Breakfast with an Indigo Bunting

Yesterday's post hinted at a special bird I heard while birding Mead Garden. We were in the middle of looking at a Red-shouldered Hawk nest when I began to hear a song bird calling from the trees near the dried up creek. My curiosity gets the best of me at these times and I disappeared into the vegetation to find the singer. I had to pause several times to fix the location, at times cupping my hands around my ears to zone in on the location.

I was close. It was loud. Still, I couldn't see the bird and did not recognize the song. I walked off the river bed and into the shrubs and stood for a minute as I watched the breeze stir the grasses and branches. Finally, I saw a flash of color about 30 yards in front of me. Bright blue and still singing. The bird briefly jumped up onto a grass stalk and its weight dropped them both to the ground and out of sight.

Then it bobbed back into view.



An Indigo Bunting! In full Indigo plumage!! In May!!! The birds that Winter in my backyard left weeks ago so this was the latest I have seen one around town. At first I figured it was a Blue Grosbeak since I couldn't place the song. It was different than the songs I am used to. I was firing away and managed a few photos to cherish.



The bird would strip a few seeds and eat as the wind blew through the grasses but the bird didn't even seem to care if I was there. Every now and then it would burst into song again.



It would then grab some more seeds and chow down. Then repeat the process over and over. Wow.



Time was running out for my free time and I shot about 150 images and then quietly retreated back to the river bed and exited the area as the bird continued its breakfast and cheery singing. I thought I was happy with shots in the backyard a few weeks ago. This takes the prize for me.

Indigo Bunting-YES!

If you have been following along for a while you know I have been trying to get a clear shot of one of the Indigo Buntings that have been in the yard and getting more blue every day. Today was the day.

I was doing dishes and noticed one of the buntings actually trying to push aside the Mourning Doves from the kitchen-side feeder. The light made it absolutely glow. I bolted for the camera. I knew it would be another shot through the screen but, man, it was so gorgeous. Best I could manage was this shot.



The doves would not give up their spots so the bird flew off to the back of the yard. Dishes would have to wait. I stepped out back and saw two blue specs vanish into the shrubs. By the time I got there all I could find was a newly fledged female Cardinal hiding in the shadows. Not the Indigos but still a good discovery.



Suddenly, two streaks headed to the next yard. The Indigos were headed toward the owl tree. I circled the house and made it there to find both birds in a Tallow tree but they were watching me. By the time I was getting close enough for a shot they headed back into my yard. Grrrr... Since I was there, I checked the owl nest. No babies inside! They must have left it very recently. Hmmmm...

I scanned the side yard to see if the buntings would head back to the kitchen-side feeders. Only a Red-winged Blackbird (signs that their babies are hatching) and a female Cardinal were there.



Wait! The buntings are over on the frog tray feeder. I knew I couldn't approach from the open neighbor's yard so back around the house I went. I heard doves returning on their whistling wings so I crept slowly into the backyard. When dove spook they scare everything away.

I leaned slowly out from behind the shed. A Mourning Dove was on the frog tray feeder and just in front of it...CLICK!



Two seconds later and the bunting flew off to the back shrubs again but I knew I had my shot! I did stare wistfully out back after dishes were done and there was a lot of activity the rest of the day but the only other good shot I could get was a hunting Dragonfly. Yellow-sided Skimmer, I think.



What a relief to finally get a shot of the Indigo Bunting after all these months. Now I can turn my mind to other things. Like where those baby owls went...

More on the Indigos

Finally opened the window screen to try and get some Indigo Bunting shots. They are as jumpy as always so the best I could do was grab a shot as it began to leave the feeder. Still, not too bad.



Later, I heard the other in the back and tried for a shot but it would never come out into the open as it preened away behind the Chinese Hat plants. However, you can tell how much more blue this bird is even in this concealed view.



They should remain a little longer. Hope to get a clear shot before they leave.

Only One Indigo? Nope.

I was already pleased that my Indigo Bunting was back again for another year but today made things even more interesting.

I heard the Bunting chipping outside so I grabbed the camera and tried to find the bird through the kitchen window. I could hear it to the right but did not see it yet. Suddenly, a Bunting landed on the feeder and started grabbing seed. As before, I had to shoot through the screened in window so the shots are not ideal but are good for ID purposes.



I continued to shoot shots of this bird for documentation and it was very quickly going back and forth to nab seeds.



Still, I was definitely hearing a bird chip that could not be this bird. I began to peer closer around the vegetation and was finally rewarded by finding a second Bunting nearby behind the palm fronds.



So! Now we have two Indigos this year. Sweet!



Actually, the bird chipping was the one in the palms. The other was too busy feeding as the other kept watch.



I want to spend more time with the screen open but our current cat might jump out or the Carolina Wrens might fly in (they have done so through the mail slot before!) so I was not comfortable keeping it open too long. So I am left with screened views for now.



Knowing that there are two makes me hope for so outdoor shots in the future. Two Indigos! Yay!

Early February BirdCam Roundup

Been busy all over the state so it was nice to get back to a few minutes to review some BirdCam photos and see what was hanging out back for a while. So, here is the quick round-up.

Though the Northern Cardinals are ever present, they have been absent from the cam shots for a while. So, it was nice to see the female heading down to grab a quick pose before heading back out.



The Western Palm Warbler is still pilfering the fruit bits from the feed. Not any Myrtle Warblers yet but they are busy near the lakes.



My local Carolina Wren I banded a while ago is still waking up very early in the mornings and occasionally stopping by for a snack.



Better, still, his mate arrived at the feeder to snack, as well.



Finally, the best capture. The Indigo Bunting is still around for the season. It is not calling as much in past years but it is great to see it is still hanging around.



No Goldfinches this year but that could be due to some much available food in the area since we are having a very warm Winter for the first time in years. I will keep watching the cam shots by the end of the month and see what we shall see!

Our Indigo Bunting Returns. Again!

I was doing dishes when I noticed a speedy streak zip through the branches outside the kitchen window. The next time I looked up, a male Indigo Bunting was at the feeder! I ran to the camera and hoped it would stay for a minute or two.



Though not a clear shot, since it was taken from inside and through the window screen, it is easy to see our Bunting has returned. This is at least the third year in a row. I will have to keep my eyes open.

Now if those Goldfinches would return...

Let the BirdCam Parade Begin

As promised in the last post, I slogged through thousands of BirdCam images to try and find something interesting. Going to spread them out for a while. These images begin in early April and go through recent days. A bunch of images. Another reason the spread them out for shorter posts.

So, lets go back into April. Still had some migrants around, including the Indigo Bunting and a few American Goldfinches.



A couple days later the secretive Gray Catbird even made an appearance.



I do really enjoy this Common Grackle pose even though there were several. This one just looks pretty nice.



Feeling like the Blue Jay family should be bringing in the young ones by now but nothing yet.



Most of the discarded photos are of Mourning Doves and Gray Squirrels but I have to keep a few.



Red-winged Blackbirds chicks must be hatching because the adults only start coming to our feeders when they have more mouthes to feed. This pretty female stopped by the frog feeder.



Northern Cardinals should also be nesting though I don't know exactly where this year.



Finally, White-winged Doves are back! Last year we saw a chick that confirmed breeding in the neighborhood for the first time. We wait and see if this year is a success, too.

Feeder Birds

Man, these birds have been too quiet. I know they are out there by the food going missing and fleeting glimpses of, say, the Catbird but these others should be easy to spot on a daily basis. Guess school is interrupting my mornings. That is where the BirdCam comes in!

With the returning White-winged Doves here it is interesting to see them on the smallest feeder in the area. They used to stay on the larger tray feeder exclusively.



Despite laying low, vocally, it appears that the Indigo Bunting that showed up months ago is still here.



It shows up almost daily on the cam. Stay around a while longer, please.



Another species that seems way too quiet is the American Goldfinch. Nary a peep. But if you look hard enough...?



The following day both of them joined together to feed.



Has to be more out there not chiming in. Time to hit the lakes and surroundings.

BirdCam This Week

Birds have been quiet outside when I have been home so it was nice to have a couple nice shots from the BirdCam this week.

I could not tell if the Goldfinches were still around but we find that a few are still hitting other feeders if not the sock feeders.



The biggest surprise was the new shot of the Indigo Bunting finally getting into final plumage coloring. This bird has been around for months but has been very quiet lately.



Nice to know it is still in the back for now. I will be staring out of the kitchen side as this is when it usually showed there in the past years.

Spring is right around the corner!

Morning Dove and Indigo Bunting

Actually got a little sleep for once on a Saturday. Went out to fill feeders later than usual and then headed to the store. When I got back I grabbed the BirdCam card and through out 70 squirrel shots. Did get a couple good shots, though. Like this full framed Mourning Dove.



A bigger surprise was the Indigo Bunting that fed with the dove soon after I filled the feeders. Good to see it still around though it has not been calling much lately.



Hoping to see what we catch at Wekiva tomorrow.

Indigo and Ruby

An interesting day. We had to cancel the banding opportunity due to the cold but that didn't stop me getting a couple of interesting shots out of the day.

First up, the BirdCam provided a great shot of the Indigo Bunting residing in the yard hanging out with an American Goldfinch, no less.



Later, I headed to the store on my weekly grocery run and got home to the sounds of a buzzing near the Bottle Brush tree out front. Then I saw it. A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird! It rested on a branch for a while as I ran for my camera. Fortunately, it was still there when I returned and then began to feed again.



Always an awesome sight to see these tiny birds feeding on nectar-rich flowers. Weather is moderating somewhat and more and more birds are coming out to enjoy.

Wintering Bunting

As I stared out through the kitchen window a couple of days ago I saw a very different bird than what I usually suspect.

I rushed for the camera and started to get some really bad shots to sort through. Definitely a Bunting, but what variety? So, I moved the BirdCam to that side of the house which lead to a bunch of shots posted from yesterday. Today, the cam grabbed the suspect.



For the past couple of years we have been getting Indigo Buntings as Spring arrives. This is a first for the Winter. I think I even hear a second one out there...

More Goldfinch Shots

One of my favorite sights is when birds go on 'predator alert' in the back yard. No matter what is happening or where they are, all of the birds freeze and tilt their heads to the side and focus on the danger above.

The BirdCam caught such a moment at the Goldfinch feeder.



Once the hawk moves off, usually with the help of the Blue Jay troop, activities return to normal. Then we can have fun with captions. Like this female who could be asking, "Shouldn't we be packing to leave soon?"



"Didn't I tell you to finish changing your outfit!? Your Mom says it is almost time to leave!"



"Psssst. Hey, lady. Wanna buy some sunflower seed?"



Gonna miss all my Winter birds.

Goldfinches and Friend

Back to the Goldfinch feeder. With the males completing their molting I figure I might as well grab some shots before they head out. I love how striking the bird in the center has become. Even the whites really pop out.



Here is a nice female and male comparison.



As usual, there always seems to be a couple interesting shots you never expect. Like the Indigo Bunting making a cameo in the background!



Will probably keep the BirdCam here for a few days and see what unfolds.