This last weekend I set up a makeshift photo blind near my feeders and took hundreds of photos. I had so many cool Western Tanager photos that I had to put together this short slide show.
For the last three years we've had incredible numbers of Western Tanagers in the intermountain west. I thought we just had two irruptive years in a row, but maybe we are seeing a cyclical trend on the high side right now. Yet, many old time birders have said that they had never in their lives seen so many Tanagers as they have in the last couple of years. Who knows?
As you view the pictures, note the variable amounts of red-orange on the faces of the males. See if you can pick out the females too. Females also have variable amounts of green-yellow on their bodies, with some almost having a gray belly. One of the tanagers photographed had been spending a lot of time with his head in the grape jelly and has a bit of grape gel in his head feathers!
For the last three years we've had incredible numbers of Western Tanagers in the intermountain west. I thought we just had two irruptive years in a row, but maybe we are seeing a cyclical trend on the high side right now. Yet, many old time birders have said that they had never in their lives seen so many Tanagers as they have in the last couple of years. Who knows?
As you view the pictures, note the variable amounts of red-orange on the faces of the males. See if you can pick out the females too. Females also have variable amounts of green-yellow on their bodies, with some almost having a gray belly. One of the tanagers photographed had been spending a lot of time with his head in the grape jelly and has a bit of grape gel in his head feathers!
Wonderful slideshow ... beauties!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely slide show. We had irruptive Western Tanagers in our area last year, but we had only a few this year. It's been very disappointing! How wonderful to see your photos of them!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful. One of my favorite birds!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I have briefly spotted 2 last year but not quick enough with the camera:)
ReplyDelete@Debbie, Linda, YsMum, & Cynthia: Thanks for all of your nice comments. Western Tanagers are so beautiful! They are definitely right up at the top of my list of favorites.
ReplyDeleteamazing photos Robert! what pretty little birds! i have seen them in Utah, Colorado and AZ!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! They are one of my Favorite birds to see.
ReplyDelete