I'm a long time banker having worked in banks since the age of 17. I took a break when I turned 50 and went back to school. I graduated right when the economy took a turn for the worst and after a year of library work found myself unemployed. I was lucky that my previous bank employer wanted me back. So here I am again, a long time banker. Change is hard.
That’s where he started, in the tree. Then he tried the little bird caged feeder but he doesn’t fit through the grate, then he moved over to the big bird hanging feeder but it was occupied by a grackle…eventually he just decided to go for it. Silly boy, there was plenty of food on a flat feeder right next to the one he wanted. Nobody up there to argue with him.
Great photos. I am looking forward to refreshing my feeders and watching the birds from the summer office. I am not familiar with the bird with the white and red breast. What is it? Thank you.
Nicely captured, Dawn. I love the fourth one, with his wings spread out, but I’m still giggling over the second-to-last one. Having a boy-dog, I was struck by this bird’s stance. Yes, I realize he probably was just balancing on one leg, but if he’d been the Monk, he’d have been in the peeing position!
That Rose-breasted Grosbeak waited patiently for the Starling to leave so it could feast from the tray and just gave up and decided to cling to get sunflower seeds, but patience is a virtue and the Starling moved on and it went down before that Starling came back.
I see these every year, but not often in any one year. Maybe they’re shy unless they’re really hungry. They especially like the white safflower seed and I don’t always have that.
I don’t see him a lot, he must be particular. Once a couple years ago there was one at Kensington that would come land on your hand. I see pictures that there’s one out there this year too. I haven’t seen him though.
So true. They are such beautiful birds. I had one land on my hand at Kensington once, a couple years ago. I’ve seen pictures this year that there’s one out there landing on hands again this year. I hope I find him next time I go out.
Change Is Hard 
July 23, 2025 at 7:43 am
Love these! Especially the “camouflage” one!
LikeLike
July 23, 2025 at 12:20 pm
That’s where he started, in the tree. Then he tried the little bird caged feeder but he doesn’t fit through the grate, then he moved over to the big bird hanging feeder but it was occupied by a grackle…eventually he just decided to go for it. Silly boy, there was plenty of food on a flat feeder right next to the one he wanted. Nobody up there to argue with him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 23, 2025 at 1:10 pm
Sillly boy indeed. Boy, being the key word 😉
LikeLike
July 23, 2025 at 8:46 pm
so true
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 23, 2025 at 8:36 am
That top picture is especially striking.
LikeLike
July 23, 2025 at 12:21 pm
Yes he likes to hang out in the beech tree and survey the dining options.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 23, 2025 at 9:29 am
”A private table was worth the wait!” 😊
LikeLike
July 23, 2025 at 12:21 pm
He made enough fuss to make the grackle move on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 23, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Great photos. I am looking forward to refreshing my feeders and watching the birds from the summer office. I am not familiar with the bird with the white and red breast. What is it? Thank you.
LikeLike
July 23, 2025 at 9:16 pm
That’s a male rose breasted grossbeak.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 23, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Nicely captured, Dawn. I love the fourth one, with his wings spread out, but I’m still giggling over the second-to-last one. Having a boy-dog, I was struck by this bird’s stance. Yes, I realize he probably was just balancing on one leg, but if he’d been the Monk, he’d have been in the peeing position!
LikeLike
July 23, 2025 at 9:17 pm
lol. I think he was staking his claim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 23, 2025 at 5:46 pm
I love your bird pics. They always make me smile. ❤
LikeLike
July 23, 2025 at 9:17 pm
I’m glad. They make me smile too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 23, 2025 at 10:27 pm
That Rose-breasted Grosbeak waited patiently for the Starling to leave so it could feast from the tray and just gave up and decided to cling to get sunflower seeds, but patience is a virtue and the Starling moved on and it went down before that Starling came back.
LikeLike
July 24, 2025 at 11:41 am
There’s definitely a hierarchy to the birds feeding habits!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 24, 2025 at 10:27 pm
I believe that! I hate when Starlings monopolize the feeder(s) or birdbath(s), but Jays are pretty pushy too!
LikeLike
July 24, 2025 at 5:50 am
Dawn your captures of the Grosbeak are award winning! I have only seen one in my backyard in all the years, and then a female once too. Beautiful!
LikeLike
July 24, 2025 at 11:43 am
I see these every year, but not often in any one year. Maybe they’re shy unless they’re really hungry. They especially like the white safflower seed and I don’t always have that.
LikeLike
July 24, 2025 at 8:48 am
Love these shots! I only learned about grosbeaks this summer when one landed on my feeder. Very cool series!
LikeLike
July 24, 2025 at 11:40 am
I don’t see him a lot, he must be particular. Once a couple years ago there was one at Kensington that would come land on your hand. I see pictures that there’s one out there this year too. I haven’t seen him though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 24, 2025 at 1:04 pm
Beautiful sets of feathers, Dawn! Busy backyard!
LikeLike
July 27, 2025 at 1:37 pm
Definitely a busy place. Just went today (again) to buy another 40 pounds of oilers and more peanuts and and and…
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 27, 2025 at 3:26 pm
I finally bought a 50 lb of wild bird seed. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 28, 2025 at 8:09 am
Well NOW you’re all in and officially a bird lady.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 27, 2025 at 10:17 am
Always thrilling to spot a grosbeak!
LikeLike
July 27, 2025 at 1:38 pm
So true. They are such beautiful birds. I had one land on my hand at Kensington once, a couple years ago. I’ve seen pictures this year that there’s one out there landing on hands again this year. I hope I find him next time I go out.
LikeLike