One of the best things about feeding the birds is seeing a new bird you have never seen before. We’ve seen grosbeaks like blue grosbeaks and cardinals (which are a type of grosbeak) but this is the first rose breasted grosbeak we have seen. It’s not a surprise that we haven’t seen them before since they are migrating north to their summer homes. This little family of grosbeaks have been staying in our neighborhood for about a week and seem to love black oil sunflower seed. In fact they’ve cleaned me out of food twice in 7 days. I’ve counted four males and one female at the feeders at the same time so there are at least five grosbeaks in this little clan.
I struggled for several days to get a good picture of them. Every time I got close enough to get a good shot I scared them away. I finally managed a few decent, but not spectacular pictures.
This picture is probably one of the best. I was able to get three of the males in the same shot. Two are on the pole and feeder in the back and the other is on the closet feeder. I never managed to get a picture of the female, she must be camera shy.
This picture was taken from a distance in the morning light.
Here is a cropped shot for a better view. If you would like to see more rose breasted grosbeaks go visit Leave Me Alone, I’m Digging. David, over in North Carolina, had some rose breasted grosbeaks visiting him a few days ago.
Great picture of the up close and distant grosbeak at the same time!
They showed up here about a week ago. They usually hang around for about two weeks then head north. We have 5 male and 2 females. They are a beautiful bird.
We saw two flocks of Cedar Waxwings yesterday in the yard. One group was devouring a newly hatched flying bug cluster and the second group was high in top of a certain tree eating something. Not sure the tree or what they eat but I see them up there almost every spring. They were no sooner here then gone so we were lucky to have seen them.
As I was working in the flower garden, the titmouse was busy building a nest in one of our many bird houses scattered about the yard.
I dismantled the birdbath in the garden to move it and it upset some of the birds. I told them to go to one of the other 4 birdbaths for a sip or bath…LOL. I was exhausted when I finished my work day yesterday but was determined to get the birdbath back up for them. I was in such a hurry I did not use the level and it is now no longer level. Argg will have to dismantle it again to level it.
Lovely photos of the grosbeak. They are summer residents in our garden but I haven’t spotted them yet. Perhaps your visitor will be the one to visit my garden.
Great photos Dave. I don’t think I’ve seen them around here although they might be on other parts of Long Island. Next Sunday we plan on going into New York City and walk around Turtle Pond which is reputed to have a large bird sanctuary.
The yellow Evening Grosbeaks are constant companions here all winter, but I’ve never seen one of the Rose Breasted! Great shots!
Our first Rose Breasted Grosbeak showed up yesterday. I’m glad you got such good shots. Nice.
They are so cool. We had a small flock last year after the big freeze, but none so far this year. Maybe they are headed my way from your place?
One of the bonuses of Blotanical has been seeing birds that other people have in their gardens. They are so differnt and generally more colourful that the ones in UK gardens
They are great birds and we have many here and that is good for the state of Maine as we grow many potatoes and they can save a crop with their love for potato bugs.
It is hard to get good pics of birds so I think you did great!
Hi Dave, I think your pictures are great. Birds are difficult to get to sit still and let you get close enough unless you have a special type of lens and camera. The grosbeaks must think they have hit the grand hotel, eating all your birdseed. Keep it coming! We rarely see them, and have not seen the cedar waxwings this year yet. Maybe there is still hope. Better get out and fill the feeders. I am trying to let the birds eat the millions of caterpillars that are in every tree, it seems a bad year for them.
I love this bird. Such pretty markings. I like the last photo, he looks so attentive and watchful.
Gail
Nicely done, Dave! I’ve seen them here at our feeders occasionally, but haven’t tried to photograph them. So I really enjoy your display.
Nice pictures; I’ve always found rbg’s are really hard to get a good picture of… they just don’t sit still long enough.
Don