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May 25, 2009 | by Kevin Loughlin
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on nest — digiscoped with Nikon 50mm field scope and Leica C-Lux 3 in very low light at sunset.
A bird-filled weekend at Promised Land State Park. Work to be done on the cabin and a few rolling thunderstorms curtailed the birding a bit, however, many great birds were heard or seen –not the least of which was the Mississippi Kite I posted about previously.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird above was nesting in one of the giant hemlock trees in my front yard. Blackburnian Warblers nest in the hemlocks in my yard as well… and they were singing incessantly(but would not pose for photos)! Lisa and I also enjoyed watching a Blue-headed Vireo gathering nesting materials in the back yard while a pair of Eastern Phoebes were building their nest, again, above our front door. They do it every year!
Even while working around the cabin I could hear the off cadence pounding of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers — which started each day at 5am. Now and then they mingled with the hammering and calls of a Pileated Woodpecker. The ethereal song of a Hermit Thrush was as consistent as those of Magnolia Warblers, American Redstarts and Red-eyed Vireos.
The Lower Lake at Promised Land State Park as viewed from the Observation Station.
Down at the Lower Lake, the pair of Bald Eagles had built their nest in a new location. The tree they had used the previous eight years fell during the winter. I was happy to see they had decided to stay close by. The Eastern Phoebes were catching bugs, flying circles around the observation station. Swamp Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Juncos, Yellow Warblers and Red-wing Blackbirds all vied for our attention with unending song.
Eastern Phoebe at the edge of the Lower Lake.
So many habitats, so many species. Unfortunately not enough time to find them all!
photos © Kevin Loughlin