The Delights of May

May has been both exciting and delightful. The most exciting and rewarding experience, since I began to watch birds and to take their photos. There were many firsts, as well as new discoveries and insights. Too many to include in a single post, as a result every time I began to write a post, I got stuck. Today I decided the simplest way to share, for now, is to just show you some of the highlights.

There was nothing more delightful than this, totally unexpected lifer.  A Black-throated Green Warbler.

Black-throated Green Warbler

Looking for prey

It was followed by the beautiful Magnolia warbler.  I have been hoping to spot one for a couple of years now.

Magnolia Warbler

Showing me his other side

I almost missed this one, I believe it is a Veery, but please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Veery

It took me quite a while to identify the little flycatcher below, but I managed it after consulting several bird books, as well as websites.

Least Flycatcher

A closer look

This little bird below was a gem, but not because I haven't seen the species before.  I have been listening to his song for several years now, one of my favorites, but have never been able to match the song up to the bird, and was absolutely tickled when I finally did last week.

House Wren

When I visited a pond on the south side of the city, I was surprised to stumble across this Killdeer, as I was returning from investigating a marshy area in a farmer's field near the pond.  I don't know which one of us was more startled, the Killdeer or myself.  He blended so well with the dirt, dry stubble, and grass, that I literally didn't see him, although I did hear him.  I didn't think to look at the ground to find him though.

Killdeer in the field

Killdeer in flight

This Philadelphia warbler is another lifer for me.  I mistook him for a Tennessee, until I got a closer look at the photos at home.

Philadelphia Vireo

Keeping an eye on me

The most exciting events of May arrived in the past couple of days.  The first, is not a bird at all, but must be included.  I have never seen a Monarch butterfly, not in any province that I have lived.  Yet this one greeted me as I got off the bus after work, quite literally near my front door.  It was really windy out, so I guess you could say the wind delivered him, and as I understand it, I should not be seeing him at all.

Monarch Butterfly

Settled above me

The last day of May brought this beauty to the pond near my work.  If I hadn't been looking for a pair of Eared Grebes I had spotted the day before, I would have missed him altogether.  Who would have thought I would get so excited over a duck, but he is a stunner.

Hooded Merganser Male

Showing his speed

Enjoy,
Susan