Back at the oasis, as I was watering, keeping my camera near me, the Yellow-throated Vireo popped into view between me and the camera. (It's impossible to drag hoses, attach sprinklers, etc with the big heavy camera in hand. I can't hang it from a strap because the strap snags on things and yanks the camera off me. I learned that the expensive way.) I managed to follow its movements as I retrieved the camera, but couldn't get a clear shot before it disappeared. Maybe tomorrow, if it's still around. Here is all I got of it. I would say, better than nothing, but I'm not so sure.
I had a note from some birders that visited after I went to Alpine Thursday saying they had seen a rattlesnake catch a White-winged Dove. The location they described is the same place the Diamond-backed has been being seen in that shallow depression by the east feeder (called the bucket feeder). So I thought it would be fun to observe it to see what it caught tonight. I invited my sister to join me. We sat watching it for 2 hours, but it never caught anything, even though some sparrows practically stepped on it. Guess it was holding out for doves or quail.
See how well camouflaged it is.
4 comments:
On the Rattlesnake front, I recently wrote about what inspired me so for my love of nature and understanding and restoring and eventually creating healthy ecosysyems and other habitats. I use the term "Guerilla Habitat Restorationist because I established a Torrey Pine habitat in the 1970s as a kid and it still exists to this day, but greatly larger. In fact it was roped off with conservation habitat tape just before I left as a result of development which was going on.
What I didn't write about was that over a period of 3 decades there was a rather huge western Diamondback Rattler up there in Rattlesnake Mountain (what else would it be called) in El Cajon CA where there was this dry narrow wash with a rocky ledge which has a series of crevices and this one resident Rattlesnake. Trust me, all those years when I visited and cared for those plants, I respected that snakes place. Besides I figured he would play an important role in keeping down the rodents and rabbits which wanted to make a meal of my plantings.
I understand that Rattlesnakes stake out a territory claim and live around that area most of their lives. Have you also noticed this there ?
Thanks for the updates - Kevin
Truthfully, I've always been so afraid of someone getting bit that I've removed all venomous snakes from my oasis. I figured there's plenty of nonvenomous ones to fill the void. However, this one seems to pretty much stay put, so I'm debating whether to leave it be or not.
I visited you with Woody Wheeler and I think you are the most remarkable women I have met in a very, very long time. Your habitat is wonderful and the amount of work to keep it up is awe inspiring!
Thank you most sincerely. I enjoyed your visit. I must say, keeping my oasis alive is the most difficult it's ever been. Today it poured rain in Alpine. Surely, my turn's coming soon.
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