Three years ago in the winter while out owling I found a huge grove of crabapples. Ever since, each winter I always check the grove for birds. Eventually it will become a magnet for winter finches and other birds. This winter is no different. I first checked the crabapple grove about one month ago … no birds. Yesterday afternoon I returned and hit the jackpot … over 150 pine grosbeaks, 70+ Bohemian Waxwings, and one Northern Shrike (it eats songbirds and mice). A few images from the crabapple grove.
Bohemian Waxwing (big cousin of Cedar Waxwings … live up in the Canadian Boreal Forest in the Summer)
Northern Shrike
Pine Grosbeaks
GORGEOUS PICS. I have never seen that bird. The reds together were fantastic.
Do the birds eat the crabapples early in the morning while they are still frozen? Or do they wait until later when fruit has softened up a bit – that is, when is the best time to check the local crabapple trees?
Jill in NW Wisconsin
Here in northern Minnesota the crabapples never thaw from the onset of winter. Both the fruit and seeds are food. I guess for birds the crabapples are frozen, healthy popsicles … for eating not picking.
Thanks Rich. Lovely pictures of the Pine Grosbeaks, I forgot to say. I’ve never seen one. I live in hope.
stunning!!!!!
great colors!
Very nice–Many down here have never seen or had the chance to see or record a Bohemian
Waxwing. Don