My husband saw the bluebirds out in the front feeder again and suggested I go out the back door and sneak up on them. I had my big zoom on and was creeping along when I caught a flash of red out of the corner of my eye. Without thinking, I turned and saw this aptly named White Winged Cross Bill, a feet away, so I just started snapping. A yellow bird joined him, which I thought was a finch at first, but later learned was probably his mate. The males are red, but the females are yellow.
@maggiemae@christiehicks@adamj I just posted a female white winged cross bill in my "Extra take" album for those interested. Apparently the beak is an evolutionary adaptation that allows them to reach seeds under pine cone scales. They use it like a lever to open up the pine cones and get at the seeds that most birds cannot reach.
beautiful photo, well taken! I had to laugh about your husband noting a good photographing opportunity because this 365 project really is a whole-family project, isn't it?
fav! i've enjoyed catching up on your pics. we're having ongoing internet connection problems so i'll have to pop back later when our connection is good to see the rest of your beautiful images.
fav