| On July 24, I was over at Deal Test Site hoping to catch another glimpse of the cedar waxwings, but there were nowhere to be seen. So, I focused my attention on a tree from which a persistent bird call was emanating. The call was coming from a robin, but it sought greener pastures in another part of the park, while I suddenly noticed some movement in the tangled north side of the tree. |
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| From the markings on its back, I had the impression it was a wren; it was certainly small enough to be one, but the angle of the tail didn't seem to be right. And, it stubbornly hid behind that leaf as I let the camera take a series of effectively identical shots. But then, it suddenly moved. I had time for one shot only before it was gone. But it didn't go far; just to the other side of the tree. |
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| The bird seem completely unconcerned by my proximity. In order to take pictures, now, I was pointing the camera more towards the sun, which was setting in the west during this late afternoon. The bird ignored me and proceeded to groom itself. This time, it was the tail that was being obscured by a leaf! |
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| Something seemed to attract its attention for a moment, bringing its head into view. I still had no idea what kind of bird it was. By now, I was thinking that perhaps it was some kind of warbler. Why a warbler? Well, they're small birds too and a few days earlier I had caught sight of a very tiny yellow bird that must have been a young warbler. This bird obviously isn't yellow, but not all warblers are. |
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| Then it looked back towards the tangled part of the tree from where it had come. Finally, its tail became visible again. And its shape now had me just about convinced it was a warbler. Indeed, I started a thread on Delphi's Bird Watching forum entitled Which Warbler. But, as you'll see if you read that thread (you'll need a Delphi account to do so--they do offer a free "basic service"), the final consensus was that this bird is a juvenile House Wren. |
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Just before returning to grooming, it treated me to the best view yet, but after a few more moments of grooming, it flew off. And, like a number of birds I've seen this year, I've not seen it again, even though I've returned to that tree at least three times a week.  |
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