Berry Delicious

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I continue enjoying visits from the wintering Cedar Waxwings, Bombycilla cedrorum.       An afternoon or two ago, I observed as they laid waste the berries on a neighbor’s Possumhaw holly, Ilex decidua, and wondered at that time why they hadn’t descended upon and devoured the berries on my Burford holly, Ilex cornuta, shrubs.

I wondered too soon.

A gaggle of waxwings found the shrubs and went to work–flitting, flapping, berries in beaks.

I assume waxwings ate the few berries that were on my Possumhaw–someone did– though I never actually saw any in that tree.  The Burford holly shrubs are located in a more easily viewed spot.  It was quite a show.

This one looked straight at me as he gulped a fruit, though probably didn’t see me. I was well hidden in another corner of the garden.

There are plenty of berries remaining; I wonder if they’ll return before they make their way northward?

The shrubs are also now blooming their tiny white flowers and the honeybees and hoverflies are at their pollination work.

There’s never a dull moment in the garden.

 

38 thoughts on “Berry Delicious”

    • Yes, I agree, although the waxwings have hung around my neighborhood more this spring than any that I remember. It’s been a mixed bag this winter/spring: lots of waxwings and American goldfinches, not as many Orange-crowned warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

      It sounds like the waxwings came through when you weren’t looking. 🙂

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    • Don’t they? Their markings and coloring is unique and oh so beautiful. I don’t get bluebirds here in Austin, though they’re common north of here. Blue jays and cardinals are year-round residents.

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  13. Oh, I love the cedar waxwings! I’ve heard them flocking here and I’ve seen them from a distance, but not close up yet. They tend to go crazy for the flower petals of our Crabapple trees in mid-spring, and the ripened fruits in fall through early spring.

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    • They are fun birds to observe. Interesting about the petals, though I’ve heard of other birds eating petals, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. The Crabapple sounds like an A+ wildlife plant.

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  14. I hoped all spring to see them again, but no luck. I know they’re sort of in the neighborhood — a friend in Alvin sees them consistently — but I suspect there’s been so much food available this year they haven’t had to resort to our palms. All of the fruits still are hanging on them, and that’s probably a sign that the possumhaw, yaupon, and such are keeping them well fed.

    I think they’re one of the most attractive birds, and highly photogenic. Your pictures are great!

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    • Thanks, I’m learning to be patient with the camera. Birds are tough though; they won’t stay still. I’m sorry you haven’t seen waxwings, they really are just gorgeous birds–alone and in their groups–to observe.

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