Photo by Andy Molloy

Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings are foragers of fast food.

Possessing distinct black masks, flocks of the birds are spotted year round in Maine. Hanging on fruit trees, chirping in a choir of inebriated delight, the birds love to consume fermented berries. I've watched them drop 10 feet from limbs to the snow after exceeding the dozen berry limit. Shaken, but not stirred, the Waxwings perch atop a branch before taking flight. Then they ingest more berries.

Saturday a flock of Cedar Waxwings descended upon a bush loaded with ripe, red berries. They emitted the a soft "zeee-zeeet" summoning others to the party. I anticipated the usual brawl of wings flapping and beaks dripping with juice as a dozen Waxwings joined the vanguard.

Instead, a Waxwing erupted from the bush and flew in an arc over the Kennebec River, snagging a dragonfly in its beak.

In addition to the Flycatchers and Swallows residing along the Kennebec, Waxwings are veracious bug hunters. Some Waxwings ingested berries before pursuing the dragonflies emerging from the Kennebec.

The teetotalers appeared more successful.