Summer Tanager

Aren't I cute!!

I'm an immature male summer tanager.

I stopped by the Krucke's feeders for a bit last week.

They didn't have any meal worms like my parents showed me last spring, but there were some tasty pecan bits.

Wonder if there's anything good down there?
Next spring I'll look like this!

R is for Recent Red Radiance

I was sitting at the computer when something caught my eye in the live oak trees beyond the feeders.

Oh, it's a ruby-throated hummingbird sitting still for once! I've been trying to get a shot of him with his ruby throat showing. Looks nice.

Then a female hummingbird flew by and zowie! He flashed her!! He flared that throat right out and caught the sun with it. Very effective. She flew right on by though. I was impressed even if she wasn't. I'd never noticed that they could push those red feathers out into an Elizabethan collar!

Later I glanced out again when I thought it was unusual for a cardinal to be at the meal worm feeder. Zowie again! That's no cardinal--that's a summer tanager!! At the feeder!! A first for sure--usually they are only heard or maybe glimpsed deep in the trees. What a treat--I hope he becomes a regular visitor.

Hope you enjoyed seeing red as much as I did!

bwkrucke@gmail.com