The Cedar Waxwing party was photographed in 26 C bright sunshine, while the humidity was 44 percent. I only went hiking because I keep trying to get into shape for a longer trek. We've gone from winter to summer in a quick leap and the mosquitoes and black flies are out in droves. Protective clothing only makes you warmer. In a nutshell, the hike looked like a disaster until I came on these Cedar Waxwing throwing a party on last years fruit in this tree. Stewart Monkton sent me a reference last year about the livers of the Cedar's and the Bohemian's. Their liver is especially adapted to high alcohol levels. They, after all, feed on fermented fruit, so they are really partying.
I'll let you use the slideshow, as this is a long post. A post to:
I's Rather Be Birdin,
Our World Tuedsay, and
WBW.
This is a feeding sequence of two different birds.
Second Waxwing.
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| Full |
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| Wild Blueberries in bloom. |
I'm not complaining about the insects because they bring on the wild flowers and fruit.
Along the trail edge, the dandelions and these miniature petunias,which we call Johnny-Jump-Ups, are in full flower. They come in several colour variations, and are about the size of your thumb nail.
Pin Cherries in bloom.
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| Johnny-Jump-Ups |
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| Pin Cherries |
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| Blueberries |
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| Blueberries |
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| Johnny Jump-Ups |
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| Pin Cherries |
The mosquitoes are especially hard on Bobbi, probably attracted by his doggy scent, or even his blood type if he's an O-type,according to Wikipedia. I now walk at first light, and put his coat on him, which seems to help.
Beautiful shots of the cedars. I don't see them often.
ReplyDeleteThose Waxwing's are beautiful. Hope Bobbi doesn't suffer to many mosquito bites. What a lovely face!
ReplyDeleteThe birds feeding, wonderful photos, and Bobbi, a great companion on your spring walks. Cheers to you both, Jean. p.s. we are having frosts, clear days, and a LOT cooler!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots of the birds and the flowers..Poor Bobbi..hope your effort is of some help to this poor fellow..looking so cute..
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful series of both bird shots and flowers. I loved the slide show. Let me know if you crossed the bridge today with me!. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteThey are such great looking birds! I suffer with the mosquitoes as well!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
oh, poor Bobbi - I wonder if the citronella 'patches' would work stuck on his coat? I buy pack of ten at chemist (for mosquitos), you just stick on clothing, lasts twelve hours.Loved the Cedar Waxwings; great photos, also the flowers. I have Johnny Jump Ups coming up again in my garden ...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful showing of the Waxwing Gary.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos! I love the waxwings and all the flowers. We haven't had mosquitoes yet, but soon they'll make being in the forest very uncomfortable here as well.
ReplyDeleteGary, awesome series on the beautiful WAXWINGS. And lovely collection of blooms! Bobbi is a cutie..I hope the skeeters leave him alone.. Thanks for linking up, have a great day!
ReplyDeletePretty waxwing images Gary!! Those johnny jump ups [we call them that also] are not petunias tho, they're technically violas I believe. Or mini-pansies.
ReplyDeletePoor Bobbi!! I hate mosquitoes too!!
I love all those Waxwings Gary - some party! Where do I get one of those livers?
ReplyDeletethe waxwings are just a delight! you got some great shots in the sunlight. :) good luck with the mosquitoes!
ReplyDeleteoh, and my mother grew johnny jump-ups. thanks for the memory. :)
ReplyDeleteOH, I didn't realize O-types were particularly tasty to mosquitoes! I love cedar waxwings!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots of one of my favorite birds. The flowers are beautiful. I had no idea mosquitos like O types best. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe cedar waxwings are my favorite bird in the world. Love these pictures so much. But your flowers especially the Johnny Jump Ups are just little miracles too and would be worth the hike for me. (That is what my parents and grandparents called those flowers too, and they've always been favorites.) It's good to remind readers of your slide show because your pictures are even better that way. Which always seems impossible when I see how lovely they are the first time I read your posts.
ReplyDeletegreat shots, Your waxwing are so beautiful
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteThe waxwings are such serene and beautiful birds. I have type O and am heading to Alaska in a couple of weeks. I assume the mosquitoes have beaten me there!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds and so interesting to see so many of them feeding on that over-ripe fruit. I hope Bobby didn't get bitten to badly by all the bugs. I tried putting ti-tree oil on my dog - which seemed to work but she didn't like the smell!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous cedar wings and lovely spring flowers too!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely birds and beautiful flowers!
ReplyDeletePoor Bobby! We seem to have a lot of ticks here this year and as my dog (Norwich Terrier) is very close to the ground…not funny!
The Cedar Waxwings are gorgeous birds. What a lovely array of spring flowers.
ReplyDeleteHello Bobbi!
Absolutely glorious captures!
ReplyDeleteStunning photos Gary! The flowers are very pretty! How nasty to have to face mozzies and other insects. Can't you put some insect repellent all over your body and over your dog's too?We had that in Indonesia. It is a nuisance.
ReplyDeleteWil
Beautiful, great photo series!
ReplyDeletePoor Bobby! Didn't realize mosquitoes bothered dogs. I love cedar waxwings and love that a flock visits me several times a year. I didn't know about their special adaptation to handle fermented berries. Thanks for the info, and the great photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat captures! I saw my first scarlet tanager this spring!
ReplyDeleteNice pictures , I love the beautiful details in these magnificent birds !
ReplyDeleteI can't decide which photos are more beautiful -- the waxwings or the wildflowers. They're all wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWow! Gorgeous photos of birds and flowers!
ReplyDeleteI think it is very difficult to photograph birds... they don't still...
Your dogs looks adorable!
Poor Bobby, mosquitos are very bad...
Thanks for your visit and comment on my place.
Have a nice week.
Wonderful shots of the waxwing, flowers and Bobbi, have a great week.
ReplyDeleteAll your photos are beautiful! I love your dog!:)
ReplyDeleteI love cedar waxwings. I mostly see them here in the fall. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteThese are spectacular! I've never seen a waxwing before.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures ! Poor Bobby, I didn't even know that mosquitoes are attracted by dogs ! Or maybe we have another sort of mosquitoes.
ReplyDeleteThe Cedar waxwings are beautiful. Interesting fact on the liver.
ReplyDeletePoor Bobby...no fun getting bit by mosquitos.
Those are very handsome looking birds.
ReplyDeleteNice photos of the waxvings and of course also the flowers and your dog!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Pia
I think the Waxwings are one of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen. We get them here in the Fall when any tree with a berry on them isn't safe. Mountain Ash trees specially. Fun to watch. MB
ReplyDeleteAlways a good idea to protect Bobbi from those mosquitos. Not good for doggies. He looks sleepy here. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of bird and flowers!
beautiful Gary...thanks for visiting.
ReplyDeleteYou take wonderful photos, very sharp. Those are beautiful birds and a great looking dog.
ReplyDeletewhat great shots of the waxwings. the pin cherries look similar to something growing alongside the fence of our neighbors field. so glad your hike turned out nicely. have a great day~
ReplyDeleteWaxwings are gorgeous birds, they look like they're decked out for a party. Poor Bobbi, glad you found a way to provide some protection from the mosquitoes.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting info about the Cedar Waxwing liver, and their tolerance to fermented berries! Love your photos too, both of the birds and of the flowers!
ReplyDeleteCedars look like they are wearing a bird tux. They are so fancy!
ReplyDeleteYour pups steal the show! ha. So cute!
ReplyDeleteI really love those Waxwings...aren't they gorgeous?
What a gorgeous bird!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are just wonderful. So that's why mosquitoes like me so much!
I'm sure Bobbi appreciates his coat and all you do for her.
Those Waxwings are gorgeous! They look so smooth, almost sculpted.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting about mosquitoes and O type blood. I must look that up!
Poor pooch! I know what it's like. Mosquitoes are my enemy and they will always find me. Gorgeous area.....didn't know that about the plant and it's varied uses......plus the Snapping turtles are interesting. I grew up with them. Some were quite large! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh yes feed that beautiful puppy. Amazing turtles, didn't know you had so many . And as always the birds, lovely waxwings, my favorites and warblers. And flowers. Thanks for the great walk.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful puppy and beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteGreeting,...