Thursday, March 21, 2019

Cedar Waxwings Morning Visit!

The weather has been strange the last few days. This morning, it was mostly cloudy with some sunshine breaking through the clouds for just minutes at a time. Later, we had more showers. But before the rains came, I walked out to the garden with my camera and noticed a flock of birds flying into my neighbors' pepper tree. Looking through the telescopic lens, I quickly realized the large flock of birds were not just the neighborhood finch and sparrows but Cedar Waxwings!






Approximately 40 to 50 Cedar Waxwings just landed in my neighbor's Brazilian Pepper Tree. The neighbor's pepper tree is located 15 ft from my back fence and stands about 30 ft tall with a huge 20 plus width! The birds came in all at the same time! Landing in every part of the tree, eager to feast on the berries. Here are some shots of these beautiful birds. This one was a little cautious and landed on a "Paper tree" (Melaleuca lucadendra) before it made its way to the pepper tree. 

Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum measures 7.25 inches long with a wingspan of 12 inches. This one stood watch on the utility wire.
The rest of the photos are of hungry birds grabbing all the tastiest berries off the pepper tree.

Most appear to be in a hurry as they picked and quickly swallowed the berries.


This guy was more of a pick the berry...

then, squash it...

squash it more...
 Now, swallow!
LOL, close-up.





No need to push, there are plenty of berries for all.


Yummy, which one first?

Taste great!
This bright red one looks best!

 
This one looks perfect...

Close-up.


Which one next?

This one?



What a great morning this has been. I was delighted to have been lucky enough to be out in the backyard when this big flock of Cedar Waxwings flew in. As Eve would say when we go birding, "Always check to make sure what the bird is and never assume it is just some common ones".  I almost didn't raise my camera up to check thinking it was just our common neighborhood birds. LOL, look what I would have missed!
Have a great week everyone!

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Happy First Day of Spring!

Just a few shots from my backyard to celebrate 3-20-2019... First Day of Spring!






A beautiful male Anna's Hummingbird comes to visit the birdbath/fountain.

Anna's Hummingbird, Calypte anna measures 4 inches long with a wingspan of 5.25 inches.







A female Anna's Hummer makes an appearance.







LOL, pokes her beak into the fountain flow.


First bloom of the season from my Double Delight rose bush.


Wish I could bottle the fragrance and send some to you! The air is filled with the amazing fragrance of these beautiful freesias.
 The apple tree is also in bloom.



I just finished making this whimsical palm and frog solar fountain.


A close-up of the frogs looking into the pool with the water splashing into it. They are so adorable, you can't help but get in a good mood when you see them.

A good look at the female Anna's Hummingbird.

Happy First Day of Spring everyone!