The Homestone

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Our 'Bohemian neighbourhoood' on a Saturday morning.

We counted 21 Bohemian Waxwings this morning.  

If you are wondering how Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings differ; 'All About Birds' is a great resource.  It's my online go-to for identification.  Here is an example of their ID viewer . 



Our waxwing visitors this morning used the cone laden top of the tall Englemann Spruce (the Grosbeak's nesting tree) as their base while they flew back and forth to the creek below. 

The portion of the creek they were zipping back and forth to is where the beaver has built his dam.  The dam produces a soothing waterfall sound and also apparently, a bloom of something the waxwings were enjoying. 

The Bohemian's were a welcome sight on an overcast October morning. About half as many came through last year in early November.



 Arthur C. Bent (1866-1954)  one of America's greatest ornithologists, describes the Bohemian Waxwing as “a well-dressed gentleman in feathers, a Beau Brummel among birds.”   
( 'Beau Who?! Okay, gotta love Google ) Beau Brummel was an iconic figure in Regency England; the arbiter of men's fashion in the early half of the 1800's.  
Here's a portrait of the nattily dressed Brummel.

 
Did you know; a group of waxwings are collectively known as an "ear-full" 
or a "museum" of waxwings. 
Till next time ~ here's to happy songbirds everywhere.
And thanks for dropping by.

1 comment:

Hildred said...

What a lot of great information Nicky, - a great post and beautiful pictures.gr