Merry Meet and Merry Part, and Merry Meet again

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Excitement in the Garden

If you have followed me for any length of time, you should be aware that I am nuts about wild birds. I watch them, feed them, photograph, study them...I adore them. When a new bird shows up at my feeders, I am like a mad thing. Thrilled and elated are two words to describe my feelings. So yesterday (Saturday) was no exception. I was almost out of my mind with bliss when I spotted this fellow from my kitchen window.

Say hello to my new little friend, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak! Isn't he beautfiul?!! He was not shy at all, actually posing for me as I snapped away with my camera. (clicking on photos should make them bigger)

Here's my right profile

And my left profile

Look at my beautiful back

I look good eating, too
He stayed for about 15 minutes chowing down on a mix of safflower and sunflower chips, then was chased away by impatient sparrows. Quite a pretty bird, and I hope he comes back soon. Thankfully the world did not end, or I would not have gotten to see this super guy.

11 comments:

Sandy Sandy Art said...

Awesome Robin! I posted some pics and a video of the same bird and the female RBG on my web log a week or so ago. Thought you might be interested. :-D

Jeanne said...

Wonderful! Do you keep a list of birds which you have seen?
I enjoy seeing/watching the birds which come to my feeders. And of all the places I have lived, Arkansas has provided me with the most variety.

I have never had any luck with safflower seeds. The birds usually scatter them all over the ground.... What's your secret?

Robin Larkspur said...

Jeanne, I do have a life list of all the birds I have seen, in a nature journal I keep. As for safflower, I don't know what the secret is. I use it because squirrels are not supposed to like it...but they gobble it up too. Robin.

Spirit, that is fantastic, I am coming to see it right now! Thanks! Robin.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful Grosbeak! We have some relatives to it over here but they rarely show up here and then only during the coldest part of winter.

Have a great day!
Christer.

Lady Caer Morganna said...

Awesome pics, Robin! I must admit, I do not know a whole lot about birds other than the robins, cardinals and blue jays we see around here.

I love the pics you were able to get!

Blessings,

Kim

Magic Love Crow said...

Robin, I love the pictures! I to get so excited to see the wild birds! But, I usually have no luck in getting any pictures! You are so cute, here is my left profile, and my right profile and look at my beautiful back! ;o) Thanks for the smile ;o)

mxtodis123 said...

I love the birds as well. I once saved a little deformed robin when he was tossed from the nest. That little cutie lasted for over a year and used to get so excited when I entered the room.
Mary

Robin Larkspur said...

Mary, that is a very sweet story...how great you gave that robin a safe harbor!

Stacy, thanks a bunch! I'm lucky to have a kitchen window and sliding door that looks right out onto the deck where we have the feeders.

Sunshineshelle said...

This is a little sweetie, we do not get birds like this (more parrots related birds) is it a type of finch??? I LOVE watching them too, although our Kookaburras announce the dawn (whether you want them to or not) and the parrots can be ear piercing) I just adore them all :) Loved seeing the pics, we have mainly native plants & trees surrounding our home, so the birds come to chow down on the Grevillea trees etc, great to watch & photograph :)

Robin Larkspur said...

Sunshineshelle, the grosbeak is categorized as a songbird, is larger than most finches. I enjoyed reading your comment...I have heard of kookaburras, of course, but have no idea what they sound or look like. That certainly would be exciting to see all your fascinating birds.

The Traveler said...

I was wondering, what do you do if you find a baby wild bird on the ground and not able to fly. We had a bit of a situation with one here this weekend and couldn't figure out what to do. We have a lot of stray cats that run around, 2 cats of our own inside, and a crow that lives right behind our house. I really didn't want to leave the little guy just sitting there, but couldn't think of anything to do for him that was better.