While working on the computer, movement outside our window caught our eye. Earlier, an adult and a first-year Pine Warbler posed outside the window comfortable in the knowledge that our camera was still in the bag. Naturally, once the camera was out and ready, the birds found a better place to be. Throughout the day, birds, mainly Northern Cardinals of which we have plenty of pictures, had been clearing the Flowering Dogwood of its fruit. However, the combination of black, white, and red in the last mass of movement must have set off alarms in our subconscious. Looking up, there was no mistaking the rose-colored breast and the need to get the camera into position.
Funny thing about preparation...it gives you the opportunity to make something happen, but you still need make it happen. We failed to adequately navigate the space between our window and the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. A small twig was all that was necessary to blur our shot before the bird went about his business beyond our sight. Patience, however, is said to be a virtue.
Within the hour, a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak returned with a female to dine on the fruit of the Flowering Dogwood. Not only did we have our camera ready, we had our window open, which eliminated one obstacle to a clear picture.
The swamp has been getting a touch of red from Poison Ivy, Cardinal Flower, Flowering Dogwood fruit, but the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a treat!
Images by Mark Musselman
1 comment:
I had a male rose breasted grosbeak in my feeder yesterday! So exciting...he did not stay for the picture...
I have only seen those in the Upper Peninsule of Michigan before . Such a lovely sight. Guess they are migrating North.
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