who pass by that the property is soon to be subdivided and developed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next photo shows the representation of the plan as displayed on the sign. It clearly says the plan may vary. However, nothing I have come across, so far, indicates major changes to the plan. (Note: This is a quick post due to time constraints as mentioned below.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CT3hzjyyZ9xtKMPxcC8FxXK-OMHENAddXbH219r-soTNXdoH9tgEOpyFUhmP0rNwUl3gr8kFVuHvS2V-mTcknF_eOEcIUba7sMgeKgJgwgHnAYuNE1uHb0ZlVK6XfHb5aY8c6XAJc_1VfXeoc09YlWNAXh-Ba1MTCXfPVMHieiTeAQwXLHsFzDI/s3947/20221022-AK1I1684.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="3947" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CT3hzjyyZ9xtKMPxcC8FxXK-OMHENAddXbH219r-soTNXdoH9tgEOpyFUhmP0rNwUl3gr8kFVuHvS2V-mTcknF_eOEcIUba7sMgeKgJgwgHnAYuNE1uHb0ZlVK6XfHb5aY8c6XAJc_1VfXeoc09YlWNAXh-Ba1MTCXfPVMHieiTeAQwXLHsFzDI/w640-h562/20221022-AK1I1684.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Bald Eagle's nest is located in the southwest portion of the property - approximately halfway between the houses numbered 31 and 30. (Specifically, the nest is in the clump of Cottonwood trees immediately above the final "n" in the word "<i>Representation" </i>in the artwork.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1tzJDAUJj8o5qt7Z_05ClLgZ4eVrbGQKfNu6hH6JsUS78jRhBx7rv854WKxguk8-FEVdTavpSxIoDr5Ng5TNya2RU_9XDfALv9kKTVMaXnS_0UWeJ1fHq2YH7Z56FsGxClJxgAtkAji6PC_mN-OI06rU7pfvzii66QkDdCE2sjqASPnFWPsTaUI/s796/20221022-Untitled.001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="796" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1tzJDAUJj8o5qt7Z_05ClLgZ4eVrbGQKfNu6hH6JsUS78jRhBx7rv854WKxguk8-FEVdTavpSxIoDr5Ng5TNya2RU_9XDfALv9kKTVMaXnS_0UWeJ1fHq2YH7Z56FsGxClJxgAtkAji6PC_mN-OI06rU7pfvzii66QkDdCE2sjqASPnFWPsTaUI/w640-h484/20221022-Untitled.001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo is from the June 16th, 2022, Preliminary Arborist Report. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On page two of the report it states 226 trees to be removed, i.e. 52% of the 436 trees on the property. (The removal of so many trees is counter to our citizen's best interest and desires. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-voters-back-stronger-tree-protections-in-recent-poll-7adf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Click Here</span></a> for proof) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The red circles, in the photo above, indicate failing or dead trees and the blue circles indicate trees in poor condition. The location of houses (in the prior artwork) to the poor quality trees does not appear to be coincidental. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Although, as you will see a poor quality tree, from a human perspective, may actually be a very high quality tree from nature's point of view. Today, I am focusing on the Cottonwoods in the lower left, that surround the Bald Eagle nest.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZKBo1YhwHqQ9fweHBOiC2yiQhDfUlUCj_6plF0oEbN-kCM_rx6UDhywfD-IWkfk9Il_HDVIiRpMg-kCN-NiCXh1BrFQt6NwqltI97-k8CyyZ7QZp3I3swEWOQZfbqBU40xoGzEzP0e-Ka5YsJmjwGxtG4dFrkZGs_E2Ev5dBvmRacM5CCB_dh7I/s3240/20171212-EB2R6547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZKBo1YhwHqQ9fweHBOiC2yiQhDfUlUCj_6plF0oEbN-kCM_rx6UDhywfD-IWkfk9Il_HDVIiRpMg-kCN-NiCXh1BrFQt6NwqltI97-k8CyyZ7QZp3I3swEWOQZfbqBU40xoGzEzP0e-Ka5YsJmjwGxtG4dFrkZGs_E2Ev5dBvmRacM5CCB_dh7I/w640-h426/20171212-EB2R6547.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cottonwood branches are easy to break even when the tree is alive. In fact, all but one of the many dozens of branches I have seen Bald Eagles collect for their nests have been cottonwood branches. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFI__Ya8F7RAhn0Jdmt5gOme80ZDOBelQ9CyaCdUqntp-J8MBqP2YMxnbKfGQUNSir1rkJLnA1rAoYNZz6oTZe5AaRId4S5ErifMpRY45vTFOIY-pUS7Olj757d3GkDgR0EBxNNnF5-bRUuf_L2eYvWb7xU6cNVuZAz8egwDOAsZV_8GejNdsjTY/s3684/20181120-EB2R7832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2456" data-original-width="3684" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFI__Ya8F7RAhn0Jdmt5gOme80ZDOBelQ9CyaCdUqntp-J8MBqP2YMxnbKfGQUNSir1rkJLnA1rAoYNZz6oTZe5AaRId4S5ErifMpRY45vTFOIY-pUS7Olj757d3GkDgR0EBxNNnF5-bRUuf_L2eYvWb7xU6cNVuZAz8egwDOAsZV_8GejNdsjTY/w640-h426/20181120-EB2R7832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Generally, the eagles focus on breaking off smaller live branches near the tops of the trees. I do not believe it is simply an issue of easy access as I have seen Bald Eagles breaking off cottonwood branches quite some distance from their nests. I believe their primary motivation is the ease with with the branches break.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYz-qSOePqZPRARdpGGXoV44B1sT6T1pWCoHjQ65XsPXY0QhZJdRbY1Zhk_nRJsIOozrD7jIsGUKTYL5vHJ6Ms9i7CCuIekKscul7PaZ-r_1tNDwcEB0WELF7BYIdRCFtF_y_JutWpIo5Nj95FtSpqdw82wjuKh1EYclbQTl2QMZFWquc0EU_iV0Q/s5184/20171212-EB2R6658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYz-qSOePqZPRARdpGGXoV44B1sT6T1pWCoHjQ65XsPXY0QhZJdRbY1Zhk_nRJsIOozrD7jIsGUKTYL5vHJ6Ms9i7CCuIekKscul7PaZ-r_1tNDwcEB0WELF7BYIdRCFtF_y_JutWpIo5Nj95FtSpqdw82wjuKh1EYclbQTl2QMZFWquc0EU_iV0Q/w640-h426/20171212-EB2R6658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Similarly, the majority of Western Washington Bald Eagle nests I have seen have been built in cottonwood trees. The trees tend to branch out near the top third of the trunk creating ideal nest sites. However, this also contributes to the trees more top heavy than many other tall local trees.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is also important to note that, Populus trees (which include Cottonwoods) are one of the top four genera of trees that support caterpillars in our area. (<a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.ashx?la=en&hash=42F2C85CBCF89CDBD91BBA6DC872EEA25482186E" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Click Here</span></a> to read more about their value.) This makes cottonwoods a keystone species. In other words, the caterpillars that the trees support may be the most important early food source, for the majority of all birds that nest and raise young in the city. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Update: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After writing this post I remembered hearing about how bees utilize cottonwoods trees. A search led me to this interesting website which mentions benefits for bees <i>and humans</i>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://barbolian.com/in-the-gardens/cottonwood/" target="_blank">http://barbolian.com/in-the-gardens/cottonwood/</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nature is amazing!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjH6tOuqeXRT-ECbpE6jdcaSEPBcNQ_uIq-S7hNAdtdhUDUhaqOPFPkq7lT5R9jQePb6EgziLHTxNN5xZtH7EQC6hjFf4dK4iQgjny3OK1C0--x5zdaKKla6bHDOhYZ9GvL9augytnbW8df8t7PKZ50UGJp1ThlwMiuLM3kGQhabwpTytxxXvG2I/s1879/20180315-EB2R0835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1879" data-original-width="1253" height="897" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjH6tOuqeXRT-ECbpE6jdcaSEPBcNQ_uIq-S7hNAdtdhUDUhaqOPFPkq7lT5R9jQePb6EgziLHTxNN5xZtH7EQC6hjFf4dK4iQgjny3OK1C0--x5zdaKKla6bHDOhYZ9GvL9augytnbW8df8t7PKZ50UGJp1ThlwMiuLM3kGQhabwpTytxxXvG2I/w597-h897/20180315-EB2R0835.jpg" width="597" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, dead cottonwood trees are highly attractive as potential nest sites. If a woodpecker, like a Northern Flicker makes its nest in a Cottonwood snag the next year many different creatures may reuse the nest (although not at the same time). Squirrels and Wood Ducks are great examples. I have even seen a Pileated Woodpecker open up an old Northern Flicker nest, in a Cottonwood, to create a place to sleep during cold weather.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3VsAnKbnFdENgHgPY-XEDSvc2VnGEH_Wn83GzUio7-iARbcKgChcUracXMMIt7fBDtE94TmnuawY8qaBrvF--xCAeFIGCXlOQOFGls2MT7RfsZd9mCII4n88W0Vk1ZqlC2z15PgJ_QTDhQtz3Dm3fo_7y3f0D441O04tdx3giwcVxjnv_CIbUYA/s5184/20140518-EB2R0962.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3VsAnKbnFdENgHgPY-XEDSvc2VnGEH_Wn83GzUio7-iARbcKgChcUracXMMIt7fBDtE94TmnuawY8qaBrvF--xCAeFIGCXlOQOFGls2MT7RfsZd9mCII4n88W0Vk1ZqlC2z15PgJ_QTDhQtz3Dm3fo_7y3f0D441O04tdx3giwcVxjnv_CIbUYA/w640-h426/20140518-EB2R0962.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I agree, that Cottonwoods are not great trees to have near your house. From what I have seen around Foster Inland if a cottonwood tree dies, especially if it is girdled by a beaver, the whole tree is likely to fall within a few years. The logs along the far shore are most probably dead cottonwoods.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With all this in mind my suggestion would be to situation new housing in the Talaris property almost any where but the southwest corner - where the Cottonwood grove and the Bald Eagle nest are located. This would be better for the Bald Eagles, Northern Flickers, many secondary nesting creatures, and via supporting caterpillars, virtually all nesting birds in the area. (This last piece of logic would also put a premium on saving the trees in the genus Quercus, Prunus & Betula as they are also extremely supportive for caterpillars.) Plus, this would be the safest approach for the future residents of the property, not to mention being highly beneficial in terms of access to nature. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The current approach seems to be unaware or unconcerned with these possibilities. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the publicly accessible information on the project, that I found, it barely mentions saving a few of the Cottonwoods. Plus, it seems mostly concerned with the risk associated with disturbing the Bald Eagles. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It assumes the nesting Bald Eagles are habituated to the noise of traffic on NE 41st St. and so unlikely to take issue with activities beyond 120 feet. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Specifically, the Ecology Report, dated August, 9th, 2018, in Appendix C - "Management Recommendations for Bald Eagle Nest" states,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: arial;"><br /></i></div></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: arial;">"In conclusion, the subject Bald Eagle nest is unlikely to be impacted by project activities outside a 120-foot distance buffer as long as the landscape buffer (trees) within this area and the on-site wetland is maintained. However, to satisfy the City of Seattle and shield the applicant, obtaining an Eagle Incident Take permit is highly recommended. No other mitigation, site development alternatives, or ongoing management practices should be necessary."</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In fact, the permit mentioned implies that if the nesting Bald Eagles are disturbed no one has to be concerned or take responsibility. In my opinion, this is not a logical approach. Living in harmony with nature is a responsibility we must all share whether we are developers, neighbors or more remote citizens of Seattle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As a citizen of Seattle, I believe my (and our) only option left is to state our preferences. The o</span><span style="font-family: arial;">nline link where we can file public comments regarding this project will only accept input until: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>October 26th, 2022.</b></i> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Please let the City know what you think. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Record Number is : 3030811-LU</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">********</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Update, 10-28-2022: </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This link appears to <i>still be working </i>for making comments:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://tinyurl.com/7w5ky9zv" style="font-family: Helvetica;">https://tinyurl.com/7w5ky9zv</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and it also works to view previous comments. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">View them</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> for additional </span><span style="font-family: arial;">inspiration, as needed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">********</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Disregard, 10-28-2022</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I am suggesting we disregard these next three links, but leaving them here just in case the new link stops working. The system seems to be unreliable.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://gwiz.grayquarter.com/deploy/tree.php?z=embed&tree_id=334000705&variables=projectNumber&values=3030811-LU&session_id=1558d8796cf7489b9aa51965d8a7d841" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here To Make a Comment</span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(For some unknown reason the link above seems to have stopped functioning properly. The alternative I have found is a bit more cumbersome but seems to work. Use the following link::</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.Seattle.gov/project/comment" target="_blank">www.Seattle.gov/project/comment</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Change the search by to Record Number enter the number, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">3030811-LU, and proceed.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://web6.seattle.gov/dpd/edms/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: arial;">Click Here </span><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: arial;">To See All Comments</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(This link also seems to have stopped functioning.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">********</div><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Unfortunately, the signage on the property has not been properly updated to show the October 26th extension of the public comment period. Perhaps another extension would be in order.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Going Native:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. (Due to time constraints this is the following is the same photo from last week. Although, it might be interesting to see if you remember the plant.)</div><div><br /></div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiQidD9E11gz_f14iFTKhie7ir_icVzifLUkfIX2UbQIiCjI5WxD0D24_h_AG1ZPzurwf4Kn0ZTliWUWZDb7FJPZvsRgC1Sud4S0_D464syeWn2zsbVaOx4HaVBqyRnyQyPBLXE8QGLfZaA3xhUt_93KWS9iMwP7647TTacUkjvot9HNou0TdQF0/s2017/20200608-AK1I1538-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="2017" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiQidD9E11gz_f14iFTKhie7ir_icVzifLUkfIX2UbQIiCjI5WxD0D24_h_AG1ZPzurwf4Kn0ZTliWUWZDb7FJPZvsRgC1Sud4S0_D464syeWn2zsbVaOx4HaVBqyRnyQyPBLXE8QGLfZaA3xhUt_93KWS9iMwP7647TTacUkjvot9HNou0TdQF0/w640-h448/20200608-AK1I1538-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What plant is this? Is it native to our area?</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWUxIvifrFyeCuZ4QRhYwdeYkhu_xSZh3R9EXqPvHqgul9Wz2tfjnwi2GxPs5zts1aZaBwXVyseii0kMOjFZ6e8xp-fK3-UBDnYs8C6uzSZenYLAvKsQnxEJagNpMwx6veBPUG-Vr5BC6eKi_hhJmUhG3qJPiZPfdx6fDrjC1wP0lAiDzCMnRc-E/s1629/20200608-AK1I1538.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="1629" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWUxIvifrFyeCuZ4QRhYwdeYkhu_xSZh3R9EXqPvHqgul9Wz2tfjnwi2GxPs5zts1aZaBwXVyseii0kMOjFZ6e8xp-fK3-UBDnYs8C6uzSZenYLAvKsQnxEJagNpMwx6veBPUG-Vr5BC6eKi_hhJmUhG3qJPiZPfdx6fDrjC1wP0lAiDzCMnRc-E/w640-h557/20200608-AK1I1538.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://nativeplantspnw.com/black-twinberry-lonicera-involucrata/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Black Twin Berry</span></a>: The same native plant mentioned at the beginning of (last week's) post. The flowers were hidden in the previous version of the photo but are shown now so you can see both the flower and the fruit, along with the leaves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry, </i><i>I want to see more of nature. </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for your patience and interest!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bottom Line:</b> </span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-33101559582832572972022-10-16T11:42:00.013-07:002022-10-17T11:58:50.116-07:00Hummingbird Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="2241" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRZY9W0RXjFBCmu5vMCEn6lLsVq63JFVvxbo7KRB13CTi87yGT2nat6x-okw5zko35GDCILIUGowh7k7wWe1xErHSA_3ALd1SopTXIh32clC-fNnLf7T4qWo-MrqjZrbyrgDm3UymllYhcaUN6Ts62kUqkINj-GY3rjiUQiZHwLuhT8UKht1E9JU/w271-h270/20200608-AK1I1527.jpg" width="271" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLASfUI15T1GTb8BSSYFxzzC4DSCXr3CYpS9_r0E1o3FZTl61lm580Yr_pSyxTyHsJSm_oANqYBXAoxQ9MgQXSKatOKXEXaAB54O8i4bataYVJwrWGkYJw_RGgv09IzXI_xyZoArq4VdpFyKKsFt2y7zBFfe5PHxHbDQNBTcNd6Izxea_ycDr-2uY/s1312/20220511-AK1I0235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1312" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLASfUI15T1GTb8BSSYFxzzC4DSCXr3CYpS9_r0E1o3FZTl61lm580Yr_pSyxTyHsJSm_oANqYBXAoxQ9MgQXSKatOKXEXaAB54O8i4bataYVJwrWGkYJw_RGgv09IzXI_xyZoArq4VdpFyKKsFt2y7zBFfe5PHxHbDQNBTcNd6Izxea_ycDr-2uY/w271-h270/20220511-AK1I0235.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Both of these Hummingbirds are shown harvesting nectar from the flower of a native <a href="http://nativeplantspnw.com/black-twinberry-lonicera-involucrata/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffe599;">Black Twin Berry </span></a>located in <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Friends+of+Arboretum+Creek+-+Visioning+Site+-+beside+the+Loop+Trail/@47.6322602,-122.2950305,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x911dae60f6de5fb6!8m2!3d47.6332787!4d-122.2970581" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">the Arboretum Creek visioning site</span></a>, just south of Boyer St. In addition to their feeding behavior, these two Hummingbird species are also quite similar in size, speed, and shape. Nonetheless, if current trends continue, the future of each species will be quite different.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The bird on the left (or top) is a Rufous Hummingbird and the one on the right (or bottom) is an Anna's Hummingbird. The Rufous looks like a subadult male. This Anna's looks like a female. H</span><span style="font-family: arial;">owever, I am seldom 100% positive. Young male Anna's can look pretty similar to mature females. (Plus, in a Panamanian Hummingbird species researchers are even finding some adult females with plumages that resembles adult males. </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/26/female-hummingbirds-mimic-males-to-avoid-attacks-study-suggests" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> to read more.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">**************</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Update:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJN1s2KEbI2cz0NgYTS7Ick0t7cEzYP3JG5vt0eiV6R_bmrM6fdAdmm-IDPwdND9q3_GNe4iPhA2Yhl8P5bs2dRHqwXg4ASZDtSIzJWAR_TCVuifE5FO-FGJLTw_BhmjgTaGff3nzBS5N_teiFYI33RpjdHTR9arV15sDF8wTIrnvhMLo9RoJMQM/s1600/20220526_juan_004-Enhanced_good.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJN1s2KEbI2cz0NgYTS7Ick0t7cEzYP3JG5vt0eiV6R_bmrM6fdAdmm-IDPwdND9q3_GNe4iPhA2Yhl8P5bs2dRHqwXg4ASZDtSIzJWAR_TCVuifE5FO-FGJLTw_BhmjgTaGff3nzBS5N_teiFYI33RpjdHTR9arV15sDF8wTIrnvhMLo9RoJMQM/w640-h480/20220526_juan_004-Enhanced_good.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you to Gary Luhm for this perfect illustration of the concept! This is a female Anna's Hummingbird on her nest, but her extensive red & dark reflective feathering (on her forehead and far more than normal below her bill) resembles a male of her species more than a normal female. Compare her to the female in the next photo and the male in the set of two smaller photos later in the post.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://garyluhm.net" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Click Here</span></a> to see more of Gary Luhm's photos and work.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>************<br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_W795ASOjIImZMO3KvDxJGG0Q4lMmSYf7m5DUFYOgbOec4TiwXw-qjNVkT7cSVsVX5i7I4XB70NP2_ZzDs8eXBKasw_AtwvvsxThH6yWVHec9INHgVy9dwgPTDtzCQM09AifnH7Uzz_dFg_SZ4E9zJZzEzsCQfx0FSmaNmCP8yNhJkeHdFUtToA/s2171/20210319-AK1I5407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="2171" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_W795ASOjIImZMO3KvDxJGG0Q4lMmSYf7m5DUFYOgbOec4TiwXw-qjNVkT7cSVsVX5i7I4XB70NP2_ZzDs8eXBKasw_AtwvvsxThH6yWVHec9INHgVy9dwgPTDtzCQM09AifnH7Uzz_dFg_SZ4E9zJZzEzsCQfx0FSmaNmCP8yNhJkeHdFUtToA/w640-h426/20210319-AK1I5407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, in my experience, adult Anna's generally have reflective red feathers only on their throats. This female was gathering spider silk in the Arboretum. The spider webs are used to hold their nests together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxx4_JYp8SrjVgbluT3qanf0Dk9r0qoxoZ_KeeigzhKtbTfptrhBp4Dy0V4wX8wbbvURni7jvbGclxKSc09vZFfEaMcLNZ9Tuujz1GdUzH86dztRnfto4vITdR_L_GjekX7E_y6q2k2m3wNJfsbU35nCEq7hZmF0YOn_0IvfzpECP7OcKh6ectoo/s3911/20150513-EB2R9893.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2607" data-original-width="3911" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxx4_JYp8SrjVgbluT3qanf0Dk9r0qoxoZ_KeeigzhKtbTfptrhBp4Dy0V4wX8wbbvURni7jvbGclxKSc09vZFfEaMcLNZ9Tuujz1GdUzH86dztRnfto4vITdR_L_GjekX7E_y6q2k2m3wNJfsbU35nCEq7hZmF0YOn_0IvfzpECP7OcKh6ectoo/w640-h426/20150513-EB2R9893.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The females, typically, are the only ones to build nests, feed the young, and protect them.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQXxWsPFC8Hd_flYm3Q0WgQ1JTtUBdtUucowdwyMBV2PZ3o-JSH__2zta_ehvQ1Pl-8rScwuXxpSFL3WpNTz-_4PpJtjshTKQd7lbc-q4VZ_NFALo52UkQXfrgmDzei8uZlWCJjQqCK2x_oJh_APLSXw1ATsuPKefWTfv5DlzTtFvb9C58PlItqU/s752/20150419-EB2R3657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="752" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQXxWsPFC8Hd_flYm3Q0WgQ1JTtUBdtUucowdwyMBV2PZ3o-JSH__2zta_ehvQ1Pl-8rScwuXxpSFL3WpNTz-_4PpJtjshTKQd7lbc-q4VZ_NFALo52UkQXfrgmDzei8uZlWCJjQqCK2x_oJh_APLSXw1ATsuPKefWTfv5DlzTtFvb9C58PlItqU/w640-h426/20150419-EB2R3657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">According to All About Birds the nests of the Rufous Hummingbirds are about one-third larger, in diameter, than those of the Anna's Hummingbirds. In this case, it also looks deeper.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqDqjPC6YLxQ__rTVwbiMFUrvpwZ0nSXarrXNQn2FjLq8XplRsaiKxETWoGVC90a6ccajK05xlB3pcXD21V2oUMLg20stV8zZOcH9Jo6UOHVSfe_PcxzF7Rg3aUwXbCnYJZv8V6ZDgSOv9LIfpGCiwWEwAl56UhtI_-pxWXyUR_jUJ31Jz4qcARE/s1786/20180620-EB2R1971.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1786" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqDqjPC6YLxQ__rTVwbiMFUrvpwZ0nSXarrXNQn2FjLq8XplRsaiKxETWoGVC90a6ccajK05xlB3pcXD21V2oUMLg20stV8zZOcH9Jo6UOHVSfe_PcxzF7Rg3aUwXbCnYJZv8V6ZDgSOv9LIfpGCiwWEwAl56UhtI_-pxWXyUR_jUJ31Jz4qcARE/w640-h426/20180620-EB2R1971.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">Adult female Rufous Hummingbirds usually have a spot on their throats, somewhat similar to an adult female Anna's. </div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-92jrylsg1InvGk7s_MoNK1bxAwX_SHnWhNTObQqNGlj0JNocnKZYYVlKl5n5GoooVpQGyWEmgmQ35eIA-pTAAqOvSU0xr49dt3R0rhDQ2dlQaj_6Qn1zZ-V67-Su52XXLKcnkZct73rmwjtKO0drVOiK0SZKGOBYwwZckQqluysOKP9C0tdIEk/s2410/20161214-EB2R8329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2398" data-original-width="2410" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-92jrylsg1InvGk7s_MoNK1bxAwX_SHnWhNTObQqNGlj0JNocnKZYYVlKl5n5GoooVpQGyWEmgmQ35eIA-pTAAqOvSU0xr49dt3R0rhDQ2dlQaj_6Qn1zZ-V67-Su52XXLKcnkZct73rmwjtKO0drVOiK0SZKGOBYwwZckQqluysOKP9C0tdIEk/w289-h287/20161214-EB2R8329.jpg" width="289" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNbKW1YLtNZaEQpRZVQRvYjck8k0V-ZrJrL8e5fpmzOVncY4a0gSfZn57PHTQQ7lHNYK3X6I05pCFTBO3rn9pae9HVK8j_SxI25zHmirABXeyekvf4mAY2iZIR2L-ggYo0iJPuFxlK1rWfeZgcGAeKG8dzZmmtukZ388fqPEODp5dzU-mY7t5uqU/s2400/20161214-EB2R8332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2390" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNbKW1YLtNZaEQpRZVQRvYjck8k0V-ZrJrL8e5fpmzOVncY4a0gSfZn57PHTQQ7lHNYK3X6I05pCFTBO3rn9pae9HVK8j_SxI25zHmirABXeyekvf4mAY2iZIR2L-ggYo0iJPuFxlK1rWfeZgcGAeKG8dzZmmtukZ388fqPEODp5dzU-mY7t5uqU/w285-h286/20161214-EB2R8332.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adult male Anna's normally have reflective feathers covering their heads, like a hood. From most angles, the hoods are darkly colored. The bright reflective red is only visible when the sunlight hits at just the right angle. These two photos show the same bird. The only notable difference is the angle of his head and the resulting change in color.</span></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCZNrV6mJf4Az-Ubr4Bhssk2OsSdODfrtYm-MZEDlObEwE-Zc2EOEvkxLDRJ8hzr86KgzfPUSY5Z3PPGQFNf3CBgsXqqRdVFceZPyyNrJAFDZQUy5dMXiVb3eEfoxJdOS8suXhJeESDcAqAoh4QsOEr7cluzG1OPhLjAbtfFh3ZB2XI-mjl70o7U/s1732/20150621-EB2R7106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1732" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCZNrV6mJf4Az-Ubr4Bhssk2OsSdODfrtYm-MZEDlObEwE-Zc2EOEvkxLDRJ8hzr86KgzfPUSY5Z3PPGQFNf3CBgsXqqRdVFceZPyyNrJAFDZQUy5dMXiVb3eEfoxJdOS8suXhJeESDcAqAoh4QsOEr7cluzG1OPhLjAbtfFh3ZB2XI-mjl70o7U/w640-h426/20150621-EB2R7106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In Western Washington, when I see </span><span style="font-family: arial;">any </span><span style="font-family: arial;">orange on a Hummingbird, I generally assume it is a Rufous Hummingbird. (Allen's Hummingbirds are also orange but southwest Oregon is the northern limit of their normal range.) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Rufous Hummingbird's wingbeats are listed as 52 - 62 beats per second on the </span><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rufous_Hummingbird/overview" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">All About Birds</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">website.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><i style="font-family: arial;">This multiplies out to more than three and a half thousand wingbeats per minute!</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hWVOO3YBZE3kHjfXwbW5rTFBXQFqZe4EYqszuR5M6-zd-5ry6zL_ufkB2fVoTXmQHdmXQPV-OVz7dAiprOnlvujqGrSufUT_z9PbKo7Kli3imaxvogJV9XozHSyQYUfT8ZzO6O6GTVSkpG72w5JoyJ33eHA3eAsLHVjxF9Tjz0hZ64HeX2RX380/s2431/20161018-EB2R1159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1621" data-original-width="2431" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hWVOO3YBZE3kHjfXwbW5rTFBXQFqZe4EYqszuR5M6-zd-5ry6zL_ufkB2fVoTXmQHdmXQPV-OVz7dAiprOnlvujqGrSufUT_z9PbKo7Kli3imaxvogJV9XozHSyQYUfT8ZzO6O6GTVSkpG72w5JoyJ33eHA3eAsLHVjxF9Tjz0hZ64HeX2RX380/w640-h426/20161018-EB2R1159.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A male Anna's Hummingbird at a winter-blooming, non-native Mahonia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The wingbeats of Anna's Hummingbird's are slower - </span><a href="https://sfenvironment.org/article/annas-hummingbird" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">only 40 to 50 beats per second</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">. The slower pace seems logical since the Anna's wingspan is listed as being one centimeter longer i.e. 12 cm vs 11cm or 4.7 vs 4.3 inches. So, even though the two species are virtually identical in weight, if the Anna's gets a bit more lift with each wingbeat it should require less of them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Surprisingly, given all of their similarities, they do have significant differences.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPW7RE6pxhv1Kbf2xvKdnFh8MlQGrM085fD0P7v2zWTjEdTptf5HbRaZusVoZi4OpZoUrK17HE0xx81EXedivKwa9tBwxjUwiSjR9XfRy7FaOil-n7ybXjP3lFMhu6F8gFna1QyZXJ082S710Q8YYo10uTkbgJ-kO43g7aCfegqDPgqYskjyH2rc/s2117/20220511-AK1I0229.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="2117" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPW7RE6pxhv1Kbf2xvKdnFh8MlQGrM085fD0P7v2zWTjEdTptf5HbRaZusVoZi4OpZoUrK17HE0xx81EXedivKwa9tBwxjUwiSjR9XfRy7FaOil-n7ybXjP3lFMhu6F8gFna1QyZXJ082S710Q8YYo10uTkbgJ-kO43g7aCfegqDPgqYskjyH2rc/w640-h426/20220511-AK1I0229.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One example </span><span style="font-family: arial;">is their migratory behavior. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Check out this dynamic weekly abundance map for Anna's Hummingbirds:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/annhum/abundance-map-weekly?week=19" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">C</span></a><a href="https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/annhum/abundance-map-weekly?week=19" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">lick Here</span></a></span> then push the white triangle in the blue box on the right side to see how their sightings change during the year.</span></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Did you notice any significant migratory movement? I did not see much, maybe just the faintest hint. This is not a surprise. Locally, I have photographed Anna's Hummingbirds in every month of the year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Birds of the World makes two interesting statements concerning the Anna's migratory behavior. 1) "The nature of migration is unclear; different populations appear to behave differently..." 2) "...little is known about populations north of California." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTTN8F2qb1JQv2novpMbihGBCokOkFiQ6bvIuINczztVvoU581r-dilsSYO95EMV-SIbXc2J4RRDsV9ZxK67-6iSfeCX2K-xH-mxnrE0ikgBy8flXM7-zxsvFHjrQsd1j0LbcqovlsaMqj3HljrVWqECvESJcMISj0NpFuZG-Fbubv4T0gLdo96o/s3495/20160303-EB2R0274.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2330" data-original-width="3495" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTTN8F2qb1JQv2novpMbihGBCokOkFiQ6bvIuINczztVvoU581r-dilsSYO95EMV-SIbXc2J4RRDsV9ZxK67-6iSfeCX2K-xH-mxnrE0ikgBy8flXM7-zxsvFHjrQsd1j0LbcqovlsaMqj3HljrVWqECvESJcMISj0NpFuZG-Fbubv4T0gLdo96o/w640-h426/20160303-EB2R0274.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All About Birds states, <i>"The Anna's Hummingbird is the most common hummingbird on the West Coast of the U.S. and thrives along side human habitation. Its range has increased dramatically since the 1930's, when it was found only in California and Baja California. Thanks to widespread backyard feeders and introduce trees such as </i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>eucalyptus, it now occurs in healthy numbers all the way to Vancouver, Canada."</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpkvJ0lEx9Rs4uT2pAz3-TNq1M0WqzYiVAX2XavnT4zBcfO05xTwvButxViN9qXYSKME_A2YD0tMcnXhU3KQPSGxjL98jawszXt8V8HQABvKnrDZBHo4Z9pO7VCj8bDVa7bk6m8_P7FUXd5yG855fsmQYCFjuE1Rm99ZCGb8k3FnRpr5fOEWIXFo/s3265/20150513-EB2R9807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="3265" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpkvJ0lEx9Rs4uT2pAz3-TNq1M0WqzYiVAX2XavnT4zBcfO05xTwvButxViN9qXYSKME_A2YD0tMcnXhU3KQPSGxjL98jawszXt8V8HQABvKnrDZBHo4Z9pO7VCj8bDVa7bk6m8_P7FUXd5yG855fsmQYCFjuE1Rm99ZCGb8k3FnRpr5fOEWIXFo/w640-h426/20150513-EB2R9807.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For comparison, check out the migratory behavior evident in this dynamic weekly abundance map for the Rufous Hummingbirds:</span></div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/rufhum/abundance-map-weekly?week=49" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Click Here</span></a> then </span><span style="font-family: arial;">push the white triangle in the blue box on the right side.</span></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Their migration is obvious. Did you notice that </span><span style="font-family: arial;">when heading north they fly up the Pacific Coast, where the Anna's reside, but </span><span style="font-family: arial;">when flying south they move inland? Evidently, this migration choice optimizes the food available based on the time of year. I suspect they may have been flying this pathway for thousands of years, starting sometime after the last ice age.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the Conservation sections of All About Birds, the descriptions of their changing populations are starkly different. Anna's Hummingbirds have been <i>increasing,</i> by 2% per year, from 1966 to 2019. The Rufous Hummingbirds have been <i>decreasing</i>, by 2% per year, during the same time. The result is a 67% decrease in the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Rufous Hummingbird population. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">However, the estimated population size, for the Rufous Hummingbirds, is still 22 million. The growing Anna's population is only 9.6 million. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Still, if this trend continues in time the Rufous Hummingbirds will become very hard to find. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In Seattle, the Anna's already outnumber the Rufous Hummingbirds. While not a statistically valid experiment, since 2011,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> I have accumulated approximately 5,000 Anna's Hummingbird photos and about 50 Rufous Hummingbird photos, in Seattle. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ2i0np-hgDxvpfEG9VBpxFgwB0kYckhfXuRzAOKbt_yeIe8XgxuPd-lqX0BYdf0_YUd9MU-a5r4jwffGe0K1mEB0DU7h9UKVwaqORav7DNkuilgDQavy5XsMgwwZJ4NI8aI1gXWBnrq6xq90MMkutsPBBqIKRCnai7nctyp0gDRTUzkysVZh-KE/s2617/20200114-EB2R8195.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1745" data-original-width="2617" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ2i0np-hgDxvpfEG9VBpxFgwB0kYckhfXuRzAOKbt_yeIe8XgxuPd-lqX0BYdf0_YUd9MU-a5r4jwffGe0K1mEB0DU7h9UKVwaqORav7DNkuilgDQavy5XsMgwwZJ4NI8aI1gXWBnrq6xq90MMkutsPBBqIKRCnai7nctyp0gDRTUzkysVZh-KE/w640-h427/20200114-EB2R8195.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Minimal migrations allows the Anna's to focus on reproduction. Which they are doing. T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he All About Birds website says, the Anna's have 2-3 broods of young per year, while the Rufous Hummingbirds only have one. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some other factors that favor the Anna's, are non-native winter blooming plants that provide nectar for the Anna's, but have finished blooming by the time the Rufous Hummingbirds arrive. This advantage, combines with climate change, i.e. warmer winter weather, and the </span><a href="https://www.epa.gov/heatislands" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">heat-island</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> effect of our cities and suburbs, to reduce the Anna's need to migrate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, when we stop and think about the abundance maps, we realize that the Rufous Hummingbirds spend the majority of the year in places where the Anna's do not exist. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Plus, there are numerous other (non-hummingbird) bird species that are facing similar declines. </span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://gl.audubon.org/news/2022-us-state-birds-report-reveals-widespread-losses-birds-all-habitats—except-one#:~:text=Press%20Center-,2022%20U.S.%20State%20of%20the%20Birds%20Report%20Reveals%20Widespread%20Losses,saving%20birds%20and%20benefiting%20people." target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Click Here</span></a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> to read about the "State of the Birds" report. Essentially, it says that 70 species of North American birds are experiencing declines similar to the Rufous Hummingbirds. So, t</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he competition between the hummingbird species seems more like a symptom - rather than the cause of the Rufous Hummingbird's decline. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thinking of population made me wonder, How has our human population changed during the same time? <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographic_history_of_the_United_States" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Click Here</span></a> to see the growth of the United States population. Between 1960 and 2020, our U. S. population increased by more than 150 million people. In response, we have </span><span style="font-family: arial;">expand our highways, built new homes, commercial buildings, and factories, and nearly doubled our production of food. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It seems quite likely that the related</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> loss of native habitat</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> may have impacted all 70 of the bird species mentioned above. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Competing with humans creates a situation that birds are </span><span style="font-family: arial;">unlikely to win. Particularly, since we</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> are not likely to eat less, tear down our houses, or destroy our roads to restore native habitat.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, i</span><span style="font-family: arial;">n his book, "<a href="https://www.nsrwa.org/natures-best-hope-by-doug-tallamy/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Nature's Best Hope</span></a>", </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Douglas Tallamy proposes a viable and straightforward solution. His idea is a Homegrown National Park. He says, </span><i style="font-family: arial;">"Across the United State, millions of acres now covered in lawn can be quickly restored to viable habitat by untrained citizens with minimal expense..." </i><span style="font-family: arial;">He is proposing that we add native plants and trees in our own yards.</span><i style="font-family: arial;"> </i><span style="font-family: arial;">This type of change does not require vast sums of money, lengthy legislation, or specialized permits. It </span><span style="font-family: arial;">would quickly assist numerous species, not just the Rufous Hummingbirds. Plus, if we implement it all across the country it would be directly beneficial to migrating birds, butterflies, etc.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You might ask, What is the problem with lawns? In Seattle, lawns turn what was once a multi-dimensional layered forest, reaching hundreds of feet in height, into a 4-inch tall one-dimensional non-native plant that needs summer watering to stay green, stores minimal carbon, and supports very little life. Plus, when we mow our lawns the grass is not able to flower and produce seeds. So, even the limited benefit it could provide is reduced. Finally, after we mow our lawns we often allow the cuttings to be removed from our property, so the long-term level of nutrients in our yards is declining. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On a continuum, from asphalt to a flourishing ecosystem, lawns are closer to asphalt. The critical difference is they are much easier to restore!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzleZXBPvHHR4vB-ghBIlf5nB6eglhORBEJH7OiOeiRI_RGZNiuDbm9Y90j6CZMv0Cybi8zmliX0cXQlQVeJZEUCwAystwf95Q_pQy3FOxHbyrz9V2etBG1OCLdwX8N04y2ilD3RTANdDkoe1mektGkXEpZwU713vxxlInS9hGufx0ez30wjrrgag/s4399/20210403-AK1I7898.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="4399" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzleZXBPvHHR4vB-ghBIlf5nB6eglhORBEJH7OiOeiRI_RGZNiuDbm9Y90j6CZMv0Cybi8zmliX0cXQlQVeJZEUCwAystwf95Q_pQy3FOxHbyrz9V2etBG1OCLdwX8N04y2ilD3RTANdDkoe1mektGkXEpZwU713vxxlInS9hGufx0ez30wjrrgag/w640-h426/20210403-AK1I7898.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">An Anna's Hummingbird feeding on the flowers of a native Red Huckleberry.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Let's consider restoration. How might a backyard filled with native plantings help the Rufous Hummingbirds. First of all, native plants tend to naturally bloom at the time that native migratory birds and butterflies arrive. By having multiple levels of trees, bushes, shrubs, and ground cover we multiply the productivity of our yard. If all four (or more) levels produce flowers during the normal native growing season they might all provide food when the Rufous Hummingbirds are here to compete for it. Plus, a</span><span style="font-family: arial;">s the trees and bushes grow taller they will provide nesting habitat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRtayBtYLdfCmJ1ujmZTQ6VVzaCfN3SE9XZhNhL9Df9odKPwpIB1Qpax472Sihy38ZdeGuCjmYgQoJvD_JtyZsgzLe9NrVC-v7ZalbPPiUVHP_hZ5IM6hiEU-8oZJClSzCwDr4T3tp5j9sdzNpBQpIvm3_TKB0ht7ljO-wIDL0Fe66KHiZbMCTP4/s5472/20221013-AK1I1654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRtayBtYLdfCmJ1ujmZTQ6VVzaCfN3SE9XZhNhL9Df9odKPwpIB1Qpax472Sihy38ZdeGuCjmYgQoJvD_JtyZsgzLe9NrVC-v7ZalbPPiUVHP_hZ5IM6hiEU-8oZJClSzCwDr4T3tp5j9sdzNpBQpIvm3_TKB0ht7ljO-wIDL0Fe66KHiZbMCTP4/w640-h426/20221013-AK1I1654.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If we allow the moss and lichen to grow on the limbs of the trees they will provide nest-making materials for the hummingbirds. Also, if we allow spider webs to accumulate between the branches and among the plants then in the Spring the hummingbirds will use the spider silk to hold their nests together. If we allow the leaves, and dead branches, to fall among the plants and they will provide nesting habitat for insects, that provide particularly nutritious food for young hummingbirds, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">and the decomposing leaves and branches will also return nutrients to the soil. (There are additional relevant suggestions in the Going Native section below.)</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of growth and nutrition, in the book, <span style="color: #b6d7a8;">"</span></span><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.nsrwa.org/natures-best-hope-by-doug-tallamy/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Nature's Best Hope</span></a>"</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, Douglas Tallamy also introduces the concept of keystone plants. It turns out that some native plants are more valuable to birds than others. Vicki King has just completed a new updated review of all the best local keystone plant literature she could find. To read more about this very interesting concept click on the following link:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="color: #f6b26b;"> </span><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: arial;"> Keystone Plants</span></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The bottom line is we are not powerless in the face of declining bird populations. We can make a difference. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Specifically, we can i</span><span style="font-family: arial;">nvest in the future by:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> - R</span>emoving lawns, </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> - A</span>dding native plants and trees,</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> - W</span>atering them until they take root (after which they may survive without watering) and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> - Leaving fallen leaves, branches (and even cut grass) to help replenish the soil and provide insect habitat.</span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The results will improve the odds for Rufous Hummingbirds, and many other native species. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Seeing the growing variety of insects, birds, and other creatures in our yards in Spring will be a wonderful reward for our efforts. However, the biggest benefit may be our growing</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> sense of hope!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div>**********</div><div><br /></div><div><h2 class="Heading Heading--h4" style="-webkit-box-align: baseline; align-items: baseline; box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 0.25rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Recommended Citation</span></h2><cite class="u-text-2-loose" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 0.75rem; font-style: normal; line-height: 1.6666; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Clark, C. J. and S. M. Russell (2020). <span class="notranslate" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Anna's Hummingbird</span> (<em class="sciname notranslate" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Calypte anna</em>), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.annhum.01" style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.annhum.01</a></span></cite></div><div><br /></div><div>**********</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Going Native:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf</a></span></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for continuing to collect all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div><div><br /></div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiQidD9E11gz_f14iFTKhie7ir_icVzifLUkfIX2UbQIiCjI5WxD0D24_h_AG1ZPzurwf4Kn0ZTliWUWZDb7FJPZvsRgC1Sud4S0_D464syeWn2zsbVaOx4HaVBqyRnyQyPBLXE8QGLfZaA3xhUt_93KWS9iMwP7647TTacUkjvot9HNou0TdQF0/s2017/20200608-AK1I1538-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="2017" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiQidD9E11gz_f14iFTKhie7ir_icVzifLUkfIX2UbQIiCjI5WxD0D24_h_AG1ZPzurwf4Kn0ZTliWUWZDb7FJPZvsRgC1Sud4S0_D464syeWn2zsbVaOx4HaVBqyRnyQyPBLXE8QGLfZaA3xhUt_93KWS9iMwP7647TTacUkjvot9HNou0TdQF0/w640-h448/20200608-AK1I1538-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What plant is this? Is it native to our area?</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWUxIvifrFyeCuZ4QRhYwdeYkhu_xSZh3R9EXqPvHqgul9Wz2tfjnwi2GxPs5zts1aZaBwXVyseii0kMOjFZ6e8xp-fK3-UBDnYs8C6uzSZenYLAvKsQnxEJagNpMwx6veBPUG-Vr5BC6eKi_hhJmUhG3qJPiZPfdx6fDrjC1wP0lAiDzCMnRc-E/s1629/20200608-AK1I1538.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="1629" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWUxIvifrFyeCuZ4QRhYwdeYkhu_xSZh3R9EXqPvHqgul9Wz2tfjnwi2GxPs5zts1aZaBwXVyseii0kMOjFZ6e8xp-fK3-UBDnYs8C6uzSZenYLAvKsQnxEJagNpMwx6veBPUG-Vr5BC6eKi_hhJmUhG3qJPiZPfdx6fDrjC1wP0lAiDzCMnRc-E/w640-h557/20200608-AK1I1538.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://nativeplantspnw.com/black-twinberry-lonicera-involucrata/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Black Twin Berry</span></a>: The same native plant mentioned at the beginning of the post. The flowers were hidden in the previous version of the photo but are shown now so you can see both the flower and the fruit, along with the leaves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry, </i><i>I want to see more of nature. </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for your patience and interest!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bottom Line:</b> </span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Odds and Ends:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcg4vdjc0Dv_iSnHTxLsTUEIiUyuwKO7Q7ex9MmDGVtCsCLZK_cwcTBQBtDbItzNwy3y9dI9npfdDOBTHkq3stGYslDtk4ppYUhPkvZM7PD3rx_vBfv237kZluctYLTIfjFx22Kpe9CAXNFk_ZY54T8dzGVMN2SC5ySBst5mNZv6g9dbxF7ApD_k/s3263/20150410-EB2R1352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2172" data-original-width="3263" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcg4vdjc0Dv_iSnHTxLsTUEIiUyuwKO7Q7ex9MmDGVtCsCLZK_cwcTBQBtDbItzNwy3y9dI9npfdDOBTHkq3stGYslDtk4ppYUhPkvZM7PD3rx_vBfv237kZluctYLTIfjFx22Kpe9CAXNFk_ZY54T8dzGVMN2SC5ySBst5mNZv6g9dbxF7ApD_k/w640-h426/20150410-EB2R1352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO5oNaVYHNPea_1plpJMcr8xiTHBUjq7LvzjIyRqAdDSZ3jEpT7yibZWLq8i0tRSmZSxSe2ixfvqjmmPnAF7GdaFHPS0ro3P1NZtN8jb1M8MnR1Vc66L3D28gARsyYGWX_gz28psdgGn55YE-cjX1Kt9hlYdBOvMMnUNGe-wBi-bvoKBH-MdhJq4/s1411/20211214-AK1I6312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1411" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO5oNaVYHNPea_1plpJMcr8xiTHBUjq7LvzjIyRqAdDSZ3jEpT7yibZWLq8i0tRSmZSxSe2ixfvqjmmPnAF7GdaFHPS0ro3P1NZtN8jb1M8MnR1Vc66L3D28gARsyYGWX_gz28psdgGn55YE-cjX1Kt9hlYdBOvMMnUNGe-wBi-bvoKBH-MdhJq4/w640-h426/20211214-AK1I6312.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgIkZzKXU3AFG_Jp-eYzQN1VfgkWmtugRqt3yZkZEYbtz3wzRkaZiwMSt7u57ks7FZtMF8gRL8bnYwxK6kBXFwjMMacsxYyU-Os6SFG4mtIatYt-WozRTGadHyD73vRGir2S7b7bBfAEq970g55YvrcL4mELu0pyifq_sA8sZGK2w6ei2IPY2680/s1677/20160411-EB2R7930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1677" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgIkZzKXU3AFG_Jp-eYzQN1VfgkWmtugRqt3yZkZEYbtz3wzRkaZiwMSt7u57ks7FZtMF8gRL8bnYwxK6kBXFwjMMacsxYyU-Os6SFG4mtIatYt-WozRTGadHyD73vRGir2S7b7bBfAEq970g55YvrcL4mELu0pyifq_sA8sZGK2w6ei2IPY2680/w640-h428/20160411-EB2R7930.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r5FbxeBO6HNB69Iycs5oms700wQdLUrYWVo0EDTuyTp5ZzjfjEhhLWKoLmhnSIYxvC7scloD3FpyvTIWKE-ec2Oz6pzOdEApG3c529c7j5gGuZZagMOeGMTfbn43HOH7UfnbL_Zb7kc9qB_f_koHKk5-ANXSHUSLg0_8L6wnhHSoRdgDr6sFbok/s5184/20161228-EB2R1333.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r5FbxeBO6HNB69Iycs5oms700wQdLUrYWVo0EDTuyTp5ZzjfjEhhLWKoLmhnSIYxvC7scloD3FpyvTIWKE-ec2Oz6pzOdEApG3c529c7j5gGuZZagMOeGMTfbn43HOH7UfnbL_Zb7kc9qB_f_koHKk5-ANXSHUSLg0_8L6wnhHSoRdgDr6sFbok/w640-h426/20161228-EB2R1333.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHHpA_L3a7G0iVNtav4ESsTHOTQN2ekw9VqGtJlywpkeP67u-wI0Xi0MREpbETZBk80Xsp7kEHeMUmMWBjBfJn8wTRVsv6C34n1CnvaGyXRgbbla4Wx3d6wWNp4hI1Sjdm0Vx7oUslfip8rhpWktu64YsTV0cWhgmrSeeqYinWl-Vy8vWzv20tLE/s2389/20200116-EB2R8348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="2389" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHHpA_L3a7G0iVNtav4ESsTHOTQN2ekw9VqGtJlywpkeP67u-wI0Xi0MREpbETZBk80Xsp7kEHeMUmMWBjBfJn8wTRVsv6C34n1CnvaGyXRgbbla4Wx3d6wWNp4hI1Sjdm0Vx7oUslfip8rhpWktu64YsTV0cWhgmrSeeqYinWl-Vy8vWzv20tLE/w640-h426/20200116-EB2R8348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RpTMjb3Nimy9nf-s1iEG49WQ13xGPYn3iveMWn8oJpBxdlLQirNNj5Hk5tS6qRwBcd-0TIWfbY6lZ-I2fMpUR9QQIBHYap87rmTSCHwL0r2qVmNqGqsIA5zNdSpa3xC_bf8A8u_e3_-b5rdNq3bRCUueurnO-_Az8vzKxkdHH5LtxFtNXY-5FGc/s3181/20210311-354A4128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="3181" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RpTMjb3Nimy9nf-s1iEG49WQ13xGPYn3iveMWn8oJpBxdlLQirNNj5Hk5tS6qRwBcd-0TIWfbY6lZ-I2fMpUR9QQIBHYap87rmTSCHwL0r2qVmNqGqsIA5zNdSpa3xC_bf8A8u_e3_-b5rdNq3bRCUueurnO-_Az8vzKxkdHH5LtxFtNXY-5FGc/w640-h426/20210311-354A4128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCw9oogZhqsxrt6pfWVBeBcs5PWrDqlMGW00gmlftfs5Vx9YODTHnpqiItFz92ZjtW5zzQtU30h8YqihBi-ayl9g3ZhcS385m7nkhVewCqqn8N0GfFDnIFTIOtfbxaUcaoGc1a5FXwMuT582lY8L-_Rz8YIn6KgbEAXvuhalE8SrCmPdvppIcjVw/s3159/20210311-354A4140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="3159" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCw9oogZhqsxrt6pfWVBeBcs5PWrDqlMGW00gmlftfs5Vx9YODTHnpqiItFz92ZjtW5zzQtU30h8YqihBi-ayl9g3ZhcS385m7nkhVewCqqn8N0GfFDnIFTIOtfbxaUcaoGc1a5FXwMuT582lY8L-_Rz8YIn6KgbEAXvuhalE8SrCmPdvppIcjVw/w640-h426/20210311-354A4140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij56DPY7nvGY34IXetGYKMEq6Fk3_7G1S00JZxN1_JNkaaR71yYJVZ6jvN2lBAkxJljglsweBykXdovDlDI8Q9I2QWzhrDAjSsk73RSJjoH12BxdUqbUNm6KDc2YcXT2X24B8B4Xb7qIITyWwPWJoEWJ_vJm2e9cTgm0FbsQd1gO-RraRAZG_q4ro/s1351/20200114-EB2R7961.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1351" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij56DPY7nvGY34IXetGYKMEq6Fk3_7G1S00JZxN1_JNkaaR71yYJVZ6jvN2lBAkxJljglsweBykXdovDlDI8Q9I2QWzhrDAjSsk73RSJjoH12BxdUqbUNm6KDc2YcXT2X24B8B4Xb7qIITyWwPWJoEWJ_vJm2e9cTgm0FbsQd1gO-RraRAZG_q4ro/w640-h426/20200114-EB2R7961.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div></div><span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><b style="text-align: center;"></b></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-22083999927797062742022-09-25T12:33:00.001-07:002022-09-25T23:09:24.198-07:00Up in the Air<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHavHEdQjLjBiaTD4GzvhiOY4TlQbg_tNfjz7r38GETHVxLot-3BF1BuRnQXxqGCtnqJ3OgnQIbP01bG6uDVmUNPi2jqaScfvqPhrz6TOvJ_gZ7A7u0fWzHfQUcVa8is2oDZ2ClbgyG_BNLyDUdtgkAIMLwXTeNERchUhTdePeXn2iaq_YBcLYYoU/s4196/20220315-AK1I6195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2797" data-original-width="4196" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHavHEdQjLjBiaTD4GzvhiOY4TlQbg_tNfjz7r38GETHVxLot-3BF1BuRnQXxqGCtnqJ3OgnQIbP01bG6uDVmUNPi2jqaScfvqPhrz6TOvJ_gZ7A7u0fWzHfQUcVa8is2oDZ2ClbgyG_BNLyDUdtgkAIMLwXTeNERchUhTdePeXn2iaq_YBcLYYoU/w640-h426/20220315-AK1I6195.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo was taken on March 15th, 2022. The female Bald Eagle, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">who I call Eva,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">was perched on the edge of her nest in Broadmoor. She had not yet moved down into the nest in her "on-eggs" position. However, she sure seemed to be focusing on the ideas of nesting and egg-laying. Her mate, Albert, can be seen sitting on the bare branch high above the nest. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The picture on my masthead is also the female from this nest, though ten years earlier. (The oldest known Bald Eagle in the wild was at least 38 years old when it died in New York in 2015,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> according to "All About Birds".) The current female in the Broadmoor nest could be the same one photographed in 2013.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I suspect Albert likes the elevated perch above the nest because it is like having, "energy in the bank". If any other bird or creature threatens the nest he can dive at them using his powerful wings, and the pull of gravity, to gain speed and chase them away. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUa-dEvtODJ6RweWmIh2RrazA4-7AQy-yr5JFb_AU1iC0C5xFj58MIX5tdRYu9bebsrWGUGm9XxnlCs60KJVsZfY4ZGLBebf22k7mL8IncFkwKndU7E9wMjm8ZxX1QSZYyqhf9ujEQv_nxB3c0erv8mJL8cf5qGDQFTGTaa1XJ3gdTsx2S3MpRkA/s2204/20180422-EB2R8529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2204" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUa-dEvtODJ6RweWmIh2RrazA4-7AQy-yr5JFb_AU1iC0C5xFj58MIX5tdRYu9bebsrWGUGm9XxnlCs60KJVsZfY4ZGLBebf22k7mL8IncFkwKndU7E9wMjm8ZxX1QSZYyqhf9ujEQv_nxB3c0erv8mJL8cf5qGDQFTGTaa1XJ3gdTsx2S3MpRkA/w640-h426/20180422-EB2R8529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is Albert, in 2018. I cannot be certain that</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> I always correctly identify their genders or even that they are still the same two eagles</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. However, I am unaware of either going missing or dying, so I assume they are the same Eva and Albert I have watched for years. The big hint on their genders is that the female is visibly larger when they are side-by-side.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The first photo in this post was taken about one week before Eva's annual beginning of brooding, which according to my best guess is usually around March 23rd. This year the brooding was followed by their successfully hatching, raising, and fledging two young. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">However, even in good years challenges can occur.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-lsPCJVWQocwgUlAk0Sb-Ld0yycP5H8GFrU9rSLd-FfcfPJME2tTscOxv3VbgmKjgHt3_yxepkvvoNNz2TTcvBOsy2gFv_Jo3RSkY45Rbb7K3GyHox4LXqeVVkHx9Ubvd3iQV-3qiJKpPGyg-k_RJE-1U117NxYe4RpGSUApt2k-90Z7vptF-Fw/s4258/20220904-AK1I9724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2839" data-original-width="4258" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-lsPCJVWQocwgUlAk0Sb-Ld0yycP5H8GFrU9rSLd-FfcfPJME2tTscOxv3VbgmKjgHt3_yxepkvvoNNz2TTcvBOsy2gFv_Jo3RSkY45Rbb7K3GyHox4LXqeVVkHx9Ubvd3iQV-3qiJKpPGyg-k_RJE-1U117NxYe4RpGSUApt2k-90Z7vptF-Fw/w640-h426/20220904-AK1I9724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the same tree, earlier this month. This and the first photo were both taken from Foster Island. When you compare them, Do you see anything missing?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The eagles are absent in the second photo, however, the really significant change is that their nest is gone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Via a kind reader, I learned that in late August, a nearby neighbor heard a loud noise and looked up to see that, <i>"..a branch broke and the whole thing just sort of collapsed in a cloud of brown.." </i>Luckily, this occurred after the young had learned to fly when their survival was no longer dependent on the nest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During the last few weeks, I have had multiple questions on m mind. Will Eva and Albert rebuild in the same tree? Will they relocate to a different tree in this same territory? Will they abandon the territory? I remember hearing that many years ago they had a nest on Foster Island. When that nest fell they moved to Broadmoor and built the current, or now not so current, nest. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In late summer, once the young learn to fly and find food for themselves, they usually leave the area and the adults are also seen far less - maybe they leave with the young for a while. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Eventually, the adults always seem to return. So, not seeing them much right now is not a reason for concern. However, their absence does not help to resolve the uncertainty around their long-term intentions.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRohve0EQKiGslh84Ec6e93D4ujzkgBqO9jiAe7OWnASwLTc_e_ceh5IpGdRYB2S_FY-jUBGqxxrZKNBxKOwv32k97xjzBMEcAl7k0K2xh6_cugU3LXZZs2c8EQp4Ti1E-1VFb75M_o_mw7a5pAc1uzQTAHytLXSIYC4807bYjOWEQUJ6_GzxS3ig/s4408/20120707-IMG_4134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="4408" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRohve0EQKiGslh84Ec6e93D4ujzkgBqO9jiAe7OWnASwLTc_e_ceh5IpGdRYB2S_FY-jUBGqxxrZKNBxKOwv32k97xjzBMEcAl7k0K2xh6_cugU3LXZZs2c8EQp4Ti1E-1VFb75M_o_mw7a5pAc1uzQTAHytLXSIYC4807bYjOWEQUJ6_GzxS3ig/w640-h426/20120707-IMG_4134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have been watching this nest since 2011. This photo was taken in July of 2012. These were the first young in the nest after the death of Eddie the Eagle, Eva's previous mate. <a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2012/06/life-after-eddie.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Click Here</span></a> to read that story.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo was taken from the east, i.e. from the Madison Park side of the nest. Notice how the bulk of the nest sits in the largest crotch in the tree and is therefore supported by the biggest available branches.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROqv0AND8g_b9NRINY469RLtaSMufvHlZQLXLIB2xZYR0jHnrfho5aGaKefZFeE6rnxvl-uFFmXmRuCLj3cc8mTYZG7WtnRr8CR3GOjoXs_ZFbx83XiFPVsrIbV_crT42vOIr3qzY0fwPjG2H4jRc-YNF3GLxcDyAfEixqId8EBBxwEx3-JwcPVU/s4459/20130602-EB2R0212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2973" data-original-width="4459" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROqv0AND8g_b9NRINY469RLtaSMufvHlZQLXLIB2xZYR0jHnrfho5aGaKefZFeE6rnxvl-uFFmXmRuCLj3cc8mTYZG7WtnRr8CR3GOjoXs_ZFbx83XiFPVsrIbV_crT42vOIr3qzY0fwPjG2H4jRc-YNF3GLxcDyAfEixqId8EBBxwEx3-JwcPVU/w640-h426/20130602-EB2R0212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is the nest in 2013, also from the same side. The nest still appeared to be well supported.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlgXJp3EC-nvFThbZVSCvp9H_mxOVjsLw2_avCxpLdx0GrWp2QW3vXkoghIJ_Wm3GHR57-UJ0OiHVvChOlh1lxI-GU3oZ8KxurF20chldM6QhbnyYri-9rm_JKLeOr7xJga9-xbq7iT2MRvmJsMcsblPtKq1E-nRn-Iaw-q4zPhPCyxStAMMeGXE/s4068/20160414-EB2R8648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2712" data-original-width="4068" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlgXJp3EC-nvFThbZVSCvp9H_mxOVjsLw2_avCxpLdx0GrWp2QW3vXkoghIJ_Wm3GHR57-UJ0OiHVvChOlh1lxI-GU3oZ8KxurF20chldM6QhbnyYri-9rm_JKLeOr7xJga9-xbq7iT2MRvmJsMcsblPtKq1E-nRn-Iaw-q4zPhPCyxStAMMeGXE/w640-h426/20160414-EB2R8648.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Each year a few sticks fall off and the adults consistently replace the sticks and replenish the nest. In fact, they usually add more than is lost. Slowly, the nest continues to grow. This was the view from the east in 2016. It is obvious, from this perspective, that the supporting branches on the left, i.e. south side, are considerably smaller the those to the north.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxduTIpzYBBl-zlb_heLNMs-FLFHPIV86XdCeA-uFL-TBEpDvLH5pJP5xm9ZTUh9xOM_VqN4CJ35m0dbu2AW14CExiakia8shtzbDCTMhh4TspoHKBIvAhA6kRpXazgIDpl2L6qcSg7NIlu-tMgUTLwNIfRgZp3cEJ3Mup10O9ohMtS3Fn4DQCDk/s2569/20180304-EB2R7913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2569" data-original-width="1712" height="825" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxduTIpzYBBl-zlb_heLNMs-FLFHPIV86XdCeA-uFL-TBEpDvLH5pJP5xm9ZTUh9xOM_VqN4CJ35m0dbu2AW14CExiakia8shtzbDCTMhh4TspoHKBIvAhA6kRpXazgIDpl2L6qcSg7NIlu-tMgUTLwNIfRgZp3cEJ3Mup10O9ohMtS3Fn4DQCDk/w549-h825/20180304-EB2R7913.jpg" width="549" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this 2018 photo, we are now observing the nest from the west, i.e. from Foster Island. The nest appears to have migrated to the south. Apparently, it exerted in that direction as some sticks fell and others were added on the south side. The bulk of the weight, at this point, was resting on the smaller, southern branches. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the way, I have never seen this pair use anything other than cottonwood branches when adding to the nest. There are cottonwoods just north of the nest site, growing in the Beaver Lodge Sanctuary, and there are plenty more in and around Foster Island. In years past, I have seen this pair breaking live branches out of cottonwood trees over half a mile away, i.e. even west of Foster Island, and then returning to the nest with the branches. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-PeYbw16glV6Ahz80K6JFkPbTDDhIMp0J9i9HYliffIfqEXfFydsALM0IQBOroQbWNpIgYZAsWF2HQA5XTPf70HPEmSdOZrVVdg6-x4EQavvkO8a4emUtoX4MGKXP60QlmDDLhjGYqWeJ6TD9FOvuJgB9mIyjoyiXs0zKfjkLGzaNylQenYhgnE/s1207/20190423-EB2R5025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1207" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-PeYbw16glV6Ahz80K6JFkPbTDDhIMp0J9i9HYliffIfqEXfFydsALM0IQBOroQbWNpIgYZAsWF2HQA5XTPf70HPEmSdOZrVVdg6-x4EQavvkO8a4emUtoX4MGKXP60QlmDDLhjGYqWeJ6TD9FOvuJgB9mIyjoyiXs0zKfjkLGzaNylQenYhgnE/w640-h426/20190423-EB2R5025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this 2019 photo, we see the classic look of Eva down in the nest, presumably on eggs, with only her head showing above the side of the nest. Notice that her position "in the middle of the nest" is no longer above the trunk of the tree. Clearly, the nest had continued to shift and grow.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkkjn9dS73-3LlTrJVxcRTm9fZWXNXpW5BZXLS54ibHGrpZdgyYtOM1lamTuF4KrLy70C85vi_dFFR06W5wof5AkMjGOIFZid7_yRM1G_EDbGAHqMNmaMfg6jobO1XNN1wiD9ItFztkZl6aqFicPdSrWCR3j-2UcCnxrHUnZbJD76KU6NK8QsOJA/s1788/20200209-EB2R2585.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="1192" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkkjn9dS73-3LlTrJVxcRTm9fZWXNXpW5BZXLS54ibHGrpZdgyYtOM1lamTuF4KrLy70C85vi_dFFR06W5wof5AkMjGOIFZid7_yRM1G_EDbGAHqMNmaMfg6jobO1XNN1wiD9ItFztkZl6aqFicPdSrWCR3j-2UcCnxrHUnZbJD76KU6NK8QsOJA/w426-h640/20200209-EB2R2585.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo is from 2020. It is almost as if we have been watching the nest slowly slide out of the tree over time.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUludKZ0_V3jQr5BlSpU49tqnQL0lPtR9aUSFiHqCXdgaFDM3p8_rVUkkl7CxE51yappcO-RTmWSwf44O7FqW_EKV8QgV4xdjUodnYqHLX0ws8SIZW4qliBgeE9-OR7ty2gQeEvUlfnV9EFCkOWhq06F_JBDeyAETK89ZRxEbyoaIJ1PT7kaomfw/s4694/20210421-AK1I3439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3129" data-original-width="4694" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUludKZ0_V3jQr5BlSpU49tqnQL0lPtR9aUSFiHqCXdgaFDM3p8_rVUkkl7CxE51yappcO-RTmWSwf44O7FqW_EKV8QgV4xdjUodnYqHLX0ws8SIZW4qliBgeE9-OR7ty2gQeEvUlfnV9EFCkOWhq06F_JBDeyAETK89ZRxEbyoaIJ1PT7kaomfw/w640-h426/20210421-AK1I3439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2021, switching back to the Madison Park perspective, one of the adults is sitting in the crotch that held the original nest and it is hard to say whether they are perched on the edge of the nest or if the nest has moved so much that they are simply sitting on a bare branch.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqkLR4zwigDsjwGROJTn3lsMpEYjr6iARSrC8tVQwXqYqahogyQJ0UGEKTRfAktlzy_CIi6X1OtaC4_0BD97Q352Ryo5XFy-VP4x_UDy4EuR4GyASxxajQ3YACNyQonTxsUOKTp50P2W2cAKE15V2eBmmXKTPU6uvduL2FGLOEIh5BZduWWSDOVc/s5472/20220908-AK1I0051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqkLR4zwigDsjwGROJTn3lsMpEYjr6iARSrC8tVQwXqYqahogyQJ0UGEKTRfAktlzy_CIi6X1OtaC4_0BD97Q352Ryo5XFy-VP4x_UDy4EuR4GyASxxajQ3YACNyQonTxsUOKTp50P2W2cAKE15V2eBmmXKTPU6uvduL2FGLOEIh5BZduWWSDOVc/w640-h426/20220908-AK1I0051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Looking from the west again, as the tree sits today the original crotch once again looks like a good site for a nest. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This tree is much taller than the surrounding trees. It has always seemed like an exceptional location from which to oversee and defend their territory and nest. Having "gravity in the bank" seems like a big plus for them.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVy5avukzK_3dZ2R0-BDiidCz3RJmkxoDzbEnTpaCYam_NDVCyVrdr2hGUr7EjPf6JTVhNkr11UAOwO8SY5YBljaGdLbACaYuwHDETd3HNw4Ag_MH3UaD0rb8CXRSaJ0bVf_K0vKBv4T01b8iK9lYZlboCVFnr5MpdbTHe_r5NwFyc9nErQe4pZtw/s3457/20220913-AK1I0656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2305" data-original-width="3457" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVy5avukzK_3dZ2R0-BDiidCz3RJmkxoDzbEnTpaCYam_NDVCyVrdr2hGUr7EjPf6JTVhNkr11UAOwO8SY5YBljaGdLbACaYuwHDETd3HNw4Ag_MH3UaD0rb8CXRSaJ0bVf_K0vKBv4T01b8iK9lYZlboCVFnr5MpdbTHe_r5NwFyc9nErQe4pZtw/w640-h426/20220913-AK1I0656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Early on the 13th of September, while on Foster Island, I finally caught sight of one of the adults back in the nest tree. Look right at the top, in the middle. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Later, in the morning a kind reader mentioned having seen both of them there. Hopefully, their presence in the nest tree indicates their site fidelity i.e. their devotion to their current territory.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUHOwvaFe65LLGO7zx7U8R6zIkjaEm4fnxMsU-zvdotNLZO63cHaoIrARlWDCqq-9kGuyRwqXYxmURca4IpaXhRKAu61qX1RE0AtW99o7SPOmEBvGAF5Z7y6bIbSBpmrm5mAuLJNOmU3_sG8jMlBrzNKiMjrZ14E-cCkr1qJlqxHcSEkO1Q1j3as/s5472/20220917-AK1I1125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="808" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUHOwvaFe65LLGO7zx7U8R6zIkjaEm4fnxMsU-zvdotNLZO63cHaoIrARlWDCqq-9kGuyRwqXYxmURca4IpaXhRKAu61qX1RE0AtW99o7SPOmEBvGAF5Z7y6bIbSBpmrm5mAuLJNOmU3_sG8jMlBrzNKiMjrZ14E-cCkr1qJlqxHcSEkO1Q1j3as/w538-h808/20220917-AK1I1125.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Sept. 17th, I returned to watch from the Madison Park side of the<i> </i>nest tree. At first, I did not notice any eagles at all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0X3t9mwOLl74CzCa1WoCirRWz7Hm4gCOoi-0ZE9csxK4Xewun1-96-x0rbzgXBpKNUr5x47aEkWUrOxVY6G3AXwLsfkdq22AAqdaryrOkDCBNrP3gu9zY4b_dsUX8YWEUwx5Bqirgw_Lso5N32WDMieuYYZRVnM26eRZt4XyLq4DygN9mI50a0mU/s1788/20220917-AK1I1125-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="1193" height="829" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0X3t9mwOLl74CzCa1WoCirRWz7Hm4gCOoi-0ZE9csxK4Xewun1-96-x0rbzgXBpKNUr5x47aEkWUrOxVY6G3AXwLsfkdq22AAqdaryrOkDCBNrP3gu9zY4b_dsUX8YWEUwx5Bqirgw_Lso5N32WDMieuYYZRVnM26eRZt4XyLq4DygN9mI50a0mU/w554-h829/20220917-AK1I1125-2.jpg" width="554" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Zooming in on the clump of foliage up and to the right of the empty nest site, I finally picked out one of the adults. Do you notice any other evidence, that may indicate what the Bald Eagles are thinking?</span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxj3OeyfeJbcgK-8lKx-5riwcqIZxzFqUhMhuOzWXWPUQlgd1_KGusUEJ07NIRmkbgIxCf9S1xIJBY7kdUbSPchPB_du15XR_iMm1mJi2V-P2hV1etzegmxpdPeZ040YN4PD6lJmQnn4Dpf6j1dN9cUfKsRKaRqyLLvAYHVXbKZy7WTLoy42WLJE/s4090/20220917-AK1I1151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2727" data-original-width="4090" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxj3OeyfeJbcgK-8lKx-5riwcqIZxzFqUhMhuOzWXWPUQlgd1_KGusUEJ07NIRmkbgIxCf9S1xIJBY7kdUbSPchPB_du15XR_iMm1mJi2V-P2hV1etzegmxpdPeZ040YN4PD6lJmQnn4Dpf6j1dN9cUfKsRKaRqyLLvAYHVXbKZy7WTLoy42WLJE/w640-h426/20220917-AK1I1151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is a bit of a wider view, with the old nest site at the bottom.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAUsS-ZZMfx_bq-g0fmX80Vf8aPrQznE7d6S8xNf4hwM4BuFodQLaclQWr5LJvypyB7CSCFZ6ib6i8ttilEhm-EnnzsctwYhmtDwhqtcsQJK-0K8jiXoPS_rbX0d84J5OoSGeWCz4CbxUgDb5WAd2jLPvJjgE75HMyRkIxRDzvOYgMZuXcC6FsCU/s5472/20220917-AK1I1186.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAUsS-ZZMfx_bq-g0fmX80Vf8aPrQznE7d6S8xNf4hwM4BuFodQLaclQWr5LJvypyB7CSCFZ6ib6i8ttilEhm-EnnzsctwYhmtDwhqtcsQJK-0K8jiXoPS_rbX0d84J5OoSGeWCz4CbxUgDb5WAd2jLPvJjgE75HMyRkIxRDzvOYgMZuXcC6FsCU/w640-h426/20220917-AK1I1186.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After about 30 minutes the Bald Eagle moved down to the old nest site. The movement was exciting. I continued to wonder what the eagle was thinking.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW-pG2DrVFEhyxwrPwtipjllmmfyQDcYecLj9vas6D-DII62ofprVhDK87XNTjhPfgkRJs79489yWM-ed-BHjGr8wA84iwcxeXgkf-5ZJKT3Hej1E4pOWChIgW2ikt3xB0XiE8GkPb42ZD1mcIbEk1u6Ol9wxWTW0vn8D8VRr6jrXIhsoDIrfAxc/s3763/20220917-AK1I1194.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="3763" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW-pG2DrVFEhyxwrPwtipjllmmfyQDcYecLj9vas6D-DII62ofprVhDK87XNTjhPfgkRJs79489yWM-ed-BHjGr8wA84iwcxeXgkf-5ZJKT3Hej1E4pOWChIgW2ikt3xB0XiE8GkPb42ZD1mcIbEk1u6Ol9wxWTW0vn8D8VRr6jrXIhsoDIrfAxc/w640-h426/20220917-AK1I1194.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon the eagle dove out of the tree and disappeared behind and below the shorter tree tops.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_B7b0DqWK1xSjHzD3ZNeG3EJjLEHHJ-CcBV-wydUWvW5I31lavFwfdbWMEctaDyhKIxHkMuHJ_stRkOp8j_oFQhMuUZuD_CiCUl5WPIgxzpd7iWitmhxsMJtH3UL-Rxu7iF9qHmq6HC_zX8omfssuD3bd99gcWsYsPGSsJ9-aooRgb2zxI1lrIE/s5472/20220917-AK1I1199.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_B7b0DqWK1xSjHzD3ZNeG3EJjLEHHJ-CcBV-wydUWvW5I31lavFwfdbWMEctaDyhKIxHkMuHJ_stRkOp8j_oFQhMuUZuD_CiCUl5WPIgxzpd7iWitmhxsMJtH3UL-Rxu7iF9qHmq6HC_zX8omfssuD3bd99gcWsYsPGSsJ9-aooRgb2zxI1lrIE/w640-h426/20220917-AK1I1199.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was surprised when it returned to the higher perch, i.e. the smaller crotch, with a branch! It was only a one branch but it does show they are considering rebuilding.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0X3t9mwOLl74CzCa1WoCirRWz7Hm4gCOoi-0ZE9csxK4Xewun1-96-x0rbzgXBpKNUr5x47aEkWUrOxVY6G3AXwLsfkdq22AAqdaryrOkDCBNrP3gu9zY4b_dsUX8YWEUwx5Bqirgw_Lso5N32WDMieuYYZRVnM26eRZt4XyLq4DygN9mI50a0mU/s1788/20220917-AK1I1125-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="1193" height="829" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0X3t9mwOLl74CzCa1WoCirRWz7Hm4gCOoi-0ZE9csxK4Xewun1-96-x0rbzgXBpKNUr5x47aEkWUrOxVY6G3AXwLsfkdq22AAqdaryrOkDCBNrP3gu9zY4b_dsUX8YWEUwx5Bqirgw_Lso5N32WDMieuYYZRVnM26eRZt4XyLq4DygN9mI50a0mU/w554-h829/20220917-AK1I1125-2.jpg" width="554" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Later, I noticed another hint. Reconsider this previous photo. The Bald Eagle is sitting behind a clump of needle-covered branches in a coniferous tree. However, the single, light-green-colored leaf is from a deciduous tree i.e. a cottonwood. The only way a fresh cottonwood branch, with recent growth, is likely to end up in this elevated location is if one of the eagles broke it off and carried it up there. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYCkoAkzeaF3yK1kZdWlHjObw7Y4NMkZpxlASh6gBn8yjJFl2gooIrTPT8_THK_SaxEfrBGpMpvkxbo7AnJOgF_SLxJkk3CwLAeJm_TzdFAX8DiHoqKvY4o31yPwNuUBuTFIAhRPnb2gRun200oQNtc7tPw1__MPVkoy7JdbhX1nUrVF_wsyIw7I/s5472/20220917-AK1I1215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYCkoAkzeaF3yK1kZdWlHjObw7Y4NMkZpxlASh6gBn8yjJFl2gooIrTPT8_THK_SaxEfrBGpMpvkxbo7AnJOgF_SLxJkk3CwLAeJm_TzdFAX8DiHoqKvY4o31yPwNuUBuTFIAhRPnb2gRun200oQNtc7tPw1__MPVkoy7JdbhX1nUrVF_wsyIw7I/w640-h426/20220917-AK1I1215.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon the Bald Eagle took to the air again. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MNmrIhZIcz9Sda41V-4wuDEe_akgEp14Jz6uQpf5QIN84s-ujB4h0g6VSnOwBe-B-F0LaOg_x46qRF94xG40ddZxwewWen0b8SSiSHsqCPaeN_VOYixXeak35ga12lb5G1cr2-GmJzt5U1FLdF9lVwVd-Q-lUxTulqVjtQIL_tMdBD5qYFFeYH8/s5472/20220917-AK1I1216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MNmrIhZIcz9Sda41V-4wuDEe_akgEp14Jz6uQpf5QIN84s-ujB4h0g6VSnOwBe-B-F0LaOg_x46qRF94xG40ddZxwewWen0b8SSiSHsqCPaeN_VOYixXeak35ga12lb5G1cr2-GmJzt5U1FLdF9lVwVd-Q-lUxTulqVjtQIL_tMdBD5qYFFeYH8/w640-h426/20220917-AK1I1216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The eagle disappeared to the northeast faster than I could follow. While I waited it did not return. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This morning I could not find either Eva or Albert in the area. As I mentioned, they are generally seen less this time of year so their absence does not mean they have given up on their territory. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Also, we should not expect to see them do an intense rebuilding blitz. I have watched their "new" neighbors, Monty and Marsha, rebuild their nest multiple times, during the last five years. They generally start in late November. They often work for a couple of hours and then take a few days off. Their efforts seem sporadic at best. However, by March they always have an adequately sized nest in place.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I am encouraged by the sticks Eva or Albert has brought to their old nest tree. However, we really can't be certain what will happen. After one of Monty and Marsha's nests fell they tried rebuilding in a different tree. After a while, they abandoned that effort and returned to the original tree. The bottom line is I am encouraged by the activity and the occasional presence of the Bald Eagles in their nest tree. However, this is a mystery that we will just have to watch to see how it plays out. The nest may be down, but we may remain up in the air until March.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city!</i></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. </p><p>Here are the top two relevant links.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>A video all about native keystone plants for wildlife:</b></p><p><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">New!</i><b> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Updated resources for adding keystone native plants to your yard. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Native-Plant-Resources-8-22-22a.pdf" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Native-Plant-Resources-8-22-22a.pdf</span></a></span></p><p>This updated collection includes a variety of new and different books, perspectives, and interactions between plants, birds, and insects. Thank you to Vicki King for collecting all of these exceptionally helpful works. Also, thank you to each of the individuals who contributed their work.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL0Rgq3lIh_mw7eANY2C7HfnBP8nPUI0c3zJ63pC5Vziv_raQFODyYAXxRaBR1MZahKXCQw_RboZU04pY-NyDRYd9wMHQzS2zGUjZiSI-YGOoYL8bCcx3QTrj3xhr_a5SQi71vC6jMY5j2NhMXIU6mSnEpG3xuze3k5lxnajoziwILVUx_gAPPFI/s6767/20220904-AK1I9747-Pano.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3410" data-original-width="6767" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL0Rgq3lIh_mw7eANY2C7HfnBP8nPUI0c3zJ63pC5Vziv_raQFODyYAXxRaBR1MZahKXCQw_RboZU04pY-NyDRYd9wMHQzS2zGUjZiSI-YGOoYL8bCcx3QTrj3xhr_a5SQi71vC6jMY5j2NhMXIU6mSnEpG3xuze3k5lxnajoziwILVUx_gAPPFI/w640-h322/20220904-AK1I9747-Pano.jpg" width="640" /></a>What are these two aquatic plants called? Are they native to Union Bay?</div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><a href="https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/fragrant-water-lily.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffe599;">Fragrant Water Lily</span></a>: </b>This plant, represented by the large round leaf on the left, is not native to Union Bay and yet it covers the majority of the shallow water, during August and September. Last week, I watched Mallard ducks move quickly through the Fragrant Water Lilies (FWL) without stopping to feed. However, as soon as they reached a smaller patch of Marsh-pennywort they slowed down and fed extensively. Native plants have benefits we often overlook. (FWL has white flowers and round leaves.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><a href="https://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Hydrocotyle%20ranunculoides" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Marsh-pennywort:</span></a> </b>This is a native aquatic plant that somehow survives despite our Fragrant Water Lily infestation. It has much smaller leaves, although not exactly penny-sized, and stems to thrust the leaves up and out of the water or nearby shore.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Note: Our native <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuphar_lutea" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Yellow Pond Lily</span></a> seems to have much less success when competing with the Fragrant Water Lily. I have only found it in one small patch northwest of Nest Egg Island in Duck Bay, which is on the south side of Union Bay. (YPL has yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://www.cityofmlt.com/370/Invasive-Species" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Click Here</span></a> to see a good comparison of FWL and the YPL.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry, </i><i>I want to see more of nature. </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for your patience and interest!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bottom Line:</b> </span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><b style="text-align: center;"><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span> <p></p></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-42070666663076623592022-09-03T13:57:00.004-07:002022-09-04T18:06:39.382-07:00Thank You, Kevin!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcrSb9iDPaJl2wCSr53xENdGvYuinP4ghuPdluVRiLM0XmUJ6qUQkVhRaDz8Xu4PNPea8Jr3j4NkqQpnGkNt-lPrS8Nd6Anjhvogh9-5YErmLzB_WtUNuey8sfGsq53WMmN2lIgfWyGUVI8eXnDkp6SSV11CvHweB4tB6kUBHFdruAJczwaOQ7oQ/s1245/20220713-AK1I4454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1245" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcrSb9iDPaJl2wCSr53xENdGvYuinP4ghuPdluVRiLM0XmUJ6qUQkVhRaDz8Xu4PNPea8Jr3j4NkqQpnGkNt-lPrS8Nd6Anjhvogh9-5YErmLzB_WtUNuey8sfGsq53WMmN2lIgfWyGUVI8eXnDkp6SSV11CvHweB4tB6kUBHFdruAJczwaOQ7oQ/w640-h426/20220713-AK1I4454.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2022/08/up-in-air.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">The previous post</span></a> about Purple Martins elicited many comments. The major theme was an overwhelming desire to acknowledge the Purple Martin work and inspiration provided by Kevin Li. Not knowing the full story, I turned to my friend Elaine Chuang who is a strong advocate for Purple Martins and has great respect for Kevin Li and all of his accomplishments. The following is Elaine's tribute to Kevin.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">"Kevin Li was a bird enthusiast and biologist, trained at the University of Washington, who worked as an ecologist for King County's Environmental Lab, testing water quality around the entire region. In the early 1990's, Kevin (who died tragically at the age of 50 while scuba diving) learned that Purple Martins (PUMA), previously seen in huge numbers at places like Green Lake and Montlake, had virtually disappeared from the area. Loss of habitat and competition with European Starlings and House Sparrows for nest spots had led to this decline: Washington State counted single PUMA nesting pair in Seattle in 1988. The idea of mounting a major effort to provide artificial nesting sites (PUMA are cavity nesters and so traditionally had relied upon 'prior work' by woodpeckers) grabbed Kevin's imagination, and he (with contributions made ultimately by Kris Baker and others) began exploring in earnest, how to do that.</i></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Bc2KgRc-RirDgFEeKsxu1tL7kIiiJssjjyr_217gRW7cx1bCY1kZM_KqLKO7eFpB-VWK-Pt5y1ccb8fBcpFh4O19RU5fClQZt78caMXCto-BdDVtY4IXQy4syNfZex594L-c8JKQGv6e9Aw4WRX3ylM6megXav0VkI8vEKKbnK7CCrPb-IkPQjA/s1369/20190815-EB2R1801.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1369" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Bc2KgRc-RirDgFEeKsxu1tL7kIiiJssjjyr_217gRW7cx1bCY1kZM_KqLKO7eFpB-VWK-Pt5y1ccb8fBcpFh4O19RU5fClQZt78caMXCto-BdDVtY4IXQy4syNfZex594L-c8JKQGv6e9Aw4WRX3ylM6megXav0VkI8vEKKbnK7CCrPb-IkPQjA/w640-h428/20190815-EB2R1801.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">One important influence was that PUMA were known historically to have learned to adapt to living near Native-Americans, who would hang hollowed out gourds for these migratory birds. They had learned that PUMA eat a lot of insects and thus were seen as valuable neighbors to have near their dwelling places; it is also known that when nesting, Martins are dedicated site protectors and will thus aggressively chase off predators.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsYryy3-IvrLV0ZwVKJvUaaHBvGA8pvV0uf4aS3-oWO-dwZDFS5c79v7Op9P8EG_8zIW5YIWv-lb8a0lYfCtI3gvNVNC3iysN8fdkA6J69TDzYWHHcEhVf-j8SAoavl3DT7T17vjYRrwJc8EUd520AYwH9Bzvl3o4fAW3NSOFfH-vHJDhafKfZVU/s1317/20190815-EB2R1951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1317" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsYryy3-IvrLV0ZwVKJvUaaHBvGA8pvV0uf4aS3-oWO-dwZDFS5c79v7Op9P8EG_8zIW5YIWv-lb8a0lYfCtI3gvNVNC3iysN8fdkA6J69TDzYWHHcEhVf-j8SAoavl3DT7T17vjYRrwJc8EUd520AYwH9Bzvl3o4fAW3NSOFfH-vHJDhafKfZVU/w640-h426/20190815-EB2R1951.jpg" width="640" /></a><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Housing for Martins was commercially available through the Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA), both plastic gourds and wooden structures. Kevin had observed in the first seasons he worked in the Puget Sound region, that other less migratory birds (Starlings, House Sparrows to name a few) readily filled 'fixed' wooden houses if they were installed, but these species seemed not to enjoy a swinging, swaying home! thus by hanging gourds, there could be a competitive advantage favoring Martins. And Kevin and Kris wanted to pursue the idea of using natural gourds, thus they worked out techniques for turning Calabash squash (creating the appropriately sized hole, and after processing them by hollowing out, drying, treating them and installing wiring) into an appropriate nest gourd. N.B. On their very first date Kevin took Kris Baker, who would become his long time partner, to check out the Hylebos Marina area (Tacoma) as a site for Martins!</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-tXjS2O4m_PDb-JTeRbcXkOBDbGFqx3m8wKcYUHyvNnmKO-xaCDqTGT2oi1znU2DdA6PdkqkzfHnlxaelm43bBBdoRUR0IPFK8E0RltdEdUNhiMF6nx6J4kPgdJM5LUYyoxJQA-Uk5Whqf9F87eBFqow-45hGNN4Hb2jD0f79mu0UxZ0RC_sgoo/s2154/20210604-AK1I0615.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="2154" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-tXjS2O4m_PDb-JTeRbcXkOBDbGFqx3m8wKcYUHyvNnmKO-xaCDqTGT2oi1znU2DdA6PdkqkzfHnlxaelm43bBBdoRUR0IPFK8E0RltdEdUNhiMF6nx6J4kPgdJM5LUYyoxJQA-Uk5Whqf9F87eBFqow-45hGNN4Hb2jD0f79mu0UxZ0RC_sgoo/w640-h426/20210604-AK1I0615.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">In his role with King County, Kevin had bonafide and easy access to any and all water points and thus began to employ old pilings and other support (e.g. structures at Jack Block Park) for Martin housing. The team started and maintained nest sites all throughout King County, as far north as Deer Creek (near Edmonds) and toward the south at Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma) and Woodard Bay (Olympia), and following Kevin's death in 2006, that effort has continued.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg-9KNSYkJlyqe80N6aCY8WpZdPWplDmexAYE7kh4nwohZkjbAR8M1uvsciO1mvopFWUrUkzo-ySLBTrTfbuJtp-eTxFlZgYuHvQ-QPqf4NF7HkgUVRW4x1xbR1duu922yAIB9IENx2-oTRO4zPTcnkdvKljmdUBgGD7mhqZ0tEoGseQYFlonXQE/s2666/20220713-AK1I4395.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="2666" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg-9KNSYkJlyqe80N6aCY8WpZdPWplDmexAYE7kh4nwohZkjbAR8M1uvsciO1mvopFWUrUkzo-ySLBTrTfbuJtp-eTxFlZgYuHvQ-QPqf4NF7HkgUVRW4x1xbR1duu922yAIB9IENx2-oTRO4zPTcnkdvKljmdUBgGD7mhqZ0tEoGseQYFlonXQE/w640-h426/20220713-AK1I4395.jpg" width="640" /></a><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Kevin Li is fondly remembered by many birders and conservationists as a champion of the Purple Martin, and single-handedly, is acknowledged to have reversed the loss of PUMA from this region. In fact, the Washington State Senate passed a resolution in 2006 honoring him and this wonderful bird (the largest species of North American swallow). Senate Resolution 8731 ends thus: "NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the Western Purple Martin, the vital work of Kevin Li, and the continued efforts of committed citizens to restore these birds to their former prominence in the ecosystem of Washington State..."</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">*********</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho881qqZNScsRVgNeo37GOuiZtjnGlxFh2fKY5u2ExelI1Pjl01NHGlMIyEBGNqzm2XCtMe-IJEh_wV6WYoDU_FveV9Tv7GneUoUsAMIc9T629RDz0756RmSCDWoCG9fRLYdQFNAoQLOe6Sc8ecv0v59UW300DTSdHMDtpL7O5KllwcYblCwq_QBM/s2075/20220712-AK1I4149.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="2075" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho881qqZNScsRVgNeo37GOuiZtjnGlxFh2fKY5u2ExelI1Pjl01NHGlMIyEBGNqzm2XCtMe-IJEh_wV6WYoDU_FveV9Tv7GneUoUsAMIc9T629RDz0756RmSCDWoCG9fRLYdQFNAoQLOe6Sc8ecv0v59UW300DTSdHMDtpL7O5KllwcYblCwq_QBM/w640-h426/20220712-AK1I4149.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Elaine, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for explaining Kevin's extraordinary effort to entice Purple Martins back to Seattle and for finding the following links and viewing sites! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">*********</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzNPStXXnfGzfESstoKGaMZudhwsKzMWVQwM-NjC63qwjR1bDVdICVPPKJSIgkkv3usjQ1MKF80ext6qmbbzxUVWW1y4GMArD7VD1vK8ftbzOhQl7Zqa7-XoxW21HWQR1JN6ekJR7N6gy76Tc2RZ8cANvPGd_8fBkI_g_NlD7mBj3rU7H_k6r7Lg/s2421/20220713-AK1I4436.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1612" data-original-width="2421" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzNPStXXnfGzfESstoKGaMZudhwsKzMWVQwM-NjC63qwjR1bDVdICVPPKJSIgkkv3usjQ1MKF80ext6qmbbzxUVWW1y4GMArD7VD1vK8ftbzOhQl7Zqa7-XoxW21HWQR1JN6ekJR7N6gy76Tc2RZ8cANvPGd_8fBkI_g_NlD7mBj3rU7H_k6r7Lg/w640-h426/20220713-AK1I4436.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">More stories that demonstrate the ongoing impact of Kevin's efforts:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/purple-martin-majesty/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">June of 2005</span></a></span></li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Kevin-Li-1956-2006-He-brought-purple-martin-1194804.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">February of 2006</span></a></span></li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/seattletimes/name/kevin-li-obituary?n=kevin-li&pid=16575596" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">February of</span><span style="color: #ead1dc;"> 2006</span></a></li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/kevin-li/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">May of 2006</span></a></span></li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.shorelineareanews.com/2016/05/for-birds-memorial-day-bird-purple.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">May of 2016</span></a></span></li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/blog/2021/05/08/gourds-go-up-by-connie-sidles/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">May of 2021</span></a></span></li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">*********</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9gy6amyPUdVDmAJZLkm5wtHBqBRXAZgmpwgGdYxJ56EIgvIgTV-G1k4QNe-jmtJs2b-RhiQQOHvw_PwtsG3TbA_tlVkiptwBJsmBl2Co89MYd1zHpPTO_teI4_04uZ824U9mrnOVtluOwyWucltD2nEfFms0FmadrekRjYRi4CzlliX37feZJdk/s2299/20220713-AK1I4384.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2299" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9gy6amyPUdVDmAJZLkm5wtHBqBRXAZgmpwgGdYxJ56EIgvIgTV-G1k4QNe-jmtJs2b-RhiQQOHvw_PwtsG3TbA_tlVkiptwBJsmBl2Co89MYd1zHpPTO_teI4_04uZ824U9mrnOVtluOwyWucltD2nEfFms0FmadrekRjYRi4CzlliX37feZJdk/w640-h426/20220713-AK1I4384.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWofa-ybylixylXvgic-DT2cUkmrV2W_NGPFf-FyLwV4m5IPVw8oNuZvEkLgFuOTEVASvN7Y-QYo17BkgdBCJiwPnkzekgg4I6JWfJRnE8DcystnCXxww7NVPuXiiEqhmEpUie9Iq6_a8ZUV12Lhnh8RspSklQf_WlM0_61reY6LsoKX9AIjOY9A/s1241/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-31%20at%205.31.15%20PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1241" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWofa-ybylixylXvgic-DT2cUkmrV2W_NGPFf-FyLwV4m5IPVw8oNuZvEkLgFuOTEVASvN7Y-QYo17BkgdBCJiwPnkzekgg4I6JWfJRnE8DcystnCXxww7NVPuXiiEqhmEpUie9Iq6_a8ZUV12Lhnh8RspSklQf_WlM0_61reY6LsoKX9AIjOY9A/w640-h422/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-31%20at%205.31.15%20PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Note: </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">The Purple Martins will be heading south any time now. Plan accordingly. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">****************</span></div><div><br /></div></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a great day on Union Bay<i>...where nature lives in the city!</i></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: justify;">Going Native:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div>Each of us, who breathe the air and drink the local water, needs to watch and protect our local environment. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:</div><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Remove invasive species and then <i>wait</i> to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(147, 196, 125); color: #93c47d;">***************</span> </p><p>My friend Elaine Chuang shared several resources (that were new to me) from the January 2022 <a href="https://wos.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Washington Ornithological Society</span></a> meeting. By the way, Elaine credits Vicki King for researching and supplying this information. The major new concept is that specific keystone native plants enable critical moths and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. Here are the top two links from her list.</p><p><b>Native Keystone Plants for Wildlife:</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #93c47d;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></p><p><b>Resources for adding plants to your Pacific Northwest Garden:</b></p><p><a href="https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/native-plant-resources-v2.pdf"><span style="color: #93c47d;">https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/native-plant-resources-v2.pdf</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">***************</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the area below it is my intention to display at least one photo each week to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKxpF2pIVcYFRjlRP0V6eYeRJtfk120S-8-niW66uEoMxCa9_H-P07-77hEuS2cm9Ntc4fq7wzwgcEvHuwDyqOtLVyznD0F7l708qATC2odR8OmMKqmIdvGP8K7MdM11el1DCPyQe12Y9CVjdJbZ3dmXyJ9sicsMNNl9TJXC6Xt918K7BNxZvP-Q/s4032/20220826-IMG_6928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="771" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKxpF2pIVcYFRjlRP0V6eYeRJtfk120S-8-niW66uEoMxCa9_H-P07-77hEuS2cm9Ntc4fq7wzwgcEvHuwDyqOtLVyznD0F7l708qATC2odR8OmMKqmIdvGP8K7MdM11el1DCPyQe12Y9CVjdJbZ3dmXyJ9sicsMNNl9TJXC6Xt918K7BNxZvP-Q/w578-h771/20220826-IMG_6928.jpg" width="578" /></a></div></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What type of caterpillar is this? Is it native to our area?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Scroll down for the answer.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>******************</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://pnwmoths.biol.wwu.edu/browse/family-erebidae/subfamily-arctiinae/tribe-arctiini/spilosoma/spilosoma-virginica/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Spilosoma virginica:</span></a><b> </b>It is also called the Yellow Woolybear. Eventually, it becomes the Virginian Tiger Moth. I understand it to be a native locally and across North America.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Douglas Tallamy in the book "Nature's Best Hope " explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. These plants he calls keystone plants and suggests we can greatly benefit urban birds by planting these in our yards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p><b>Native Keystone Plants for Wildlife:</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030"><span style="color: #93c47d;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030</span></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>*****************</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Email Challenge:</b></span></div><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Google has discontinued the service.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>Larry, </i><i>I want to see more of nature. </i><i>Please add me to your personal email list. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for your patience and interest!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iWu1rt5jIJXcb8ItqV5H8VMGokAlh_PhYxfNbt_TD9shNX60LNmL8c7WdBS48O-ZWPB5-NRAakeFZdRT4wEu3ZPGCgoFborO8uifqvmtSbbW9NCOqI2g7v4eY1-6hFVpHaeG1XnEN6s/s1600/20200517-354A3720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Comment Challenge:</b></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. </span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bottom Line:</b> </span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.</span></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">My email address is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><i> LDHubbell@comcast.net</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><b style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: 400; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400; text-size-adjust: auto;">*******************</div><div style="font-weight: 400; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Final Photos:</b></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhQ5-yN6kcQs623KJ2xhajdDadUAldh0tpofFTyvZk0r_-o_xDGxuBGhxKdHEjVr9jF9PH_nTUrOW-uC4Pxj9ljLtfqiR-kme4U6LUxwn3oQsZS5tHEJiPIlj7r7MdqTi5FfckdWQOxsM14AAQ2PLGugl7Hj1vd9Kqz3qVQtlxszjoLPfk_80qSI/s1530/20180620-EB2R1701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1530" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhQ5-yN6kcQs623KJ2xhajdDadUAldh0tpofFTyvZk0r_-o_xDGxuBGhxKdHEjVr9jF9PH_nTUrOW-uC4Pxj9ljLtfqiR-kme4U6LUxwn3oQsZS5tHEJiPIlj7r7MdqTi5FfckdWQOxsM14AAQ2PLGugl7Hj1vd9Kqz3qVQtlxszjoLPfk_80qSI/w640-h426/20180620-EB2R1701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmxxsChkOkT-3JCaVGI_fQcylTtq-uQ9n8kj-tn5sKKD8kZAvZU1pHVXayTIyNcS9tMnJ4ViwH87F_5yB8UrV7ENqmODnVY_eISiNcyp87quOBdxHuw-iZiJQFHUFQ9BikI5qmvw5o4jYoyZnpwmXu9tQBpnWarnQM8itmeUUDpgFN_wrqHZnERs/s2109/20180620-EB2R1703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="2109" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmxxsChkOkT-3JCaVGI_fQcylTtq-uQ9n8kj-tn5sKKD8kZAvZU1pHVXayTIyNcS9tMnJ4ViwH87F_5yB8UrV7ENqmODnVY_eISiNcyp87quOBdxHuw-iZiJQFHUFQ9BikI5qmvw5o4jYoyZnpwmXu9tQBpnWarnQM8itmeUUDpgFN_wrqHZnERs/w640-h426/20180620-EB2R1703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div>Larry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.com10