My first birding stop of the morning gave great views of House Finches eating crab apples on a tree in Waukesha along the Fox River. I have seen them along the river often but not eating crab apples. I think the crab apples are softening up now and the birds can enjoy them. It was a gorgeous day with full sun, low winds and mild temps around 36 degrees early in the morning. Images were taken on December 14, 2023.
The male House Finch enjoying a crab apple…
The female House Finch enjoying a crab apple…
Piece by piece they take the crab apple and eat it…
The male House Finch enjoying a crab apple…
The male House Finch enjoying a crab apple…
The male House Finch enjoying a crab apple and perched pretty…
The male House Finch enjoying a crab apple…
The male House Finch nibbling away…
The male House Finch
The male House Finch…
The female House Finch with a bite to eat…
Very nice take on a common bird!
Beautiful shots! Wish I owned a camera like the one you took these pictures with Jim. I have to say that this week my wife and I watched a first at our feeder. A white headed house finch. Not really rare but very uncommon. Researching the web I found they have been spotted nationwide. Best part is that they are accepted by the normal finches with full coloring. This particular finch continues to show up occasionally but being at the window with camera in hand may be a bit tricky.
Great shots. Tnx for sharing. Have not seen finches at our crabs. Must be other food they prefer in the area. Crab apples typically hang all winter here (Town of Ottawa. Western Waukesha Cty) If the ground is frozen, the migrating robins will eat the fruit in Spring.