Cedar Waxwing, my first!!

I was out in Burlington County today, in an area that borders on the NJ Pine Barrens in Southern NJ, and saw a Cedar Waxwing at her nest - never seen one in the wild before, not sure if there are that many around here. It was early morning and the sun was shining on her, she looked like she was made out of gold velvet, sooo beautiful! And small, I never realized from pictures how petite they are.

Well, it was a great moment, especially considering 45 minutes before, less than 10 minutes after I woke up this morning, I flooded my bathroom. I'd left the sink running, and then got distracted and forgot about it. One inch of water all over the place - and just think, if I hadn't been running late due to swabbing up all the water with 15 clean towels, I might have missed my little golden friend! It is almost worth all towels I have to wash tonight.

Helen - have you ever seen one?

Thanks for listening!

I have never seen one in my yard, I wish I would! I love their masks they are soo cute! :)

Congratulations Jennifer!!!

Yes I have seen them twice in my yard. They are so cool looking aren't they?

Sorry to hear about your flooded bathroom but so glad something so wonderful happened afterwards. Congrats again!!

Jen, Here are 2 pics I got of them in my yard in April.

I had posted these beforeback in April. I remember I was so excited to see them the first time I was shaking all over. Good thing I have a tripod.

Here's one in my apple tree.

They look like bandits. I love those birds. Wish I had them all the time. I was fortunate to have 'em hang at my birdbath one afternoon... about 30 of them. Crazy. I heard 'em before I saw 'em and went to see what all the commotion was. They were having a party and looked like a bunch of robbers at the birdbath!

Funny you should say bandits, I was thinking "racoon" because they also have that "mask"

I read in my bird book that they tend to travel in flocks of 10 to 30 birds, and that is how they are most often seen...except at breeding times, then you'll see them alone.

I won't go back to where the nest was till Monday, but I think I will bring my good camera, try to get there early...

We had a big sandstorm early this spring, and while watching the amazing storm out the backdoor, I saw a curious group of birds sitting in the branches. They were all facing the same direction, and they all looked alike. I thought they were beautiful. I ran and looked them up on the internet, and discovered they were Cedar Waxwings! I had never even heard of them before (I am new to birdwatching). They were the reason I became such a bird enthusiast this year.

I had never seen them before. I hope I will see them again this fall or next spring. They are now my favorite bird.

neat how you will always remember the bird that "turned you on" to birdwatching. For me it was Red Breasted Mergansers (a diving duck), I saw them out on the water at the coast and thought what is that funny looking duck with the skinny beak and "messy" hair? I just loved their cocky little way of carrying themselves... Ran for the book, been watching ever since!