Author: Khürt Williams

A human who works in information security and enjoys photography, Formula 1 and craft ale.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

This time of the year, I am on a hunt for migratory warblers. Warblers are Neotropical migrants which means they spend their winters as far south as South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. In the Spring they return to breed, travelling as far north as Canada. In the past, from April to May, I travelled hours from my home to Cape May and Southampton Township and Stoke State Forest Park in North Western New Jersey to find warblers to photograph.

It was by chance that I discovered that getting up at 5 AM to travel two hours to a warbler hotspot was not necessary. On a Friday I called the Cape May Bird Observatory to inquire about renewing my membership and the timing of the warbler migrations. The friendly gentleman who answered the call asked where I lived and when I said "near Princeton", he said, "We would love for you to visit Cape May, but you don’t need to drive here. The warbler migration path passes right through Princeton". He rattled off a set of birding hotspots including Institute Woods in Princeton. It’s about a 10-minute drive from home. I was so excited.

The last time I visited Institute Woods was in 2017. I woke up early Sunday morning, quickly ate breakfast, and packed my X-T3 and XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR along with a shoulder harness and spare batteries. I parked on the lot on Olden Avenue near the trailhead to Trolley Track Trail. I started a new track in eBird and set the Merlin ID app to help me identify the bird songs I was hearing.

I heard and saw several American robins (Turdus migratorius) in the trees and the grassy field near the parking lot. As I entered the trailhead, I heard and saw Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) and Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). The Song Sparrow stayed up in the trees.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) · 14 April 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

I found a narrow trail that headed south toward the homes. I later found out it was connected to Pipeline Trail. Near the middle of the trail, I saw several birds chasing each other between the thicket of shrubs that grew on either side of the trail. Merlin ID identified them as White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). I have most recently photographed White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) for the first time in the backyard. I counted about seven individuals. I waited patiently for the right moment.

I like this set of portraits better. The ones taken in my backyard show the bird on the ground scratching on the grass and brush near the fence line. I think seeing the bird in the bushes makes the photograph feel more "natural".

(Myrtle) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

The Yellow-rumped Warble species is one of the most widespread and most commonly encountered but I have photographed a Yellow-rumped Warbler only once before; during the fall migration and my first visit to the The Beanery at Rea Farm.

There are two main populations: "Audubon's" found in the western U.S. and British Columbia mountains, and "Myrtle" found from the eastern U.S. to Alaska.

Both populations display bright yellow rumps and sides, with "Audubon's" having yellow throats and "Myrtle" having white throats that extend below the cheek. They breed in coniferous or mixed forests near clearings and are also found in various habitats during migration and winter, including woodlands, shrubby areas, coastal dunes, fields, parks, and residential areas.

The one I photographed in Cape May and the one I photographed in my backyard are Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers. I was very excited and very surprised when I heard the Warbler. I pulled out the Merlin ID app to confirm the call and then sat patiently on the deck in the backyard for my entire lunchtime, waiting for the opportunity. I struggled to get a good clear photograph of the Warbler.

Yellow-rumped Warblers primarily feed on insects, often seen hopping between perches. They also consume berries in winter. Their calls are distinct: "check" for Myrtle and rising "chit" for Audubon’s. I could hear two distinct calls from either end of the woods beyond the fence line.

tevaplanter update

Kickstarter plant project failed; tevaplanter killed my orchids and ferns.

Three years ago, I was excited to back a Kickstarter project promising a fresh approach to plant growth. The tevaplanter is a terracotta vessel designed to act like a water bank, slowly diffusing water through tiny holes to plant roots. Fascinated by the concept and being a plant lover myself, I threw my support behind it. I was well aware of the hit-or-miss nature of Kickstarter projects. So when the tevaplanter arrived three years later than promised, I was annoyed but not entirely surprised.

My initial excitement turned into disappointment when the planter I received didn't do its job. But kudos to their customer support; they swiftly replaced my faulty unit. I tested the water flow through the hole before eagerly attaching one of my orchids. This orchid had thrived in a planter using LECA.

LECA, or Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate, is a lightweight aggregate beloved by hydroponic and aquaponic enthusiasts. It's made by heating clay to expand it into small, porous pellets. These pellets provide excellent aeration and drainage for roots, making them a hit among indoor gardeners like myself.

I've got an aquarium, a terrarium, and a jungle-like home filled with tropical plants. But despite my green thumb, the tevaplanter proved to be my plant nemesis. It claimed the lives of one orchid and two ferns in my attempts to make it work.

6 February 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF27mmF2.8 R WR

Desperate to salvage the situation, I transferred another thriving orchid, previously flourishing in LECA and filtered water, into the tevaplanter. I'm at the point of losing a fourth plant. After half a year of battling, I've thrown in the towel on the tevaplanter.

Sure, it might be fine for growing chia seeds, but so is any $21 chia pet from Amazon. I've scoured the web for success stories with the tevaplanter, but they're as elusive as a green thumb in a desert. Reddit's awash with dismal reviews, and even Trustpilot isn't singing its praises.

Disappointment doesn't quite cover it, especially considering the lofty promises made during the Kickstarter campaign and the excruciatingly long production delay.

In my book, this product doesn't work as advertised.