Cedar Waxwing

This Cedar Waxwing is the beautiful creature I promised you yesterday. I have so many pictures of bugs, but this wonderful bird just could not wait any longer. I found a whole flock of these birds while I was down looking at a river that flows from a big dam.

I saw them leisurely, but swiftly flying over the river, back and forth. I wondered what they were doing and I was also determined to get a few pictures too. I became very glad that these birds happened to be as curious of me as I was of them.

Many of them slowed down their flight to come over and see what I was doing. This didn't actually get me the pictures I wanted, but it did let me know I was going to have the chance to get them. What I ended up doing was getting my pictures whenever they would land in the trees across the river.

I couldn't really see what kind of birds they were with my own eyes, but the camera was able to do exactly what I wanted. I kept seeing curious flashes of yellow on these birds, and I wondered if maybe I had goldfinches or something similar.

The yellow turned out to be from their tails. And the rest of their body is that cream color that you see, but with some creamy yellow thrown in, mostly on the lower breast of the birds. You can also see some red bands on their wings. These birds may be the most colorful wild birds I've ever seen, even though most of their bodies seem to be that creamy tan color.

Something I really like about these Cedar Waxwings is that cool superhero mask they have, along with their head crest. The mask gives them an almost hawk-like appearance. So when I was trying to find out just what bird I had here, I wondered if maybe they were some kind of small hawk.

I doubted that last theory, but I didn't want to discount it too soon. There are very many birds I had never seen before, so it took me awhile to find their identity. I got lucky and had a little help in my search with these this time, so it became easier than usual for me.

When I first found these birds they were flying back and forth over the river. I think I said that before. I found out later that the birds were doing that so they could catch and eat the bugs that were also flying over that river. That's why I stopped the bug pictures for now. The birds ate them all!

These Cedar Waxwings are proof to me that nature is a never ending source for amazement. Just when I think I had see everything and I couldn't be surprised and delighted, along came these birds to remind me that I am only just getting started.

Cedar Waxwings may be the coolest looking birds I have ever discovered up to this point. They are at least my current favorite. I can't wait to see what will come next to give me a wonderful surprise. Nature, here I come!


Nature Center Magazine - It's time for a new Free Wallpaper. This time we have another cool butterfly photo. It's all for you!