High In The Treetops

  Late this afternoon, the old dog and I went for a nice hike about the back part of the property.  It has been a long time since he has felt well enough to meander the hillside with me so this time was special.  He needed a number of rest stops but that was fine by me.  Just having him along for the hike was perfect.  It was on one of these rests that I was delighted to observe a small bird out catching supper for its brood.  Mama Flycatcher could be seen high in the old black gum tree as she snatched insects from the branches.  She would land on a branch and scan the limbs until she spied a potential treat.  Then, she would hover near the branch and take her insect while on the wing.  A quick flight back to the nest assured that her little ones would have a full belly for the night.  She repeated this action time and time again.  

  This is a Great Crested Flycatcher and she has nested in a tall white oak tree behind the canebrake.  This type of flycatcher nests in cavities in the tree and line their nests with soft grasses but also make sure to weave in a snakeskin or long, slender piece of plastic that could be mistaken for a skin.  This action is believed to be a deterrent for potential predators.  If some other bird or squirrel tries to raid the nest, the skin might just scare them and make them abandon the idea thinking a real snake is present.  With the number of flycatchers we have around the area, I would venture to say their tactic is working!  

  Little Mama worked hard to feed her little ones and I almost came to the conclusion that she was a "single mom" until I noticed yet another flycatcher working in the canebrake, itself.  The dad was busy finding supper, as well.  The brood would be well fed tonight and we will have a great many less bugs on the loose!  It is often hard to photograph these birds since usually stay high in the treetops as to not compete for food with other insect-eating  birds.