Aphids, Maples, Birds - Denver

[Jared Del Rosso]

This afternoon, while walking from my car to the University of Denver campus, I encountered several maples that seemed as much insect as tree. Aphids everywhere, and several birds -- no rarities that I could find, though -- with them: Yellow-rumped Warblers, a White-throated Sparrows, and Black-capped Chickadees. Downy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers also visited the trees. I heard White-breasted Nuthatches from nearby, too.

These maples had red-turning leaves, but I'm hesitant to guess at the species or hybrid status of these, landscaping trees as they are.

One wonders if similar aphid outbreaks are happening elsewhere around Denver and if, indeed, there might be a rare warbler among them.

- Jared Del Rosso

Centennial, CO