Thursday, May 17, 2012

And on the Third Day . . .

I'm not religious and I don't think that the world was created in 7 days, but I would like to think that if it really did take 7 days to create this mess, Cedar Waxwings would have been one of the first creatures created. It was on my third day here in Winchester Virginia, that I finally managed to get up close and personal with the 100+ Cedar Waxwings that make the local park their home.  I have been seeing and hearing these birds all 3 days but they treated me like family today by inviting me to watch them feast on Mulberries.  There were literally 100 birds in the trees surrounding me while I stood there in awe.

I don't believe in heaven or hell and I don't believe in reincarnation BUT . . . if there is such a thing, I hope I come back as a Cedar Waxwing.  These birds really have the life.  They are always in a group, are always calling to each other in that high squeaky call note and always appear to be having care free days.  That suits me just fine. 


Cedar Waxwing - typical pose high on an exposed branch

 Another typical pose - looking for his/her companions

 I love the white eye liner

 Look closely - the red dots at the end of the wing feathers is what gives the Cedar Waxwing it's name.  These red dots are waxy deposits that form at the end of the feathers from accumulated wax in their diet of (usually) cedar berries.

 Waxwing hanging out in the mulberry bush

Waxwing buddies

Listen for high thin calls in your local park, then look up.  If you see more than one bird flying over head it is probably a flock of Cedar Waxwings.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Loved both the photos and the text. Are you sure we are not related?

Hearty Handshaker