Out towards Idaho City for the last couple days…
Watched Black-chinned Hummingbirds feeding for insects on the river – super cool hovering to the river and then back to the branch.
=)kim liebich

On Jul 8, 2017, at 2:05 PM, lcarrigan_55@yahoo.com [ible] wrote:

First, thanks to Cliff & Lisa for the link to info re: Cassia Crossbill. I have followed the info re: possible split for sev yrs now & find the birds rather fascinating. Quite interesting how the lack of one species (red squirrel) led to the evolution of a stationary species of Red Crossbill adapted to the further specialization of cone type in the lodgepole pines of the South Hills & Albion area of Idaho.

Next, it looks like my Rufous Hummingbirds have moved on. I got one morning visit yesterday by the male who gave a long & satisfying view of all his field marks plus flashing his brilliant orange/red throat. No more visits since. The only hummer coming in today has been the female Black-chinned & her visits are inconsistent. Maybe spending time on a nest? As she goes back & forth to the same patch of streamside willows. But, making up for the decrease in hummingbirds is an increase in Lazuli Buntings. I must have several pairs nesting on the place this year, as I’ve seen both males and females in several locations esp mornings & evenings. There’s just something about that turqoise blue head on the male.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

=)kim liebich
Boise Idaho