The Rose Breasted Grosbeak was a treat to watch. It moves very slowly as it extended its neck and powerful beak out to feed on the seeds and flowers of the tree.
Unfortunately, the bird was pretty high up in the tree and the light was harsh. This perspective does however let you check out the frontal colours.
Also included here are a few more tree swallow shots.
Rob Tillyer wrote:
That's a beautiful grobeak Josh. You're right about being high up but #2 gives a nice look at him. Thanks for posting.
Thanks. It’s a pretty good looking bird in my opinion.
Tim Kuhn wrote:
Very nice Josh, we don't see too many grosbeaks. Love that last swallow.
Tim
I’m getting a little better each time I get out and am enjoying it more and more.
I was actually driving down a pretty normal country road staking out the territory of a pair of Belted Kingfishers (someday I'll get a good shot of them...) when I spotted a few firsts for the season in a little patch of trees - eastern kingbird, wood thrush pair, house wren, this grosbeak and a few warblers... sometimes it just comes in waves. I wasn't really sure where to point the camera, ah life could be worse huh?
Sadly, like many songbirds everything I read suggests that the rose breasted grosbeak populations aren’t faring too well these days.
Lil Judd wrote:
Nice series Josh
I know the grosbeaks I run into are very skittish so any shot of them is a joy for me.
Congratulations on your finds
Lil
Thanks Lil We were being pretty quiet, though, this bird was not skittish at all. Although, it never really acknowledged us either. It was a little surreal to watch – the warblers in the tree were flying around, chatting and checking us out… the grosbeak just took its sweet time.
Doug Bentlage wrote:
Nice ones Josh, favorites are 2 and 1.
Doug
Thanks Doug.
harshaj1 wrote:
Nice set Josh. I especially like #1 of the second set.
Harsha
So do I… probably one of my favourite shots that I’ve taken.
Shasoc wrote:
Congrats on those Rose Breasted Grosbeak shots, Josh. Those birds aren't easy to get. I also like 1 and 3 of the Tree Swallow series.
Socrate
Thanks for posting Socrate. I’m going to head back to the patch and see if I can add to the series.
-Josh
anthony whitmo wrote:
Really like shots 1 and 2. Tough when they're high up in tree tops. Good job on capturing these Josh
Anthony
Thanks Anthony.
I’ve been pretty restless these days on a lot of fronts – including my camera gear. Today, finally I snatched up a 40D from a local shop… I guess I better work her in - as if I need any more excuses to wander around the woods with the camera. I think I’ll find a TC and my setup will be complete at least until I get a real job
Good shootin Josh. Grosbeaks are such pretty birds, you got some nice shots at a different angle. Tough shooting in the tangles and up to the sky but they look good. Great looking tree swallows, love their inquisitive looks, #1 is great.
