A springtime tree full of fruit is a wonderful thing for the birds.  After my dad and I returned from the Circle B Bar Reserve on Friday, we went out to my parents’ vegetable garden to plant some corn.  Then we noticed dozens of American Robins and Cedar Waxwings gorging themselves on the berries of the “Treasure Tree!” So we left the corn with my mom and ran to grab our cameras.  It’s not every day that you get to see these fun birds up close and personal – and with their mouths stuffed full of berries!

It literally took this Cedar Waxwing about thirty seconds to get that berry down his throat.  He grabbed it as you can see in the picture, then he tried to gulp.  Except I guess it was too big!  His tongue flailed around as he tried over and over again.  Finally he got it down.

This American Robin gulped down his berry, plus about three more, in less than 10 seconds.  You could tell that the robins were tanking up, getting ready for their migratory flight.  I told my mom that it wouldn’t surprise me if these birds were in Pennsylvania in another day or two.  But in the meantime, we got to admire them.  And listen to them!  Their cheerful little calls are a definite sign of springtime.

I usually see Cedar Waxwings in large, loud flocks that circle over the local shopping mall as I do my grocery shopping.   To see them up close and personal was fun.  They get their name from the red waxy-looking wingtips, which showed up well in a couple of my pictures.  Waxwings eat more fruit than most birds, so I suspect my parents will have them around as long as the berries hold out!

Here’s one more robin to close out the post.  Safe travels to you, little bird, until we see you next year!