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Things that fly at the Sabine Farm
It has been visually interesting around here.
Last night I caught sight of a balloon, of all things. This is a first.
Also, take a look at the feeder!
What have we here? I think it is a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus.
And then… I think this is a Purple Finch… Carpodacus purpureus.
While I admit that these birds are cuter, why are you so opposed to squirrels eating out of your bird feeder? I know that squirrels eat a lot more of the seed in the feeder, but you are feeding a hungry animal either way.
Comment by Blogger — 9 May 2008 @ 2:56 pmBlogger: First, bird feeders are for birds. Second, I object to squirrels in principle.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 9 May 2008 @ 3:02 pmA grosbeak it is! We just started seeing them in our yard (SE Minnesota) last week. They have a beautiful little song.
Comment by Chris — 9 May 2008 @ 3:42 pmOur squirrels go to amazing acrobatic lengths to get into our feeders. That in itself is at least somewhat amusing. :)
It is indeed a grosbeak! Ours just returned here to SE Minnesota last week. They have a beautiful little song.
Comment by Chris — 9 May 2008 @ 3:45 pmDo you have orioles at the Sabine Farm?
Dear Fr. Z,
If you think that’s neat, come visit Albuquerque in early October!
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/
Comment by Elizabeth V. — 9 May 2008 @ 3:49 pmhttp://www.franciscan.edu/home2/Content/main.aspx
Father, (at al.) In case you’re curious, Franciscan University is broadcasting all of their commencement activities, including the Baccalaurate Mass (starting RIGHT NOT) in a live feed on their website.
Comment by Brandon — 9 May 2008 @ 4:01 pmCool birds Father!
Comment by pedro — 9 May 2008 @ 4:14 pmGreat close-up pics of the little birds. Do you hang out hummingbird feeders? If so, please take some close shots of those little guys and post them.
Comment by semperficatholic — 9 May 2008 @ 4:16 pmSo in other words, squirrels are the liturgical dancers of the animal kingdom.
Comment by KK — 9 May 2008 @ 4:36 pmThose are some very cute birds. I hope you’re feeling better.
Comment by Kradcliffe — 9 May 2008 @ 4:41 pmThe more people say they hate squirrels, the more I like them. Go, squirrels, GO!
Wow, a grosbeak! In person! I’m jealous, Father; I’ve just seen them in the field guides.
I think the other little guy may be a house finch—I’m always getting them mixed up with purple finches. Actually, I’m not sure what the difference is.
In any case, it’s a nice sort of Roman purple. :)
Comment by JL — 9 May 2008 @ 6:37 pmJL: Yah… the Grosbeak was a real surprise! I have never seen one. Hopefully he, and maybe his she, will hang around.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 9 May 2008 @ 7:40 pmKradcliffe: Go, squirrels, GO!
I agree… they may go. And I think we should help them.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 9 May 2008 @ 7:44 pmThat second little critter looks like a purple finch to me. I get them at my bird feeder regularly.
Comment by Marilyn — 9 May 2008 @ 8:03 pmHouse finches and purple finches are very difficult to distinguish. I had a pair of what I believe were purple finches that built their nest in a fake palm tree I had on my apartment balcony. Purple finches are a bit more rare, and are being thinned by a peculiar fungal infection that attacks their eyes and by encroachment on their habitats by the more aggressive house finch.
IIRC, the male purple finch has a short notched tail (as this one clearly does).
Comment by david andrew — 9 May 2008 @ 8:25 pmCool pix, I saw my first Rose-Breasted Grosbeak here, just north of Indianapolis this past week. I’ve never seen one in Indiana but the guide said they were to be found. I’m hoping he returns to our feeder sometime. There seem to be a number of birds around that weren’t here when I was younger.
Comment by Patrick S — 9 May 2008 @ 8:33 pmFirst, bird feeders are for birds. Second, I object to squirrels in principle.
This is a Summa Theologica article spoof just waiting to happen, but I lack the theological and satirical chops to do it…
Comment by Margaret — 9 May 2008 @ 8:42 pmIf you think squirrels are a nuisance try getting rid of beavers! In the “Peoples Republic of Massachusetts”, if you shoot or otherwise extinguish the life of one of the little critters you could be fined $10,000 for each one and two years in jail. To bad unborn babies don’t have equal protection.
Comment by Peg — 9 May 2008 @ 8:49 pmSquirrels eating from bird feeders? A friend has a feeder hanging from the roof. Coons climb onto the roof, then hang upside down to eat from the feeder.
BTW, have you ever seen a Prothonotary Warbler?
Comment by RBrown — 9 May 2008 @ 9:17 pmToo bad you couldn’t get closer to the balloon. It almost looks like one of the ones that flies regularly in Louisiana. My family actually used to own one so I don’t get too excited but if you like them, you should definitely see if there is a Balloon Rally nearby. My dad always said it was one of his ways of getting closer to God.
Comment by Amanda — 9 May 2008 @ 11:28 pmOkay, tell the truth, Father: you hired the balloon to come so that you could use it tomorrow at Mass, right? After Sister proclaims the Gospel, you’re going to “descend” upon the congregation in that balloon with a “tongue of fire” above your head and preach about the wonderfulness of being in community.
Using a balloon as a teaching moment in the liturgy – brilliant! You really are taking your game up another notch, maybe next year you can headline at the LA Religious Ed Congress.
Comment by Tim Ferguson — 10 May 2008 @ 4:14 amI think squirrels are reincarnated degenerates from the Dark Ages (1960s) who seek to overthrow Fr. Z in order to stop him from becoming pope
Comment by Francesco — 10 May 2008 @ 5:38 amI think squirrels are reincarnated degenerates from the Dark Ages (1960s) who are trying to overthrow Fr. Z and stop him from becoming pope
See: http://www.sugarbushsquirrel.com/image/14772279.jpg
Comment by Francesco — 10 May 2008 @ 5:42 amHow come it still looks like winter over there? Where are you exactly?
Comment by Mike — 10 May 2008 @ 7:45 amFr Z
How about all that snow!
We extracted honey from our bee hives that I took off one month ago. Our tomatos and squash are already getting blooms.
We had 85 degrees here yesterday, and y-all don’t have spring yet.
Hope you enjoy all that cold..
When does spring start up there mid August?
Jim Dorchak
Comment by Jim Dorchak — 10 May 2008 @ 7:47 amRBrown: BTW, have you ever seen a Prothonotary Warbler?
O, Lord! The possible remarks are legion.
So far, at this feeder, I have not seen a Prothonotary Warbler.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 10 May 2008 @ 9:48 amRBrown: BTW, have you ever seen a Prothonotary Warbler?
O, Lord! The possible remarks are legion.
So far, at this feeder, I have not seen a Prothonotary Warbler.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
It was the bird involved in the Whitaker Chambers-Alger Hiss matter.
NB also: The Pumpkin Papers.
Comment by RBrown — 10 May 2008 @ 10:01 amBut I do get your joke about prothonotary warblers.
Comment by RBrown — 10 May 2008 @ 10:06 am