Waxwings in Hanover

Yesterday afternoon, with the light fading quickly as a snow storm approached, Jann and I found a mixed flock of around 150 waxwings near the north end of Rope Ferry Road in Hanover. I did not try to determine the ratio of the two species, but my sense was there were more Bohemians than Cedars.

They would feed for a short time on a crabapple tree, then sit high in the nearby trees for long periods. I got very cold waiting for the few opportunities to photograph them with the small camera I was carrying. I was dressed for walking, not standing around. Their feeding periods were usually terminated by loud noises and/or nearby motions: a logging truck rumbling by, a mailman delivering a package down the driveway right next to the tree, a trash truck backing down the same driveway, the trash truck noisily emptying containers along the road nearby.

Here are Bohemian Waxwings with their red butts (rufus undertail coverts, for those who prefer more technical terms).

 

Below are a few photos of the Cedar Waxwings with their whitish undertail coverts.

 

From time to time part of the waxwing flock would move to different trees.

 

It took me a long time to warm up after returning home, but I was happy for the opportunity to photograph these beautiful birds.

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