Colorful Buntings

Let me wipe the drool of the keyboard here....wow GP!

Thanks everyone. The Buntings are still here in large numbers and now the bright yellow Goldfinch have decided this is a pretty nice place to vacation.

This message was edited Apr 2, 2008 6:46 AM

I'd vacation at your place also, love all the colors of your yard, including the birds.

gardenpom, great photos of the Buntings ........... they are quite colorful.

Several weeks ago, I had what may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience here in Maryland. I got to see and photograph a male Painted Bunting. What he was doing here in Maryland on February 18th, beats me !

We do get the Indigo Buntings later this Spring. This is one of my better photos of an Indigo Bunting.

Wow your lucky to see them so early Linth! Beautiful shot!!!

Actually this photo was taken in early July, 2006. The earliest I have seen them here in Maryland was when one visited my backyard feeder on 5/6/06.

Thanks Linth. Its a awesome shot!

Great shot. I hope you will post your shot of the Painted Bunting.

Female and male Indigos.

This photo of the Painted Bunting was taken on 2-18-08. I had hoped for a better shot. I went back with my better camera/lens/tripod setup but he didn't accommodate me.

For several weeks he visited a resident's backyard along the B&A bike trail. Birders lined up along the trail and anxiously awaited for the Painted Bunting to arrive at the homeowner's bird feeder. The homeowner was in fact the one that alerted the birding community of his presence. In addition, we have a local website where birders document their sightings on a daily basis. This is quite helpful for enthusiastic bird watchers.

Both Buntings are so pretty! Very nice pics guys!

I've heard what a stir they create in some areas when they show up. I'm very lucky to have them hanging around my yard every winter and spring.

Indigo Bunting.

Another I. Bunting pic.

I am so jealous!! I have been dying to see them here, just not lucky enough yet!! I am glad to see that there are other people out there who love them as much as me

They really are beautiful! Very nice pics GP!

Just adding a few more pics. Female Indigo with a Goldfinch.

Indigo looking pretty in Hibiscus foliage.

Female Painted Bunting.

Painted with Indigos.

Painted Bunting ready for a bath.

Bathing while Indigo watches.

Beautiful pictures! I've never seen a bunting here.

Beautiful pics!

That indigo is a pervert to be watching that painted bunting while it's trying to take a bath. Geesh!
Beautiful photos and birds...

HA Judy! You know, it does look sort of creepy!!

The Indigo Buntings are still here.

Female Indigo taken today.

Indigo again.

Bright blue indigo.

More Indigos.

Very nice pics! Glad your seeing so many!

Gorgeous! What do you all feed the buntings? Maybe if I have it on the menu some diners will show up. I've heard indigos spend some summer time here.

WOW. The painted buntings don't even look real. I've only ever had one male blue bunting at my thistle feeder. Bird ENVY here!

Mostly I use a Finch seed mix, but they also love cracked sunflower hearts.

Hi Gardenpom...Someone north of where I live has an Indigo Bunting feeding in his yard...I am on the hunt now!! Thanks for all the great pics and also the info on what you are feeding them. I have some sunflower hearts and I hope they find them when them show up (thinking positive)!!

Thanks GP for the seed advice. At first I thought the bunting on the wooden plank (April 11) was molting but the feathers don't look clumpy, or thin. Then I realized he's a tye-dyed guy! Pretty cool.

Their colors have been all different....some have the brilliant blue and others a mottled look. Not sure if it has to do with age or what.

I had a dream last night that I went in the backyard and there was a male and female painted bunting sitting on my windowsil. I ran in to get a camera but they were gone when I got back. But then I saw 2 kingfishers on the fence. They too flew away before I could snap a pic. I woke up feeling very depressed. Am I the only one who dreams of birds? I had another dream once where my whole porch and trees were lined with male cardinals. What a site!

Your not alone rntx! Problem with mine is I rarely remember details.