Right after arriving home from work I went out to feed my woodpeckers and check on the chickadee nest (house wren arrived this morning, had to put a wren guard up) when I noticed this beautiful scarlet tanager in the back yard. Even at first glance it was quite obvious it wasn't a cardinal because the red is so vivid. A neighbor had told me that he'd seen them around before but it had been several years. I've learned to keep my camera at the ready and so ran inside to get it, and he cooperated with a few nice poses. I'm also getting good at hand holding this heavy lens (8+ pounds) since there's no time for a tripod in these situations! This is a life bird for me and yard bird #53. What a stunning bird, I hope he sticks around!
http://www.pbase.com/gymell/image/96977579 http://www.pbase.com/gymell/image/96977564 http://www.pbase.com/gymell/image/96977560 Bloomington, MN -- Liz liz at lizstanley.com Backyard weather: http://www.overlookcircle.org/ Photo gallery: http://www.pbase.com/gymell/liz_favorites
