It seems like this fall is full of surprises. Yesterday as we were finished walking Annie and were driving out of the park we stopped to watch a Mockingbird defend a holly tree from a huge flock of migrating Robins. This lone Mockingbird was dive bombing robin after robin that dared to get near the Holly full of red berries.
I noticed a tiny bird in an adjacent tree. Without binoculars or camera we watched in amazement a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher appeared searching searching for food. It hopped around splaying its tail and wings hoping to stir up something to eat.
We took our camera to the park with us today hoping that the bird would still be there. Sure enough we refound the little fellow. It is so overcast it was difficult to get a photo but we couldn't resist trying. The little bird looked as gray as the skies.
In the following photo you can see a glimpse of how blue it can look in certain light.
In our area these little birds have usually gone South by mid September.
If you would like to see a good picture of this little bird or read / hear more about it you can go to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds here for more information.
We are hoping this little bird finds enough fuel to get out of town fast. There is snow and general yuck predicted for tonight and tomorrow.
Lisa I have never seen this type of bird before. He is such a cute fella. We are to receive some of that yuck as well. Let us hope they are wrong...far too soon to suit me. Thanks too for stopping by to visit me. Have a lovely day. From one bird lover to another - Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you like this tiny titan. I hope you are getting along alright with your broken ankle.
DeleteWhat a pretty little bird. Beautiful colouring and so chubby.
ReplyDeleteI do hope he makes it South.
What a lovely capture Lisa, thank you for sharing.
Yes, the poor little thing has puffed up its feathers to try to keep the heat in. Birds do that when they get really cold. This little bird is usually a sleek looking bird.
DeleteI was glad to share.
It's a cute little bird. I hope it's well enough to fly south soon.
ReplyDeleteMe too Peter.
DeleteLovely and very creative photos of our feathered friends!
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
It's sad to think the gnatcatcher may have been left behind. I hope he's able to fuel up and get going before the weather gets too ugly.
ReplyDeleteCute little fellow! Yes, I hope he can find enough nutrients to prepare him for continued migration. Perhaps he'll have a good flying day after the snow. We will be warmish (40s) and dry here tomorrow, so maybe you'll get that weather on Friday.
ReplyDeleteInteresting photos, Lisa. I know that to take them isn't easy, the birds are such fast:-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity Gnatcatcher don't live in my place but I've heard its song in YouTube - it's a pretty one.
I wonder whether your gnatcatchers are similar to our flycatchers.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of this sweet little bird!
ReplyDeleteYou should link your post to Wild Bird Wednesday at Paying Ready Attention.
I have not heard of this Wild Bird Wednesday before. I will check it out. Thanks.
DeleteAmazing the bird was still there. I find it impossible to get pix of almost any critter so I think those are pretty good shots. Going up almost to 40 degrees today so I have a huge list of things to try to finish outside. We still have a lot of leaves on the ground that came down when it suddenly got so cold. No snow currently in the prediction, but I am worried this is going to be a bad winter.
ReplyDeleteWonderful little bird! They are winter visitors here and we are already seeing them this fall. They are always a treat to have around.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you found the little guy the next day, and were even able to get a picture! Most of my birdwatching involves trying to keep up as they zip around, and camera work is never even considered.
ReplyDeleteI bet the weather will encourage him to take off. I think when they put their mind to it they can get pretty far in one day or night of flying.
Thanks for visiting my GBBD posts. I realized you don't have the GBBD posts because you are approaching winter, and blooms have already succumbed to frosts. Oh how sad to see them die. But when the landscape is already covered with white, then that is incredibly beautiful, seemingly like white blooms.
ReplyDeleteGreat catch - very cool!
ReplyDeleteGreat find. I hope the little beauty gets through winter okay. Excellent photos!
ReplyDelete