Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Sunday, July 6, 2014

Scarlet Tanagers


 
Scarlet Tanagers may be common elsewhere but definitely not  here in southeastern Minnesota. As a matter of fact I had only seen two in my life.  The first was on our senior high school trip to Washington D.C. and specifically near George Washington’s tomb at Mt. Vernon. The other occurred during flyfishing in the spring on a local trout stream. So there I was this spring checking out the local horse camp at Forestville State Park not too far from our home in Spring Valley.  In a wooded area a red and black bird landed on the gravel road right in front of me. Getting my  little point and shoot camera out of its case and aimed gave Mr. Tanager time enough to mosey right toward me and out of sight with the hood of my truck blocking a view. Now what? A long sought opportunity to photograph a scarlet tanager stymied by the fact that he was apparently sitting beneath my truck.  I decided to wait him out. And waited. And waited. Till finally two more flew across the road in front of me. Then two more followed to my right.  Within five minutes five were putting on an aerial show all around me. Sitting in a truck with my little camera wasn’t really adequate for the task at hand but it was quite the thrill nevertheless. 
 

29 comments:

  1. What a beautiful bird! Even if you didn't capture them all, this picture is wonderful, TB. You did good. :-)

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  2. They tell me mushroom season is over. I have a few areas to see them in early spring really enjoying sighting them.

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  3. They may be common in the Northeast, but their habitat is not always easily accessible.

    This was my post of this wonderful bird
    http://joeh-crankyoldman.blogspot.com/2011/07/birding.html

    The thrilling encounter was similar.

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  4. You were lucky to see so many at once.
    I've only seen ONE in my entire life--it was back in IL-hubby and I were out for a hike and one flew by.
    From what I read, they were just passing through on their way up north. I live up north--still haven't seen one up here.
    :(

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  5. What an abundance of riches.

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  6. Gorgeous bird! Yep, my bird photos often look like that.

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  7. That has always been a bird I have wanted to see but never have. Lucky you to have five performing for you.

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  8. lucky you!!! i've never seen one in person!

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  9. They could have been migrating but it seems to be too late for that. I am search bird books to find an all dark great bird with black top of the tail and a red to orange beak. It is new and I still can't find it in any book. The tanagers are what we talked about in school but never saw any in southern Iowa.

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  10. Weren't you lucky to spy her/him. Beautiful color.

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  11. One of my very favorite birds. We have them around here but I've only glimpsed them deep in the woods. And without a camera. And you saw five of them. Lucky you.

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  12. Wow, what luck! They are gorgeous. We don't have them here, although we do have the western tanager, which is a very pretty bird, too.

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  13. They are attractive birds and they gave you a good story to tell picture or no picture.

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  14. Wow, sounds like quite a display that the tanagers provided. I'm glad you got at least one photo to share, too.
    I've never seen one. As far as I'm concerned, they are very rare.

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  15. So beautiful, I was so excited last year to have one visit my feeder. So pretty glad you got to see the Tanager, Francine.

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  16. So beautiful, I was so excited last year to have one visit my feeder. So pretty glad you got to see the Tanager, Francine.

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  17. Lucky you and I love how vibrant the color is against the trees!

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  18. I am jealous, we usually get them through here in the spring but not this year. You are lucky!! :)

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  19. We don't have them here--I don't think anyway....

    But they sure are lovely. Thank you for sharing!

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  20. Well, how cool is that? The bird is quite beautiful. I would be equally thrilled and frustrated if I had been you and wanted to capture the sighting with a camera. I'm glad you were able to capture a photo.

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  21. Fabulous colour on the Tanager. I have never seen one... in fact it's only when I started blogging that I even heard of one. Lucky you to see several at a time.

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  22. The Scarlet Tanagers used to come to our feeders in Massachusetts when I was growing up. That was back in the '40s and I understand that they are not nearly as prevelant as they were then. Lucky you !
    PS: I read your last book review and I agree with you ... I just couldn't see where the book got all the good reviews. I, also, couldn't wait for it to be over !

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  23. Wow, what a treat! I think I did see one out the living room window across the street several years ago. I ran for the binoculars, but it was gone when I got back. But I'm pretty sure that's what it was.

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  24. Lucky you!! :-)
    I have not had the pleasure of seeing a Scarlet Tanager, but do hope someday.
    Thank you so much for sharing.
    Carla

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  25. What a beautiful pop of red! No fancy birds like that here. I haven't even had many finch this year. I think the darn grackles in my backyard are keeping the little birds away. Wish those pesky birds would find someplace else to live!!
    xo Catherine

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  26. I don't think I've ever seen one. How bright and red they are! And how exciting to have several flying about you.

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  27. Your little camera might have gotten closer than a big one unless a telephoto lens had happened to be on at the time. Ya dun gud.

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  28. Great story! I've seen the scarlet tanangers a few times out this way. More so at my parents's country home which was a bird's paradise. I've only seen one at my home in town once on the day my son was born. If I had had a girl, I would've called her 'Scarlet'. Wendy

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