The Dreaming Tree: Migrating Visitors

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Migrating Visitors

Indigo buntings stopped by our yard the other day on their way to their Wintering grounds. They migrate at night, using the stars as a guide. Here some of the birds are showing bits of blue (click for larger view.) This morning a female rose-breasted grosbeak was out back with her son (some of the indigo buntings were by again, too.)

30 comments:

Travis Cody said...: I used to live beneath a migration path for Canada geese. I always thought their honking was rather soothing.; October 10, 2010 9:32 PM
Kelly said...: Wow!! So many Indigo Buntings in one place. I would have flipped to see that in my backyard.; October 10, 2010 10:11 PM
mick said...: Great photo. It's always exciting to see lots of migrating birds.; October 10, 2010 11:29 PM
NatureFootstep said...: at first it looked loke a buch of house sparrows. :) But then, at a closer look it revealed something different. Love those blue tails.; October 11, 2010 1:59 AM
fazrul arhan said...: Look like they are posing & waiting for you to make a snapshot..beautiful composition withe blue tails one is at the center..love it!; October 11, 2010 3:11 AM
Bob Kaufman said...: Wow, I've never seen so many indigo buntings! Migration indeed is in full swing.; October 11, 2010 4:45 AM
Ron Scheer said...: Lovely photograph of these little sweethearts. That birds migrate by the stars continues to amaze me. Actually, that they migrate at all amazes me. Thanks!; October 11, 2010 9:12 AM
Natasha Fondren said...: Awwww! So pretty! I love birds.; October 11, 2010 12:30 PM
letspaintnature.com said...: Goodbye indigo buntings! I'll see you next spring! Lana, I know you will take good care of them ;); October 11, 2010 4:31 PM
Michelle's Spell said...: Cool picture! I'm starting to like birds . . . even owls! xo; October 11, 2010 8:51 PM
Halcyon said...: Just lovely! We had a pair of blue grosbeaks that stopped by this spring on their way up north. The first time I saw one at the feeder, I thought someone's parakeet had gotten loose!

I haven't seen many migrators this year. But I think there are still a couple of hummers in my yard.; October 12, 2010 7:02 AM
Phil said...: LOL Lana, I would be happy to see one.; October 12, 2010 1:51 PM
The Zen Birdfeeder said...: 'Round here, we never see a group like that! Lucky you!; October 12, 2010 2:19 PM
Rick said...: I never even knew there were such things! They're beautiful. You have a wonderful sense of nature's beauty.; October 12, 2010 3:36 PM
Neil said...: Great that you have migrating birds stop for a while.; October 12, 2010 8:18 PM
Cloudia said...: Birds make me happy!

Thanks for sharing the joy, LaNa

Warm Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

<°)}}><; October 12, 2010 11:26 PM
Larry said...: They are beautiful even in their non-breeding (basic) plumage! I hope to get to see these songsters someday, but for now, I guess I'll have to settle for our Lazuli Bunting out here in the West ;-); October 13, 2010 8:03 AM
nothingprofound said...: I love when a flock of birds pay a visit to my backyard like that. I feel so privileged.; October 13, 2010 1:23 PM
timethief said...: Dear Lana,
Happy Birthday! and many thanks for lighting up my life with your art all year round. May you have a wonderful year filled with love, laughter and inspiration.

[HUG]; October 13, 2010 1:26 PM
Lana Gramlich said...: Travis C.; I love honking geese, myself. :)

Kelly; Wait 'til Spring, when they all come back in full color! ;)

mick; It's nice to see more stopping here in Fall now. For the 1st couple of years, we only saw migrants in Spring.

NatureFootstep; Come Springtime many of them will be a brilliant blue all over. I love Springtime. :)

fazrul; Thanks, hon! They were kind enough to pose for me.

Bob Kaufman; I enjoy tracking migrations through my yard on eBird, too. I'm a bird nerd. ;)

Ron; Thanks. I agree on migration, in general. Not just the birds, either, but butterflies & others! Just amazing...

Natasha & Cloudia; Thanks. :)

Christine; I only get to take care of them for a few weeks in the Spring & Fall, but you KNOW I'll make sure they're well fed. ;)

Michelle; Thanks. Birds are really cool--especially owls!

Halcyon; I remember the 1st time blue grosbeaks stopped here, too. The indigo buntings were around then & I just kept staring, saying, "that's NOT the same bird...it can't be." After some research (& photos to help,) I figured it out. They're all so lovely to have as visitors!

Phil; I used to be in that boat, until I moved down here. ;)

Nancy; Yes, I know I am!

Rick; They're not in full plumage here, actually (well, except the females.) The males get bright blue all over. They're very nice. Nothing compares to nature's beauty (as far as I'm concerned,) and nothing is more wonderous. :)

Neil; Agreed, and I'm glad to help them on their way. ;)

Larry; Lazuli buntings are nothing to shake a stick at, of course. Although I do love the indigos, I'm hoping someday to see a painted bunting. They DO get reported around here, so I'm keeping my eyes peeled. ;)

nothingprofound; Sometimes we also get just random groups of whatever. It's always a pleasure, regardless of who stops by. :)

timethief; Aw shucks, hon. Thank YOU very much. :) *hug*; October 13, 2010 5:05 PM
Dave Coulter said...: I'm impressed. You ALWAYS seem to have Indigo Buntings hanging around!; October 14, 2010 6:41 PM
Lana Gramlich said...: Dave; We've had more this year (overall,) than ever before, certainly. I'm hoping someday some of them will decide to stick around all year.; October 14, 2010 9:44 PM
Larry said...: You gotta be kidding me! That's so cool to have that many!; October 15, 2010 6:16 PM
Lana Gramlich said...: Larry; Yes, we're pretty lucky. :); October 15, 2010 11:16 PM
Maalie said...: Interesting! I saw some Indigo Buntings on migration in the Everglades one may, eponymously indigo blue, I guess they were in summer plumage.; October 16, 2010 10:52 AM
Lana Gramlich said...: Maalie; Yes, we get them in the blue when they pass through in the Spring. I think some of the migrants are young'ns, too, so they don't have their adult plumage yet.; October 16, 2010 6:33 PM
eileeninmd said...: Cool, love to see lots of migrating birds. The Indigo Buntings are beautiful.; October 17, 2010 6:23 AM
Lana Gramlich said...: eileeninmd; Agreed. Already I can hardly wait 'til they come back through in April.; October 17, 2010 12:25 PM
mutuelle said...: Lovely photograph !; October 20, 2010 4:22 AM
Lana Gramlich said...: Thanks, mutuelle. :); October 20, 2010 9:10 AM