I mentioned in a previous post that Ron and I had the opportunity to get a little birding in at the end of last week. Not only did that allow us to get a quick break from the stress building up over the last 6 or 7 weeks, it also provided a huge boost to our “Average Year” counts. We took a setback when we canceled the Dauphin migration trip originally planned in April. We have managed to claw back some of the migrating checks thanks to a trip up to Montrose Bird Sanctuary, a new place called LaBagh Woods (will definitely have a future post on that gem) and then several locations around our favorite Chain ‘O Lakes State Park area. That two day trip allowed me to bump up my ’22 count to 245!!! Apologies, I still need to update the Birding Chronicles stats page (link here). Then Ron followed that up with a side trip, managing to get this species checked off his list.
That was a good pick up on me as I haven’t been able to locate ones of these fireballs yet. In honor of his accomplishment, decided to go ahead with this series from an encounter I had while we were down at Dauphin Island back in April of last year. I also get to continue my green theme from the last two posts.
Hit the jump to read more about our encounter with this brilliantly colored bird.
well, at least there is green in the background ha. I am completely out of green birds (and crawlies and slitherers and flutterers and every other similarly colored critter) at the moment. There are a couple in the backlog, but running a bit short on processing time thanks to June lurking just on the other side of the weekend. Think of it as an early Christmas with the addition of this super bright red feathered bulb.
I can tell you there is absolutely no shortage of Scarlet Tanagers hanging out at Dauphin during the April migration. They were quite prominent at every birding spot we managed to hit while down there. The first couple of shots and several of the ones at the end were taken at a place called Goat Trees
Here’s a tricky quiz for you … why do you think they call this spot Goat Trees? I’ll give you a couple of minutes to ponder it – no cheating and looking it up in Google! 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, 4 Mississippi, 5 Mississippi…
Okay, times up. Are you ready to check your answer!?! If you went with “they naturally grow in the shape of a Goat complete with antlers”… well, you are absolutely wrong – what the hell are drinking by the way. The correct answer is “because the local goats are said to have climbed the trees at night to stay safe from Alligators”. From what I can tell there were herds of wild goats that would gather in these upwards of 900 year old oak trees.
In case you are wondering, this information mostly comes from Linda who did the legwork on the spot. It pretty much went like this.
Linda: I found a spot we should try birding
Me: Where is that
Linda: Goat Trees
Me: They have trees in the shapes of Goats?
Linda: No stupid, are you on drugs?, there are Goats IN the trees
Me: [blink][blink] Oh, I wonder if they have 6′ Rabbits?
Turns out there aren’t any more Goats in the trees. I big let down I might add as I was already to post on them. What it did have was the absolute friendliest Scarlet Tanager greeter I have ever encountered. When we walked up to the entrance to this little four lot woods, I spotted this Scarlet wandering around in the tall grass across the street. I would never pass up an opportunity to tin one of these beautifully colored male songbirds.
Maybe it saw its reflection in the Beast’s glass, but it became quite enamored with us. Checking us out as it slowly walked up to the road. Then it walked out onto the road without even taking the time to look both ways. A couple on a Harley came roaring up with its stereo blaring. They fortunately saw me giving warning glances at the bird and stopped to allow it to cross. Assumed the blaring sound would startle it and take flight…nope.. just kept walking towards us.
Huge sigh of relieve when it successfully “Froggered it” across the road. Slowly it continued is stroll to a nearby wooden fence. The entire time it stayed focused on us. Needless to say, my shutter was on constant flutter. Next thing I know the bird is posing for me… flipping its feathers back, seductive glances over it shoulders, shaking its tushie….
Now that I look back at it, thinking it was trying to hit on my wife – BAD BIRDIE, VERY BAD BIRDIE! Then this Scarlet did this…
Wait, “Linda are you seeing this or maybe I am on drugs ‘cuz that looks like a red Owl.” Response, “riiiiiggght, and I bet that tree looks like a Goat”. I looked back and the bird was gone. I think I might need more sleep hehehe.
Anyway, at least I have proof the bird did exist. The Goats.. now that still remains a mystery. I need to give you some interesting facts about this colorful bird before I call it a post. According to Cornell, these Tanagers often fall victim to those asshat Cowbirds and their brood parasite practices (link here). If a Cowbird manages to sneak past the Tanager defenses, it will discard one of the Tanager eggs and insert on of their own. Unable to tell the difference, the Tanagers are tricked into raising the imposter. For those not familiar with this practice, it can put a huge strain on the parents as the Cowbird chicks are significantly larger and harder to feed. When the males are not hitting on your wife or girlfriend, they prefer to hang out high in the tree canopy and make catcalls at any hot looking ladies that pass by. They do winter in South America and then migrate through the Southeast to their breeding grounds in the upper eastern states. The good news is I should have a good chance of getting one in the tin during the upcoming summer months.
Congrats to Ron for getting it checked off already. Stay tuned, I might have an idea on how to make up the ground he gained on me.
Wildlife Intrigued 
That’s a bloody beautiful little bird. It looked like it had a thing or two to say to the pesky Paparazzo.
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You nailed it Tim – Cornell actually described it as having “blood-red bodies”! This one was definitely bold and had no issues making traffic stop in order to give us a good “chirping”. By the way, I recently heard the government was involved in at least one if not both of the fires that combined to ravage your state. They might want to review their own Smokey the Bear pamphlets. As always, thanks for dropping in – managed to get caught up on all the posts Saturday… but now I’m drifting behind again sigh.
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The same as it ever was. A controlled burn on a windy day got out of control in the Jemez in 2001 and burned a lot of houses in Los Alamos. Some of the houses that burned were cheap aluminum barracks from WWII. They were historic, but not worth much otherwise. They were small (800 SF if I remember correctly) with crappy construction. The owners who lost those houses in the fire got way more than they were worth from the settlements over the burn.
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What a marvellous little red thing! 😀
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Definitely one of the brightest red birds out there … although the Vermilion Flycatcher can give it a run for its money (https://wildlifeintrigued.com/2018/01/15/when-red-or-scarlet-isnt-good-enough/) Thanks for dropping in Luisella!
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Brilliant bird! Loved the coquettish looks it was giving you, er, giving Linda.
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Okay, you would definitely be a great editor if I ever did something foolish like decided to write another book – had to look up the word coquettish and yes, I completely agree! I can also add if you have the images turned on in your DuckDuckGo search you will get quite an interesting collection ha! I’ve been checking Linda’s phone just to make sure that little flirt isn’t trying to make the moves on Linda. We’ll have to work out your editor fees. Appreciate you dropping in.
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Wonderful photos!!
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Thank you Belinda and appreciate you taking the time time to come by – Note, my apologies, but my spam filter went crazy and trapped a bunch of valid comments including yours. Luckily found them when I did a check of the spam folder.
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Sure thing! It looks like this Spam problem is very widespread.
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He is so handsome!!! What a striking plumage this unique bird has! I didn’t know that Cowbirds can put their eggs in the nest of Tanager who will struggle with feeding later. Cowbirds are terrible mothers… Great photographs!
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Not one of those birds that can hide in the forest, that’s for sure. I was a bit shocked when I read how they are picked on by those asshat Cowbirds. You would think they could tell the difference pretty quick once the birds are hatched – a lot of the birds subject to brood parasites will notice the intruding egg and simply kick it out. Apparently these Tanagers are to accommodating. Have a great rest of your week Kaya.
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Excellent photos, Brian. 🙂
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Thank H.J. appreciate it. Hard to pass up a bird that was so accommodating – as you know, most of the time you are trying to shoot past leaves and branches and this one just hopped up on the fence and posed for me. Thanks for coming by !
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What a beautiful bright bird to augment my Monday morning coffee. Makes a wonderful start to my busy week. Thanks B!!!
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Glad you enjoyed CJ! I don’t want to give it away too quick and spoil your coffee surprise.. but you might be happy with the next post as well… maybe not as brilliant, but think you will appreciate the theme. Thanks for dropping in CJ…and with today’s holiday, I like to extend my appreciation to all that have served and continue to serve – not just those that ended up paying the ultimate sacrifice – We Thank You!
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Thanks not needed really as I volunteered.😂
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No distinction warranted!
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You caught some truly endearing photos – I love his expression in your photo right after the Me/Linda script, where he seems to be admonishing your imaginative interpretation of his attentions. I also really appreciate that lovely wood slat that he is perched on, with its recorded history of every talon and beak that has graced its silvery texture. Very cool!
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Thank you Sam. I must say, a lot of the credit goes to the super friendly bird that wasn’t afraid in the least with the Beast pointed at it. That expression might be mistaken for him trying to keep from throwing up at my bad attempt at humor at its expense ha. I can tell have a photographer’s eye – that fence also caught my attention – definitely tells a story (probably had Goats sitting on it at one time as well! Appreciate you dropping in Sam, there’s another reddish bird on the way.
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Oh, gorgeous, Brian! ❤ My favorite color! We have cardinals here, a different shade of red. 🙂
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They Cardinals are a bit deeper red than these fireballs – they probably sit between this on and the Summer Tanager in the next post when it comes to the red scale. Now I know your favorite color and try to find some more birds to feature in this spectrum. Thanks for dropping in Cheryl… apologies, but I see I am currently behind on your posts.
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I can’t wait to see all these birds you post on our next trip to Dauphin Island, It is very similar to the Vermilion flycatcher, there was a lot of those at Big Bend National park. I can just here the conversations between you and your wife. So funny, 🙂
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Still have plenty in the tin from our last trip and an entire month long trip for our January stay in Texas to go to keep everyone’s browser cache filled for awhile ha! We did manage to see some gorgeous Vermilion’s not far from Big Bend – Santa Ana NWR host to some stunners while we were there. Have a great rest of the week and safe travels Sandra.
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Gorgeous! Love the beautiful color of Scarlet Tanagers! I have St Louis red cardinals t-shirts. Red birds are my favorite!
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Ah, a fellow Cardinal fan!! assuming baseball and not a throwback to the football team from year’s past ha. You are in luck as my next post also features a member of the red family. Thanks for dropping in and joining the conversation June, appreciate it.
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What a handsome devil! What fabulous photos! And your humor, of course, is so fun! Hope you’re enjoying the weekend! 🌞
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Beautiful poses from your model. Was that bird in “The Exorcist”?
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Ha good one, Linda Blair’s stunt double. Appreciate you dropping in and have a great rest of your week.
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Truly magnificent photos of the scarlet tanager, Brian…and much enjoyed.
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Thank you Jet! This is probably the most accommodating Tanager I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing. They are such beautiful birds, but rarely come out of the tree canopy enough to really get to see their stunning coloring. Guessing this one was still tired from the trip across the Gulf and decided to hang out on the ground. Appreciate you dropping in and apologies for the late response, your kind comment somehow slipped passed me.
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