Eaglet Watch | May Flowers

Eva and Albert are keeping close watch on the nest these days. Crows seem to be the only visible problem. The crows harass the eagles by swooping down at their tail feathers but somehow they stay just out of reach. 

The eggs must be getting very close to hatching and after months of preparation the eagles are in a last minute wait, watch and protect mode. Soon enough, Albert will be running himself ragged hunting for food to feed a family of three or four or maybe even more.

While waiting and watching the eagles this photo-opportunity appeared. Take a look and see if you can determine the type of bird, its gender and what it is doing. 
Note: The bird is alive and well.

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In addition to eggs hatching and young birds finding their way into the world, flowers are also opening their petals to absorb the light of spring. Knowing our native plants and watching to see how they fare as our climate changes will provide us an important assessment of our local eco-system, so this week I am challenging you to:

   1) Help identify each of the following flowers 

   2) Please note if the flower is a native or non-native plant.

Disclaimers: Some of these photos may have actually been taken in April instead of May and not all of the photos are from 2014. Where there is more than one flower that looks similar I am assuming they are the same type of plant. So I am hoping there is only one answer for each letter below, but I might be wrong.

You can send your answers to:

   ldhubbell at comcast dot net

Next week I will post the most common answers for each type of plant and you can see how you have done. Have fun!

A)

B)

C)

D)

E)

 F)

G)

H)

 I)

 J)

 

K)

L)

M)

N)

Bonus Points:

O) 

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The bird sitting in the gravel is a Flicker. You can tell it is a male by the red malar stripes on each cheek. First it landed and then it rubbed its chest in the gravel.

Then it rubbed a wing.

Then it rubbed the back of its head in the dust.

Finally it popped up apparently feeling as clean as a whistle. My understanding is that the dust baths cut down on lice and other small creatures who find breathing the dust a bit of a challenge. I guess it is all just part of a healthy lifestyle for the Flickers. 

Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!

Larry