It was nice to get home on Tuesday evening from our trip to Texas. I love traveling---but I also love getting home and sleeping in our own bed (if you know what I mean)!!!!!! Yesterday, while working to get things back to normal----I looked out on the deck, and saw a brand new bird at one of our feeders. I got so excited ---and hollered for George to try to get his picture (which he did). At the time, I didn't know which bird this one was---but he surely was gorgeous!!!!!
I got out my Tennessee bird book ---and he was not in there. BUT--he was in a couple of other bird books that I have. This gorgeous bird is a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Isn't he amazing? He may be migrating --since he summers in the northeastern and north-central United States. Tennessee is 'sorta' on the line--of where these birds stay in summer. I hope he decides to stay here--but until I see him again, I won't know that.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks will come to feeders since they enjoy sunflower seeds. They also come to birdbaths for drinking and bathing. The female looks VERY different from the male. She is brown with a large white eyebrow. She also has a large conical, pale bill. She looks like an over-sized sparrow.
Here are some pictures of our NEW backyard bird.. I'll also include a couple more of the favorite birds in our yard. Be sure and click on the pictures to see them larger, with more detail.
He stayed at the feeder for quite awhile, eating that black sunflower seed. YUM!!!
Look at that HUGE beak!!!! I couldn't stop watching this gorgeous bird!
Our male Goldfinch is getting prettier and prettier every single day!!!!
The bright yellow colors are just gorgeous this time of year!!!!!
This picture makes me think that the Goldfinch is looking at the Rhododendron bud!!!!! HA!
A pair of Mourning Doves love to feed on the ground in our yard.
I will sprinkle black sunflower seeds in the yard for them.. One Mourning Dove did come to our feeders a couple of times--but mostly, they feed on the ground. Aren't they pretty????
When we were in Texas, I saw my FIRST Northern Mockingbird in my son's backyard.. However, I did not get a picture of the bird. I know that there are Mockers here in Tennessee ---but so far, I haven't seen one here. Maybe one day I will!!!!!
Hope you enjoyed seeing more of our Backyard Birds.
Hugs,
51 comments:
that bill looks unnaturally large.
can birds take bill steriods?
Dale
http://alpinebirds.blogspot.com
Good job George (Betsy), haha. Wonderful photos love to see new birds around.....
Welcome home Betsy! How wonderful that this bird greeted you!We've been away so long no birds in our yard..must get shopping for seed!
Lucky you to get such neat pictures. In five years, I have only seen two Grosbeaks. Might have been the same one passing through for they were a year apart.
Beautiful pictures! I long to have a porch again!
Jane
So glad you are back from your trip! I've never seen a Rosebreasted Grosbeak it is a beautiful bird. We have Mourning Doves that will come if we sprinkle sunflower seeds on the railing on the porch. They eat the seeds the other birds drop on the ground at the feeder.We haven't had as many Mourning Doves this year. Could be because the neighbor has 5 cats that spend most of their time in our yard. It really makes me sick when one of them gets a bird. I love cats, I have 2 inside cats, but I hate that they kill the birds we are trying to feed.Yesterday I did see something funny, a Mockingbird attack one of the cats.The cat ran but the Mockingbird just kept attacking.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks spend their summers where I live, in Northeast Ohio. Their soft melodic happy song is a joy to hear. As for Mockingbirds, years ago I never used to see them unless on vacation down South in Virginia. Was in Southern Maryland for awhile, Mockingbirds definitely call that place home. Now the Mockingbird range has expanded so I've even seen (and heard) them in Ohio!
Aren't they gorgeous birds? The females will be arriving in a week or so and you'll see both sexes. I suspect they will all move on, but you might get really lucky.
Oh, I really know what you mean by sleeping in your own bed :). What a cute looking fellow! I love his red chest. The other birds are also very beautiful. I can imagine myself sitting at your yard and watching them all day long, if duty doesn't call ;). Have a great day, Betsy.
We have doves around our homes too. Unfortunately, we also have pigeons and ducks who are not nice visitors.
Rose breasted grosbeaks are my favorite betsy! They come back to Michigan in the spring! And sing very prettily! So glad you got one! And yes, your finches are looking prettier! lovely bird photos today!! Wish me luck on good loon photos this weekend!
:-) Shelley
Welcome home. I know what you mean about sleeping in your own bed. Nothing so nice as the familiar. Nice to see son and family though.
Pretty bird. We have the Blackheaded and Evening Grosberak here but not the rose-breasted. Good catch. The American Goldfinch is our state bird. I love 'em. MB
The first time I saw a grosbeak I thought it was an oriole. Boy was I wrong.
I enjoyed seeing your birds Betsy. Have a lovely day.
We used to have a mockingbird that lived in the field behind our house. I loved hanging out laundry and listening to him sing. He had an amazing array of calls - one even sounded very much like a lawnmower!
Lovely! I have the Evening Grosbeaks here but have never seen these,... how beautiful.
That Grosbeak must have been a joyful discovery at your feeder! Your goldfinch is looking stunning in bright yellow but your sweet mourning doves are my favorite. Great backyard birds post!
I have never seen a grosbeak before. He's a pretty bird. I wonder if they ever visit northern Ohio.
Welcome back Betsy! Great pictures! Jeep saw one of these on Sunday morning but didn't have time to get a picture. Maybe next time. It's exciting to see new birds.
Those babies are soooo pretty. I love colorful birds. The only pretty ones I get are cards and bluejays....well the red chested wood pecker too. I do have the mourning doves also...and yes, they like their food on the ground. Less work I suppose. (Lazy?)
We have the rose breasted grosbeaks, I have one on my blog right now but I find that unless they're very hungry, they tend to shy away from the feeders and stay in the treetops. I can hear them all summer in the trees but only see them once in a while.
Welcome back! Those are great shots of the rose-breasted grosbeak! I hope that means they are on their way north. They usually get here in May and stay awhile. I always look forward to it.
Great bird shots...very pretty. We hav baby birds in the top of my hubby's workshop. The mama birds comes and goes all day long. You can stand on the outside and hear them signing...so cute.
Welcome back! The Grosbeak is an impressive bird. I know Nonie has seen them here on her feeders.
Funny...I never see Mockingbirds here either. Yet..they are Tennessee's state bird. Go figure. :-)
I have never seen a grosbeak before. He's a pretty bird.
cheers!
Welcome home Betsy, and what a lovely surprise to come back to !
That is stunning looking bird, what vibrant colors.
The goldfinch is one of my favorites, we seem to have more this year, than any other year, maybe because we have had more "Spring".
Hi Betsey! Sorry I haven't been around lately.With the dog's blog I seem to be spending more time with canine earthlings! This Grosbeak and Goldfinch are both very beautiful. Such vivid colors.(That is one of the advantages of having had cataract surgery 5 years ago.Colors are so much brighter!)X-Cassie
You got some great photos - I love the RBGs too, and they have the prettiest warbly-burbly song.
Beautiful birds, Betsy. I used to see the Grosbeaks during migration season as well. The males are so colorful, I love seeing them at the feeders.
Hi Betsy,
I could have sworn I used to follow your blog. I don't know where it went??? I saw your comment on "the writers porch" and thought why haven't I seen your post lately....
Maybe I am just crazy...LOL
Craig Glenn
Such pretty birds - thanks for sharing the pictures Betsy and George.
what super photos of those birdies, can't wait until we move to the country and put up some bird feeders.
Gill in Canada
I am happy for you to be able to see the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.I hope he is on his way north,I am looking forward to having them arrive.Their song is as pretty as the bird.Someone said it sounded like a Robin who had voice lessons.
Blessings,Ruth
Great photos, Betsy!
I had a mockingbird at my last house. Lovely bird, until bedtime. My neighbor had an annoying dog that it mocked, as well as, any other noise it could find.
I finally got used to it.
I enjoyed the birdies. Hey, what is it with you Tennessee folks; is there a state law about putting the word Tennessee in your blog title? I've visited quite a few TN blogs, and they all have the name of their state in their title. One is even called "Brit in Tennessee."
Is it just me or does that Grosbeak have a huge beak? lol I guess it's not just me, I just read the part where you specifically pointed that out.
Hey Betsy - Love those birds. Pretty red markings the Rose Breasted Grosbeak. I believe the yellow finch is the one that I saw only once so far at my feeder. I've had a couple of different and colorful birds but can't get lucky with the camera. Happy day to ya!
That is a handsome bird!! I hope he sticks around for you.
I have a couple new ones this week too-I'll share later.
Enjoy!!
It's so exciting to see a "new" bird for the first time! Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks are transient birds here, and I've seen them only once in my garden, where they hung around for only a couple of days.
Glad to have you back! I hope it's warmed up a bit in TN since you got back. It's almost 90 degrees here as I type this! Where did SPRING go?
Congratulations on getting a new bird to your feeders! I thought the same thing as you--what a beak! Of course i love the doves...they always eat on the ground here also.
Life is so wonderful! Another bird to your list, great. And you even have pics to show for it.
Leedra’s Photos For FunLeedra’s Greeting CardsPhotography By Leedra
Betsy,
I loved seeing your grosbeak and know just how excited you must have been to see him too! We had 1 show up last spring and he spent the afternoon with us and then zip ....gone! What a gorgeous bird! Glad to hear you saw a mocker at your son's house...they can be a pain sometimes with their constant repetitive calls but they have such a sweet face and a pleasant personality that I just try and smile as he chirps along...its usually the same call 3 or 4 times before he changes to a new one!!
Hi there Betsy,
Don't you just love to see new birds at the feeder! Of course we love the old faithfuls to keep coming too. But the wildlife that enjoys our yards is such a blessing. I haven't had any of the Grosbeak in my garden but have really enjoyed seeing yours today. Glad you are back safely. Geesh, ice in Arkansas and tornadoes in TX... the weather isn't really cooperating with your little trips. I'm glad you had a beautiful day Sunday!
Meems @ Hoe and Shovel
Hi Betsy, I love the new bird pictures. I don't know birds but wish I did. there is a bird nest in a hanging basket on my front porch. The only thing I know it is a little brown bird. I saw something happen there the other day I had never seen before. The Mother bird was on the nest and I guess it was her mate bringing her food. Is that unusual? I watched them for a long time.
Betsy, a new bird at the feeder just brightens up the day, doesn't it! He IS pretty!
We had a pare of Rose-breasted Grosbeak's stop by here for a bit last year. They were amazing. I am glad you had a wonderful visit in Texas.
Always fun/exciting to see a new bird in one's back yard. Yes there is no bed like one's one bed.
I never grow tired of seeing your beautiful birds...m...
I've never seen a Rose-breasted Grosbeak before. We have tons of Mockingbirds here. I've seen them chase the cats. Not mine--neighbors. Hate it when they kill a bird. I try to get more birds into my yard. I do so enjoy watching them.
Spring is such a great time to watch the birds. You're capturing some great photos of them. I'm hoping to get a camera with a decent zoom before too long. Then maybe I can get some bird photos, too!
Welcome home, I am glad you had a nice trip visiting your family. I love the photos of the birds. I don't see many living in an apartment, They don't want us to put out feeds, but I cheat and usually have a small one anyway.
Welcome back, Betsy! I missed you! It looks like, from your other post, that you had a great time -- except for the storms, of course. I'm glad you got there and back safely.
I just mentioned to Doug today that I haven't seen any rose-breasted grosbeaks yet. We usually get them at our feeder also this time of year. They come, stay for a few days, then move on for the summer.
Post a Comment