Each year for the past few years a male Indigo Bunting seems to visit our backyard for about two days in the spring, and then it is gone, and we don't see it again - and more's the pity.
It is an attractive little bird and there is a bit of added significance when we see it, for it brings to mind Miriam's sister, Grace, who has fond memories of this bird from her childhood.
Grace has not seen one in many years, but remembers well the burst of colour in the trees around their farmhouse and the leisurely well-spaced notes of the male with its flourishing diminuendo.
How one could remain immune to the charms of an Indigo Bunting is quite beyond me.
The young male below has pretty much completed the transition from juvenile to adult, with barely a hint of immature plumage remaining.
Perhaps we can advocate to have the name of the species changed to Grace's Bunting; after all there is already a Grace's Warbler. I think its scientific name should be Passerina gracia.
What do you think? The world would get used to it in a hurry!
Maravilha!
ReplyDeleteYine çok güzel bir kuş
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful photos of the Indigo Bunting aka Grace's Bunting :)
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeletemarvellous color, this beautiful bird.
Personnaly I wouldn't mind if its been renamed after your sister in law, but "indigo" describes it perfectly.
Best regards, Corrie
What a charming little bird - it makes me think of that line from the Zip-a-dee-doo-dah song - Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder. I have never seen an all blue bird before.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful bird! It looks like it has been painted, its color is so striking.
ReplyDeleteits color looks so attractive...love it.
ReplyDeleteif the purpose to respect Grace, then, I would agree with "Passerina gracia."
Have a great weekend
You have my vote on Grace's Bunting. A beautiful little bird!
ReplyDeleteYou also have my vote on changing the name. I love these little birds. Their color is so vibrant.
ReplyDeleteMe encanta, por aquí no se ven. Un abrazo.
ReplyDeleteFeathered enchantment - whatever the name.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful to you and other bloggers for sharing marvels I will probably not see for myself. Many, many thanks.
Wonderful bird.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos.
Maria
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteI think that fits this little jewel of a bird perfectly! YAM xx
Lucky you having a guy like that in your yard.....
ReplyDeletehaving only 2 days to see this beautiful bird, it must be a thrill if you don't miss it!! really beautiful pictures, the close ups offering a great look at all the feather detail!
ReplyDeletenow, about that name change....
We see the bird quite frequently, Debbie, but for just a brief couple of days in our yard.
DeleteBeautiful bird :-)
ReplyDeleteI wonder why this species comes to your garden for a few days only? I'm thinking that like us, there is a "hunger gap" in the New Year when certain species visit gardens and other habitats that they would not normally frequent. I would certainly try to entice the Indigo Bunting on a a more regular basis if possible.
ReplyDeleteNo reason of course why you can not call it Grace's Bunting. And put it out on the national hotline!
Buenos días amigo David, maravilloso pájaro de color azul añil, me encanta ese color en su plumaje creado por la madre naturaleza. Tienes mi voto para ese cambio de nombre querido profesor.
ReplyDeleteTe deseo una buena entrada así como un buen mes de Julio querido amigo.
Un fuerte abrazo des de Alicante.
What an attractive bird. If you want to call it Grace's Bunting I have no objection.
ReplyDeleteHi David.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures.
A beautiful bird, very beautiful in color.
Greeting from Patricia.
Hello, The Indigo Bunting is one of my favorite summer birds. Their color is gorgeous. I usually hear them singing before I see them on the tree top. Great series of photos. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteJag kan bara instämma i hyllningskören om denna förtjusande fågel, vilken färg den har begåvats med. Jag förstår att ni är charmade av den lilla varelsen som besöker er.
ReplyDeleteHi David - I put my hand up for both names ... Indigo is so appropriate - it's a beautiful bird ... but then Grace is worth remembering ... and giving you all lovely memories of times gone by ... I suspect Indigo Bunting will remain ... and will continue to visit. But beautiful post - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHello David, what colour this bird has!. A deep warm blue very special. I always wonder why birds of animals get their, sometimes outstanding, colour. What is the use of it and does this benefit the bird or is it just to impress the female. And does she see the same colour as we do or totaly different. Lots of questions!
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Roos
Every dedicated naturalist has lots of questions, Roos.
DeleteMaybe not a change of name for the field guides, David, but certainly a fine and fitting name for 'local use'. What an amazing bird. I found myself thinking of a branch (a 'snag' in Canadian parlance?) with a Northern Cardinal and an Indigo Bunting sitting side-by-side - and then went totally off the rails and put a male Snow Bunting in breeding plumage between them!
ReplyDeleteMy love to you and Miriam - - - Richard
Hi Richard: A snag here is a dead tree. A live branch is still a branch.
DeleteAwesome colors bird.
ReplyDeletePrecioso este pájaro por ese color azul indigo, en España lo llamamos "Colorín azul" como si tuviera muchos colores, es curioso.
ReplyDeleteYo le dejaría el nombre de Grace así os trae buenos recuerdos a tí y a Miriam.
Muchos besos.
Ah, I know birds that only come for two days and... no one else! Always the most beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt is very beautiful and the color of the bill is very delicate, thank you David
That is such a beautiful little bird. When we lived along the bay of Green Bay (until a few months ago) the buntings stopped by our house every year for 2 or 3 days on their journey further north. I always wished they would stay a bit longer because they are so beautiful. Have a wonderful Sunday night- Diana
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite summer breeders here. The lovely turquoise blue on their back is breath taking when the sun hits it just right. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colour.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing the bird pays your yard a visit each year for two days. Must know it's very welcome.
Blue as blue can be.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning little bird, I would be delighted to see one but it is not likely to happen. Lovely set of photos. Have a good week, Diane
ReplyDeleteA lovely shade of blue … such an unmerited gift of nature IS grace. :)
ReplyDeleteHello David. You have beautiful pictures here of that very beautiful blue bird.
ReplyDeleteI can respond again, thanks for your response.
I have now installed Google Translate on my blog.
Greetings Tinie
That shade of blue is so wonderful. Sky with feathers? We had them in Minnesota but none here in SC that I have seen. Our loss.
ReplyDeleteHi Both,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful colour this bird has, never fails to amaze me how some birds are so colourful and some in comparison so drab.
Put a Northern Cardinal and this bunting together, this certainly would have a WOW factor.
All the best,
John
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteGreat story about the Passerina Gracia:-)
But Indigo it is ! Stunning color! ( That blue color reminds me of the Blue Rock thrush). And lucky you to have one in your backyard even when it is only for two days!
Regards, Maria
Hi David, nice photos of this blue bird.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird.. Love it.. Have a nice week
ReplyDeleteI love when the sighting of a bird brings back good memories and I can see why this beautiful one would!
ReplyDeleteHola David.
ReplyDeleteEl pajarillo la verdad es que puede presumir de belleza, el color le hace parecer a un ave ecuatorial.
Un abrazo desde Galicia,
Rafa.
I like Grace's Bunting! I agree!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, these birds simply take my breath away. I've yet to see one and I think I'd just die if I did!
A terrific shade of blue.
ReplyDeleteEs precioso. Aunque solo sean dos días, tienes mucha suerte de poder verlo David. Por aquí nunca se ha visto.
ReplyDeleteBuena noche.
Un abrazo.
Hola David, muchas, muchas gracias por estar ahí, estoy pasando momentos complicados y cuando puedo y leo vuestros mensajes me siento bien y me dan mucha alegría, las fotos son preciosas y el ave maravillosa, su color es espectacular. Un enorme abrazo. Feliz verano.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful colour blue.
ReplyDeleteA most beautiful bird.
All the best Jan
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of bird every bird lover hopes to see once. What a luck that you get to see this bird every now and then, even in your own garden.
A little beauty indeed!
ReplyDeleteUna belleza de pájaro, me encanta su color azul, por aquí algunas especies hay con color similar peo ninguna en la zona donde está mi casa
ReplyDeleteDavid - by any name, a rose would still smell as sweet, so carry on with a name change for the little bunting! The color and pert personality of the bird are truly mesmerizing!
ReplyDeleteA very pretty bird. The colour is so special because we don't get to see birds with such colour here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame he doesn't stay longer. Such a stunning colour.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful little bird - the plumage is such a lovely colour. Super photos.
ReplyDeleteHello, David, the Indigo Bunting is beautiful. Lovely collection of photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend! PS, thanks so much for leaving me a comment.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird, specially since I love anything blue :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty...the color is amazing! I'll call it a Grace's Bunting from now on! How about that? Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteI am sure she will be tickled pink!
DeleteLucky you to see such a beauty regularly. I think I've only seen one once.
ReplyDeleteOh wow !!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blue bird !!!!! I am suddenly quite green David hahahaha .... it is such a shame that we do not have these beautiful colored birds in the Netherlands.Therefore I enjoy it twice with you :-)
Awesome!
Dear greetings, Helma xx