High winds came up yesterday during the day and continued all night into this morning abating somewhat only as the sun warmed things up. In this kind of weather, the usual assumption is that the big soaring birds (raptors, gulls) flourish while the little ones hunker down. But it wasn't completely true. While I was sitting by the pond (yes I put a chair out on the bank), I saw my first Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the season flitting from bush to bush -- a female, presumably nabbing insects and possibly, just possibly, feeding its babies in a nest somewhere near. Also, in spite of the damage to our pines, the Pine Warbler was working its way around, mostly in oak trees. I recently heard someone say that they have never seen a Pine Warbler except in pine trees but 'our' Pines manage to work the oaks as well when they run out of pines.
Flowers currently in bloom: Rhododron (in flower for quite a while now and beginning to fail), irises (Yellows and Blues, the latter close to our native Blue Flag); Arrowwood (a native Viburnum) and a few other garden flowers or garden escapes.
Butterflies have been scarce but Tiger Swallowtails seem to be able to fly in the wind. Also seen: Red Admiral and at least two different skippers -- one in the marsh and the other holding a kind of territory in a sunny area between the main house and the barn.
Eric Salzman
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