Saturday I drove to Henrys Lake to check on spawning fish and on the way home I decided to check the Henrys Fork for birds. Midges were hatching by the millions and were all over the snow.
The first birds I noticed were European Starlings feeding on the midges.
A little further down the road I found what I was looking for - waxwings. About 100 Bohemian and Cedar were sitting in the bushes, flying out to pick off the hatching midges. Only a few of them were Cedar's while the majority were these beautiful Bohemians.
At times I would catch one "sallying" or hoovering long enough to pick of the flying insects. Robins and Mountain Bluebirds were joining the waxwing in the feast.
What a great sight to see, spending a few hours in the wilds of Idaho.
14 comments:
Great photo's Bill of beautiful birds, we also have everything hatching over at the moment,
What a nice winter banquet the midges make. Beautiful photos of those birds. (Tomorrow is World Bird Wednesday Bill ;>)
Great post Bill. A few years back I was astonished to see Robins darting out over the Gallatin to catch those big stones. They looked so out of place and awkward doing it... but there they were. :)
I had a similar experience today .. clouds of hatchlings around my head as I searched a local reservoir for some additions to the 2011 list.
Love the Waxwing in flight Bill.
Wow Bill, I had no idea that we even had Bohemian Waxwings in the USA. We get the Cedars, but have not seen any in a few months. Great shots you got!
Those waxwings are beautiful.
great shot of the waxwing in flight. And...so that is what the birds are doing on the ice. :)
....love those waxwings!! I haven't walked through any hatchling "fogs" at home, but I hit a few in Florida. Soon they will be here...
Your bird photos are just amazing! And I love your header photo too!
Thanks for your visit and comment on my blog :-)
Great images. You have a wonderful blog here.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
Best,
Lois
I totally agree with your last sentence!
What a colorful creatures you've captured again and those beautiful days in Idaho...and may that snow melt soon now.
Sunny hugs from my place to yours.
Dagmar
I never thought of a midge hatch attracting birds, but it makes sense. The waxwings are beautiful! Great captures of them, Bill.
Fab. Bohemian in flight! Great shot.
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