If you happened to miss my previous post – “What’s Good For The Goose” – I shared a beautiful female Summer Tanager that had stopped in for a bath. Well, evidently a male Summer Tanager had been carefully observing her because shortly after she left he arrived and mirrored her every movement.
First, he perched on an overhead branch as he paused to make sure that all was safe.
Then, he flew down to the Cyprus stump at the top of the fountain for just a moment…
…and quickly proceeded to dart down to the rock that sits in the upper level.
Just as his counterpart had done, he wasted no time at all in getting in the water.
He did oblige me with a couple of pretty poses…
…but mostly, this guy was a busy bather! He did not sit still for long!
He splashed…
…and he splashed…
…and he splashed some more!
And when he had finished soaking his feathers, he launched out of the fountain and flew back up to the tree tops.
It truly amazed me how precisely this fellow followed the females actions. Seriously, go back and check out the previous post and you’ll see what I mean!
I guess the saying really is true, “What’s good for the goose, is good for the gander!”
Stunning colours and a beautiful bird. And he really goes for it in that water, as if it’s his annual bath 🙂
He’s definitely a happy splasher!
A Gentleman Summer Tanager allows Lady’s First! Wonderful photography!!
Perhaps I will notice one or two tha Fall migration to my yard. Last year I had the pleasure of having one visit my Oak trees. At first I thought it was a Cardinal. But it didn’t have the up-do crown, was a bit more orange and the behavior completely different. All about birds website set my mind straight.
Lovely that you had both visiting and slashing with delight. Also, my favorite is on top of the mighty rock! 😃
And here I thought your favorite would be the one of him flying out of the fountain! I’m glad you’ve gotten to see one in person!
Ha! That rock is momentous. And the bird that conquers it is King of the fountain!!
🙂
wow! What a beautiful bird. I’ve only seen one once and no photo of it. He’s quite the copy cat. Sure, let the lady take the risk first.
It was incredible how closely he imitated her!
Impressive series 😃. We do get the Summer Tangier around our house, but only a few times a year. These are very nice photos, 😃😃.
Thanks for the kind words!
😃
My observations of bird feeders outside our front window is that the dowdier females are always the ones ‘expected’ to find out if all is safe, much like servants of old tasked with tasting the soup before serving the master. Human behaviours aren’t that far removed from the rest of the animal kingdom, it would seem.
The only tanager I’ve ever seen in my British Columbia from garden is the beautiful Western Tanager. Who on this planet hasn’t longed to be gifted with the view you just had with this handsome devil. What wonderful photographs being shared with us this morning. Thank you!
The soup-tasters, eh? That sounds like a future post title to me!
Wonderful shots, Kathy! Your fountain is well designed for these bathers.
It lures in the birds, but honestly, I just love listening to its sound!
Beautiful bird!
He really is breathtaking. A photo just doesn’t do him justice!
What a stunning bird and such a fun story! 🐦❤️ It’s amazing how precisely he copied her moves, smart guy letting the lady check for safety first! 💧 Splash shots are incredible, thank you for sharing this beautiful moment! 📸✨
He is so beautiful, and fun to watch. Wish you could have seen him in person!
Gorgeous!
I must agree!