Preying Mantis

I spotted this interesting insect this October, I have never seen one before. This Chinese Mantis (Mantid) was hunting Box Elder bugs near the house. It did indeed catch and eat some," Good "can't eat enough of those pests to suit me. The Chinese Mantis was introduced to North America around 1895 for insect pest control it is our largest Preying Mantis, it was neat to see.

Fall Migration

The  fall Warbler migration ended for me how it started last April, with Yellow rumps. These hardy little birds don't  rely just on insects for sustenance,
  they will also eat  these Juniper berries. These trees were loaded with the little blue colored berry and the trees were covered with Yellow rumps. The Yellow rump are pretty much the last warbler heading south. I saw this bird and many others like it 2 weeks into October, gobbling up berries and any insects that were around.

 Earlier in August and September I found groups of Warblers in migration traps that I check out also in Spring. When the days start to get shorter is when the Warblers and other Neotropicals begin their trek south, some start earlier then others. But the Yellow rump is the last to hang around  and resist that instinctive erg to fly south 

 for winter.

 Also with the Yellow Rumps were Ruby Crowned Kinglets, feeding in the same general area. Usually several different species will be seen feeding together.  When I see or hear Chickadees I investigate because they are always in the mix if there is a feeding frenzy going on. There is a good chance to see different species and if you are lucky you could get a glimpse of a Warbler or two.

Here I believe is a first year Chestnut sided Warbler showing how different it's plumage is compared to a adult in Spring plumage. Warblers are a group of birds that have one full molt and a pre-nuptial patial molt that give them their bright breeding plumage. I saw this bird late July early August.

    

Here is another late summer Warbler up in the canopy feeding on insects. This Magnolia was very busy hunting for food , I'm not sure if this is a first year or adult, Warblers molt there feathers after nesting. It still has the bright yellow body feathers, it was easy to spot but not easy to  photograph. Because they really move around concentrating on feeding. In  Spring the Males will stop and  sing a song or two.

Here I believe is a Blackburnian Warbler it was feeding in the same general area as this Magnolia.  I saw this bird two weeks into August. It was busy hunting for insects, it didn't seem to mind my presence. That's what I like about Warblers in general if you are careful you can get pretty close.