This species is the most abundant darner in western U.S. They are very active from spring throughout the summer while inhabiting large expanses from central Canada west and south to Texas and Oklahoma. Their preferred habitat is open areas with quiet waters lined with vegetation where they hunt small insects usually on the wing. Males like to patrol these areas flying between 3 and 5 feet above the water and midst dense vegetation looking for females. Mating pairs seek a perch high in a nearby tree for copulation and females will deposit their eggs among the dense vegetation both above and below stems or branches in open, warm water.
When not breeding they are commonly found far from water and prefer open country versus woodlands and forests.
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This young buck is showing a little concern after discovering me nearby.
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Being a species so tolerant of humans many of us are very familiar with this colourful songbird. Its favored habitat is forest edges where it perches high in a tall hardwood tree and the males become very vocal in the spring attempting to get attention from the females.
They tend to forage alone in the denser foliage of trees where they hop and flit throughout the leaves foraging on various insects including spiders and their favored caterpillars. They will also dine on fruit and sip nectar.
The Dutch Elm disease decimated their favored tree for nesting so they have adapted to using other species including sycamore and cottonwood where a mated pair will raise 4 or 5 young per season.
Tags: Baltimore Oriole Orioles Songbirds Birds Nature Perched Nikon Foraging Gleaning Passerine Wildlife
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This kayaker gasps for air as he emerges from an eskimo roll in the fast water on the Black River during the 2023 MACKfest festival.
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A warbling songbird appreciated by many who get to listen to their long, melodious phrases they seemingly sing non-stop in the spring.
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