Monday, March 28, 2011

Midge hatch feeds birds

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:

Monts said...

Great photo's Bill of beautiful birds, we also have everything hatching over at the moment,

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

What a nice winter banquet the midges make. Beautiful photos of those birds. (Tomorrow is World Bird Wednesday Bill ;>)

troutbirder said...

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. :)

FAB said...

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.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

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!

Gaelyn said...

Those waxwings are beautiful.

NatureFootstep said...

great shot of the waxwing in flight. And...so that is what the birds are doing on the ice. :)

Kelly said...

....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...

Inger-M said...

Your bird photos are just amazing! And I love your header photo too!
Thanks for your visit and comment on my blog :-)

Lois Evensen said...

Great images. You have a wonderful blog here.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

Best,
Lois

nonizamboni said...

I totally agree with your last sentence!

Dagmar said...

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

Janie said...

I never thought of a midge hatch attracting birds, but it makes sense. The waxwings are beautiful! Great captures of them, Bill.

Robin Robinson said...

Fab. Bohemian in flight! Great shot.