Over the past few days some of the birds photos I have been posting have evoked the comment from several vieweres, "I've never seen that bird before!", and if that applies to you then you'll probably add this bird to your 'never seen ' list also. This is another winter, northern bird, a female Pine Grosbeak. This is the bird that got me hooked on bird watching when I had first seen the male of this species in November, 1999.
This one arrived this afternoon and I immed -ately changed my plans for a planned posting on North American Indian baskets to this Grosbeak. The bird took no time getting down to 
feeding on the red berries of our High Bush Cranberry. You can see this one above is reaching down to get some berries and as it lifts its head again, some snow falls from the berry clump.
The fleshy part of the Cranberry is quite sour but I believe it is the kernel inside that the Grosbeak eats. In the photo above the red, fleshy part is being discarded. This is my first sighting of Pine Grosbeaks this winter season. There are not many berries left but hopefully I will see more of the flock within the next few days.I think the berries are just right for a Ruby Tuesday posting! To check out other Ruby Tuesday postings, just click HERE, or click on the Ruby on the side bar. My appreciative thanks to Mary/the teach for hosting this site.
Another pretty bird. Those berries just sets if off. Helen
ReplyDeleteAs I was rading and scrolling down, I saw that third photo, and said to myself, Did she catch the snow falling from the piucked berry? and then you answered my question, it is snow. Amazing shots!!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! These are beyond beautiful. You are not only talented but you must also be very patient. I love the birds but I can't sit still long enough to ever photograph them and there is the matter of not having the right camera.
ReplyDeleteWho cares. I have your lovely photos to look at!
Stay warm.
pagan sphinx:
ReplyDeleteYou can probably understand then how these birds captured my interest so when I first encountered them. Actually the picture taking is a lot easier than you might think and I have a a lot of luck. I am fortunate to have a bay window in my living room, which we put there for the main reason of being able to be so close to the birds. I was lucky in seeing these today and simply picked up my camera which is always in that same location, and went click, click. Thank you for your expression of enjoyment as I love sharing my photos.
Very nice photography! It's like watching the Animal Planet! Great work... keep it up.
ReplyDeleteMine is here. Good morning!
deborah:
ReplyDeleteThe falling snow was an additional bonus to capturing a shot of this bird with the berry in her beak.
Brilliant photos, just brilliant.
ReplyDeleteHappy Ruby Tuesday.
I am really in love with the hawk in the previous post.
I'll start looking for them here in Ontario now that I know they're further south than usual. We had huge numbers of them here last February, attracted by our crab apple tree. They really are a treat to see! I jealous. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI hope to find some this month. They have not been reported in this area so far this winter, but are in Eastern Ontario. Beautiful picture on the berry bushes.
ReplyDeleteNice photos. I've been thinking of planting one of those bushes, and you may have just convinced me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a capture! I haven't seen a bird like this, and I certainly have not seen a bird throwing the skin away. This is amazing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful,especially the first shot.I think that one would make a perfect calendar shot.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Try as I may, I never can get bird shots anywhere as good as yours. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteLove this series; simply wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI love to see birds eating red berries, and another bird I've never seen.
ReplyDeleteHappy RT Ann.
Wow! The birdie in the last pic is so greedy to eat a few berries in one go. ;p Must be very nice and juicy.
ReplyDeleteHappy RT and have fun!
My RT posts: CNY Special - II and It Meows #17.
Wow..got a very nice birding photo here..
ReplyDeleteI put myself as your Blooer's follower now :)
Have a good day...
This bird seems to be enjoy a feast thanks to you and your berries. Very pretty:)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!! They have the berries in their beaks :)
ReplyDeleteYou are right! I've never seen one and they are beautiful! How interesting that it discards the outer part of the berries. I'm going to have to plant more berry bushes for all the wonderful winter berry eaters! The color of it is really pretty and your photos capture it in so many good poses, as always!
ReplyDeleteWow, what awesome shots!!
ReplyDeleteAdorable, and those red berries sure makes a snazzy difference, lovely series with the top one being my favourite.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos of yet another bird I have not seen in person..
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely wonderful post! I love your photos of this little bird. I have not seen this bird before but love its brownish orange coloring..and the fact you caught it on your cranberry bush is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI just planted cranberry bushes last fall and can't wait to see if they produce some fall berries! I had read that the berries are tart until they freeze and the freezing changes the carb structure to a sugar..which makes them more desirable as the winter progresses! Interesting about the kernel being desired..
Great post and I always learn so much! Thanks!
I love these photos, and also the beautiful sky photos below. Wonderful. Happy Ruby and Inauguration Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteWow, great shots! That little guy looks like he's had more than enough berries. :-)
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I love watching birds eat berries. Especially red berries.
ReplyDelete