Saturday, October 21, 2017

Back to Normal

21 October 2017

     Miriam and I have just returned from a fabulous trip to Slovenia and Croatia and we are still getting over our jet lag. We have thousands of pictures to sort through and edit, so it will be a while before a full report of our trip is up on the blog. In the meantime, I was back at our normal routine of bird banding at SpruceHaven this morning.
     It was good to see everyone, with our regular crew of Kevin Grundy, Heather Polan, Daina Anderson, Judy Wyatt and Debbie Hernandez out to help. Heather and Daina were both kept busy banding, while Kevin exercised his usual professional level of supervision, and shared his expertise gained over many years with the young up and comers.

Daina banding a Dark-eyed Junco
    Our first capture of the day was a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). My camera (or more than likely, me) was unable to get a decent shot in the relatively poor light of early morning, but Debbie produced this image on her smart phone.



     She was equally successful with a White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).


     It is amazing the quality that can be produced on these state-of-the-art mobile devices.

     Both Golden-crowned Kinglets (Regulus satrapa) and Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Regulus calendula) were moving through in substantial numbers and we trapped several of each.




     It looks as though Heather is adding to her wrist adornments!

     The most common species of the morning was Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) of the slate-coloured form, recently arrived to take up residence here for the winter.


     Heather had to depart early today to attend a significant family event, and Daina left off banding for a while to take over as scribe.


     Judy handled the clerical duties for a while too, as far as I can recall the first time she has done so, but I neglected to take a picture of her busy at work.
     It was a great morning to be banding, with slowly warming temperatures, although we never did have bright sunshine. What a pleasure to see everyone out, filled with enthusiasm for the task at hand. It reminded me that however agreeable the travels, it's always good to be back home.

All species banded: Blue Jay (1), Black-capped Chickadee (1), Golden-crowned Kinglet (7), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (5), Song Sparrow (5), White-crowned Sparrow (1), White-throated Sparrow (2), Dark-eyed Junco (9).  Total: 31 individuals representing 8 species.
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David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

30 comments:

  1. Rhodesia21 October 2017 at 15:44

    So glad you are back, missed you. Love seeing these close ups of the birds, we would never see them this close in the wild. Have a good Sunday, try to relax and catch up with Jet-lag, Take care Diane

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  2. Richard Pegler21 October 2017 at 16:13

    It's great to see you back in the saddle again after your European travels, David. That Blue Jay was a great start to the day - they really are a spectacular bird, even if not a rarity. Those tiny kinglets are gorgeous too.

    I'm really looking forward to your report(s?) on your Slovenia/Croatia trip.

    With my love to you and Miriam. Best wishes - - - Richard

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  3. Bob Bushell21 October 2017 at 16:54

    Fantastic David, the trip must have been a great treat. The Blue Jay was eye open, lovely to see the Kinglets too.

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  4. eileeninmd21 October 2017 at 17:52

    Hello, welcome back. I am look forward to seeing your trip photos. Great catches, The kinglets are my favorite winter birds. I am seeing a few in my yard. Wonderful photos. Have a happy weekend!

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  5. DeniseinVA22 October 2017 at 03:30

    Welcome home David, I look forward to seeing your holiday photos. Lovely to see these birds up close.

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  6. Titus John White22 October 2017 at 04:52

    Hi Both
    And welcome back from your excursion. Some wonderful images, but the Blue Jay is a real show stopper, why do we bother getting these fancy cameras!!!!. Look forward to the images from your trip.
    All the best, John

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  7. Roos22 October 2017 at 05:29

    Welcome back David, That must have been some trip. I am looking forward to your photos. Love that Blue Yay. Regards, Roos

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  8. Germán Ibarra Zorrilla22 October 2017 at 06:19

    Bienvenido amigo mío!!! Tengo muchas ganas de ver el reportaje de tu viaje a Europa. Tuviste suerte con el Wallcreeper? Espero que si, un abrazo desde España.

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    Replies
    1. David M. Gascoigne,23 October 2017 at 07:16

      We did indeed succeed with Wallcreeper. It was the highlight of the whole trip.

      Delete
  9. Stuart Price22 October 2017 at 08:02

    Hope you had a great trip..........

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  10. Tinie22 October 2017 at 10:11

    Beautiful pictures David.
    I am curious about the pictures of your holiday.
    Greetings Tinie

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  11. Stewart M23 October 2017 at 04:57

    Travel is great - but so are the routines of home! Hope all is well.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  12. Noushka23 October 2017 at 11:10

    Hi David,
    Great to know you will soon show us so lovely pics from your recent trip to Slovenia. It is an area I'v' never visited, so looking forwards to it :)
    I am also out and about much, leaving again for the Atlantic coast tomorrow then Spain for a few days and on the road again to the center of France some time before or for Xmas and... in Jan off to Kenya for 3 weeks!! Voilà!!
    Much love to share with Miriam :)))

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    Replies
    1. David M. Gascoigne,23 October 2017 at 11:44

      You have me beat, Noushka, but we have travel plans in the future too. Next month we will be returning to Cuba for nine days, to a different part of the island with different endemic species. In April we will be visiting Vancouver Island, in August Gaspé, QC and in September/October Australia.

      Delete
  13. Phil Slade23 October 2017 at 12:57

    Nice work there David in your desire to get up close and personal again with some banding. Sounds like you're still on Cloud 9 with your trip. Yes, the sorting through the pictures takes forever,always looking for THE picture. Funny how my best ever shot always fails to materialise and I have to go off again.

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    Replies
    1. David M. Gascoigne,23 October 2017 at 13:43

      In terms of pictures it's going to be a tad complicated this time. We always rely on Franc, who has the equipment and the expertise to provide good shots, especially of birds, but he and Carol will be in Europe until 11 November, and then almost as soon as they return we will all be leaving for Cuba. I will probably go ahead and do the trip report and insert some of his images later.

      Delete
  14. Lowcarb team member23 October 2017 at 19:44

    Hello, and welcome back.
    Lovely to see the photo's on your post here. I do agree sometimes mobile phones do take great photo's!

    Once you've had a chance to settle back into routine and sort your trip photo's I look forward to seeing them.

    All the best Jan

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  15. The Yum List23 October 2017 at 22:20

    I haven't been to Slovenia or Croatia but I hear that they're both beautiful! I'd love to visit both. Might you share some photos on your blog or are you sticking to birding? Maybe you got some great bird shots over there?

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  16. Nancy Chan24 October 2017 at 05:19

    Good to know you enjoyed your trip! Looking forward to your trip posts. That is a beautiful blue jay and the birds are all so pretty!

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  17. Penelope Notes24 October 2017 at 08:57

    Lucky birds … as we keep our eye out on them, they fly freely without a care about borders or the changing politics of the countries they’re in. :)

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  18. Daniela25 October 2017 at 10:50

    You've such a wonderful blog, my friend, I'm following you with joy !
    You have to know that I do live in Italy, in an estate located between Liguria and Piedmont, completely immersed in Nature and I so love to watch wild animals living free, I do respect these creatures with all my heart !

    With utmost gratitude for the lovely comment you left on ~ My little old world ~,
    I'm sending my dearest hugs to you

    XOXO Daniela

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  19. Prunella Pepperpot26 October 2017 at 09:51

    Glad you were both away recharging your batteries.
    What an amazing capture of the Blue Jay, it's soo attractive!!!
    Loving the other birds too but not as much as the stunning Blue Jay.
    Have a fantastic week.

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  20. Nathailes SANTA MARIA26 October 2017 at 15:35

    All these little birds are so pretty, I prefer to see them in the trees ;-)
    Cuba, I dream of it! In January we leave for Ethiopia:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David M. Gascoigne,26 October 2017 at 15:48

      Hi Nathalie: We will be in Cuba again next month. I have visited Ethiopia and it is a gruelling trip.

      Delete
  21. Sallie (FullTime-Life)27 October 2017 at 11:46

    You got right back into the swing of things on return from your amazing trip. Your banding group does such good work, and the added benefit of those great bird portraits is immeasurable...thanks for sharing them. Looking forward to hearing more about the trip when you can (I’m sure I would still be getting over the jet lag ))

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  22. Ela29 October 2017 at 14:36

    Welcome back David ! All these little birds are so beautiful !!
    Great photos !!

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  23. Haddock2 November 2017 at 13:11

    I like that dark-eyed Junco.

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  24. Joyful14 November 2017 at 02:10

    Oh my, what amazing bird photos. However did she get them to land in her hand?

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  25. Alicia20 November 2017 at 03:50

    QUE PRECIOSIDDAD DE PAJAROS!!!!
    COMPLICADO PODER TENERLOS ASI EN LA MANO..
    SALUDITOS

    ReplyDelete

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