Archives for April 2015

Thanks to an AWESOME bird feeding stand my youngest son-in-law made for me this year, we had visitors to our yard we’d never had in the past – Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks.

When I first looked out my kitchen window and saw one happily eating away, I kind of froze – I couldn’t take my eyes off the vividly colorful little beauty. I finally grabbed my camera and took a few pictures. These were taken through my kitchen window, so the pictures aren’t the least bit clear.

You can, however, get a good idea just how beautiful this bird is.

Whenever I say the words, “Rose-Breasted Grosbeak,” I feel like a friend of Jane Hathaway’s from an episode of Beverly Hillbillies – the nerdy birdwatcher.

It’d be so much easier on me if this bird was named something that sounded less “bird nerd” – like Diane or Saul.

At any rate, apparently this migratory bird has already passed through Owensboro, Kentucky because I haven’t seen any at any of our feeders for about three days. Naturally, as soon as my camera is on standby, they’ve moved on.

The thrill we got from seeing a new breed (new to us, anyway!) up close and personal was a great reminder to mix things up at your birdfeeders every now and again. Offer different seeds and different types of feeders.  Some birds prefer ground feeding (robins), some prefer hanging feeders (sparrows, finches), and some (like my new friend the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak) seem to prefer a “raised” feeder.

Then there are doves, blackbirds, and cardinals who will pretty much go wherever the seed takes them.

The feeder Rusty built for me offers something for all birds – there’s a raised feeder, hooks for hanging feeders, finch feeders, and hummingbird feeders, and even a couple of spots for squirrel corn.

This bird and squirrel lover is going to have an especially fun summer.

I apologize for the pictures being fuzzy, it’s next to impossible to get a clear picture through glass.