Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
Cedar Waxwings Munch on Dragonfly Larvae
As a continuation from yesterday, above is one of my “keeper” images from a nearby lily pond.
Again, if these striking birds strike a cord with you too, please see more from the experts at the All About Birds website from Cornell University, and now that you know where to find them, grab your binoculars and/or camera and go!
A Pensive Cedar Waxwing Perches above a Pond
June marks the time of year these lovely birds show up and perch in our trees, nibble on berries, and surprisingly (at least to me), hunt down dragonfly nymphs.
My first encounters with their appearance, feeding, and nurturing behaviors occurred here in Sequim in the spring of 2019, and I must say, I was smitten. I found them to be not only beautiful but extremely agile, cunning, and more enjoyable to watch than any football team, even with a name like the SeaHawks – sorry football fans!
Personally, finding them was and still is a challenge except on our warmest of days and in ponds filled with lily pads – where one typically finds a plethora of dragonflies hatching.
At those times, groups of waxwings, and a few other bird species, dart back and forth over the ponds, snatch gobs of insects out of the air with lightening speed and maneuverability then transport them back to their nests to feed their broods.
My self-imposed challenge is to photograph them in the process and to (hopefully) keep one or two of my hundreds of shots. But first, this beautiful bird deserves time in the limelight, as above. But if like me, you’re inclined to learn more about them, I’m happy to point you to the experts at Cornell Universities’ All About Birds website.
Blue Dasher on Lily Pad
I planned a trip to this particular pond because in summer, it’s filled with lily pads, dragonflies, and cedar waxwings, one of my favorite birds.
The waxwings dart back and forth across the pond, snatch up dragonfly nymphs and transport them back to their nests to feed their chicks with such grace and speed that shooting photos quickly enough to capture them is quite a challenge, but one I absolutely love.
However, after spying this adult dragonfly perched on a lily pad, my lens was momentarily diverted to it and the light behind it, not the birds.
Although it’s rather challenging for me to tell the difference between male and female Blue Dashers, I’m guessing this one was a female, therefore the Dragon Lady title (and besides, it adds a little drama).
And because she was so beautifully perched on this lily pad, I watched her flit back and forth too, in search of mosquitoes, part of her daily diet.
What’s not to love about a gal who eliminates mosquitos!