so little moisture around they are getting braver and easier to photo
Painted Bunting
I wished we got those birds here too!! They are beautiful!!
It's funny -- you think of those as birds you should buy in a store, not something that occurs naturally. Well, it's not funny; it's sad. But it is so incredibly pretty. God knew what She was doing with that one.
I think why we still have them is that they are rarely seen in the wild. They are very skiddish and in the few years we have had our country place I would just get quick glimses of them every once in a while. They don't come to my many feeders at all. The only reason I am seeing them now, is that water is so scarce here. pepper you may have them there, they are just rarelystill long enough to be observed. The female doesn't look anything like the cloorful male, she is an olive green
Even birds bought in a store occured in nature somewheres!!!
Thanks for keeping them watered and sharing them with all of us. Indeed you are blessed with their visits.
jackie! Thanks for sharing! I do not think I have ever seen a painted bunting, but years ago, I did see an Indigo Bunting at a feeder in our former back yard. In the shade, it looked dark, almost black, but when it hit the sunlight, WOW! I knew instantly what it was. Gorgeous.
Lately, I have seen a few birds migrating in spring or fall, and as yet have not identified them. Must spend more time watching, and checking my Audubon Encyclopedia. Wish I also had a field guide. Perhaps in time. Thanks again. BAM
Is an Indigo bunting the same as an eastern or western bluebird?
WOW! I've never seen a painted bunting. It's amazing! The Indigo bunting is a different bird from a bluebird. It's almost all blue (the males, anyway) with a black beak and a little black in the wings. Bluebirds have a white belly, and an orangey/ brownish throat and breast. Bluebirds are thrushes, like robins. If I were there,I'd be looking for those birds all day long, taking pictures till I ran out film or space on the camera. I'm jealous! Pepper, those birds aren't too far south of your area, maybe Springfield and southwards. Thanks for posting those pictures!
I have taken a ton of pictures. Most of them aren't too good. It is hard to get close enough to get in focus quick enough. They are really skiddish. I take the ones I have shown thru the glass windows in my house, even then if they see any movement they are gone....my house has windows all along the eastern side, not draped or concealed in any way...I designed it and had it built very open inside as well just for that view....I live on 30 acres of fenced private property, so I can have it as open as I like. Shade on the east and northern side, so it's all open windows......Hot as Texas on the south and west sides so there are just a couple of minimal windows for light......Pictured the back side (east) of my house , looking up from an earthen pond with catfish , brim, bass and aquatic plants and all kinds of country critters, both good and bad
It's beautiful..
I havn't seen any in Southeast Texas but did see some on a birding trip to the Brownsville area..
Princessnonie
I have Eastern Bluebirds that have been nesting in my box for years. Wish I could see a live Painted Bunting!
My mom has seen them in the Smokey Mountains of Tenn. But I don't know if they live in South Ga.
Thanks for sharing your pictures! Made my hot sweaty day and little cooler!
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O my bluebirds nested in a house just outside my bedroom window.....suddenly they were gone and their eggs were gone, I suspect a snake
Cordeledawg, you could see one in southern Georgia, especially near the coast. The bird book says,"found in grassy or weedy, open areas near brush or trees and may form small flocks when not breeding"
hot? sweaty? 107 here today, no rain ever, 95 this morning by 8
And here I thought it was hot here!! 101 temps and 115 heat index.
They don't tell us the heat index anymore. don't want us going into shock!!