Saturday, July 19
I showed up at Iona by myself, with very no plans and few expectations. I certainly didn’t expect to see a gorgeous Yellow-headed Blackbird strutting all up and down the boardwalk and even venturing into the parking lot. He had 100% no fear of humans, going right up to the hardcore morning cyclists and in some cases flying up to sit on their bikes.
There seemed to be three other yellow-heads out in the marsh, with much duller colours. Every once in a while, he’d fly out there and they’d scream and chase him around. I sort of thought they were females being territorial, but when I looked it up I learned that female yellow-heads don’t look at all like the drab little guys before me.
Then it hit me: they’re juveniles! They’re his kids! He spends so much effort foraging because they’re not 100% independent yet, and of course they scream and chase him around because they’re perpetually hungry.
Sunday, July 20
The light on Saturday was a bit grey and overcast, but Sunday dawned clear and bright so I went right back to Iona! Mister Yellow was still there but sadly I couldn’t get a glimpse of his babbies.
But on the bright side, I shot a lovely hoverfly and some of the many blue-eyed darners showing off around the boardwalk.
He wasn’t hopping like smaller songbirds, but actually walking. Even more so than red-wings, too.
Of course there were hoverflies aplenty.
And some blue-eyed darners, helpfully hovering in place!
