Garden Photo of the Day

READER PHOTO! Falling Snowflake, Cedar Waxwing

Michelle Gervais, Associate Editor

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Photo: Courtesy of Deanne Fortnam

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There is so much about this photo that I love. First, it was taken by one of my favorite gardeners, and a frequent commenter on the GPOD, Deanne Fortnam from Nashua, New Hampshire. Second, this cedar waxwing is GORGEOUS. Third, check out the perfect snowflake Deanne managed to capture as it fell! Fourth, it illustrates that if you plant them, they will come. Plants that produce berries, that is, and wildlife. Here's what Deanne had to say about this photo: "This bird is a Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedorum) and, in my opinion,  one of our most beautiful songbirds. I took this photograph last Sunday during our latest snow event and it was feeding in a flowering crabapple tree in the plantings around one of our local businesses. This tree has been full of fruit since fall and there weren't any birds feeding in it until a couple weeks ago. It seems that the fruit has to go through  some freeze/thaw cycles before the birds decide it's time to eat it. This beauty was in a flock of more than 200 birds and they came in and stripped every berry off that tree in just a few days. This is typical Waxwing behavior. They generally travel in large flocks and move into an area until they've exhausted the food supply then move on again.  If you have fruiting trees keep a look out and you might see a flock of these beauties flitting about with their delightful chatter. A beautiful sight in the winter garden if you're lucky enough to get them." Amazing, Deanne! Thanks so much for sharing this little guy with us.

Deanne's been featured on the GPOD many times! Check out her previous posts here, here, here, here, here, and here.

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Comments (9)

PaulaFrechette writes: Charlotte, The waxwings prefer smaller crabapples, as do most birds,
maybe yours is one that sets larger fruit? Also, they prefer the fruit slightly
fermented, so we see them eating them later in the winter here in Massachusetts. Posted: 3:40 pm on March 5th

PaulaFrechette writes: Magnificent photo, my favorite bird! Posted: 3:37 pm on March 5th

Canyoncatz writes: An extraordinary picture! Posted: 1:40 pm on March 4th

sheilaschultz writes: As always, Deanne, you bring us a bit of nature's beauty in your photos. What a wonderful way to end the week. Thank you. Posted: 12:13 pm on March 4th

gardengal42 writes: GREAT PHOTO..The Cedar Waxwing stop in my garden (Gso, N.C.) each season. This year they had a BIG meal of berries. YES, they are a most beautiful bird. Posted: 11:17 am on March 4th

wittyone writes: What a wonderful photograph! I have never seen a cedar waxwing in the flesh but this must be the next best thing. Posted: 10:11 am on March 4th

Happily_Gardening writes: One word...WOW!!! Posted: 10:08 am on March 4th

charlotteA writes: i too have a large flowering crabapple tree that is covered
in berries every year but not one bird eats them!! Do you know why? Posted: 9:15 am on March 4th

elizh writes: Wow. That is some kind of gorgeous!!!! Posted: 9:14 am on March 4th

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