I stopped by the Pruitt Trailhead of the Florida trails for just a quick 'look see'! It was early afternoon and already in the 90s so I didn't plan to hike. But I had my camera to walk around and look.
While I was watching a Heron fly into a tree, something BLUE streaked by in front of me at eye level. He was bright blue and stopped nearby to perch on the fence, but just long enough for one decent photo. We have so many Eastern Bluebirds, Blue Jays and Scrub Jays here that a bright blue bird is not rare.
But this one WAS rare! We don't see any kind of Grosbeak here and this one is a
Blue Grosbeak!
I was THRILLED to see a bird I've never seen before! Look at his big silver beak! Amazing!
Oh and back to the bird I was watching fly into a tree!
You tell me! heehee!
I know it's a Heron and I've gone back and forth as to which one.
I think I've settled on the ID but I'll consider all your input!
What do you think?
And is he a fluffy juvenile?
Planning to take on this dragonfly?
Whatever he is....he is the cutest sighting! (well except for that Blue Grosbeak!!!)
Hope you can get outside and look around and see what nature reveals to you!
I was headed to the shade of those Live Oak trees for these photos!
I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE
and I’d Rather B Birdin’.
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29 comments:
Hello,
Congrats on your Blue Grosbeak sighting. They are pretty! I love the Green Heron too, it is one of my favorites out of the herons. It's feathers are all ruffled and cute. Nice view of the trees. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thanks for all the visits and comments on my blog.
...that heron is having a bad hair day!
The blue bird is so cute!Hugs!
I always love when you spy a different bird. I vicariously get to enjoy your hikes.
oooooh we are both having exciting weeks!! the blue grosbeak sighting must have been quite the thrill...i know my sighting of a whistling duck was a thrilling one as well!! i have been out photographing several times this week, but at the lake we visit, i can take pictures from the car!!
eileen said green heron, i think her i.d. is probably very accurate and i tend to agree. it can't be a female, a woman would never be seen with hair like that. must be a male!!
have a great weekend!!!
A Blue Grosbeak is a stunning bird and I can understand your delight in seeing it, especially if it is not a frequent visitor. As Eileen points out above, the heron is a Green Heron (Butorides virescens), and that should be abundant along the creeks, bayous and other waterways of Florida. If you get a chance to observe them closely, they practice fishing in a unique way. They will take bits of bread, or small insects, and drop them in the water. When a fish is attracted to it and comes up to get a snack, the heron with lightening speed captures the fish. It is a fascinating behaviour to observe in a bird.
Oh ~ you did well to photography these lovely birds in 90 degree weather ~ and to find a different bird ~ Bravo to you and lucky us to see your lovely photos!
Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Loads of lovelies here. That grosbeak is so colorful!
Oh, I love seeing the blue grosbeak. I've never seen one so consider it an exciting one. I can't tell which heron that one is. Thanks for sharing your sightings.
Hi Diane. I see your Green Heron ID has already been sorted by those who know. Well done for getting those pictures for us all. And the Blue grosbeak was a nice find too. There's little so thrilling as finding and IDing a new bird all by yourself.
Diane, I loved seeing the grosbeck. Nice shade of blue. You did get to see many different birds. Lucky you. :):) Blessings, xoxo, Susie
Wonderful sighting of the Grosbeak!
I agree with other commenters - Green Heron. I have seen only a few, but it is that long, striped neck that I use for ID. The Green Heron is small for a heron, but when it stretches out its really long neck, it is twice as tall!
Have a wonderful weekend!
What a great set of photos and how exciting seeing a Blue Grosbeak. Have a great Sunday, Diane
Those are great shots of the heron! I've never seen a Grosbeak either!
Beautiful images, I love the Blue Grosbeak, it is superb.
very lucky you in getting to see and photograph a Blue Grosbeak--
and your other friend looks like a green heron--but then--I have no idea what other young heron's might look like--
love the photo of him keeping an eye (or is it beak) on that dragon fly--which really looks like a 'small' airplane!!!!!
luv, di
It's always exciting to see a new bird. I'm horrible at identifying ones that aren't the most common.
Your photos are wonderful and I think that heron needs to find a hairdresser....lol
Two very interesting captures!! Thanks for sharing.
Because YOU saw - WE got to see him, too!!
I remember seeing my first b. Grosbeak & thrilled by its color! Love the dragon fly/heron image!
As always thanks for sharing your photos & expertise with us at I'd Rather B Birdin' this week.
We have more blue herons than green, a different habitat requirement. They are lovely birds.
Lovely outing...great shots :)
Hi Lavender Dreamer, I am so happy for you spotting the Blue Grosbeak. A pretty bird indeed. My favorite bird is the Mountain Bluebird but I especially enjoy sighting any of the blue birds. That Heron is a cool sighting too. I am with you thinking it is probably a young one. This was a neat location and I sure enjoyed your photos. Thank you so much for your kind comments on my blog. Hope you have a fine week ahead!
Hi,
The Blue Grosbeak is a fantastic sighting. I am so happy for you. What a year you are having! Bobcats, Blue Grosbeaks, Alligators.. I wonder what next. :-)
Thank you for sharing. I love it.
Carla
I saw our first blue grosbeaks when we were RVing in Texas! Woke up one morning and our “yard” was full of them! I nearly died of excitement. I have only seen a very few since then, and they still thrill me. Lovely pictures and I love the crazed-looking green heron.
Congrats on the Blue Grosbeak! And I love that Green Heron....
Beautiful.
LOL! I love the heron's hair :)
All the best Jan
Oh, what a funny looking bird, he's cute! I admire that you know many of the birds' names, Diane. I am still learning that. And there's so many! Aahh, that open field is lovely.
~Sheri
ps.....I noticed the orange butterfly as well. It is beautiful. It's hard to take pictures of the butterfly, and you always manage to get wonderful ones. : )
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