Monday, May 05, 2014

Behold the colors of Spring!

I have been spending my entire weekends off looking at birds!  But, who wouldn't with all of the beautiful birds, wildflowers, and life!  Migrants are continuing to pour in, and I am ready to greet them.  It is nice to wake up to the songs of Chipping Sparrows and the spunky little House Wren that hangs out by my window.

Chipping Sparrow


Chipping Sparrow


House Wren peeking out.

The last couple of weekends, a friend and I have been visiting Shawnee State Forest in southern Ohio.  It is much easier to see how birds migrate in waves here.  One visit, a certain bird will be everywhere, and then a few days later, another bird will be everywhere and so on.  Last weekend, the American Redstart was everywhere.  They are still around, but not in the numbers as last weekend.  I love watching them.  

American Redstart


American Redstart

Wesee, wesee, wesee - O!

American Redstart

American Redstart

Love that long, colorful tail.

American Redstart

One warbler that I always thought was a drab warbler, but never really seen real good was the Worm-eating Warbler.  They are often heard only birds.  But, we got lucky at Shawnee and they were all over this one hillside.  They are actually more yellowish than I thought, really a striking warbler.

Worm-eating Warbler


Worm-eating Warbler


Worm-eating Warbler


Worm-eating Warbler

Love the blue of the Tree Swallow.  This one was keeping an eye on me as I was walking past.

Tree Swallow

The blue on this bird is just awesome in the right light.  I don't see this bird much, so I was very happy to see this one after I heard it.  It came down to eye level and fed for quite a while.  The Cerulean Warbler, love them in redbud trees!

Cerulean Warbler


Cerulean Warbler

Red is one of my favorite colors, and this bird has plenty of it!  It is hard to describe the intensity of the red of this bird.  It is a more vibrant red than that of the Northern Cardinal.  A gorgeous chick-burring bird is the Scarlet Tanager!

Scarlet Tanager

Here is one eating a katydid.


Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Here is another bird with some awesome red!  I love this bird.  Gorgeous is the massive billed Rose-breasted Grosbeak!

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

There were two males at Shawnee State Forest just chowing down on Elm tree seeds.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak


Rose-breasted Grosbeak


Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Even the back is cool!

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

How could anyone stay inside and watch TV when these colorful and lovely sounding birds are moving through?  

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