Foto Filings: The Cedar Waxwing

Until this spring, I never recall seeing or identifying a cedar waxwing, and only have a bare recollection of even hearing the name of the bird. So, after more than three years of photographing birds, I go from no photos of cedar waxwings to dozens of them. I almost entirely missed Memphis spring photos this year due to funky cold weather. I love photography, but I don't love getting cold.

I was on a walk in Audobon Park when I saw dozens of cedar waxwings descend on a tree with buds. The birds were everywhere, flocking and eating the buds. I took a few photos and had to go home to make a positive identification of the bird. I was thrilled to have a photo of a different bird species. Robins and mockingbirds are just a bit too common. Here is one of my first cedar waxwing photos:

But that was just a precursor for a cedar waxwing experience to come. My study looks out onto a patio where there is a large pyracantha bush with red berries. Well, it USED to have red berries on it. There was a frenzy of cedar waxwing activity on this one bush, and they managed to completely strip the berries off the bush within one half hour. I felt as if I was witnessing an astonishing event. Fortunately I happened to have my camera, and shot these photos through a somewhat dirty sliding glass door. This event probably is not rare, but it was rare to me, so I just thought I would share these photos. For the most part, I don't think the dirty glass on the door affected the photos all that much. I didn't want to scare the birds by opening the door.

So, I documented few flower buds this spring, and ended up with cedar waxwings. When you are a nature photographer, you have to discard expectations and just take what nature gives you! And, you just never know.