Recent Snaps
Looking out and looking back ...
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| My walk on May 25th was a walk in the neighborhood. This view is looking out over Puget Sound from the top of the hill. The red dot (near center) marks the waterfront where I usually walk daily about 2 miles. |
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| The red dot in this picture (above left of center) shows where the first photo in the post was taken, looking back from the waterfront trail. (Snapped on May 26th) |
[Please click on images to enjoy the larger view.]
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| This year is the 60th anniversary for the iconic Space Needle, constructed for the 1962 World's Fair. The top has been repainted in its original color ... Galaxy Gold. |
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| Magnificent rhododendron blooms in the neighborhood. |
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| More flowers along the neighborhood walk. |
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| The neighborhood is known for its hills. This is one of many stairways ... so many, there is even a map showing all of them. |
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| Map of the Public Stairs of Queen Anne Hill Seattle, Washington |
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| Hummer Update: They are doing fine. Seem to be enjoying the warmer weather. After all-year-feeding, for over 2 years, I have lots of Anna's hummingbirds to enjoy. I have yet to see any other species of hummer at my feeders. This image snapped on June 2nd. |
Question for my birding friends: If you love hummers, and have feeders for hummers, this question is for you. When the little birds are feeding, naturally, they are facing the feeder. They seem to be overly concerned with looking up at the feeder, as if though, trying to determine if there is plenty of nectar left. Do you notice this behavior? I am curious if they have learned to remember locations where the feeder has plenty of nectar, so, perhaps as they move around the area, they will be more likely to come back, later, to that certain feeder.
Falcons!
I've been watching Seattle's Falcon Cam ... 4 Falcon chicks are almost ready to fledge ...
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| A screenshot of the Falcon Cam taken about 3AM a few days ago. Seattle Falcon Cam The chicks huddle up to sleep and mother rests on the ledge above. |
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| The nest is on the 55th Floor of the 1201 Third Ave building. A few photos are posted on the building's Twitter @1201Third This year, the first egg hatched on May 5th The parent Falcons have used this nest for several years. |
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| Overview of the nest site. Note cam at right edge. |
The 4 Falcon chicks hatched on May 5 and 6. A website, operated by an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has much INTERESTING INFORMATION about falcons. According to their site, "Young peregrine falcons typically fledge between 40 and 44 days of age". Based on that, and the appearance of these Seattle falcons, I'm expecting them to fledge within the next two weeks (June 7 - 21).
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| Watching the mother Falcon feed is fascinating. This image is by Ruth Taylor of the Puget Sound Peregrine Project |
Update
The young Falcons fledged on June 18th.
Piano!
I've been watching the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition ...
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| Love classical piano music? The 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is underway from Fort Worth, Texas Watch free on YouTube |
The 16th Cliburn Competition has been completed. Winners were announced at the Awards Ceremony, June 18th:
The gold medalist is Yunchan Lim.
The silver medalist is Anna Geniushene.
The bronze medalist is Dmytro Choni.
John's closing thought ...
After taking a break for almost 2 months, John's Island is back. To my blogging friends: I'm looking forward to checking out your recent posts. My break helped me realize that blogging is truly my favorite form of social media. Thanks to all for stopping by.
It is very encouraging the way that Peregrine Falcons throughout the world have adapted to cities. The first flights of their young are not without hazards, however.
ReplyDeleteVery happy to see you. I like the concept of showing us where pictures are taken, that brings us right into the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteHi JOHN - it is great to have you back showing us the best of SEATTLE there and to hear what your interests are....and yes, Blogging is a good past-time for sure...it is all very interesting to read and here what our Friends are doing around this World. Winter here now - very cold at night- with Snow to the south and north of us here at Bradbury- NSW- Australia. Best Wishes. KEV.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back. Blogging is a wonderful form of social media!
ReplyDeleteThe falcon chicks are a priceless sight!
Seattle this time of year is a beautiful sight. I've always loves all the flowers.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure how to answer your question regarding the hummingbirds response to sugar water feeders, but in a natural setting they practice a technique called trap-lining, returning to the same flower flower at predictable intervals, being able to calculate when the nectar will have been replenished. Enjoy them. They are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt is so great to have you back and see your lovely photos again. I like connecting over blog so much more. Mother falcon and the babies are beautiful. I also like that there is a map of the public stairs - so much to explore.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
-Soma
World's fair 1962? It seems like that was only yesterday. Good to have you back as you have a very unique blog.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back John! you have beautiful views from your neighborhood. Do you walk up and down those steps, that is exercise. Love the Hummingbird and the Falcon images. I watch a similar cam on the Peregrine Falcons nest in Baltimore. The chicks are so cute. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
When I first saw your post, I scrolled through to see if you were allowing comments. Yes! I loved it all, and I did miss you, friend. Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteJohn I'm so glad you are back, I did notice a few posts you could not comment on but I still love seeing the variation of photos you show. I'm with you on favourite form of social media I have not got any other accounts I post on
ReplyDeleteI read your comment on my cameras, if you want to stich with canon you can get an SX740 still which has a few more features but is very similar. I'd have to check out what else if around and most manufacturers are not making compacts. You cold also look at Lumix or Sony. I tend to use my iphone for a lot of photos now
DeleteNice to see you back. Great walk around the neighborhood. Can't say I've noticed that behavior of the humming birds, but will watch for it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to watch the Falcons.
Welcome back, John! Your photos and comments are always a bright spot in the day for me. It's great to see the Needle painted its original color.
ReplyDeleteThank you for supporting my blog as you do, John. Knowing someone out there reads and actually likes it gives me great encouragement. Marie
ReplyDeleteHello John
ReplyDeleteI feel sure I had commented on this post, but blogger is making commenting difficult for many of us at the moment.
Hoping this comment does publish okay.
I really enjoyed your post and photographs.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan