Some birds are year round residents in my backyard, others are seasonal guests, and a few simply stop in for a brief layover during their cross country flights.
One of my favorite birds that only lands in Atlanta for a couple of days each year is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. When these guys show up, I drop everything and run for the camera!
This handsome male with his lovely mate (you can see how different their color tones are!) just stopped in to fuel up for the rest of their journey.
They’ve been playing a bit of hide and seek with me, but I did manage to get a few photos.
It’s easy to see why I love these beauties!
Backyard Bird Nerd 
Such a lovely couple, no wonder you go into “paparazzi-mode” Kathy!
Love the description – my family has learned to just laugh with me!
I live in SW Ohio and this is the first year we have noticed these birds at our feeders. The color patterns on the males are gorgeous when sitting still as well as when flying. They’ve been around for about a week so maybe, but I don’t know if they are just passing through or if they will be here all summer. None of the neighbors remember seeing them in these parts before, either, so we’ve been snapping pictures like crazy. However, your photos are head and shoulders above ours. Thanks for showcasing these lovely birds!
Aren’t they beautiful! I looked it up, and it seems like Ohio is right at the border of where they spend their summers. So glad you are getting to enjoy them. 🙂
Thanks for the info, Kathy. That is exciting! Now I must try to paint one 🙂
I hope you do, Carol! 😀 DABD is Sunday! 😀
All are cute, but the red neck is so pretty! 🙂
That splash of red is captivating!
He’s an extremely handsome fellow. She, a little drab as with so many bird species. Wonder if there are any with beautiful females and drab males?
None of the females in my yard (that I can think of) outshine the males…guess they left that to us humans! 😉
Thanks for feeding them on the way to our house. They stay here all summer. 😍
Oh – you taunt me!!!
Lol
Kathy, these beauties are exquisite! We hardly ever see them, and when we do, it’s just fleeting like you. Wow, and just in time for DABD May! Gorgeous!
I go a bit bananas when they show up. I was afraid I had missed them this year since I usually see them in April.
Is it much cooler than normal in GA too? Maybe that’s why it’s taking them longer. We’ve seen NO hummingbirds yet, which is highly unusual! But it’s so chilly. (Not that I mind, as I am a heat/humidity hater, but it’s really strange for May!) You got some terrific shots. I was sketching the male last night. ❤
You might be right – it has been cooler this spring. Had to have the heat back on yesterday!
Yes! Same here.
Beautiful shots!
WOW WOW WOW
Such amazing colors on the male! These are a rare sight at the lake and I’m always in awe, like you when I see one! They are more brown and orange here. 💕😃
They really are lovely. Hard not to smile when you wee one of these guys!
Great photos of some beautiful birds! I wish they would come visit me.
What a precious, beautiful sighting and photos, Kathy! I am so happy you saw them again this year and got to share with us!