Good morning, Newdists.
It is Caturday in self quarantine. I hope you all are keeping your spirits up and staying safe.
Diary bird: Tree Swallow — Tachycineta bicolor
I really like this description of a Tree Swallow:
Handsome aerialists with deep-blue iridescent backs and clean white fronts, Tree Swallows are a familiar sight in summer fields and wetlands across northern North America. They chase after flying insects with acrobatic twists and turns, their steely blue-green feathers flashing in the sunlight. Tree Swallows nest in tree cavities; they also readily take up residence in nest boxes. This habit has allowed scientists to study their breeding biology in detail, and makes them a great addition to many a homeowner’s yard or field.
More descriptions about what Tree Swallows look like —
Tree Swallows, scientific name Tachycineta bicolor, are small songbirds. Like all
swallows they are fast, agile fliers that catch insects in their mouths as they fly.
Tree Swallows show the typical swallow body plan:
- Slender, streamlined bodies with short necks.
- Long, pointed wings.
- Small bills (but mouths that open wide).
- Very short legs with small feet.
Chicks —
And —
Diet
Mostly insects, some berries. Diet is mostly insects, especially in summer. Feeds on
many flies, beetles, winged ants, and others. Also eats some spiders, and will eat sand fleas (which are crustaceans). Unlike our other swallows, eats much vegetable material (up to 20% of annual diet, mostly eaten in winter). Bayberries are main plant food, also eats other berries and seeds.
Nesting
Male arrives on nesting territory before female; courtship involves male showing female potential nesting sites. Birds often choose new mates each year. Nest: Natural nest sites are in holes in dead trees, or in old sapsucker holes in live trees; also very frequently uses nest boxes. Sometimes in odd sites such as holes in buildings, old Cliff Swallow nests, or holes in ground. Nest (built mostly by female) is cup of grass, weeds, rootlets, moss, pine needles, other plant materials. Usually lined with many feathers (from other kinds of birds), mostly added after first eggs are laid.
Okay, Newdists, please grab a cuppa and something to eat, admire some photos and join us in the thread.
Recipe:
Chilled Beet-Cucumber Yogurt Soup
Serves 2
-- 2 medium beets, boiled, peeled, and cut into cubes
-- ½ cup diced cucumber, seeds removed
-- 1 cup chicken stock
-- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
-- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
-- 2 tablespoons sugar
-- salt and pepper
-- sour cream, for garnish
-- chopped fresh dill, for garnish
Combine first eight ingredients in a blender, blending in two batches if needed; puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve cold with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dill.
Ruined Castles
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Beaumaris Castle
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Muromtzevo Castle
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Bodiam Castle
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Sümeg Castle
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Crichton Castle
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Corfe Castle
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Kilchurn Castle
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Dunluce
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All are welcome to join the fun, the silliness, the conversations. If you don’t know...just ask! Some things really do require a bit of explanation.
There will be a few surprises along the way, all good ones, we hope.
We are here to keep building the Daily Kos Community.
We post Mon-Sun at 10:30 a.m. Eastern.
Pie fights will be met with outrageous ridicule and insults. Trolls will be incinerated and served at the next group BBQ. As briquettes.
New Day Cafe is an open thread.
What do you wan’t to talk about today?