O, thou art fairer than the evening air clad in the beauty of a thousand stars.–Christopher Marlowe
Female Pyrrhuloxia on Prickly Pear, Chihuahuan Desert, near Portal, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/500mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.
Birds of the Family Cardinalidae are some of the most striking songbirds of North America, especially the males. These are the Pyrrhuloxia, Dickcissel, Northern Cardinal, the grosbeaks (except the Evening Grosbeak which is a finch), and the buntings. All these birds have heavy seed-cracking beaks, the most extreme example being in the Pyrrhuloxia.
Portrait: Male Northern Cardinal, Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, Houston, Texas. The Northern Cardinal, or the Cardinal Grosbeak as Audubon referred to these birds, seems at home with Man and is weathering the current apocalyptic decline in songbird numbers well. Canon EOS 7D/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.
Although seeds form an important part of the diet of all cardinalids, most species also consume arthropods and fruit, and sometimes leaf buds. Often they vary their diets seasonally, with seeds forming the bulk of the diet in winter and arthropods and fruit when available. It is likely this generalist approach to feeding that has contributed to the success of the group as a whole, but not all species are doing well.
Portrait: Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Lafitte’s Cove, Galveston Island, Texas. The red flecks are mulberry juice. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.
Both the sparrow-like Dickcissel and the Blue Grosbeak are declining in numbers, although ironically, the latter has recently expanded its range northward in the Great Plains. But in general, relative to other songbird groups, these tough little birds are mostly holding their own.
Portrait: Male Blue Grosbeak, Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas. This bird was foraging on the ground for seeds. The Blue Grosbeak is declining in numbers and is in the process of becoming a rare bird. Canon EOS 7D/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.A Male Black-headed Grosbeak Displays for a Female, Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The female sat mesmerized a few branches away. Canon EOS 7D/500mm f/4L IS (1.4x TC). Natural light.
Essentially, Two Shutterbirds is a family project to get to know the birds of the world. And we have had no greater birding pleasure than acquainting ourselves with the cardinalids . . . .
Female Painted Bunting, Elm Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. Female and young male Painted Buntings are unusual for North American birds in being green. I played hide-and-seek for this bird for quite a while until she poked her head out from among grass seed heads–from which she was feeding. This bird’s showy mate was also feeding among the grasses. Canon EOS 7D/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.
Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke.–Benjamin Disraeli
Female(?) Rufous Hummingbird, Franklin Mountains State Park, West Texas. Canon EOS 7D/500mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.
If Disraeli was correct, then Rufous Hummingbirds are both fire and smoke.
I recently took the time to peruse our collection of images of hummingbirds from the Tom Mays Unit of Franklin Mountains State Park in West Texas. Specifically, I was looking for evidence of the presence of Allen’s Hummingbirds, those little flying gems that are often indistinguishable from Rufous Hummingbirds. One of our field guides shows the migratory range of the Allen’s Hummingbird just barely touching the western extremity of Texas. Maybe . . . . But alas, no Allen’ Hummingbirds were in evidence.
Young Male(?) Rufous Hummingbird, Franklin Mountains State Park, West Texas. Canon EOS 7D/500mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.
But Rufous Hummingbirds are common in this desert park. One of the most aggressive of all hummingbirds, the males are known for their spectacular aerial fights–and their ruthless defense of nectar resources. Immatures are often frustratingly difficult to distinguish from females. But young and old, male and female perch, bold as brass, on the yuccas, agaves, desert willows, and ocotillos of the Franklin Mountains.
Counting the days until we can return . . . .
Male Rufous Hummingbird, Franklin Mountains State Park, West Texas. Canon EOS 7D/500mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.
