School started 2 months ago, so I've been pre-occupied.
Wow! Loving all these great bird photos!
Glen - Love your Aussie birdies! I am utterly fascinated by the "foreign" birds. Truly cool!!!
The birds are starting to return. And they seemed to have brought some cooler weather with them! Thank goodness!
I sure missed the birdies over the summer! I love Fall and Winter here in Florida. I am seeing a lot of butterflies, too. I hadn't seen hardly any after the mosquitoes were sprayed by the county in August and September.
Today was the first day I actually had any time to sit and photograph the birds coming to my backyard feeders. I was quite surprised at what I saw today:
This is a first ever for me. It appears to be a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I saw it fly to the feeder hook and perch. I was far enough away that I couldn't make out what it was, but took numerous photos. It appears to be an immature male because when it perched on the feeder briefly, I could see a red triangle of color on it's chest:
Such a interesting-looking bird with that beak. I would love to see an adult male. Maybe someday?:
I've been seeing a couple of male Painted Buntings for several weeks now, but today I saw green (female or immature males) showing up at the feeders. So it appears the ladies and children are arriving now. And I saw a "banded" Painted Bunting as well. First banded one I've seen this Fall. I sent an email to the bander sharing the photo to find out where this bird was banded. It may be one of mine and I am just confused about the banding order on it's legs, but I don't think so. I've had one of my birds come back in Winter 2015 & 2016 with the bands WKWS. This bird has similar bands but the bands are on the opposite legs (WSWK). So I am very curious to read what the bander says in her reply! It could also be that the colored bands have faded and they are not white afterall. One never knows until they are captured again to be evaluated.
Also here are 2 green and 1 unbanded male Painted Bunting sharing the feeder with a female Cardinal:
And I've been seeing hummingbirds for several weeks now, too. I have seen at least 3 different Ruby-throated hummers. One looks like a female (very whitish chest and neck), one that looks like an immature male, and then this fella that I believe showed up first, several weeks ago:
