Maine
My big encounter with a tiny creature in the Maine woods
The hummingbird introduced itself with the excitement of its wings and a sequence of high-pitched chirps. Zipping by the forest, the tiny creature moved like I think about a fairy would possibly — darting back and forth, and hovering to examine no matter caught its curiosity.
At one other time, I’ll not have observed the little inexperienced chook. However I used to be actively listening and on the lookout for birds that morning within the Caribou Bathroom Conservation Space in Orono. With greater than 18 miles of interconnecting trails that go by numerous habitats, it’s an incredible spot to go birding.
The property can be crammed with wildflowers, making it a superb outside vacation spot through the springtime.
To my shock, the hummingbird determined to perch on a low tree department just some yards away. By way of the lengthy lens of my digicam, I watched its chest transfer with every fast breath. When flying, hummingbirds beat their wings about 53 occasions a second, in response to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, so I assumed it was taking a much-needed relaxation.
From its coloring, I may inform that it was a feminine. Maine is residence to only one hummingbird species: the ruby-throated hummingbird. The male has shiny crimson feathers overlaying its throat. The feminine doesn’t. Her throat, breast and stomach are white. The remainder of the chook — each female and male — is roofed with iridescent inexperienced feathers that catch the daylight like a residing jewel.
You possibly can think about how fortunate I felt to be within the firm of a hummingbird because it relaxed between flights. That was particular. If that’s all I skilled within the woods of Orono that day, I’d have been comfortable. However the items of nature simply saved coming, whether or not I deserved them or not.
It began within the parking zone, the place I used to be greeted by the singing of American redstarts. I patiently watched the treetops till I noticed one flying from department to department. With tangerine orange markings on its chest, wings and tail, it’s a flashy little songbird.
Subsequent, I watched a yellow-throated warbler sing whereas perched in a bush beside a pond. The property is residence to a couple ponds and wetland areas, the place waterbirds, turtles and beavers are generally noticed.
Additionally close to the ponds that day, I noticed barn swallows and a bunch of six grownup Canada geese. I used to be shocked to not see any child geese, also referred to as goslings. That is the time of yr after they’re usually seen waddling after their dad and mom. Perhaps they had been shut by, with one other mother or father. Or possibly I used to be taking a look at a bunch of younger, non-breeding geese.
Yellow warblers (that are largely yellow) and japanese Phoebes (that are brownish grey) additionally made my record of birds seen that day. Plus, I noticed a yellow-bellied sapsucker, a sort of woodpecker. It was making all kinds of huffy noises because it clung to the aspect of a tree.
Shifting slowly alongside the paths, I observed quite a lot of wildflowers. I used to be crouching to {photograph} certainly one of them when a younger couple walked previous me on a path. I stated “howdy,” adopted by “Did you see the painted trilliums?”
The couple quietly stated “no” and saved on strolling, so I hurried to level out the massive white and magenta flowers. They mumbled some form of affirmation however didn’t cease to have a look at any of the flowers. I bought the impression they didn’t care.
Farther down the path, on a rocky hump of land, I noticed my first few girl’s-slippers of the season. Maine is residence to 4 several types of girl’s-slippers, with the pink being the most typical. Those I discovered had been white, however after some analysis, I discovered that they had been technically simply actually pale pink girl’s slippers.
Out within the sunshine, on a gravel highway that passes just a few of the ponds, I noticed the deep purple flowers of blue-eyed grass. Every blossom had a vibrant yellow heart.
I used the Search cellular app to assist establish some vegetation I didn’t know, corresponding to Solomon’s plume, wintercress and garlic mustard. The app isn’t at all times right, nevertheless it usually is, and I get little badges for observing completely different species. I believe the app was designed for youths, however what can I say? I take pleasure in it.
When scripting this column, I usually lookup details about vegetation and animals. For instance, after I began scripting this providing, in an effort to greatest describe the sound of a hummingbird, I searched on-line for some audio examples. What got here subsequent was a little bit of a shock, although in hindsight, it makes excellent sense.
On the time, I used to be sitting outdoors on my home’s second-story deck. I performed the sound of a ruby-throated hummingbird name on my laptop computer, interested by how I’d describe it in phrases. Then, out of the woods got here a ruby-throated hummingbird. It flew as much as me, hovered and gave me what I perceived as a scolding glare. Then it zipped away. I laughed aloud and bought again to writing.