The Cedar Waxwing is using his built in “fruit picker” hook on the tip of his bill. This photo was taken 2 years ago in December and clearly shows their built in special tool.
Archive for November, 2013
Cedar Waxwing using the hook on his bill
Posted in Wild Birds, tagged cedar waxwingm hook on bill, crabapples, december on November 15, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Cedar Waxwings
Posted in Wild Birds, tagged Arkansas, cedar waxwing, crab apples, parthenon on November 15, 2013| 1 Comment »
During November and December, I have many Cedar Waxwings feed on frozen fuit at my crab apple tree.
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Size & Shape
The Cedar Waxwing is a medium-sized, sleek bird with a large head, short neck, and short, wide bill. Waxwings have a crest that often lies flat and droops over the back of the head. The wings are broad and pointed, like a starling’s. The tail is fairly short and square-tipped.
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Color Pattern
Cedar Waxwings are pale brown on the head and chest fading to soft gray on the wings. The belly is pale yellow, and the tail is gray with a bright yellow tip. The face has a narrow black mask neatly outlined in white. The red waxy tips to the wing feathers are not always easy to see.
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Behavior
Cedar Waxwings are social birds that you’re likely to see in flocks year-round. They sit in fruiting trees swallowing berries whole, or pluck them in mid-air with a brief fluttering hover. They also course over water for insects, flying like tubby, slightly clumsy swallows.
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Habitat
Look for Cedar Waxwings in woodlands of all kinds, and at farms, orchards, and suburban gardens where there are fruiting trees or shrubs.
This photo from last year (Canon 7D and Canon EF300L f/2.8 IS), but they have begun arriving in good numbers this week:
First Bald Eagles of winter 2013-2014 in the Buffalo River Country
Posted in Mountain Scenery, Wild Birds, tagged 2013 - 2014, Arkansas, Bald Eagle, bald eagles, near Parthenon, winter on November 14, 2013| Leave a Comment »
I saw an eagle landing on a tree next to the Little Buffalo River near Parthenon. They are both long shots with a Canon 1D M3 and a Canon 400 DO/IS Lens:
Photo last week of the Elk in the Boxley Valley
Posted in mammals, Mountain Scenery, Weather, tagged 2013, Arkansas, elk, herd, November, ponca on November 13, 2013| 3 Comments »
WOW, reached 17F as a low this morning. Last week I took a photo of one (of many) Elk harem over near Ponca. There appears to be 2 bulls in this photo but the one on the left is a “satellite” bull OR a younger bull that has not challenged the harem owner (dominant Bull Elk, to the right) to a duel or did challenge him, and LOST BIG. He will hang near the harem for the entire winter and learn. Notice the maple and beech trees still show their color.
Coyote eyeing a rabbit in the field behind my house
Posted in mammals, tagged Arkansas, Boston Mountains, coyote, near Parthenon, yard on November 12, 2013| 2 Comments »
I have been very busy for the past 2 weeks and have not posted; in that time I was able to get a good photo of an Arkansas coyote. This guy was so focused on a Cottontail about 100 feet away that he did not notice me sneaking up with a camera:
Life and Wildlife along the Little Buffalo River 