Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Another Plethora of Colour on the Vermilon River. A Post to WBW.

Male Evening Grosbeak.


If you have followed this blog for any amount of time, you're aware of the incredible colours associated with our wilderness forest. But some are just over the top, and the Evening Grosbeak takes the prize on that score. The female shown below is an absolute beauty, but the male is nature at her best. Evening is, of course, a misnomer. The name was applied by early settlers who first observed this bird in western Canada in the evening. From western Canada, the mountains to be exact, they spread east until about 1850 they were observed in Toronto. They travel in flocks and one of their main sources of food is the spruce bud worm which is devastating NA soft wood forests on an increasing scale, caused by global warming.

Male Grosbeak.


Male Grosbeak


They tend to travel in flocks which like Redpolls show up and then move on. Not only are they a most colourful addition to the forest, although these guys showed up at my feeders, but in summer their beaks change to green reflecting the colour of spruce. I find that incredible also!!

Male Grosbeak.


Close Up Of Green Beak.


Colourful Rear View.


This photo shows the colourful rear view of the male. And certainly with no need to apologize for colourful plumage, here is the female.

Female Grosbeak


Female Grosbeak.


Female Grosbeak.

As I said alone, she is a splendid example of nature's incredible colour skills.



A Post to WBW @ http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/    

Just a quick note to acknowledge the problem with leaving notes on sites. I'm having the same problem with some sites. I think it's another Blogger hiccup.
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28 comments:

  1. DinaMay 31, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    Great shots of this beautiful bird. I haven't seen one of these.

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  2. TexWisGirlMay 31, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    saw these on another blog this morning and saw your note that you had them too. they're just gorgeous birds! LOVE that pearly green beak!!!

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  3. GattinaMay 31, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Beautiful pictures of the birds, I think I have never seen one like this.

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  4. snowwhiteMay 31, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Nature is a genius to create such beautiful birds. It is interesting their beaks change color to green.
    In Nara, Japan, we also have serious problem. Some spices of trees are dying in large scale. Maybe because of global warming.
    Thank you for sharing fabulous photos. So beautiful!!

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  5. holdingmomentsMay 31, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    That's quite a beak they have!
    Lovely shots Gary.

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  6. EG CameraGirlMay 31, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    I agree that nature is truly amazing!

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  7. Hilke BrederMay 31, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Lovely shots of a fantastic bird!

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  8. SpringmanMay 31, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Amazing series Gary! As bright and beautiful as the male is, the female of the species has a subtlety that I too find entrancing. I have never seen this bird in Michigan by the way. It is sad when we loose trees to some blight. I remember how quickly we lost the elms and ash trees. Now I hear the Blue spruce is in trouble. Devastating.
    Excellent, informative post as always Sir!
    (Plethora?!;-)

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  9. KarenMay 31, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    Wonderful Gary!! I really like the green beak, and had no idea this bird had one until viewing your photos.

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  10. theconstantwalkerMay 31, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Beautiful colours,,,a lovely bird to see.

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  11. mickMay 31, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Great photos of very colorful and beautiful birds.

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  12. eileeninmdMay 31, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    I just love these birds, they are so colorful and pretty. Great shots!

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  13. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Interesting, informative post! Those birds really are beautiful. Great captures!

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  14. FjällripanMay 31, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    So beautiful, coulorful birds! So many diferent spieces there is in our world, amazing! Great capture!

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  15. Stewart MJune 1, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    That really is some beak - reminds me of Hawfinches from the UK - like a normal finch, but on steroids!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  16. LeoviJune 1, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    Wonderful and accurate shots of this beautiful bird, how beautiful ... Saludos.

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  17. UnknownJune 1, 2011 at 3:39 AM

    Great shots, beautiful bird! Such colors...

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  18. TammyJune 1, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    Nice colorful fellow. A fellow blogger mentioned that unchecking the "keep me signed" in box on google might help with the comment problem. I tried it and so far it has worked like a charm.

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  19. jeanlivingsimpleJune 1, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Gary, Excellent! These photos are bird book worthy. I didn't know they had green bills either.I hope you will get some photos of the pairs babes. It is sad about the lost of trees.

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  20. Adam TiltJune 1, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Fantastic colours Gary. Not seen anything quite like that before.

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  21. SondraJune 1, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    You're so RiGht the colors of nature are splendid!! I think the female is such a beauty also. Great photos!

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  22. ChrisJune 1, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Pretty amazing bird that you have around your yard! Wow I'm jealous. Well done on this sets of pictures.

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  23. NatureFootstepJune 1, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    oh, yes, such a colorful bird. It is amazing. I wonder why our birds dont have those colors.

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  24. Bob BushellJune 1, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Beautiful photos, I love the Grosbeaks, they are fantastic.

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  25. UnknownJune 2, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Absolutely beautiful! Wonderful captures.

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  26. Amila KanchanaJune 2, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    OMG,I just can't believe how beautiful they are!

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  27. ArijaJune 3, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    Does a flock of them add up to a sunburst?

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  28. LarryJune 4, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    Great shots of the Evening Grosbeaks Gary! I am loving them too!

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