Oh how I love seeing the migrating birds at my feeders. In April, the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks stopped by for about a week or two on their way north for the summer. What beautiful birds. Anyhow---they are BACK, stopping here on their way south for the winter. I'm so glad they remembered my 'inn' ---and stopped by. From now on, I'll be waiting on them to visit us --each April and September. Yeah Rah!!!!!
Before admiring THESE pictures taken yesterday, please click HERE to glance at the pictures of these birds in April during the breeding season. The males were gorgeous. Yesterday's pictures show a much duller male, although still very pretty.
I sat on my 'throne' (sofa) and watched them for awhile ---and got so excited. I first saw ONE female a few days ago --but yesterday, we had at least EIGHT at the feeders at one time, mostly males now. I know that in the Spring, the males arrive first and then the females later. I don't know if it is the opposite in the Fall, but I did see the females first this week. I don't know how long they'll stay this time, but I'll be watching them each and every day.
Above and below are some pictures I took yesterday afternoon of the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.
This is the back of the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak now.
The female Grosbeak is brown year-round. She looks quite different from the males.
This is the female Rose-breasted Grosbeak from the back. One way to distinguish them from other medium-sized birds is by their huge white eyebrows. (Note that the females do not have black and white feathers on their backs like the males do.)
Now you can see the 'rose' color in them. Aren't they pretty???
These little guys were all over the place!!!! Some were in the plate feeder and some were at the 'house' feeder beside the plate. Can you see that one sitting on the line above???? I couldn't ever get all eight of them in one picture--but I got some of them.
These two males looked like they were chatting with one another. Can you see the Red-bellied Woodpecker on the suet behind them??????
The little house is beside the plate feeder. See the young male on the left and the female on the right. I think the three in the plate feeder are all male.
Now there are SIX!!!!! Can you imagine my JOY at seeing these cuties?
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Finally, we had our first fire in the fireplace last night.... I loved it... The temperatures are going down into the 40's at nights now---so I can officially say that AUTUMN is HERE. Now that it's cooler, maybe our leaves will change colors!!!!!
Have a great day.
Hugs,
49 comments:
They are so pretty, it must be fun to watch them on the feeder. Those eyebrows do make them stand out from other birds.
Our temperatures are dropping down into the forties and possible snow flurries in the higher elevations. Maybe our leaves will turn too, I would love to see some autumn color.
Nothing else new with HTML, I haven't had much time to play with it lately but the wind and rain will be here soon so lots of computer play time coming.
Hugs,
Judy
We gathered at my daughter's last evening to celebrate my older son's b'day. She lit her first fire, too. Re: your migrating birds,.. only bad thing is that means that they left here days ago,... a sure sign that winter is fast approaching here in the north country. brrrrr.....
I have had rose breasted grosbeaks here once in the spring and none since. I miss them. It was last year (2008) and I got a lot of different birds. Most for the first time. I hoped this was a sign that birds were making a comeback around these parts but I keep forgetting for most of them that this was just a stop over for some fuel. Anyway, this year was almost all sparrows.
I love these birds you photographed so well. They are really gems.
Thanks for helping me to make history.
Pick a Peck of Pixels
Waaaaaaa! I never had ONE in the spring Betsy! Whisper to them to head down this way on their way South!
Thanks for the info Betsy. They are a mere shadow of their spring glory but I will look for them.
Nice captures Betsy. I know the birds will never forget to stop at your 'Inn'! A roaring fire and some hot chocolate.....cozy..
The grosbeaks are lovely, Betsy. I'm glad they stopped by again to visit. I love your pictures of them.
Oh, that fire in the fireplace looks so cozy! It makes me miss the woodstove at our old house. Here in the doublewide, it's a heat pump, and I miss the smell of woodsmoke so much and being able to sit near the fire and warm my old bones.
Smart birds to stop at your 'Joyful Inn', Betsy... and partake of the wonderful feast you and George provide for the hungry travelers on their way south for the winter.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos, I never see them this far south.
Have a joy filled day, Pam :)
A fire in the fireplace sounds so cozy!
It sure is fun to see the birds stop in as they fly through!
Those birds know a good thing when they see it...All you can eat buffet at Betsy's house !
I have had similar birds stopping by, but now sure if they were the Grosbeaks, I'll have to pay closer attention.
Fireplace looks so cosy, and yes, got downright chilly last night, you being closer to the mountains, I'm sure you were at least 5degrees colder.
i'm ready for the colors !
Hugs,
Jo
Seeing your blog today makes me want to go out and fill my feeders. This year my bird feeder turned into a cat feeder. After many attempts to keep the cats away I finally gave up. At least I can enjoy yours.
Now thats what I call heaven! Sitting on the sofa enjoying the fireplace and the birds!!
Guess it is time to put out the feeders. I only feed in the winter due to the cow birds that come in spring and summers. Bad birds. Good job for today.
Great to see full seating at your feeders. Nice job.
Love your fireplace. Huge weakness of mine. Wish I had one now. Enjoy.
Those birds are pretty Betsy! I like their "white eyeshadow". I hope we get to see some of them come thru here.
You are sooo lucky to have all these birds.It is much too quiet here right now.OK,now I'm rally jealous,:) that fire looks sooo cozy.Have a blessed bay,filled with more birds.
Blessings,Ruth
Gosh you have some interesting birds there. I love the male's red glow. You must have been excited to have so many visit.
The fire looks so cosy.
Those brids have came for their feast at their winter home.
Our low was 49* last night. Still no fire here yet. I know it won't be long till those fires are roaring. I just hope I get some snow this winter to go along with the warm fire.
We saw them last week, too! The males are still here so we expect the females soon.
I knew you would have a fire...even if you had to open the windows!
Wonderful photos, Betsy. I had a pair stay with me all summer. They were regulars at my feeders and I really enjoyed watching them.
Marnie
Beautiful photos, as always! I love looking at your birds - we're not allowed to have feeders on our balconies, so I have to rely on the photos of yours! Interesting that the males and females arrive at different times - and that the males get to the food first!
Great pictures, Betsy!
I miss having my bird feeders and seeing my feathered friends.(Darn bears!)
Thank you for letting me enjoy your cute little buddies.
Sunny :)
it must be one lovely "inn" and one very warm and accommodating hostess that makes them keeps coming back!!!
they are so lovely to watch and the males, i have to say, more eye catching than their female counterpart what with those red streak...
You really got some close up pictures, wonderful shots.
I'm loving this cooler weather too. We've been keeping the windows open and letting the fresh air in the house.
Have a wonderful day Betsy!
Wow you are some nature paparazzi Betsy!
Oh you lucky duck! You're so lucky to have a whole flock of those beauties at your feeders. What kind of seed are you using. Wow! I can't believe how cold it is getting already for you. It's been getting steadily cooler up here too....yesterday the high was 61...
Love those pretty birds! I've seen only one or two of them here. It was 44 degrees here this morning, so maybe they will be coming by here soon. Last year we saw some really different birds as they migrated by. Good job with the pictures.
Awesome pictures!! That fire looks so inviting. I love a fire!!
Your photos are fantastic. And I understand your joy at seeing the birds again. I am waiting until all of my birds find their way back south. Last year we had a pair of Cardinals, Painted Buntings, Indigo Buntings, Palm Warblers and many more. I can't wait to see the trees behind my deck alive with them again.
What a gorgeous show. They're beautiful, aren't they. I'm glad you got to see them AND that you had your camera!
The birds know where they are welcomed for sure. They are lucky to have found your yard on their travels. We had temps in the low 40s the past couple of nights and Mark had to scrape his windshield one morning! The fireplace looks so welcoming!
You are good at recognizing your birds! They are beautiful!!! I need to fill my birdfeeder. I took one to mom's and keep that full and have neglected mine. :-(
I have not seen those birds around here. They are so pretty and I am sure entertaining to watch. We finally got to the 60's and that felt really cool after the heat wave we have had. Betsy, thanks for taking to stop by my place.
How do you take those close shots?
I tried many a times to take pictures of birds and everytime I come out they fly away!
Some nice pictures
Greetings from creativity and imagination photos of Jose Ramon
I saw a female about a week ago but that was it. We had lots of them in the spring. It looks like they headed straight for your house! I have never seen the male in the fall of the year....He is pretty that way too!
Great pictures! I feel your excitement.
These guys must not like my old Kentucky home tho - I've never had one here.
Enjoy your fire--I just may ask hubby to fire ours up tonight.;)
Beautiful birds! I'm glad they came back to visit and entertain you.
That is a LOT of birds!
I was just asking my husband when we could start using our fireplace again. It always makes thehouse feel so cozy :)
Betsy: Great photos and great that they came in bunches.
In my mind's eye I can see you all excited!!! Great shots Betsy! And love that fireplace - roaring fire, popcorn and a good movie would be just lovely, thanks!
Pretty birds...I can imagine how excited you are...I would be too! I sometimes set up the tripod aimed at the bird feeder when I see several birds feeding at once.
It is so amazing when you think about the radar these birds have and the ability they have to go so far. We have our furnace on too it's been cold here in the 40's as well..
The photos are wonderful.
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
I sure can imagine your joy...and I would love that fire. It is getting cool here, too.
Beautiful pics of beautiful birds. I enjoyed very much.
That fire looks good, especially when you say it's 40º.
i love when we get migrating birds here too. it is so fascinating to see what comes and goes. all of a sudden we have no golden finches. i miss them. so glad you could already have a fire...we still need to wait a bit. our house has too much body heat to have a fire yet.
happy autumn.
We had a bit of snow yesterday but we haven't had a fire yet! The furnace is on though!
The only time we have rose breasted grosbeaks is when they are in their red, black and white stage. I didn't know there was another. I guess they are visiting you then and not us! We see the females and hear their beautiful song but I've never seen a male other than in full dress colours.
Wow...they come here in the spring, but I never see them in the fall. I guess they take the "scenic route" through your state instead :-)
You were so fortunate to have so many of your little birds there at once, Betsy. Great photos! You did a very nice job with this. :)
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