Several Rose-breasted Grosbeaks finally arrived, males and at least one female. One pair may breed right here, the other ones will continue their migration to Minnesota and even parts of Canada.
It didn’t take a lot of efforts to make some photos of birds this weekend. Placing the tripod on the porch, dial in the settings for the camera and an off-camera speedlight, and just be patient, and that was all! There were new arrivals of migratory birds and some of the permanent residents posed in full breeding plumage, it doesn’t get any better. Just sit back while you start your week and hopefully enjoy this little ”spring-bird-gallery”!
Our property doesn’t have much open space that is preferred by Eastern Bluebirds. However, a male bluebird showed up twice yesterday to take a drink from one of the bird baths. I have built a nest box that fits their needs but all the House Wrens are pretty aggressive around here, and I’m not sure if the bluebird is able to take possession of the nesting place.
The first male Ruby-throated hummingbird showed up a few days later than other years. Two of them started competing about food sources and probably the one female that is here since yesterday.
Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird
When the Chipping Sparrows arrive we always know, spring is finally here, the snow may not come back (95% true…). The first one was seen April 11th this year. This photo is valuable for me. It’s hard to get a shot of this bird while they are not foraging in the grass and it is the first time that I have a pair of Chipping Sparrows together in the same picture.
The Northern Cardinal is a permanent resident on our bluffs above the Little Maquoketa Valley here in eastern Iowa. During the winter they stick together in flocks and we have sometimes around thirty cardinals, males and female, here. During their breeding season the male cardinals fiercely defend their breeding territory from other males. Since we still see several males flying in without fighting each other we just can assume the ”hot” phase hasn’t started yet…