Tammie Rogers
Inspired by Dogs & Nature
If you Hang It, They Will Come
There’s that wonderful quote from the Field of Dreams movie, “If you build it, they will come.” Well, after the local critters consumed the final couple of apples we left on the tree in the corridor, I decided to hang additional fruits to support the birds’ appetite for sweet treats at this time of year. First, we put up a trail cam to catch the action. While the birds enjoyed the treat, the camera was set up a bit too far for great shots. We hung new applies, moved the camera closer, but didn’t get any visitors. I wondered if the camera poles were a bit too prohibitive, so we took them down.
When I saw chunks missing from the apples, I decided to simply sit and wait with my camera poised and ready. I was incredibly fortunate to film a juvenile male in transitional plumage (with partial red breast) Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a female Rose-breasted Grosebeak a few days later,and a pair of House Finches. I caught them all at a very close proximity in good light. Check out those links if you haven’t viewed those photos.
My lucky photography was enhanced by dry, sunny autumn days and the fact that I was able to hide (sitting in a golf cart) in-between stands of seven to eight foot high annual weeds through which my husband mowed a path that is just wide enough for my travel. That puts me within 10 or 12 feet of the apples and the birds that arrive to snack on them.
In this post, I am sharing new photos of birds that have visited the apple tree, and surrounding vegetation. After a serious drop in temperature when I wished for a hat and gloves, we had highs in the mid 80’s this week which was nice – and buggy. There are these incredibly tiny “no-see-em” terrors that were incessant. Although it’s been a couple of days since I was out filming, I’m still actively scratching at a near hysterical level, especially around my wrists!
Enough of the story telling, here are some images that I hope you enjoy! First to arrive was what I thought was a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak. But, if you look carefully under the wings in shots where the bird has lifted them, you will see a pink-red color. I have read that males present with the red color and females will present with a yellow-orange under their wings. Therefore, this is a juvenile male, but a different individual than the one I filmed and included in an earlier post. That bird had the red on his breast, as well. I’m assuming it was, perhaps a bit older – or just further along in its change of plumage. Male or female, it’s clear that having a “gros” beak can be advantageous when consuming fruit.
As I was filming the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, I began hearing the calls of a Gray Catbird. Sure enough, that bird flew from the mature trees to the south, and landed on the outer branch of the apple tree. His presence didn’t go unnoticed by the Grosbeak. First, the young male Grosbeak startled, but went back for another bite. Then, as the Catbird moved closer, he took flight to a branch above the apple as he observed the Catbird moving towards the fruit.
I happen to love Gray Catbirds. So, I was please to see him flying in for some lunch. His beak conformation is so different from the Grosbeak’s bill that I was curious to see how he might go about eating. He continued to vocalize as him moved to the apple, and then occasionally while he ate.
At one point, he left the fruit and perched on another branch, while he “meowed” a bit. Then, he went back to eating.
While the Catbird consumed his fill, a Palm Warbler flew into the same tree – not for a bite to eat, but for a reason only it knows. The Gray Catbird didn’t seem affected by the little bird’s presence.
After the Catbird left the apple tree, things were a bit silent until a Rose-breasted Grosbeak arrived. This bird appeared to have a darker beak than the earlier one. Perhaps, it was a mature female.
I will continue to hang apples in the apple tree for as long as the birds find value in them. The tall weeds that currently create a good blind for my photography are losing their leaves. Soon, all that will remain are their stately stems. I don’t know if they will be sufficient to allow me such close proximity to the apple tree, but the cover of the golf cart (which probably seems like any other stationary human object, may be sufficient for me to continue to observe and record the birds that share our space.
