I was admiring the photos posted on Carol’s blog (flowerhill farm), one of which included a pine grosbeak. It reminded me to post a photo or two of the pine grosbeaks that visit our garden in the winter – a very welcome call, adding color and life to the backyard landscape during these dreary winter days.
Here’s a photo of the male. He’s nipping away at the spruce buds.
And here’s the female. Unusual, that she isn’t just a paler version of the male – as we frequently see with birds. She’s adorned with this beautiful gold head. Too bad I didn’t get a shot of them side by side so we could see the red and gold together.
How fun! I just decided to come over and thank you for your lovely comments Hank and here I find your great grosbeak post.They are truly native to your neck of the woods. How lovely to see the female too. I had not seen them before last year nor since. They truly frightened me by devouring oh so many buds of my old Rock Maple trees. Thousands of calyxes were littered across the snow. (Now I think of it more clearly with this memory it must have been two years ago.) Your male looks so dapper... Have you ever seen one without a tail? You are lucky to have them as regular guests. I found you over at blotanical... so glad I did. You are so kind to mention me ... Thank you Hank! ;) Carol
ReplyDeleteLovely, Hank. We don't get these grosbeaks that often, but occasionally a rose-breasted one will come to call. Carol's shots were awesome, for sure, but yours are no slouches, either. Such great colours.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures. Cardinals give us color in the winter. Hawks give us excitement.
ReplyDeletejim
Lovely visitors to your garden. ~Rebecca
ReplyDeleteThey are gorgeous Hank! A spot of red for the winter. I personally think it is not fair that the male birds are always prettier LOL!
ReplyDeletehhg, you're right, it doesn't seem fair. I dealt a lot with 'fairness' in my 10 years as Yukon's Ombudsman (taking complaints from the public about their dealings with government), when I'd often hear people say, "I'm a good person - I don't understand why I'm being treated unfairly." The best response to this is a quote I found: "Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you're a good person, is a bit like expecting the bull not to charge you because you're a vegetarian."
ReplyDeleteWhat great photos of beautiful birds! We have many birds, but I don't remember ever seeing a grosbeak.
ReplyDeleteMorning Hank, Great photos, can't recall ever seeing a Pine Grosbeak. We see an occasional Rose-Breasted and used to see Yellow ones. This winter has been very harsh on the birds so we have a lot of activity at our feeders. Come for a visit we are doing posts on them.
ReplyDeleteStarted with Eastern Bluebird, next will be Northern Cardinal then American Gold Finch.
Have a Great Day,
John
You are lucky to be able to snap this great photo.... perched high at the edge of a branch, it looks so elegant, colorful and adorable .. Bangchik
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds! I don't know very much about different types of birds, but the colours are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteWhat great shots you got of those birds. Winter visitors to the garden are always a special treat. It's so gratifying to see them find something to eat.
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing photographer. What great shots you got of those birds.
ReplyDeleteNice to know that you have something to brighten up those long cold days.
Jen
We have this bird species in Finland too! Nice to see that there are other garden enthusiasts at 60 and+ degree latitude. You have very nice pictures!
ReplyDeleteK