Wednesday, June 12, 2019

AND NOW FOR THE BIRDS AND OTHER CRITTERS SEEN AT MEADOWLARK GARDENS


A juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird?  I looked at dozens of photographs and there are similar ones, but decided on this ID.  What do you think?  If you know for sure I am always open to learning.
The Red-winged Blackbird showed up as we were looking in the direction of the small bridge.

He was the only one we saw when we were at the garden. 
 I read at the above link the oldest recorded Red-winged Blackbird was 15 years, 9 months old.  It was banded in New Jersey in 1967, and found alive but injured in Michigan in 1983.  After recovering from its injuries it was released.
Two photos of a Grey Catbird.

It was a dreary day but it didn't stop its singing. 

A Baltimore Oriole or an American Redstart? I need help so to my more knowledgeable birders, please let me know if you can tell me for sure.  I would appreciate it and thank you in advance.
Added note 6-15-19: Thank you Ginny and Eileen for helping me with the identification of this bird.  On looking up lots of photos of Orchard Orioles, I believe this is what it is.  Among every other feature, the beak seemed to have a distinctive coloration.

We saw a few Chipmunks scurrying around.  

There were a lot of Red-eared Sliders.




The butterfly garden was very quiet and I couldn't see any butterflies.  

They did have a very nice poster and if you enlarge, you can just about make out the names of each one.

I enjoyed the ornamental butterflies...

and I saw this beauty on a lily earlier.  It is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

I have one more post after this and I will be done with our walk around Meadowlark Gardens until the next time we go.




 Thank you for looking and enjoy your day.

   

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28 comments:

  1. RedJune 12, 2019 at 10:33 PM

    Denise, they should charge you money to see all these critters!

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    1. DeniseinVAJune 14, 2019 at 2:02 PM

      They do charge to get into the garden Red but it is a very small fee compared to other places. We also buy a yearly membership so that we can come here a lot.

      Delete
  2. Ginny HartzlerJune 12, 2019 at 10:44 PM

    Your butterfly photos are wonderful!!! I believe that bird to be a Redstart. Because I have seen the Baltimore Orioles, and they are black and yellow. I agree about the Cowbird! Boo hoo, your last post. I can't wait till you return.

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    1. DeniseinVAJune 14, 2019 at 2:05 PM

      Hi Ginny, thank you! :) Appreciate the ID, I haven't seen a sighting of these birds but rarely, and when I have it has been fleeting and ages ago. This one took me totally by surprise but was so far away I could barely see it. I took the photo very quickly with my zoom, and it was gone in a flash.

      Delete
  3. Elephant's ChildJune 12, 2019 at 11:05 PM

    Lovely, lovely (exotic) critters to me. Thank you.

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  4. Margaret Birding For PleasureJune 13, 2019 at 2:14 AM

    Such a wonderful lot of critters Thanks for sharing.

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    1. DeniseinVAJune 14, 2019 at 2:06 PM

      Thank you Margaret, happy you enjoyed them :)

      Delete
  5. ValerieJune 13, 2019 at 4:26 AM

    I like the redstart. However, as an avid birdwatcher -or was- I loved this post.

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    1. DeniseinVAJune 14, 2019 at 2:07 PM

      That's great Valerie, I will have to do more of them.

      Delete
  6. Francisco Manuel Carrajola OliveiraJune 13, 2019 at 4:53 AM

    Belas fotografias e as borboletas são lindíssimas e aproveito para desejar a continuação de uma boa semana.

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    O prazer dos livros

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  7. Beatrice P. BoydJune 13, 2019 at 7:19 AM

    I’m not sure either what the bird with the orange on its wings is named, Denise. Too bad there were nit more butterflies when you visited, but perhaps when you return.

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    1. DeniseinVAJune 14, 2019 at 2:09 PM

      Hi Dorothy, hopefully there will be more. They had planted new plants and bushes in that area and there were no blooms yet. Happy travels! I have been enjoying seeing where you have stopped.

      Delete
  8. eileeninmdJune 13, 2019 at 7:38 AM

    Hello, Denise. I agree with the Cowbird id but I think your Oriole is the Orchard Oriole. Love the cute turtle and beautiful butterflies. Lovely sightings and photos. Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

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    1. DeniseinVAJune 14, 2019 at 2:10 PM

      Thanks Eileen, and I looked at an Orchard Oriole photo and wondered about it. Appeciate the ID. Happy day and weekend to you :)

      Delete
  9. SandiJune 13, 2019 at 8:03 AM

    magnificent!

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  10. ChristineJune 13, 2019 at 8:12 AM

    Each shot is a work of art!

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    1. DeniseinVAJune 14, 2019 at 2:11 PM

      Thank you Christine :) Coming from an artist whose work I enjoy, I really appreciate that.

      Delete
  11. William KendallJune 13, 2019 at 11:51 AM

    Your shot of the munk is my favourite.

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    1. DeniseinVAJune 14, 2019 at 2:11 PM

      He is a cutie that's for sure. Thanks William :)

      Delete
  12. RhodesiaJune 13, 2019 at 4:18 PM

    All birds that we do not see here and nor chipmunks either 😉 Have a good weekend, it is nearly here, Diane

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    1. DeniseinVAJune 14, 2019 at 2:12 PM

      Love traveling to different areas to see all kinds of critters I don't see where I live. You have a great weekend too Diane and thank you :)

      Delete
  13. RoseJune 13, 2019 at 8:02 PM

    So many nice shots in one post! And I love turtles piled on top of each other...and butterflies are so enjoyable!

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  14. ellen b.June 13, 2019 at 9:44 PM

    What a lovely walk and great photos to document.

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