Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings

First off....it's been awhile. February is naturally a tough month for birding so I haven't been doing much of it sadly. Yesterday I received an email from Tom Pirro that he just had 4 Bohemian Waxwings in Gardner in a crab apple tree in a front yard. I had to be at work in 3 hours...Gardner is 45 minutes from me... I had to chase! Bohemian Waxwings are lifers for me! 60 min later I arrived at the destination.....Waxwings!!!!....but all Cedars. They would fly off but return within 5-10 min. I was confident that they would return and with them Bohemians would join the party. 5 minutes before I had to leave and all Waxwings were gone. I had at that point focused on an Eastern Screech-Owl that I found sunning itself. After snapping a few photos of the owl I started to leave for my car...4 birds were on the tree....I could tell instantly without any optics what they were....BOHEMIANS in the final minutes! Made for a great work day! Thanks again to Tom Pirro!

Cedar Waxwing-Gardner #52

Bohemian Waxwing-Gardener #53

Other Photos from the trip

Eastern Screech-Owl

Super Sunday!

On Saturday my mother texted me a photo of a Common Redpoll at her feeder. I was stuck at work. It was all I could think about. It's been 2 years since most of us around here had seen one. The last time was the winter of 2012-2013. I knew I had a good chance to see the Redpoll on Sunday since my family and I were headed to her house for our annual family Super Bowl Party. Party started at 2. We showed up at 9ish. I stared at the feeders....some time had past and BOOM there it was! A Common Redpoll. I was able to photograph it. I sat outside for a couple of hours and also photographed a lone Pine Siskin. Was able to get some decent upgraded shots that are on the Best Photos Page at the top of the blog. While sitting out there I heard a Pileated Woodpecker call. Finally was able to get a record shot of it. 21 species while feeder watching yesterday. Most importantly.....the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ARE SUPER BOWL CHAMPS!!!

Common Redpoll-Charlton #50

Pileated Woodpecker-Charlton #51

Other photos from the day

House Finch

American Tree Sparrow

American Robin 

 White-breasted Nuthatch

Pine Siskin and Black-capped Chickadee