LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Favorite Fall Visitors

 
 
For about three weeks in the spring and again in the autumn, we are treated to visits from Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.  Typically the males arrive first and stay a couple of weeks.  The females then arrive and the males depart for their winter homes.
 
The birds arriving in the fall are not as brilliantly colored as the spring migrants.  But they are lovely nonetheless.  We are so happy to see the first one arrive and then await others.  We saw our first male last Sunday.
 
 
 



 
 



I do envy those of you lucky enough to have these birds all summer.  And are able to see their young and watch them grow.  But we happily take what Mother Nature will send us as the birds migrate for winter.

8 comments:

Ms. A said...

I've never seen one, except in photos. Lovely!

troutbirder said...

I had them for years in my woods without ever even knowing it. Then a friend told me they sound like a robin who can't carry a tune. Then I noticed...:)

Anonymous said...

We are not in their range, but luckily they have visited our feeders twice. Once in Port Townsend, WA and once here. They are such beautiful birds. It's truly lovely to see this photo with his subtle fall plumage.

Mary Lee said...

What an interesting bird! I'm going to start watching. You'll make me into a birdwatcher yet!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

What wonderful visitors to have any time of the year!

Arkansas Patti said...

I have only seen them one season, when I first moved here. Don't know why they haven't come back. Thanks for the pictures of these pretties.

Busy Bee Suz said...

They are just adorable...so glad you get at least a little peek at them.

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone. We do enjoy the migrants as they stop for brief visits.