Pic of the Day

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus:  
Hartwick Pines State Park: Grayling, Michigan

     A few days ago Rose-breasted Grosbeaks began pouring through north Alabama.  It takes about two weeks for the birds to pass through during the spring (when this photo was taken), and about two weeks during the fall.  Though the birds are in fall plumage, they are still just as beautiful.  Hopefully I will be able to get some photos before they move on to Central and northern, South America.

     By the way, in a previous post I mentioned that I have never had a Hummingbird Bird at my feeders after October 6^th.  This year, the plethora of hummers I had left by October 5^th.  However, I had half a dozen birds through the 7^th.   Not seeing any hummers on the 8^th and 9^th, I was sure they were all gone.  But, on the 10^th and 11^th I saw a few hummers coming to my feeders.  These were obviously late migrants, and stopped at the feeders to refuel before moving on.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, !/60th sec. @ f4