Hasty conclusions

The first hasty conclusion was that one predawn spinning argiope was representative of the genus (I really do know better than that). The second was that my yard argiope’s late appearance was typical of her behavior.

When I left for work yesterday morning at 9:50, she was in the middle of a nicely repaired web. This morning when I went out expecting to find an empty web at 6:04, there she was, her day begun.

It’s time to start making evening checks.

A sparrow

The first native sparrow of the season was in the yard this morning around 6:30. It was too dark to make an identification without the binoculars, but because the kitchen light was on I couldn’t reach for them without spooking the bird. Seconds later, light out and binoculars in hand but not yet up to my eyes, I saw the bird fly. Because of shape and yard history, I’m thinking Song Sparrow, but of course am not sure.

Nothing but House Sparrows and an ailing House Finch in the yard this afternoon. I don’t know what’s wrong with the House Finch. Her eyes are clear, but droopy, and her feathers unkempt. She seems weak and is making bobbing motions similar to a waterthrush’s.