Had a great training run today which translates directly to being completely exhausted. There was finally a break in the rain for a couple of days allowing me to get some quality time in on the trails. They were surprisingly dry considering the amount of water that has poured out of the skies as of late. That didn’t mean there wasn’t any swamps to navigate in the valleys and the one stream crossing required some precise leaps to stray rocks struggling to keep their heads above the onrush, but at least the hills were dry enough to get traction. Clearly need to get a steady barrage of heat conditioning – felt the warmer temps about halfway through the 11 miles. Figured I’d be productive while the legs calm down prior to tackling the mowing (rain on its way back to start the week off).
Hit the jump to see and read a bit more about this Chatty Cathy of the birding world.
Going with another capture from the Georgia birding trip back in May 2015. This is not a new bird to the list having been featured back in July 2016 (link here). That previous post was thanks to local specimen deciding my woods was a cool place to hang out. Like that sighting, this one was also not found in the Carolinas. Although one might imply by the name that they only root for the Tarheels, but truth is they cover most of the Eastern half of the continental US year round. I guess they could all still root for the Tarheels – more research needed on their sports affiliation.
If you recognize the bird bath, you are very astute. This specimen was found at the same place we spotted the Painted Bunting (link here) – specifically at Skidaway Island State Park. Since the primary focus was getting the Painted in the tin, there was not a lot of time devoted to this Wren. It didn’t help that I already had the Carolina and well, the other inhabitant was a Painted – ’nuff said. There are several Wrens that are easily spotted in the US. The Carolina is distinct in that they have the long bold eyebrow coupled with the reddish brown back feathering . The Bewick’s (link here) and the Rock (link here) also sport a whitish brow, but grey in their color palette.
Okay, here is where it gets a bit tricky. In the same set of shots, the image above and below were found. You probably noticed the stripe is a bit muted and broken. This caused some serious digging in reference sources to find out if juvis have a different coloring. For the record, Cornell only has pictures of adults and does not mention anything about the juvs. Broke out both Sibley and Petersons. Peterson also failed to disclose any distinction. Fortunately, Sibley had a reference shot which showed they also have the bold stripe. There is also no distinction in the genders. Looked in a few more spots and finally came to the conclusion that these shots are post skinny dip. I do have a couple of blurry shots as it was shaking off the excess likely leaving the feathering a bit of a mess. It is definitely up for debate and would be interested in any opinions.
Okay, that brings us to the end – warned you I didn’t take a lot of shots – did I mention there was a Painted in the area ha!
I’m out, the legs are recovered and the grass is taunting me … daring me if you will as I gander out my den window. That might work on the goats, but I come armed with sharpened Valyrian steel.
Wildlife Intrigued 
Ahhh the smell of fresh cut grass, even better when I don’t have to mow.
Can’t help on the wren, don’t know a darn thing about them.
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With all this rain, mowing is becoming a second job as of late – cut it, rain for two days, sun comes out for a day, damn blades go on steroids and the cycle repeats. Unfortunately, pretty much stuck with doing it myself – the few kids out here in the country are pressed into service on their own properties. Thanks for stopping by CJ – for the record, Ron currently has two serial bird killing Cats.
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Tell Ron, he can keep his psychotic cats. I really don’t miss mowing. When I owned a house in MN it seemed that is all I did was mow all summer long. With a 1/4 lot in town with grass length rules and the old man across the street who would turn me into the town in a heartbeat I was glad to be rid of it! Better for the environment if none of us mow but then I guess that isn’t considered proper.
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We only have the one species of Wren which is a more subdued version of this one, but probably just as noisey!
I reckon that the difference in the supercillium is a result, like you say, of bathing. Enjoy the mowing!
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Our Wrens put up a hell of a racket as they dart in and out of the underbrush – get two of them together and it would probably make your Tinnitus feel like a library. Mowing has a bit of sideshow as of late thanks to two Flycatchers that have returned for the 4th straight year. They hang out on the low branches waiting for me to pass by and then launch after any moths that gets stirred up – amazing aerial acrobats – helps break up the monotonous back and forth. Thanks for dropping in B – still shivering from your latest Macros.
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Nice shots! For the record, my son’s cats have only killed a couple birds, although not for lack of trying. We generally accompany the cats when they go out, so there’s really no opportunity to sneak up on any of them. Maybe I should bring along a net…
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for the record, the actions of a infinitesimal few are being used as an excuse to take away my rights so I think that should apply to animals as well. Killers I tell you, natural born, hopped up on catnip cold blooded bird shredders.
….is that net for the birds or the cats….maybe there should be a tax on cat owners for past bird reparations!?!
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