Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Poncha Springs, Chaffee County
Tom Wilberding
Hello
birders,
Saw one Saturday afternoon along the Arkansas River at the Poncha Springs Frisbee park, a sort of mini-Hutchinson Ranch. The RBGR was intently combing Gambel oak flower tassels with its beak, gleaning insects I suppose, singing between bites. (Sorry, should have posted this to eBird, but got busy with convention chores.}
Per eBird only two previous sightings in the area in the past five to eight years, both by CFO’s excellent artist & Salida local, Sherrie York.
After
taking a photo of the Rosie, I moved a few feet to get a different perspective,
and saw in my camera’s viewfinder a Black-headed Grosbeak. A sudden morph? No,
but what were these two cousins doing so close? Probably competing for the Gambel
oak grove and its insects.
Two photos:
http://bit.ly/1HY70jI
Cheers,
Tom
Wilberding
Boulder,
Colorado
