When I saw this Blue Grosbeak at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve (the Pruitt trailhead) I was very happy to see it again. I've seen it in the same location every year for several years now. And I think that any sighting of a Blue Grosbeak is cause for celebration.
This handsome male is sporting some vibrant breeding colors.
He is a deep, rich blue with a tiny black mask in front of his eyes.
He has chestnut wing bars and a black and silver beak.
The information I read stated that there is not a decline in the number of these birds. There have never been a great number.
I went back a few days later and saw it again. So I feel doubly blessed!
He was quite a distance and I zoomed as much as I could and then cropped my photos.
What a beauty!
The Jeep is always ready at the trailhead and this is a red bellied woodpecker I spotted on this hike.
And now to a wildlife sighting that gave me a 'start'! A small coyote came out of the brush and onto the trail in front of me. He was not very close but he looked at me....and I looked at him....and I don't know who jumped higher!
He's in the lower right hand corner by the shady spot.
And now I've cropped the photo. He disappeared into the tall weeds so I kept on walking. I'm careful around wild animals but I didn't have a reason to turn around and end my hike early. He didn't appear to be a threat. And since I'm telling the story....all's well that ends well!
Have you had some good sightings this week?
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46 comments:
...mighty blue I see!
That is a lovely blue bird. Do you see indigo buntings too there on your walk?
Well I'm really great. I stopped by today! That bluebird the gross beak is striking! And I love the coyote story. Yes I can see him there. This post really rewards visitors. Have a fantastic weekend and a safe and joyous 4th
Mostly I sight Fred!!!
That bird IS very blue, and so pretty. He has so much blue on his head, back, and belly. So glad you got to see him twice. And a coyote coming out of the woods - I bet you were surprised to see that!
Wishing you a happy 4th of July, Diane. I just bought a firecracker gnome, couldn't resist hehehe.
~Sheri
Dear Diane,
the Blue Grosbeak is really a handsome guy 😍. There is no such bird here, unfortunately. I believe you that you are very happy about every sighting. The red bellied woodpecker also looks very pretty. (I'm glad that at least we have beautiful variegated woodpeckers in Europe, although not this species).
I think a single conyote isn't usually dangerous to humans (rather the other way around), but if there were multiple it could be queasy. I can understand your sense of apprehension - it must have been a mixture of a little fearful and a little joyful excitement. In any case, the coyote didn't want to let it come to a closer acquaintance 😉, that's a good thing!
You end up asking "Have you had some good sightings this week?" - well, we had an exciting experience with a young bird - you can read about it in my recent posting...
Warm July greetings and all the best!
Hugs, Traude
💋💋💋
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/06/lavendelzeit-bei-den-rostrosen.html
Blue Grosbeak has a beautiful plumage
Being the teller of the story is always a welcome relief.
Neat photos. Those blue feathers are spectacular.
A beautiful blue. Amazing!
That beautiful blue bird is really awesome! WOW! The only birds I spot are the ones you share with us here, so thanks for that!! Happy weekend!! xo
Oh my! That Blue Grosbeak is stunning! I've never seen one of those. Do they breed here in Florida? I thought most Grosbeaks were a northern bird. But the blue one is new to me. What a wonderful sighting! Amazing. Love the young coyote too, and the woodpeckers. You've had a good week. The only thing here is the other couple of bluebirds coming back to check out the other birdhouse for their 2nd brood of this year. Not sure yet if they will take up residence. They've been looking it over pretty carefully for a couple of days, but it is SO hot...not sure this is good weather for nesting. The other pair of bluebirds abandoned their nest and I discovered they left 3 eggs in their nest. So sad. So that's what I've seen this week...and a lone Sand Hill Crane coming back to the pond, but I don't know where his family is, or if this is a new one...time will tell. Stay cool, dear friend. This weather is brutal for hiking!
What beautiful pictures of this Blue Grosbeak.
Great to encounter animals in the wild, I don't think this coyote is that dangerous, you don't come across these kinds of animals in the wild here, you can encounter a fox or a wolf here.
Greetings Irma
That bird is beautiful.
I think I would have done the same thing you did when you spotted the coyote. It's smart to be cautious. You just never know what they're going to do.
Gorgeous captures of the Blue Grosbeak, they are one of my many favorite birds. I like your Red-bellied Woodpecker photos too. Neat sighting of the Coyote, I am glad he/she went on their way. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
Those are beautiful blue feathers!
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I have had the pleasure/fright twice seeing a large coyote running down the street we walk each morning. that is such a beautiful Blue, and it looks like a true blue is how blue a bluebird can be..
That is a beautiful bird with the gorgeous blue colors ~ Wow! great shot of the coyote ~ Wonderful photos!
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
The blue bird is a beauty indeed!
I´ve heard a woodpecker here in the city, but I could not spot him, sadly...
A real coyote!
Beautiful Blue Grosbeak!
I would have been startled to see a coyote too. We used to hear them at night, but not in the last few years.
Have a great weekend!
You sure got good shots of the birds, not so much of the coyote, but that's understandable!
gorgeous blue grosbeak, occasionally the red headed woodpecker visits the garden, good that you and coyote didn't have a confrontation
What a beautiful bird! I don't think I've ever seen a blue grosbeak. I'll have to look up the song it sings on my Merlin app.
Happy month of July and Happy 4th!
The Blue Grosbeak is a beauty. Have a wonderful weekend.
I'd be thrilled to see that Grosbeak too. What a fabulous bird.
There are coyote wandering around in some residential areas of our city but they seem to avoid humans if possible.
Lucky bird sighting. Glad not to have seen a coyote in my local parklands yet, although there are signs that say they are nearby.
What a stunner. The only blue bird I've ever seen is a blue jay. They don't hold a candle to this!
Beautiful captures and wonderful narration!
The blue grosbeak looks even more beautiful surrounded by green. I would have jumped too. Coyotes are scary animals, but I love watching them through the window. Have a wonderful week!
Although the Blue Grosbeak breeds in Florida, they are not that commonly seen. Good job! Isn't that blue something?
Any walk that includes a wild animal sighting is a special one. What a nice day you had!
With this heat, "early" is the secret word.
Happy Independence Day, Diane!
A most deep and lovely shade of blue! My favorite color too! Beautiful photos thanks so much!
That blue grosbeak is gorgeous. Laura
What a truly beautiful blue bird the Blue Grosbeak is.
Lovely photographs.
Wishing you a happy month of July.
All the best Jan
We've had a lot of Cattle Egrets here in our +55 community of late. We see them when we are out riding our bicycles after breakfast. Your Blue Grosbeak is a very pretty bird!
Me encantó tus avistamientos de hoy. El pájaro es precioso. Un abrazo y que tengas una bonita semana.
What a pretty bird! Such a thrill to see one in person, I'm sure! The coyote was a surprise, too. Glad he went on his way. Happy 4th! x K
we saw Grosbeak, but never blue ones... beautiful bird
I used to see the Blue Grey Tanager here especially around September/October; however i have not seen them in many years now. Maybe clinate change has something to do wirh their absence.
Have a good week
Much💜love
Happy happy holiday, my friend! I LOVE THOSE grosbeaks, they are GORGEOUS. Loved their blue color. Never seen any of those here, don't think they live here at all, but I could be wrong. They might migrate through as well, not sure. So neat you saw that coyote!! very cool sighting. Y'all have a great holiday. We are staying busy with small indoor house projects except for the outdoor feedings and chores that must be done. It has been REAL HOT Here, whew! I bet it's even hotter where y'all live. Hugs
Beautiful photos. The blue bird has a beautiful colour. We don't see them here. Have a nice day.
Great sightings and snaps!
Happy 4th to y'all.
Be well!
wow, don+t think I have seen the Blue Grosbeak before. Such a gorgeous bird. Thanks for sharing it!
The Blue Grosbeak is such a beautiful bird. I`m glad to read about. There are many interestings in nature too here to see, to read. I enjoyed your post.
Thank you for sharing and being part at
MosaicMonday.
Have a wonderful week.
Greetings by Heidrun
The blue Grosbeak is a stunning bird indeed, I have never seen one! Have a lovely day.
Wren x
So blue and beautiful!
Gorgeous photos, Diane.
Hugs and blessings
WoW!!!!! your images are really exceptional today!!! and what a thrill for you...i think i would have wet my pants!!!
i'm so glad i did not miss this. i am so late visiting, my mom fell. she was in the hospital and now she is in rehab!!!
I hope I haven't told you this already, but the blue grosbeak is one of my spark birds. Years ago when we had our RV home parked in Port Aransas Texas I woke up one morning to a yard full of these blue birds, which I'd never seen before in my life. I was so excited I screamed, woke Bill up -- I guess he thought I'd been attacked or something. After he recovered he was glad I shared! That memory of course comes from before I had a digital camera at the ready all the time, but it sure is one I'll never forget and I loved seeing your great pictures,
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