We saw this bird building its nest as we were walking around the Opossum Creek property. This is the same walk on which Lynne saw and photographed her Hooded Warbler lifer.
Gnatcatchers like to build out of lichen. The female pats the nest into shape using her bill, chin, and body. Fascinating to watch, and I would have missed it completely if I’d been on my own. One of our trip leaders (sorry, I’ve forgotten who, but please speak up if you’re reading this) Geoff explained the behavior and told us more about the bird’s life cycle and habits. This mini-seminar by a knowledgeable expert, made possible just by being at the festival, was one of many serendipitous encounters that graced my week. Blue sky, great birds, new knowledge – what’s not to like?
Skywatch is a meme, a communal sharing, of photos of the sky from around the world. It’s just-for-fun, not-for-profit, and noncompetitive. To participate, blog a photo which includes the sky, then add its link to the master list at the Skywatch website. Enjoy, and visit the rest of the Skywatch posts when they are posted at 7:30 GMT today.
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Thanks fellow skywatchers and other nature lovers for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Gorgeous shot. Love to watch the birds get busy.
Super capture Wren! Tough one to find in the tree tops. That would be another lifer for me! Thanks for sharing.
Wren, she sure is hiding up there! Great idea for a skywatch post!
That is interesting about how they build the nest. I had not seen a gnatcatcher until recently, so now I know what to look for if they are nesting.
Excellent, to say the least.
Beautiful with the budding tree against the light.
Its a new day, a new nest and lovely green shoots against that blue sky. Glad you enjoyed your trip away Wren.
interesting post…learned something new today. this is why i love visiting other people’s blogs…there is always something interesting and new.
have a fab weekend. and thanks for stopping by my blog, i do appreciate.
I had never heard of this bird before, thanks for sharing.
I would have missed the bird and that would be a shame because it is an unusual nest.
Beautiful shot and such fun to watch the birds nesting.
A very precious moment. the sky is a perfect backdrop for the new little leaves and the bird up in the tree. Interesting to hear that there’s a species that use lichen for their nest. I’ve never thought that would be used for nest material.
Very envious. I can even get the reed warblers to come out nevermind these. Excellent for me, another new bird.
I love shots that look upwards through the trees anyway, but that bird and her nest is serendipitous, to be sure!
Pretty shot.
Nice to see the birds nesting everywhere.
Lynne, I think you’re right – thanks.
Fabulous shot, Wren! And Deborah’s right, won’t be long before that sight will be lost in the leaves! Great timing for a great photo! Happy SWF!
So much there, waiting to be discovered–I felt like a kid in a candy store–this one, especially sweet!
Pretty SWF – and soon all those pretty twig shpaes and patterns will be lost in the leaves!
I think it was Geoff Heeter. Wasn’t she a treat to watch? I really enjoyed the relaxed pace of that day. That little part of the loop where you, Susan and I wandered off was some a terrific birding spot.
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