For people who like the wild birds

[LizStreithorst]

I have 5 of these males at my feeders.  They're called Rose Breasted Grosbeaks.  First time I saw one I was driving through town and I couldn't believe my eyes.  I almost had a wreck!  Last year I saw one in my garden.  I saw it one time only.  Suddenly I have 5!  I've seen their wives too (this bird is monogamous) but I can't differentiate the females from one another like I can the males.  They are not only beautiful to look it, they have a song to match.  Very varied and melodious.

Sorry about the quality of the pic of 4 in the same shot.  I really don't have the right lens for taking pictures of birds.

[LizStreithorst]

another

[LizStreithorst]

And finally the crappy one.

[Mugwump]

My Mom always enjoyed watching the birds that came by their house on the lake. Dad rigged a camera through the vcr so she could watch them on the closed porch tv. She recorded a variety of these pretty little creatures. One of my sisters has the tapes. She was supposed to get them put on CD....but...alas.....nice pics, Liz....you lucky girl...

[PaulineMi]

Those are really pretty birds. How neat to have them in your yard.

I found their song: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rose-breasted_Grosbeak/sounds

[LizStreithorst]

I learned their song from that site  Hat's off to Cornell.  Every time I want to know something about a particular bird, I end up there.

Is their song not beautiful?  How wonderful of Conell to put up many examples of it.  The three first songs all have the same character, but I can differentiate the 3 different styles.  I love the Soft Song.  I've read that they sing the soft song while nesting.  Birds don't sing while nesting (think of the predators it might attract)  These sing.  The dang birds have guts, too. 

[Barb]

I like the crappy pic the best!  Beautiful birds Liz, none of those in our yard.
Barb

[BillT]

Pretty little birds. My Mom used to be into bird watching, but we never saw that kind.

[BallAquatics]

We have a Twitcher amongst us... LOL

Liz you never fail to surprise and amaze!  Great photos and great info, Thanks!

Dennis

[pashley]

pretty birds