I saw the camera on the table when I came home from shopping. The smug look on my husband's face told me he had seen something good. I checked the camera and knew he had won this fall. The first sighting of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Arriving in mid to late September, the males arrive first. The plumage is not as brilliant as their spring adornments, but they are beautiful just the same. The males will stay around for a week or so and then be joined by the females. The males will take leave and the females will be here for another week or so and they too will leave us. We envy those of you who live in the nesting area. It must be a treat to see these birds all summer long.
Photographs taken by my husband. Thanks, dear.
First spotted in the tree, the grosbeak is much larger than most of our visitors.
As he peeked from behind the feeder there is no mistaking the first grosbeak of the autumn season.
Yes, he is gorgeous even with his muted coloring.
And thus life moves forward. These birds will winter hundreds of mile away and it will be spring before we see another.
You are likely aware that convicted prisoner Troy Davis has lost his final appeal in Georgia. Options for his getting clemency are pretty much gone and he will almost surely be executed this evening at 7:00 EDT. (Click here for the link) Please spend a few moments around that time to reflect on your feelings about the death penalty. Keep thoughts for the family of Troy Davis this evening. Thoughts also for the family members of the slain police officer who are convinced that justice will be served with the execution of Troy Davis.
16 comments:
What a beautiful bird. You and your husband are lucky to have seen one of the first.
Beautiful birds. I am pretty stunned by the fact that Troy Davis was not given an appeal.
Love watching the birds, it truly is a marvel to behold. I wouldn't have thought that was a Rose Breasted Grosbeak...guess those are its winter colors.
Terrible that the appeal was denied. Just terrible.
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Even if it could be the wrong one. How sad.
I am so surprised by how different the bird looks, when not in his breeding plumage. We had a Rose-breasted grosbeak show up here in Grass Valley, about a thousand miles outside its regular range. It was in the spring, and the male was decked out for courtship! A very handsome bird.
Beautiful pictures of our fine feathered friends...our hulmmer are fueling up on fresh sugar water for their flight south.
Hugs Madi and Mom
He is a beauty. Congrats to your hubby for winning this year. Maybe you will be the first to see a female?
I read yesterday about Mr. Davis's fate, very very sad.
What troutbirder said...very sad. There have been many appeals for Davis, of course, and many doors slammed in his face. Still, there seems to be reasonable doubt. A stay of execution, at least, seems in order, but I fear reason has taken a holiday in this country. I will continue to pray for the families involved and for the spirit of love to descend upon us all.
First, congrats to your husband and thanks to him for the fine photos! We have never seen a rose-breasted grosbeak here so your photos are a treat!
As for that execution - I am simply appalled. Where are the "pro-lifers" right now? This is not a decision that can be reversed.
Hubby is just as handy with the camera as you are. Great shots!
Thank you for sharing these excellent photos of this beautiful bird!!
Just listening to the Troy Davis story on our news. Just terrible! So sad!
NCmountainwoman -- Your words "watching the birds is a balm for what ails us," resonates with me. Wildlife, the all of wildness is a soothing balm to this chaotic world we now live in. -- barbara
As much as I watch the migrating birds here in Florida, I have not seen the Rose Breasted Grosbeak. Does it winter even further south than we are???? I have this thing about watching for the Robins. They just seem so happy when they arrive here. I watch the wild berries turning dark purple, and the Robins will strip them clean in no time. Your picture of the mountains just gives me wanderlust in my heart!!!! It's just too flat here!
I have had to cut back on my bird feeding as I am getting too many rodents, tree rats. The execution was sad. I think he should have gotten another trial after the evidence came out.
I love the photo where the Grosbeak is peeking around the corner of the feeder.
Congrats to your hubby, the photographer.
We have the RB Grosbeaks all summer -- such a treat.
Stunned by the execution -- but perhaps it will help bring more people to the realization that as long as capital punishment is legal, the possibility for a permanent miscarriage of justice exists.
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