Sunday featured another bird walk morning (21 species including 3 warblers) but it began when I stopped by the Visitor Center/Admin Building to pick up a radio to take on the hike. On the lawn outside the VC I found a male Yellow-rumped Warbler feeding a Brown-headed Cowbird fledgling. So today I had a little time before my shift began to drag the camera gear out hoping to find them again. I didn't see the Yellow-rump but did see a female Grace's Warbler feeding one. Unfortunately they never were in position to get a shot though I continue to be amazed at how much of this is going on. It really is quite sad because when the warblers or the junco I saw last week are feeding they are only feeding one bird which leads me to think the rest of the clutch is lost. When I have seen other warbler families they always have either 2 or 3 that they are feeding. Having said that, it is also possible that a mate is tending to any surviving chicks.

At least the ride up to the Visitor Center this morning wasn't a total loss because I did get some shots of one of a pair of twin Mule Deer fawns on the way there. The rotten cowbirds notwithstanding, from the Prairie Dogs to the Pronghorns and now the Mule Deer - along with lots of young birds in between - what a joy it has been to see so much new life this summer!