The Holler is quite buggy so it is most helpful for this little guy to catch both the spider and the spider’s catch all in the same web!
Rock Wrens are diligent feathered bug catchers.
They are always hunting and eating.
Rock Wrens are year round residents at The Holler and they are the only species in their genus, Salpinctes.
Rock Wrens are glorious songbirds whose music fills our days. Click to hear their vocalizations:
Cheers to you from The Holler’s hungry, musical and industrious wrens~
Beautiful! I have really learned so much about our local birds during this pandemic, and your posts are just so wonderful. Loved it.
A silver lining perhaps! We learn when we do new things as our routine changes. Thank you for your very kind words დ
What great bug catchers and lovely singers as well. xo
Happy you enjoyed our feathered friend Darlene & thank you დ
Is bird song the only natural music?
I’ve been thinking about human made music lately and how it seems unique in all the features of being a creature of the world.
Humans do all the same animal things: move, watch, eat, drink, mate, whine, grunt, sleep, sit quietly… But music, modulating tonal sound, is unique to us.
The only near example seems to be bird song.
If a mockingbird can listen and copy another bird’s song, does that qualify as “making music”?
I think whales sing too.
I wondered about that. Is that tonal modulation with intent to communicate? Or to sing for the sake of singing I wonder?
Perhaps both? I’ve seen documentaries where the whales communicate over miles of ocean with their songs. It seems that when we humans believe our actions are different, more developed than other animals, we are proven incorrect with further study, so I hesitate to believe it. Animals have tools, language, culture. So saying, I think that writing might be unique to humans…
Here is another resource on this fascinating topic:
https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/animal-music#:~:text=Animal%20Music%20is%20the%20first,hidden%20meanings%20and%20new%20perspectives.
They definitely do!
Great question. Check out this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoomusicology
I listen to frog, cicada and coyote symphonies every night, not to mention great horned owl songs! დ
What beautiful birds. We had a pair nesting in our crabapple tree this year.
Wonderful. They are such beneficial birds because they eat insects and their music is a joy to listen to! დ
When I saw the title of your post come across my email, I didn’t know what to expect! My husband and I could have used those fellows this morning when we took a walk in a nature preserve and got swarmed by mosquitoes.
Not a pleasant experience I am sure. The Amazon beats my record though for the buggiest place I have ever been. The bugs there were like miniaturized armies and air forces! დ
*shudder*
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A great way to take care of the bugs Cindy.
Leslie xoxo
Yes. A most delightful Hollerite! Music and bug patrol combined! დ
You can’t beat it!
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Gorgeous stills and wonderful video
Awww, much appreciated! Thank you Derrick დ
Such a variety of sounds. I would love to have rock wrens around here. We have other kinds of wrens (Bewick’s) but we don’t have rock wrens. I like the fact that they’ll eat spiders. Great post, Cindy. This is a new bird for me.
It is never possible to learn about all the birds in the world, which is wonderful, because we keep on learning and getting surprised! დ
Very pleasantly too.
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How wonderful to hear and see this Rock Wren. So small and yet they can sing with such strength and beauty. I am amazed at the variety of his songs and sounds.
A wren here is the smallest bird and so sweet. It easily fits in your hand.
Thank you, Cindy.
Miriam
It is amazing that such vocal volume can come from such a tiny little bird! I am happy you have them in your yard. They are fun to watch and listen to დ
Talkative little guy! They have quite the beak, don’t they? The better to dig into those logs, maybe?
Better for singing and eating the buggies with!! 😉
What a beauty and he almost looks as though he came to life from inside a rock by the coloring of his feathers. I love these photos, Cindy. Thanks for including his song too. ♥.
Thank you for appreciating the daily miracles of birds Niki & stay well my friend დ
What interesting and lovely birds! I didn’t know till now that there exist Rock Wrens… Here in Germany we have very little wrens that live in the woods. They are very small but sing wonderful and enormously loud.
Isn’t it amazing how such small birds can generate such loud melodic song! დ
You have an amazing ability to capture the essence of nature through your lens. You reminded me of my time in Northern Manitoba where the black flies would swarm around us when we went camping or on long hikes. They became our constant companions. Hot tip: never where perfume going into the bush.
Yes, we encountered them in Manitoba also, but not as badly as I expected. They are persistent aren’t they! დ
Implacable when I was there, but that was a years ago. Interesting that when you visited they were not as bad. The world is experiencing great change….
It sadly truly is დ
Useful and beautiful
Yes indeed! დ
Wonderful photos! They are such cute birds. They sure keep the insect population down.
They are industrious bug catchers and we need this a The Holler! დ
Cute little Rock Wren. Love listening to it! I played it full screen for my kitty. She was fascinated! LOL!
Oh, I have to this with Herbert! Thank you for the good idea & cheers to you Linda დ
Cheers!
Visa versa 2UX2 დ
Quite the songster – how sweet that must be to hear as a wake-up call! I love the little bob that precedes their song, too. 🙂
Aren’t they adorable! They are constantly dashing around as if late for a very important date!! 🙂
You build a house, stock it with food, and just when you think you’re safe and secure… BOOM! Your whole world crashes down upon you.
I can relate to the spider – lol!
Laughing…..I love this Robert! Poor spider. I think all of us in the USA can relate to the spider now! 🙁
Some might say they’re plain-looking but I think they are beautiful! And such a good hunter 😀
I agree with you Teresa. Plain has it’s own quiet beauty. დ
2 in 1, smart guy!
Exactly!! 😉 დ
That’s quite a musical vocabulary! I love the trills they do. 🙂 And, they eat bugs.
I know! They are multi-beneficial birdies besides being loads of fun to watch! დ
Wonderful photos of this bird. I’m all for bug and spider catchers. We have a lot of those here. 😉 Hope you are doing well in isolation.
Thank you Marlene. I hope you are doing well too. I am watching my twin baby grandsons three days per week now while their parents work remotely, so I don’t feel isolated. More tired! 😉 დ
I get the fatigue. Little ones wore me out when I was young. At my age, I couldn’t do the babysitting more than an hour. Twins are two hands full. 😉 But what joy it must be seeing them every week to watch the changes. Miracles that they are bring so much joy. Glad mom and dad get to work remotely. My daughter lives with me and does the same. We are staying well and extremely happy. Hugs.
Ah, I am happy to hear your daughter is with you. This is the time for family to be together. The twins are a continual joy to be with and I can devote 100% of my attention to them which is nice დ
I honestly have been looking forward to more of your pictures and you did not disappoint. I mean, look at that first shot!
Thank you!! Clever birdie isn’t she! Its a two-fer-one bug deal! დ
Exactly my thoughts 🙂
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Wow! 🤩 these are great
So happy you enjoyed them & thank you! დ
I love wrens. Theyre such busy little birds. We have a lot of Bewicks wrens here in Victoria BC. A pair nested in my back porch a few years ago.
They are incredibly busy, which makes them so fun to watch, and they only tend to stop when they stare at me intently for about a second! 😉
What a sweet sounding little bird. All creatures have a part to play in nature’s balance. Man has somehow fallen from the path, and now only takes from nature.
Jeep loves this! She’s having a nice little bath listening….. waiting!
i’m quite smitten with the look of this wren. Thanks for the pics, Cindy!
I always agree completely with what you say Resa. Isn’t that nice to find someone with whom you are in complete accord! Cheers to you Resa დ
I thought about killing birds but after this sound…. I´ll step back. Seems birds love you by the way, very nice post as always.
Thank you Charly & hope all is well with you დ
How absolutely beautiful. The video was wonderful and the birds are so very lovely. Thank you Cindy, for always adding so much beauty to my life. <3
Visa versa 2UX2 my friend დდ
Lovely Rock Wrens photo captures, Cindy. Thank you for the bird series.
Thank you more for appreciating them Amy & be well my friend დ
We need to borrow a few of your rock wrens! Our dogs are not very helpful with the bugs…
Cats are generally better at bugs, but birds, lizards, frogs and toads are the best, and we have all in spades at The Holler! დდ
Wow 👏👏
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A very smart bird, Cindy! Beautiful shots! Stay cool and I hope that you are having a very joyous weekend. Take care! 🙂
Thanks much Fabio. It is hot, hot, hot! You stay cool too my friend დ
Thanks much, Cindy! Have a great evening, my friend! 🙂
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Hey Cindy, how are you?
I caught quick glimpse of your wonderful photographs before retiring last night and had to pop back for a closer look. They are absolutely delightful: so descriptive, there is such clarity in the detail. You have a natural aptitude for wild-life photography: an ability to capture the intrinsic nature and indispensable quality of your subject. It’s always a pleasure to view your work, thank you for sharing.
Your photographs prompted a short poem….
How sweet the song of his sound,
That Rocky Wren in feathered gown:
Speckled beige, dappled brown,
Busy, busy flitting around: The Holler
Is his feasting ground.
~
In luck today: upon his reel –
A new menu with bug appeal,
A webby-threaded meal-deal:
‘Main course Spider with Crane Fly sider’,
Two-for-one, what a steal!
~*~
Stay safe and well during these unprecedented times. Take care of one and all 🙏
DN
Oh SO brilliant Dewin! Thank you for this Dewin and for making me smile, smile, smile! Stay well my friend & cheers to you დდ
We have House and Carolina Wrens all bug eaters thankfully. 🙂
And so much fun to have around! დ
Plus all the free music 🙂
Makes life better დ
I need the bug patrol to camp out on my patio! 😀
I wish I could send them over! დ
Wow Awesome!
Than you for sharing this beauty
Thank you more for appreciating it & cheers to you დ
Than you & cheers. Have a nice day
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Thank you, have a nice day too
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.Beautiful. I wish I could fly. ❤
It would be a joy to be able to fly to and away from places when you choose! 😉
What a beautiful and varied sound the wrens make. Thanks for sharing your lovely images as well as the YouTube.
As an aside, I found it quite hard to pick some YouTubes that identify bird sounds – people often made running commentaries while they’re filming which totally spoils their video.
Yes. I agree with you. I want to hear birds, not people! დ
I’ve seen some wrens here in Edmonton albeit not many…thanks for sharing Cindy 🤓☺️smiles Hedy
Thank you more Hedy for appreciating our feathered friends დ
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Great pictures by Cindy Knoke of the Rock Wren, a glorious songbird, and a bug catcher.
You are a lovely friend Patricia. Stay safe and well დ
I just love their song!
A.
Aren’t they wonderful. We have so much bird song here, and barn owls and great horned owls at night. Love them all! დ
Beautiful pictures!!! And beautiful bird, but … poor spiders :'( 🕷️ 🕸️
Thank you Jill and yes. It was a bad day for the poor bugs დ
Wow! Wonderful bird series.Thank you, Cindy,
You are most welcome Isabel and thank you my friend დ
Nice! This is a perfect example of ecosystem.
It is isn’t it. Checks and balances დ
This is truly a fascinating event of nature you captured for us. You don’t see too often a bird catching a spider and an insect in one picture. Have a great Sunday, Cindy!
Thank you Peter. I was pretty impressed with the bird too my friend. Quite clever economy of effort! დ
Great photos and video Cindy. I don’t think I’ve seen or heart Rock Wren’s before. You make learning about nature fun and interesting.
You make blogging fun and interesting Brad, so we’re even! დ
Thank you Cindy! 🌺
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More birds less bugs!!!
Works like a charm for me დ
What little sweeties — useful, too! We don’t have them here, but I enjoyed seeing and hearing them from The Holler. Thank you, Cindy!
You are most welcome Debbie! I <3 my friends who <3 birds დ
Hey Cindy,
You are real hunter! Thanks God you do not use to shoot with real rifle but use to fire by photo camera. Otherwise, we are in trouble. 🙂
Laughing..Lots..The only shooting I do is with a camera დ
That long beak certainly comes in handy. Beautiful photos, Cindy!
2 bugs in 1, and a beak long enough to keep them away until it’s time to eat! 😉
😀
Won’t miss this for a million bugs! LOL! Specktacular shots as always, my dear friend!
♡o｡(๑◕ฺ‿ฺ◕ฺ๑)｡o♡
Laughing….Thank you for always cracking me up with your witty wit <3 დ o♡
Anytime, my friend! ♡〜ლ(๑癶ᴗ癶๑)ლ〜♡
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Wow! These are amazing photographs! Thank you so much, Cindy!
Thank you more for appreciating them Charles & stay safe my friend დ
Hi, I am nominate you for Lebster award for your amazing post 👍. Pls check out il my blog 🤗
Awww, your kindness touches my <3. Thank you very much and it is lovely to meet you Singh დ
Such a beautiful bird x
I <3 my friends who <3 birds! დ დ
So beautiful and lovely!
Merci beaucoup mon ami! დ
You´re welcome Cindy!
Great pictures, Cindy!
Much appreciated Bill & thank you my friend დ
Always interesting to see good photography. Like Rock Wren and its b ehaviour
Happy you enjoyed Diana & thank you! დ
It’s amazing how quick birds can be. The other day I was walking and observed a large bug buzzing about in the air. Suddenly a bird swooped in mid air and the buzzing stopped. In a blink!
Yes. To see the speed you need slow motion! დ
Wouldn’t be cool if our eyes could do that?
It would!!დ
So pretty💚
Grazie mille დ
benvenuto🌷
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All your birding shots are so carefully composed and beautiful. I love that first shot! 2 bugs in 1.
Thank you Patti, that was one multi-tasking birdie 😉
They look and sound quite different from the ones I get in my ‘jungle’… Here they are more brownish – and I miss that funny sound they make like an alarmclock without the bells going off… 🙂 Cousins, I guess… 😉
Oh, I would love to see yours! They sound wonderful დ
Oh my goodness me, what an excellent display, Cindy!!
The birdie is clearly an efficiency expert! 😉
How lovely to have the company of such cheerful, industrious songbirds.
It is wonderful, as is hearing from you! დ
Beautiful music! I think I could listen to it all day. 🙂
So pleased you enjoyed & thank you! დ
What great photos of this rock wren catching the bug and the spider! I want some to come here to my yard! I learn so much about birds from you, Cindy! Thanks!
Your very kind comments made me smile Kathy. Thank you my friend & cheers to you დ
Mind blowing 👌👌👌👌
So happy you enjoyed & thank you! დ
Am I the only one who wants to pat these cute, plump birds & make them boing on their legs??!!
I really want rock when music in my yard now.
Laughing….You are definitely not the only person. I feel just like you! დ
Well, I didn’t want to be the odd one in, but I was willing to take the risk : ) . Glad I’m not the only one
It becomes truly unstoppable when the odd ones start to find each other დ
…. Too funny
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