Birds, bees and blossoms of early summer

This Evening Grosbeak wears the most unusual crown. We have not seen another male grosbeak with a full crown (and the small jewel) like this handsome fellow displays. His female partner (below) was also slightly more regal looking than our regular grosbeaks. Our kingly grosbeak again, from behind... And a gathering of Grosbeaks ... aka a Charm of Finches I also want to share some photos taken by Vincent (David's younger brother) who has been with us here on the meadow off and on for three and a half years. We've encouraged him to start a blog of his own as he takes really beautiful photos and more often than not his photos are very close up, showing a different view of the meadow than many of the pics David and I take... And a few more 'David and Nick pics' featuring our feathered friends... a pretty Lazuli Bunting, A Western Tanager and a female Western Tanager on another day.Summer is in full swing now with wonderful sightings every day of some lovely critter or bird. The hay on the meadow is getting taller by the minute with the long rainy season we've had. My lilacs are blooming for the first time in three years!! Life is good.