Top Photo: Lemur relishes redbud flowers.

As you all know, or should know, redbud flowers are edible. To me, they have a sweet, crispy taste. They make a nice topping on a salad.

Lemurs eat redbud flowers too. They seem to enjoy the colorful flowers with uncommon delight, as recently displayed by our resident ring-tailed lemurs. The flowers were placed in their enclosure by the Animal Care Team (ACT) and were quickly pounced upon by the primates.

Here’s a few shots of the ubiquitous Madagascan prosimians enjoying the bounty.

It looks as though our wood duck nest box in the wetlands will once again be occupied by tree swallows. So far I’ve only seen a lone tree swallow investigating the box, and many things can happen as potential competitors for nest space arrive from the south. But, this is the first claim made on the box this season that I’ve witnessed.

I’ve not seen wood ducks or mergansers (original reason for placing box in wetlands) inspecting the box and it’s too early in the season for great-crested flycatchers to compete for the site, so, as I’ve said before, first come, first served.

Tree swallows have nested in this box for several years in the past and they’re welcome to do so again.

It was pointed out to me by Guest Relations Manager Mary, that there was a chickadee nest “in” the main building here at the museum. It’s not inside the building but in a hole in a corner of the building. It’s located in the southeast corner of the building, a half-foot or so down from the top of the wall, where it appears there was once a light fixture or camera attached.

I went over to have a look and was able to get at least one shot of a bird going in and out of the hole while the bird was apparently performing maintenance on the interior.

As with all nests, we’ll have to wait and see if the birds are successful or not, many things can happen. I’ll check back in later.