Algonquin Park Ontario

NATURE ARTICLE by Earl Plato

Algonquin Remembered - Waxwing Mystery

We saw some Cedar waxwings at Abino Woods on this late May day. Beautiful as the late Dr. Marcy’s woods is now my thoughts turned to the previous two summers at Algonquin Park. I couldn't help it. I love the Park as many of you do too who have spent some time there. When we drove into the Park, usually in the morning, we walked in one of the many trails off the main highway. We often returned for afternoon walks and evening sessions too. It seems we couldn't enough of this Ontario nature spot.
From my contact with late naturalist Bert Miller I had learned to appreciate songbirds. One of our walks we encountered those memorable waxwings. Jim Mountjoy, a former Algonquin Park employee, shares this research about that exquisite bird, the Cedar Waxwing.
"...the waxy feather tips of Cedar Waxwings are the red badge of age, usually being well developed in birds that are two years of age or more. The mating of waxwings is not random. Older, waxy birds mate with similarly endowed birds, leaving the younger waxless inenexperienced birds to flounder along with each other as best they can.
No doubt, our older readers with gray hair will be quick to see the delicious justice. ...The lesson is of course that the badge of age is also the badge of maturity and competence."
What about us guys who are growing balder?
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