A smile for a dreary day

adrianhans · Sat Mar 10, 2012 2:41 pm

This fellow showed up to weather the wet weather. He sure made my day! I hope this guy stays, but I fear I must enjoy him as long as I can because I think he is just a visitor. Many show up at my door step for an egg handout on these rainy days. Hope he cheers you as well.

apundt-TX · Sat Mar 10, 2012 2:48 pm

Thats sure is neat. I am glad you were there to capture a picture and share with us.

A.P.

adrianhans · Sat Mar 10, 2012 3:23 pm

Thanks, A.P. I am glad, too. I have never seen one in real life before. It makes it hard to get anything done...all I want to do is watch it!

Ed Pace · Sat Mar 10, 2012 3:24 pm

That sure dosen`t happen every day, nice. He sure looks tired or hungry, I hope they eat.
I have seen him before in the movies( books). I can see why he made your day.
Ed

D'Nese · Sat Mar 10, 2012 4:09 pm

How cool!!!! pretty coat! Let us know if he stays and you can get more photos!!!!

TammyBears · Sat Mar 10, 2012 5:30 pm

WOW! They are gorgeous

I've never seen pictures like the one with all the white, is that an SY? I might have passed out if he had landed on my housing

pugsleyhall · Sat Mar 10, 2012 6:58 pm

Adrian,

What an amazing creature and thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures. I wonder if these birds are "picked on" or rejected by other Martins?

Melissa

adrianhans · Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:56 pm

Melissa and TAmmy, it was not around very long, but other martins accepted it readily. It is too early for subbies here, so it is an adult. I think it was just hanging out here...no attempts to go into a gourd. Tonight there are a lot of transients packing in gourds before their trip northwood. I probably had an extra 25 birds here tonight after the regulars had already entered their gourds.
Keep a lookout, that special martin may be heading your way.

John Barrow · Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:17 pm

Hi Adrian,

How exciting

And thanks for sharing. Remember Two Tone, the melanistic female we had--split right down the middle of her belly--light on one side, black on the other. I wonder if the two are related??

I suspect this bird will stay in your general area. Looking at the top picture--partially leucistic male--I agree. I also see a purple band on his left leg, which is the protocol we used to band with in Port O. Harder to see the silver band on the right leg in the bottom picture--but it's there. What I would give to know the rest of his story.

Hope you'll keep an eye out and get some more photos and perhaps a band reading. This is special.

Hope all is well up there. Miss all of my POC friends.

MingjoMartins · Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:22 pm

I hope that he stays and you get to enjoy him all season, but if he does leave it would be amazing that due to your photographs, he ends up at a colony of a PMCA Forum member - his markings are unique enough and your pictures clear enough that the member would be able to identify him with reasonable certainty.

Keep a look out for this fellow!!

JohnM

adrianhans · Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:30 pm

Hey John! I remember you telling me about your female and have looked for it at other colonies around here, but not yet spotted her. I took several pics of this one, so I will try to see if I have any with a band on it that I can zoom in on. If so, I will let you know.
Thanks again for introducing us to this fabulous world of martins. It is so fulfilling.