There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.



Sunday, August 14, 2011

Warbling Vireo

Vireo gilvus

Appearance:
Small songbird
Olive-gray upper parts
Yellowish-white lower parts
No wing-bars
Prominent, white eyebrow
Faint, dark eye-line

Listen to its song.

While walking along a logging road at the edge of a forested area, I first heard then saw this bird as it flitted about in the trees next to a small stream.  I had photographed one of these birds months ago at Blenkinsop Lake. Unfortunately, those pictures were poor as the bird was high up in a tree. So, although these ones were taken in the Shuswap where I've been on vacation for the last week (hence my lack of blog entries), I think this can legitimately be classified as a 'bird of Victoria'.

Here's a question for you. Why do the smallest birds always seem to be in the tops of trees?

Learn more about the Warbling Vireo.

Posted by at
Labels: , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)