You might recall that some days ago during a walk I found a dead male cardinal. I pondered whether or not it was “Ray”.
Today a male Cardinal showed up for some nosh.
I compared a few photos, and I think this is “Ray”.
In other news, I am not sure what this is. He/she/it came once.
It is not a corvid, as you can tell from the eyes. It is an icterid. I don’t think this is a Common Grackle. It might be Brewer’s or Rusty Blackbird.
Mr. Bunting is always nice to look at.
A young male Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
A young Balitmore Oriole.
The mature Orioles have already gone south.
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So nice to see your birdie post this morning, Fr. Z. I’m glad to see the Cardinal stopped by for a bite. (He’ll always be Ray.) You have an amazing variety of hungry visitors. What is the tiny seed that Mr. Bunting is having? The birds haven’t been in view much here, hopefully with a pleasant break from the extreme heat and humidity, they will come out from hiding. I’ve been seeing a hummer with a bit of regularity now. No Orioles, yet, maybe one day. Thanks for the bird news and pictures, it is always a lift to see up-dates on the Feeder Feed. Blessings and prayers for you.
wanda: That’s millet. Buntings like millet.
Very nice photos of some beautiful creatures, Father Z. Your knowledge of birds is also quite impressive.
There’s a site I find very helpful, where if you need, you can compare photos and good descriptions of Brewer’s and Rusty Blackbirds. From what I saw there, I am inclined to say it was the Brewer’s. In any case, nice sighting.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brewers_Blackbird/id
Father,
How often do you clean these feeders?
Not often enough.
Well, they look far better than mine.
Those are all awesome.
I love Indigo Buntings.
Please pray for a dear 48 year only man who was just killed in an accident in my parish.
Lovely wife and young daughters.
I agree that is not a grackle. It is out of the range of Brewer’s Blackbird so probably Rusty. Makes me think sometimes I should look at grackles more closely because they aren’t always grackles. Your birds eat very lavishly, and you get wonderful birds visiting. At my last apartment I got “good birds” visiting my balcony but now I live downtown Madison and am up against a parking lot. I enjoy seeing yours.
I prayed for your parishioner who passed away, Fr Jim. I am sorry to hear that.
I noticed two males of that same bird yesterday at the feeder. I think they were Rusty because I didn’t notice any green or irredescent purple, and those yellow eyes. Yesterday there were six Ruby Throated humming birds battling over four ports on the feeder. Aggressive little birds, they have no fear, and bash right into one another. They seem to especially enjoy when the feeder is freshly filled with cold sugar water from the fridge.
Fr. Jim, May your parishioner rest in peace. May Our Blessed Mother console his family.
What is amazing to me are these fantastic photos. Thank you, Father, for your talent in photographic areas.
I doubt that bird two is a Brewers – although the angle makes it a bit difficult to obtain a clear view of the beak, it appears to have too much curvature for a Brewers. My guess is a common grackle although the flat light prevents the iridescence from displaying – my second least favored bird. Two or three can empty a two quart feeder in a few hours, tossing most of the seed on the ground. I often suspect a conspiracy between them and the ducks and collared doves which congregate beneath the feeders when the grackles are in their seed tossing mode.
Nice pictures of the birdies, Father Z! You get some great close ups!
It’s always funny seeing adolescent plumage. Not yet out of baby downage, and not yet in full adult glory.