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Daily Bucket: Sequence Friday, Purple Martin [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2023-08-11
One of my birding areas is on Lake Union, one part of Lake Washington. Lake Washington is the second largest lake in the state, second to Lake Chelan on the eastern side of the state.
Lake Washington is the central blue area. To the left is Puget Sound. Lake Washington is 22 miles long and averages about 2.5 miles wide.
Look a little north of ‘SEATTLE’ and you will find the University of Washington. Just to the right of that is Union Bay, the area of this Bucket. The gray line just below the UofW is the 520 Highway. It is in the background of the title photo, just beyond the rowing shell behind the bird houses.
The wooden bird house was originally made for Wood Ducks. That box successfully fledged Wood Ducks. The two gourd nests were used by Purple Martins on the left and Tree Swallows on the right.
Here is what a male Purple Martin looks like close up.
The reason for its name is evident in this photo.
The sequence part of this Bucket comes from an interaction between a Belted Kingfisher and some Purple Martins who didn't like the kingfisher so close to the nest.
This photo is only to entice you to watch the short video to follow. I encourage you to take the time to watch it.
Purple Martins are the largest swallow. It has only been the last few years that they have been seen breeding in this area. It has been very successful and I have seen nearly two dozen in the sky at the same time. They are very noisy and can be heard, even over the noise of jets passing overhead on the way to SeaTac Airport or the seaplanes that land on the water.
My next sequence is all about feeding.
Waiting for a meal
The approach.
Mouth open. Ready for food transfer.
Here’s what’s in store for the meal of the day.
Off on another hunting trip for the male.
This is the female on her way to more hunting.
And yet again, the male leaving the other direction for more hunting.
To give some size perspective, here’s the male feeding the chick.
On a recent trip to Camano Island with Ms. JG, we watched Purple Martins in action at Iverson Spit, where there are several birdhouses set up. Purple Martins nest near water and readily adapt to bird houses.
Touchdown on a bird house used by Purple Martin.
Now it’s your turn to raise the level of the Bucket to overflowing. Make your presence known!
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