Yes, they really do look like this; these have only basic PP applied and no saturation boost. Shot at Bald Head Island, NC (USA), where there is a significant summer nesting population, thanks to the large area of maritime forest (now all too rare on the US east coast). They are small birds; these shots are all larger than life size (on a screen with typical resolution). As you can see, many of the birds have been captured and banded, as part of the ecological study program they have here. Two males:





And a female (sorry about the glare but never could get a shot of a female away from the feeder):



Detail of male plumage:

[slowpez]

I am so jealous. I love these little guys and haven't seen one in ten years or so. We do get them along our coast but we just haven't been lucky and here you have them at your feeders. You are one lucky guy. Oh, nice shots by the way.

[baro-nite]

You are one lucky guy.

No argument from me! Was staying at a friend's place; these are all shot from their back deck. The buntings come by all day long and don't much mind people on the deck as long as you sit still, even if you sit within a few yards of the feeder. BHI is an amazing place for birds. Unfortunately it's a bit difficult to get to, and expensive to stay if you aren't as lucky as me. But then that has quite a bit to do with why the birding is so good -- though quite developed it is nothing like the usual over-developed US eastern seaboard.

[Rupert]

Love those! Nice shooting! We only get to see them infrequently here, but a friend just a few miles away has dozens of them coming to her feeders. I think maybe they don't like all the Squirrels around my place?
Beautiful little birds...well shot!
Regards!

[8540tomg]

Nice capture.

Beautiful bird.

Tom G

[Frogfish]

Gorgeous little birds.

No surprise there then (getting a female away from a feeder - oh oh I'm for it now from the PC crowd)

[baro-nite]

I think maybe they don't like all the Squirrels around my place?

Maybe! Apparently the Buntings are mainly interested in the white millet -- does Otis hoard those?

Nice capture.

Thanks Tom!

No surprise there then

No comment! But it wasn't so much how much time either spent at the feeder, rather that the males tended to stay still a little longer when perched in the branches.