5/3/2021 - 5/7/2021
For the record, I have noted that the title I chose for the post and the cover photo do not quite go together.
Monday, before I settled in for a day of work, Carmen spotted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak on our feeder. I had seen reports from all across the state about them. I was starting to think that they would not be stopping by my feeders this year. A spring without grosbeaks would be pretty sad. I was also missing the orioles (who always feed in the flowering buckeye tree for a few days) and the catbird had not made his usual bombastic entrance to the yard. Sadly, I sat working all the rest of the day on Monday, eagerly watching the feeders the entire time, and never saw the grosbeak return.
Tuesday, though...! Well, Tuesday, the grosbeak returned. And then another one showed up. A third! By Wednesday, a female was showing, too!! Four Rose-breasted Grosbeaks is pretty nice. I setup the camera and shot over lunch and after work all week.
All at once, the grosbeaks were here, and I also had Baltimore Orioles, House Wren, and Swainson's Thrush. The Gray Catbird came sneaking into the yard this year. Normally, there is a lot of fuss and noise about the yard on the first day.
The big noise makers right now are the "little devils". The juvenile House Finch have left the nest, and they are rather insistent that mom and dad feed them; even though they are usually standing above the feeders. I love the little head tufts on these guys.
Even when all the "cool", new birds are elsewhere, there are plenty of other cool birds to shoot out back.
While work was a bit hectic, I had some great shooting to look forward to during my lunch break and after I was done for the day. It will not last forever, but I will enjoy it while I can.
Thanks for reading,
Mike