It was pretty cool yesterday morning to see a small flock of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) foraging at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. One of them was using gravity to help it ingest a berry that it had managed to found. If you look closely, you can see what appears to be the bird’s tongue.
It seemed to take a bit of effort, adjusting ever so slightly the head and mouth, but eventually the beautiful little bird was able to get the whole berry into its mouth. In many ways, it was similar to watching a Great Blue Heron swallow a fish, albeit on a greatly reduced scale.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
It must take a lot of patience to get shots like these.
Patience, persistence, and a lot of luck–more than skill, in my experience, those are the keys to many of my favorite photos.
Such a pretty bird. Great colors. Beautiful capture, Mike.
Great set Mike.
Nice series Mike! One of my favorite birds, behind Eagles and Ospreys though!
Great captures of the action, Mike! Love the shot with the tongue.
Astounding photos, Mike, that little tip of tongue is superb. I always say the cedar waxwings are one of America’s most beautiful birds, and you captured its magnificence here so beautifully.
Your photography only adds to the attractiveness of this bird.
Beautiful!
Stunning!
FAntastic capture Mike, timing.
Thanks, Leanne. I was fortunate enough to be able to isolate the bird somewhat and then to take several bursts of shots. I try to avoid the “spray and pray” method and will do my best to frame my shot first. With subjects like birds, though, expressions and behavior change so quickly that I like to get as many shots as I can.