Vic: I agree, the Painted Bunting is a beautiful little bird. I think it's one of the most colorful birds in Florida. We have the Indigo Bunting that's a bright blue, the Flamingo and Roseate Spoonbill which both are pink, and there are some wild Parrots with a little bit of color, of course the Northern Cardinal that many are familiar with ... but nothing quite as colorful as the male Painted Bunting with his rainbow shades.
Becky:
Love the Painted Bunting in your earlier photo!
I've never seen one in one of the birdbaths in the yard ... too cute and I wish my hair looked that good in the morning.
Ann: I know exactly where Hobe Sound is. I have a cousin who's been down there for many years. I'm 63 and have been in Florida since I was 19 and have sure seen a lot of changes in the state. When my husband and I were first married (1969) we lived in St. Petersburg and traveled I-4 back and forth to visit family in Orlando, only seeing a few cars on the interstate the entire distance ... then Disney came along and I-4 became a parking lot! Before Disney and all of the attractions, Orlando was a sorta sleepy little town.
Yep, the female Painted Bunting is a cutie but doesn't have the colors of the male:
