Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Female Summer Tanager

Summer Tanager: Eat, Drink, Bathe Merrily

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Summer Tanager Female at Birdbath

It's October.  The Summer Tanager continues to come to the bird bath.  Apparently she hasn't studied the bird journals to learn she isn't supposed to still be in Georgia.  Then again, with 2017's hurricane activity -- Cuba and the Dominican Republic probably aren't attractive destinations at the moment.

It's no surprise that birds live by:  "Do drink the bathwater."  The Tanager is no exception.  What has been interesting/unusual is to observe Ms. Tanager snatching insects out of the air while sitting on the edge of the bath.  (I did not observe this behavior over the summer -- maybe because insects are more prevalent overall?)  You will see her in the video -- clearly hearing the insect first -- and then moving with lightening speed to make a precision capture.

This Feeder is Broken

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This year a number of songbirds have visited the hummingbirds' nectar feeder.

It is interesting how quickly the birds will check out any new addition to the landscape.  Being spoiled as they are, they must assume every feeder dispenses food for all.  Their mission is to figure out how it works.  The Tufted Titmouse was not one bit happy about the plastic, yellow flowers.  Both he and the American Goldfinch were not amused when they could not savor the insect "behind the glass".  The Tanager, on the other hand, seemed content to give the feeder a good look (above and below), then move on to the suet.