FEASTING ON INSECTS

To the rear of the Spooner Ranch House is an old Buckeye shrub, grown into a tree. The tree may look scraggly, but there is always bird activity in and around it, regardless the time of year. The dense twigs provide little birds such as Warblers and Wrens a save haven, and many places to perch.
This morning tiny flying insects had hatched along the edge of the road beside the tree. As I approached, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend's Warbler (photo), and Bewick's Wren were feasting on the insects. From a perch in the Buckeye they would dart out to catch insects in the air or on the ground and then fly back to a perch. Within a few minutes, a pair of Western Bluebirds and a couple of White-crowned Sparrow joined in on the feast. I could hear their teensy beaks clack as they snatched the insects out of the air. (I do love that sound) For several minutes I was in the midst of a these adorable birds. A Townsend's brushed right over my head and back the same way. They were landing inches from my feet (unfortunately too close for a photo). Needless to say, I was a happy camper.

MONTANA DE ORO

The time was nearly 5:30. Sun well hidden by dense fog. Dashing about in the Cypress trees, in front of the Visitor Center, were 3 pair of Western Blue Bird, numerous Yellow-rumped Warbler and a pair of Townsend Warbler. They were finding insects (invisible to my eyes) on the tree trunks, on the ground, and in the air. I think these little insect eaters were gobbling down as much as they possibly could before night set in.

Earlier I had driven into the Campground. Two crows were chasing a tiny field mouse around the wide base of a Cypress. Eventually the mouse was caught by one of the crows, who then flew to the top of the Cypress and ate the little darling. First time I had observed this behavior. I knew Crows were scavengers but did not know they were hunters.