Monday, January 16, 2012

Robins, Cedar Waxwings and a Grackle!

This is not a great picture but wanted you to see the cedar wax wings darting back and forth. In my excitement from the inside window this is not a good picture but did not want to miss the moment.





Dozens of cedar wax wings drink from my fountain joined by robins and a new bird I was unfamiliar with.  For a long time today they flew back and forth in the trees and to the fountain. I counted ten robins at once walking on the grass in front of the fountain but I could not get a picture.

The black bird with blue head  at the bottom of photo is known as a common grackle in Alabama. I had not seen one until today and looked him up in my bird book. Notice the robin at the top.




Stan Tekiela is a naturalist, wildlife photographer and the originator of many popular state-specific field guides. My book was a thoughtful gift from a friend. Check and see if your state is available. He has authored over 100 field guides, nature books and audio CD's presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, trees, wildflowers and cacti.


 Last year they visited my birdbath  in March so they are earlier this year. There was no water in my birdbath today so they found the fountain instead.



The cedar wax wings came in alone last year. I thought it was very interesting that the  cedar wax wings, robins and grackle flew in together today. I am so glad I was home and did not miss their visit both years.
The beautiful cardinal is a frequent visitor to my garden and gives me much joy. However, what I am dreaming of is the elusive bluebird. I have moved my bluebird box to three locations in my yard with no luck. My yard is too wooded.


Here he sits last year scouting out places to nest. I've seen other scouts this year in the neighborhood. How special it would be if they would choose our garden this year. What delight!




8 comments:

  1. Hi lovely lady.
    I see you have a new post. Your photos are Gorgeous of the Cedar Wax Wings !! I love all your photos. I hope you have a wonderful week with your family. I hope you can come over and see me.
    xxooDiane

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  2. What a wonderful treat to see all these beautiful birds.

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  3. What a beautiful post, Bonnie. I love Cedar Waxwings.

    If you would like to subscribe to a feed for Back Porch Musings, there is a button to click, under my photo on the sidebar. You can choose which feed to use. I don't believe you will have to join facebook, for that one. Hope this helps.

    Thanks so much for coming by.

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  4. How amazing Bonnie! I cannot believe the quantity of birds you get, you must feed them! I have never seen more than one Robin at a time! I love the blackbird with the blue head, and you have captured him brilliantly!

    Many thanks for your kind comments, so glad you enjoyed the pics. Yes, I loved 'Girl with the Pearl Earring' movie too. Can I ask you a blogging question? I would love to know how to do the thing at the bottom of the post where you say 'you may also like'.., but I can't figure out how to do it? Would you mind telling me if you know. Many thanks and much love, Linda x

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  5. Hi Bonnie~ I was finally able to get to post a comment with my husband's ipad but I'm unable to on my laptop with my browser?! That's happened to me several times in the past week with a number of blogs and inconsistently so I'm not sure if it's a setting?

    Love the Cedar Waxwings~ that's a bird I haven't seen frequent our feeders or birdbath here, especially in such a flock! They are beautiful to look at!

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  6. Hi Bonnie! Thank you so much for indulging my "who are you?" curiosity. I loved your answers! I had to comment on this post because I just learned what cedar waxwings were a couple of years ago. There were SO many of them that it sounded like little bombs dropping on our driveway (they made a mess, but we enjoyed learning about them!). I posted about it here:

    http://www.llhdesignsblog.com/2010/01/i-woke-up-this-morning-to-some-very.html

    Happy Saturday to you!
    love,
    Linsey

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  7. Hi Bonnie,

    These photos are great!! You're much better with a camera than I am. I love the Cedar Waxwings; they're so unusual. We haven't had any luck with our bluebird house either. I think we need to try a different spot because I know they're in our neighborhood. I see them in other people's yards a lot. Thanks so much for your sweet comments and I hope you have a great week!

    Denise

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