Towheeblog

It was a cool and overcast day, the temp never neared 80.
In bloom right now are roses, mimosa, hydrangea, the evergreen magnolia with the dark, leathery leaves. Some apple trees are already dropping nearly ripe fruit onto the sidewalks and streets of town. Found one chewed on by mammal with fairly small teeth. Got a photo.
I saw a first-year Galucous-winged Gull over McMinnville today. Any gull is unusual here in summer and this is the first time I’ve seen this species before autumn. Maybe something is driving the gulls inland for food? I had a young Western at Baskett Slough last weekend, also unusual at this time of year.
Some songbirds are molting, found a Steller’s Jay feather in the woods at Joe Dancer. Food supply is at max now so it’s good time to be investing protein and energy in feather replacement.
A pair of Black-capped Chickadees came down to our feeders for their lunch as I was eating mine nearby. “Chicka-dee-dee-dee” came the call. Though we feed crushed sunflower seeds even those chunks are two large for this tiny tot. Each time the chickadee grabs one kernel, takes it up to a branch. There it holds the bit between its toes and proceeds to chip off even smaller particles that will fit down its slender gullet.
I also heard a flicker calling its multiple note territorial call. Perhaps a pair is doing a second clutch in home hole in the nearby oak woods.
Dragonflies dart through the air in daytime. Dragonflies do dart, and nearly are living darts.
Turkey Vultures found something interesting in a newly mown field. Not far off three Red-tailed Hawks perched on top of tall stacks of large hay bales.