Oh Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting, Drumlin Farm, Lincoln, MA

No indigo bunting again this year at the Charles River Peninsula. In order to get my annual bunting fix, I went out to Drumlin Farm (last year I went all the way to West Gloucester). Two males were singing at the bottom of the drumlin on either side of the tree line. A little chasing but mostly counter-singing. Mostly high in trees and out of good camera range as seen by the photos below.




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But it was OK, I was really there to absorb the singing--and there was a lot, though only rarely an extended bubbly solo. I knew the general song pattern from recordings, so I was pretty certain when I heard the first burst, though I had momentary doubts (a goldfinch? a yellow warbler?). A quick glimpse through the binoculars confirmed my ID. Here's a sample.

Eventually one came down closer to eye level


In fact, it went below eye-level--feeding in the long grass.


My favorite sight of the day (if not the clearest photo)--a meeting of the blues. (The bluebirds are raising at least one child in the same area).

Thanks, Indigo Bunting.