When folks think of the species of grosbeaks you might see in Minnesota, Evening, Rose-Breasted and Pine Grosbeaks come to mind. Did you know there is one more grosbeak species that migrates up from Central America and Mexico to breed in southern Minnesota? Meet the Blue Grosbeak, which I found and photographed at Eden Prairies’ Flying Cloud Playing Fields yesterday morning. The magic spot for me were the trees near the outfield fences, and the young oaks across the street bordering the church parking lot. At least two blue grosbeaks were hanging out and singing.
And the other Minnesota Grosbeaks … (all photographed this year)
Evening Grosbeak
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeak
And just because “blue” was not enough color for the morning, I also had fun with some American Goldfinches. My mistake of the day was arriving at the ballfields at 6:30 am. All the local birds for which I was searching basically waited till 7:30 am before venturing forth … also corresponding to when the bug hatch got going.
Outstanding to learn I might see that blue grosbeak one day!
What a cool special find. Thx