Good migration day

Ah, those difficult teenage years! This juvenile Black-throated Sparrow follows its mother (?) onto the feeder, then while waiting for food delivery it pecks up a morsel. But not fast enough to swallow it before mom's food arrives. The tidbit gets dropped as the fledgling opens wide for the incoming food.

Junior wants to feed himself but has to figure out how to overcome his "open wide" programming.

Next is a great photo of the action by Michael Gray.

More lovely birders today. Lots of migrants that I wouldn't have seen without all the eyes searching, including a White-eyed Vireo. It's a new oasis species.

Several from one group walked up the arroyo and discovered it there, singing. Made me feel good that I had done some pruning in the arroyo a week ago. I wasn't that enthusiastic doing it, thinking most all birders sit at the viewing area and watch the feeders, and hardly ever go up the arroyo. Many are exhausted from doing the Colima "death march" the day before.* But just in case....   

I'll be much more eager to prune the arroyo before migration next year. This photo is by Bonnie de Grood, I think. Both Bonnie and Joan Purcell generously shared their photos with me, so a heartfelt thanks to both. Birders are the best! 

That Osprey that arrived yesterday sat on this pole from 8:00 PM last night until around 10:00 AM this morning. He should be well rested to continue his journey.

And the Lucifers still aren't back yet. Even the Ocotillo at the oasis is still in bloom.

I got to Alpine this afternoon to discover the hummingbird nest only has one egg remaining in it. 

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* Tour leaders wisely schedule a more sedentary birding day following the quest for the Colima Warbler up in the Chisos Mountains at Boot Springs. From what I've heard all have been successful in getting the Colima, as well as a Slate-throated Redstart in the same general area.