Tag: Trolley Track Trail

Female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

The female Northern Cardinal often sings while sitting on the nest.

Away from backyards, cardinals are still common but inconspicuous owing to their affinity for dense tangles. I have to listen for their piercing chip notes to find where they are hiding. This one arrived in a nearby tree and made some noise.

The Female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a bird species recognised by its predominantly brown plumage with reddish tinges on the wings, tail, and crest. The female Cardinal has a shorter crest compared to the male, and its overall colouration provides effective camouflage in wooded habitats.

Its diet consists primarily of seeds, fruits, and insects. The female Cardinal builds cup-shaped nests using twigs, leaves, and grass, often located in dense shrubs or trees. During the breeding season, females lay clutches of eggs, usually 2-5, which they incubate for about 11-13 days. Once hatched, both parents participate in feeding and caring for the chicks until they fledge, typically around 7-13 days after hatching.

Female Northern Cardinals are known for their melodious calls and are important contributors to the ecosystems they inhabit through seed dispersal and insect control.

(Myrtle) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

Spring moult leaves them with a mix of bright yellow, charcoal grey and black, and bold white.

I am always on a hunt for Warblers. I just love their song and their festive colours. I expect that soon Institute Woods will be filled with them. If I can find them.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata), commonly known as the Myrtle Warbler, is a small songbird found across North America. It belongs to the family Parulidae and is known for its distinctive yellow patches on the rump and sides. The Myrtle Warbler has two main subspecies: the eastern "Myrtle" and the western "Audubon's."

The Myrtle Warbler primarily inhabits coniferous or mixed forests during the breeding season, nesting in trees and foraging for insects and berries. During migration and winter, it can be found in various habitats, including woodlands, shrubby areas, fields, parks, and residential areas. Its diet consists of insects, spiders, fruits, and berries. The species exhibits typical warbler behaviours such as flitting between branches, sallying out to catch insects, and making distinctive calls. Its breeding range extends from Alaska to Newfoundland in the north and from Canada to the Gulf Coast in the south.

(Myrtle) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)
(Myrtle) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) · 14 April 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

The Song Sparrow is one of the most familiar North American sparrows.

While walking through Institute Woods, I heard the most melodious song. The Merlin ID app identified the bird song as the Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), a small passerine bird native to North America.

The Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) belongs to the family Emberizidae. The bird's plumage is generally brown and streaked, with a streaked breast and a dark spot in the centre of its chest. Its bill is conical and suited for a varied diet that includes seeds, insects, and small fruits.

Song Sparrows inhabit a wide range of habitats, including grasslands, marshes, shrublands, and suburban areas with dense vegetation. They are often seen foraging on the ground or perched on low branches. These sparrows are territorial during the breeding season and build cup-shaped nests in shrubs or grassy areas. They are widespread throughout their range and play a role in seed dispersal and insect control in their ecosystems.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) · 14 April 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

I am afraid to say it because I don't want to put negative vibes out into the universe, but I'm bored at work. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have a paycheque but the work that I'm doing is way below the skills and experience I've developed. I spend most of my day reading and taking online courses on Udemy to stave off boredom.

I feel guilty taking the clients money but the contract stipulates that I can't do other work while I'm under contract with them. I wish I had more challenging work but I don't want to be so busy that I have to skip lunch. That's what the last contract was like. I want a balance between boredom and the hamster wheel.