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Feathers like Silk (68)
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![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (50626) | Lucky that we took our cameras with us when we went for a walk in the winter sunshine, as we came a across a small flock of waxwings feeding on juniper berries. We could get quite close while they were busy feeding.
I have posted several images of this attractive species, but this is the best portrait that I have taken so far IMHO.
Bohemian Waxwing , Bombycilla garrulus
Swedish name: Sidensvans, meaning, 'silky tail'.
The scientific name comes from the Latin 'bombyx', meaning 'silk and 'cilla', meaning tail. 'Garrulus' means 'talkative'. They often call to each other in soft trilling high pitched calls.
The English name refers to the red-tipped wing feathers that look like they have been dipped in red sealing wax. 'Bohemian' refers to its wandering habit.
This species is widespread in the northern parts of the Northern hemisphere, where it breeds in the northern forests, to move further south in the winter to feed on berries of various kinds. It is more widespread than the Cedar and Japanese Waxwings.
This individual was feeding on Juniper berries (see WORKSHOP). He then flew into a birch tree.
This shot was taken with the camera hand-held at a distance of about 5 meters in the morning lighting. After slight cropping and size reduction the image was sharpened, adjusted for shading and converted from RAW to JPEG. |
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