I did fail to mention the numbers of Ruby Crowned Kinglets that have found their way into my yard since I put in the water feature. In the past I have had one or two who dart about my hanging feeders looking for buggies and whatever it is that they eat this early in the year in the surrounding grapevine and hanging vegetation. The kinglets are so caffeinated that they are often hard to track. Since I put in the water feature I am enjoying about 10 birds and they don't appear to be paired up. I can distinguish the males from the females by the varying streaks of red on the upper back of their heads and then yesterday I was delighted with finding out why they are really called Ruby Crowned. One male got competitive with another male and suddenly the short greenish feather on top of its head rose up and from beneath and also rising up was a huge patch of bright red feathers that covered practically the entire top of its head. It looked like a kid had trapped it and painted its head red! I love this life! This is a great year for birds and it isn't even May!
Thomas Maiello Spring Lake Park (just south of the Blaine border and just west of the high school)
