We’ve had a lot of rain recently. We can often see the rain before it arrives.
Over the past month, we had heard that there were Black-billed Magpies on a rural road next to a farm in the St. Thomas area. This is considered a rare bird in our area since the normal range for these magpies is west of the Great Lakes. There is speculation that the many wildfires in the west may have driven the birds east. We didn’t manage to go to see the magpies with the early throngs of birders, but finally went last week with a sharp-eared friend. We stopped along the roadside where the birds had been seen. We soon detected the distinctive call of the magpie, but could not locate it in the trees. After some time, we were resigned to knowing we had heard the bird, but would not see it. Just as we reached our vehicle, however, a Black-billed Magpie dropped onto the ground to forage before then flying onto a branch.
Whenever we can, we go for a walk in the neighbourhood. Time permitting, we go a little farther, often to The Coves.
The Coves area is a subwatershed of the greater Thames River watershed. The ponds were formed by an abandoned oxbow of the Thames River. Sedimentation from adjacent ravines and infilling by adjacent landowners have created the three distinct ponds. This is the largest of the three.
This fine Gray Catbird greeted us at the trailhead, perched on the signpost on the right of the path. Its reddish undertail coverts are visible in these photos.
There was little bird activity on the pond. A second Great Blue Heron flew in after we had spotted this one. There are usually several Wood Ducks on the pond, but we saw only this female with a juvenile near the far shore.
We heard other birds along the way: Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow. A Turkey Vulture soared overhead. This is the time of year when adult Northern Cardinals are moulting (and looking rather sad) after their young have fledged. A feeder at a residence bordering The Coves tempted a few of the cardinals from the bushes.
There are always many pollinators, dragonflies and damselflies at The Coves.
Wildflowers are still in abundance: Creeping Bellflower (introduced), Gray-headed Coneflower, Purple Loosestrife (invasive) American Trumpet Vine, False Sunflower, Broad-leaved Sweet Pea, Wild Garlic, Wild Teasel (introduced, invasive in places), False Solomon’s Seal, American Pokeweed
Market bouquets from Wandering Bee are also in profusion:
Music Videos
Two musicians who were founding members of different bands we loved died recently.
Robbie Robertson of The Band arranged for Martin Scorsese to make a high quality video of The Band’s farewell concert. Notice how smoothly Robbie takes over from Eric at the 1-minute mark when Eric’s guitar strap fails.
The Band’s first album, Music From Big Pink, got worn out on may record players. Robbie is featured at the 3-minute mark.
Later on, The Eagles became my favourite band. Randy Meisner was the original bassist. By the time The Eagles were making top quality videos, Randy had left the band. Here he is in a poor quality video.
Unfortunately, I can not find any good videos of Randy when he was in Rick Nelson’s band. I had one of their albums and I can still hear Randy’s voice (in my head) on Louisiana Man.
Postscript. Just because it is the weekend:
This video took me down a rabbit hole of saxophones in rock and roll. But I will save that for another day.