Conditions were perfect, the light great, me in the bird blind, and there it was: the glorious PAINTED BUNTING. Numero uno on my wish list. BUT there was a problem and it's going to make me sound like a spoiled brat...it was an immature male! Now he's pretty too, don't get me wrong; however, I really had my heart set on a mature, adult male. Is that too much to ask? I waited in that sweltering bird blind for an hour. Since I was about to pass out, I had to give up, although I have not given up completely. I will be back!
No offense little man, you're cute as a button.
A shout-out today to my wonderful, caring, amazing husband: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I have downloaded "When I'm 64" by The Beatles on his phone just to remind him how old he is every time he gets a call, which is frequent. Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64? The answer is YES!!! I love you so much! (I can't believe I used to think 64 was elderly. My, how advancing through life changes our perspective as we go along.)
Sharing with Our World Tuesday.
w - o - w you've got to love that painted bunting!! Can't wait too for when you get to photograph the adult male; I can't imagine how you can top this little guy; he is spectacular and your photograph so crisp (I think I'm GREEN with envy :)) Nice para' for your man too Gail; belated birthday wishes extended from my side of the world.
ReplyDeleteI think they're very pretty!! Both male and female. The female especially when she's out, flying, and the sunlight hits her bright green!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful close-up images Gail.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR HUSBAND.
Happy birthday to your husband!! This calls for lots of cake haha. And that's so neat that you got to see a bird that's #1 on your birding bucket list. The Scarlet Tanager is #1 on mine :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird! Green is my favorite color. I'm singing the same song as
ReplyDeleteyour hubby today. Always loved the song but never really imagined I would one day be humming the tune. lol
Happy birfday to hubs
ReplyDeleteYour photos a re well taken -- sharp where they should be and blurry in the background -- at least in this series. I'm sure you can't always manage this feat, nor should you.
ReplyDeleteis that bird green? so wild. neat coloring. a big happy birthday to your hubby. mine is approaching soon. makes me nervous. not ready for another year??! at least being older that is. can't we pick an age & stay that forever ever. ( :
ReplyDeleteHe's a keeper and will soon be a fully colored male. Just keep watching for him. I was excited yesterday to see several Summer Tanagers at the golf course. You have been my inspiration! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour painted bunting is amazingly beautiful♪♪♪ Young one must be sweet, I love the way he is looking at you.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your husband!!! Well, my husband became same age this March; I thought I'd better check the The Beatles song. Haha, he won't like the English song "all Greek to him" p;)
Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
What a beautiful pictures, Gail.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird and this beautiful color, I've never seen this.
Congratulations on the anniversary of your husband.
Greetings Irma
These photos make every minute in that hot, sweltering bird blind worthwhile. They're perfection. And you still have the adult male to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate your sweltering away so we can reap the benefit of your sacrifice even if it is a beautiful youngster!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to DD. Believe me, 64 is NOT old! Bet he's 27 in his mind...I am!
A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY goes out to Double D. Hope his day is filled with lots of delights!! Sorry for the disappointment, however....you did not disappoint me! Such a beautiful bird and the colors are outstanding...
ReplyDeleteI know you will soon get that picture of the adult male painted bunting!! Enjoy the celebrations today...
He's marvelous! The bunting's not bad either. ;)
ReplyDeleteTook my breath away, WoW!! Happy birthday husband!!
ReplyDeleteThat little birdie is green perfection! Glad you got a shot at him. Looking forward to when you manage to get a mature male. Happy birthday to your husband!
ReplyDeleteWOWSERS Gail. Brilliant shots!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your hubby.
Sweet sentiments to your dear hubby and I'd like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I also love your photo of this little bird, I know what you mean. You had your heart set on the other but gosh Gail, your photos are really something to be proud of. It made me smile you talking about sweltering in your blind. It's something I would do but I'd have passed out long before you would have :) Have a great day :)))
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Hubby! Those photos of the Bunting are so crisp, I feel like I was there with you (although it's not sweltering here).
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool bird! Green birds seem so exotic somehow.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, DD!! He's proof that age is just a number. :)
geweldig wat een mooie ogen heeft hij.
ReplyDeleteThis fella is good looking,but I do hope you get to have your lens on a beautiful adult male one of these days. No 64 is not old,as a matter of fact it soon will be in my rear-view mirror.:)
ReplyDeleteI love coming to see what you've captured here!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!! I'm so impressed! Those pictures are AMAZING!!! I can understand you wanted a mature male - but maybe this was the practice shot so the mature male one will turn out perfect (though I must say I can't think of anything more perfect than these pictures) - I'm truly amazed!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea with the song...happy birthday to him....great painted bunting. I have never seen them.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your hubby! Awesome shots of the Painted Bunting!
ReplyDeleteHe's stunning, Gail! Great capture - worth the sweat! Happy Birthday to your hubs!
ReplyDeleteThese photos are so detailed, I can't wait to see the adult bunting!
ReplyDeleteYou guys are SO young! (But I remember my dad buying that (new) record because he was that age -- I thought he was old -- and I got such a kick out of the fact that he actually bought Sgt Pepper.)
ReplyDeleteI hate my IPAD....asn't ready to send the above comment. Congratulations on the lifer -- when you see the fully mature one (and you will!) I think you can count it as another lifer. The little guy is adorable.
ReplyDeleteI think I need a blind. These photos are beautiful, Gail.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your husband. I feel the same way about age.
Happy Bday to your husband. And you are so right about the painted bunting--no comparison between immature and mature. I have seen a painted male once--and he was phenomenal.
ReplyDeleteA friend said there were a few painted and lots of indigo sightings around our area in the past few weeks. We had indigos in our yard several times this spring for the first time since about 1980.
Cute as a button indeed! Your photos are so vivid and clear, dear Gail.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your sweetie pie :)
Hugs to you!
Happy birthday to your honey! I used to think 64 was old, too. Funny, huh? Gorgeous little bunting you captured. But I know what you mean about wanting to catch the full grown male. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteImmature or not he's still amazing and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your hubby, that was a funny thing to do.
Immature or not he's still amazing and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your hubby, that was a funny thing to do.
I am amazed with your perseverance. I am sure you will succeed.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what a mature male looks like (no pun), but I love his colors!
ReplyDeleteYou are too funny Gail!! I loved that song- 64 - by the Beatles and thought the age of 64 was ancient and archaic, also!!
ReplyDeleteONE DAY, I'll get to see a painted bunting!!
Gorgeous! Happy Birthday to your husband!
ReplyDeleteRather ironic Gail, wanting the mature male bird to photo and then exclaiming your husband is the mature male. Just make me chuckle, even if that wasn't the intent. I love the younger bird. That intense green is so fabulous. ♥,Renae
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable little guy.
ReplyDeleteThis is a much better shot, rare, you don't see it often. It's a first for me.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I am quite envious of these beautiful photographs of beautiful birds.
ReplyDelete