Winter Cedar Waxwing In A Crabapple Tree

After the overnight snowfall two days ago I was able to photograph this Cedar Waxwing feeding on ripened crabapples along with loads of robins and starlings.

Cedar Waxwing with a crabapple – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 500, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I had heard Cedar Waxwings at the crabapples in the past. This was the first time I had the pleasure of photographing them feasting on the fruits of the trees. I wish the waxwings had dropped down into the snow to eat the red crabapples. The waxwings I saw stayed in the branches of the trees.

This waxwing had a juicy red crabapple in its bill. I remember tasting crabapples when I was a child and as I recall they weren’t all that tasty to me. The ones I tasted were never this ripe and that might make a difference.

Winter Cedar Waxwing in a crabapple tree – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 500, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

After eating the crabapple the Cedar Waxwing gave me a great view of it from behind. Because this waxwing lacks the red tips on its wing feathers it might indicate that this waxwing hatched last year.

I liked that there was still snow on the branches of the crabapple when I photographed this waxwing.

Cedar Waxwing with a bill full of snow – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 500, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The Cedar Waxwing pushed its bill into the snow several times to get a drink of water while I took images of it. In the winter I have seen several bird species exhibit this behavior.

It was enjoyable and fulfilling to take these photographs of the Cedar Waxwing at this location in these crabapple trees after waiting several years to do so.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Cedar Waxwing photos plus facts and information about this species.