First Sighting of this Beauty..

You know how some 'bloggers' have a signature bird, like the
Bluebird, or the Sandpiper?? Well I guess mine would be
the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. It is a big highlight when I
catch a glimpse of the first one in Spring. The male is such
a beauty and looks so good on the feeder. I especially like him
in front of the lilacs. They aren't quite 'out' yet, but still
makes for a striking photo.

I was doing yard work Saturday when I saw him come to the
feeder...Of course the camera was nearby.

I knew he was about somewhere because earlier in the
morning I had seen Mrs. out back on the feeder trying
to hide from me.

These two look young. I had several pairs last year and
they brought the babies to the feeders after fledging.
Never found the nest.

This guy is early according my photographs from years past.
The Lilacs aren't even in bloom yet.

I took this picture on May 5, 2005

Taken on May 6, 2005... called this one Double Trouble.

May 4, 2007.

And this one was May 6, 2006.

When I first started to document these birds I didn't think the
female was much to look at, but over the years I have come
to appreciate her beauty as well as his. She just isn't as
'oh wow' striking as he is.

Another day or so and the Lilac will open and begin to
release that wonderful fragrance that fills the air
in the evening as I sit on my deck.

Continued from 'The Best Day of My Life"
After my American Kestrel adventure, I went to dinner
at a local restaurant. I took the camera inside with me so
I could review the pictures with my brother,
He looks up and exclaims"hey! look at that!"
A Red-tailed Hawk went gliding by the window.
I grabbed the camera and run over in between
evening diners having their fish, and steak dinners to the
windows and started snapping away.

He landed on some big lights that illuminate the parking lot.

I had very few seconds to get my shots as he had his eye on
something in a ditch beyond the blacktop.

And then he was gone out of my sight, and I apologized
to the three tables I had interrupted and showed them
the digital pictures I had taken. They all seemed to be
ok with it. And one guy knew it was a Redtail
so he was into it.


Stay tuned for more on the "Best Day of my Life" series.