Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (and more!) at BHCL

Some days stand out more than others.  Today was one of those days.  It was warm (already in the low 70s at 6:30AM and well into the 80s by lunchtime), mostly sunny and breezy today.  Here are the gorgeous highlights, all from Breakneck Hill Conservation Land:

 Eastern Bluebird

 Belties at the pond

 Baltimore Oriole

 Is that a baby bunch of grapes?

 American Goldfinch

I was standing still, watching a pair of Baltimore Orioles flit from tree to tree, hoping that one would stop in an open spot so I could get a photo.  While I was standing there, a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak popped up out of the thicket, stopped on this open branch, with the morning sun lighting it up perfectly and posed for me, while it sang a few beautiful, crystal clear notes.  Made my walk.  This bird has always escaped me in the past, offering only glimpses, or backlit photos.  I love this photo!!

 Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

I never had time to notice the brown on the wings before.  What a beautiful bird!

 Eastern Kingbird

 Golden Alexander

 Eastern Wood-Peewee

Hawkweed
Meadow Goat's Beard aka Jack-Go-to-Bed-at-Noon
(thanks to Josh again for correcting my ID)

I went back and double-checked which hike I had photographed this flower (a species introduced from Europe) because as the second name indicates, it only bloom for a couple hours in the morning and closes up tight by noon.  I had photographed it during my morning hike (prior to 8AM).  Interesting!  I like both of its common names!

 Indigo Bunting
He was working on that troublesome feather in between songs!

Dwarf Bluestar

 Eastern Bluebird with nesting materials

 Peck's Skipper (first of year)

 Barn Swallow (in the community gardens)

 Cedar Waxwing (one of several in the orchard)

Buttercup

 Silvery Blue

 Spotted Cranesbill

American Crow

just dive-bombed by a Northern Mockingbird

Those are some pretty amazing birds in two short walks!  Don't you just love Breakneck Hill Conservation Land?

Species list:

Birds

1. American Crow
2. American Goldfinch
3. American Robin
4. Baltimore Oriole
5. Barn Swallow
6. Black-Capped Chickadee
7. Blue Jay
8. Brown-Headed Cowbird
9. Cedar Waxwing
10. Chipping Sparrow
11. Eastern Bluebird
12. Eastern Kingbird
13. Eastern Wood-Peewee
14. European Starling
15. Gray Catbird
16. Great Blue Heron (flyover)
17. House Sparrow
18. Indigo Bunting
19. Mourning Dove
20. Northern Mockingbird
21. Red-Tailed Hawk
22. Red-Winged Blackbird
23. Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
24. Song Sparrow
25. Tree Swallow
26. Warbling Vireo (song only)

Butterflies:

1. American Copper
2. Black Swallowtail
3. Cabbage White
4. Clouded Sulphur
5. Common Ringlet
6. Little Wood Satyr
7. Orange Sulphur
8. Pearl Crescent
9. Peck's Skipper
10. Silvery Blue