For various reasons I have not created a bird posting recently. Here then, with apologies for its length, is a catch-up.
First up is an American Pippit:
Next we have an Immature Little Blue Heron. Note that the bird is white, not blue, but can be distinguished from the Snowy Egret (slightly smaller) based upon the color of the legs and beak.
I came across a female Goldfinch and one of her recent fledglings. The youngster would sit on a branch flapping its wings as a signal that the mother should feed it. But, if she ignored the youngster, it would happily feed itself.
How typical!
Occasionally I encounter a gull that I just have to shoot. This Ring Billed Gull was no exception.
The above were all from the end of September. Now, on to October!
I will begin with a Phoebe. I know I've posted one recently, but I like the background on this shot.
Next is a Greater Yellowlegs. Again, I've posted this bird recently, but they are plentiful hereabouts now and deserve being repeated.
Next is a Great Egret followed by a combination of a Snowy Egret with the Great.
A White-Throated Savannah Sparrow:
Next we get into the warblers. Warblers are even less well-known to me than sparrows, so I will caution the reader that my identifications are subject to correction by those more knowledgeable than I. If you are one of those people, do be gentle with me and enter a comment at the end of this post with your correction. Thank you!
Now, I do recognize Yellow-Rump Warblers, so we'll start there.
This next one is, I believe, a Palm Warbler:
This appears to me to be a Yellow Warbler:
And, finally, what I believe is a Common Yellow-Throat Warbler:
There sure is a variety of birds around these days. Other notables I've seen, but not been able to photograph, include female Harriers, several Kestrels, Bald Eagles, Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Saltmarsh Sharptail Sparrows, Seaside Sparrows, and more.
With the wrap in place we are moving to make the trailer weather-tight. The first step is to install aluminum trim around all the edges, securing the wrap (and the filon covering) and providing hard edges to take any blows.
For the curves we have a soft aluminum J-molding. We used silicone caulk at the outer edges of the molding to waterproof the edge.
The J-molding not only protects the edge, it provides a very nice visual edge, especially on the profile.
Note also in the top image above the 1/4" x 1" aluminum strip where the teardrop meets the trailer's front lip. This piece secures the bottom edge of the plywood/filon/wrap to the structure beneath, and protects the silicon caulk installed at the juncture.
Above you get the effect of the J-molding on both sides framing the width of the trailer. The battery box is positioned roughly where it will be permanently mounted; the box has minimal interference with the photo on the trailer.
We have more work to do both with the J-molding and along the sides where the teardrop meets the aluminum trailer. In the rear we will add J-molding to the inside edge of the two cheeks either side of the hatch. The sides will get a 1/8" x 3/4" aluminum strip to secure and waterproof the bottom edges.
Finally for today, the way the trailer is positioned, the late afternoon sun can illuminate the snowy egret in a magical way.
One thing I haven't yet mentioned is that when Stick It wrapped the sides, they made a joint in panels precisely at the waistline of the trailer. Since this joint was not an overlap but a butt joint, we needed to treat it somehow.
Originally I had purchased a 1" wide aluminum molding with a vinyl insert to create this line visually. That was long before the idea of doing a wrap. The original molding just would not have worked at all, being way too large and distracting.
So, I hit upon the idea of using marine-grade boat striping to cover the joint and create the waist line visually. While on this side the black line across the snowy might seem disjoint, it works very well on the eagle side. Given my choices of colors, black was it. As I look at it more and more, I am less distracted by the line, especially when viewed in the context of the entire side. You may refer to the second and third photos above for an idea of the overall impact.
Today we went to pick up the trailer at Stick It Graphics. When we arrived, we were asked to wait in the outer office a minute or so. Then, from inside the shop, came the 1963 song by the Trashmen, "Surfin' Bird (The Bird is the Word)". Dave opened the door and kept us behind a movable partition for a few seconds, then pulled it back for the grand reveal, ala Overhaulin' or American Restoration, complete with special lighting and the video camera running.
It was impressive at first sight, and has grown on me since. Stick It did a terrific job.
Without further adieu (and remember to click on individual images to view a larger size):
The Stick It crew:
Finally, back home under the tent:
The next steps are to apply the edging details and work toward weather-tight.
Tomorrow, 9/25, I am heading for Block Island, RI, for four days of fishing. Don't expect to see any updates on either the trailer or birds in the meantime.
Two fishing buddies and I, who collectively call ourselves the "White River Trout Fishing and Bourbon Society" will gather at the home of one member on Block to spend four days thrashing the water with monofilament and little result, if history is any guide. Yet, like all fishermen, we remain hopelessly optimistic.
However, we will most certainly feed ourselves well, and have provisions for other gustatory delights. And, I submit, what, if not for that, is the point? Catch a fish? Yes, that would be good. Not catch a fish? Well, okay. We tried. Slice that steak! Pour another drink!
Meanwhile, the good people at Stick It Graphics have my trailer in their care. I trust that they will do a fine job.
More at the week's end or thereafter.
My, ahem, focus lately has been on Eastern Phoebes and an Eastern Wood Pee-Wee. Here are a few shots of the Phoebe:
And here is the Eastern Wood Pee-Wee:
These two birds are very similar, but if you look closely, you'll see that the Pee-Wee has a slight crest and a bi-colored bill, whereas the Phoebe has a smooth head and an all-black bill.
Today Sean and I moved the teardrop to the shop that is going to wrap it (see earlier post.)
The trailer rode well for the 30 or so miles on the highway, and although it isn't balanced as it will be when complete, I was encouraged.
I have every reason to believe that the guys at Stick It Graphics will do a fantastic job. We've seen some examples of their work, and it is good stuff.
What a beautiful bird. There have actually been several different examples lately. Here, then, is an adult. (The previous posts of this bird were photos of a juvenile.)
Also today:
A Greater Yellowlegs.
A shot of both a Greater Yellowlegs and a Lesser Yellowlegs:
While the variety of birds has been narrow lately, the opportunities have been plentiful. Thus, a roster of the "Usual Suspects" follows.
The Juvenile American Golden Plover has been hanging around and posing endlessly:
A Greater Yellowlegs:
A Greater and a Lesser Yellowlegs together:
Little Blue Heron (possibly the hybrid x Tricolor):
A Great Egret with an eel:
A Snowy Egret:
And, finally, an American Bittern showed up but failed to offer a truly photogenic visage. Still:
