Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Saturday
The temperature was quite a bit cooler today, and the sun didn’t put in an appearance until about 4pm. I was busy at home, doing some housework and my usual activities, while Roger was cutting the grass again -:it grows so quickly this time of year. Once the sun did begin to come out, and it had warmed up a bit, Roger successfully persuaded me to join him for a bike ride, but there weren’t any speed records broken today. I was feeling rather sluggish for some reason, and as I mentioned, R had already cut the grass, which takes quite a time, so he had reason to be tired!
Once again, my blip is thanks to R, who told me about this bird at the feeders which he didn’t recognize - I was on my iPad at the front of the house at the time. Fortunately, he stayed long enough for me to get my camera and gently open the back door and get a couple of shots. Whilst not in sharp focus, it was the first capture I have of this striking bird, so he had to be my blip! They are a migratory bird, spending their winters in warmer climes, but returning to this region to breed.
We finally got to talk with Roger’s Dad Bernard this morning, after trying all week. He is currently in respite care while Janet and John are away in Italy celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary, or more precisely, their 25th anniversary five years late! They were supposed to go in 2020, but of course Covid put paid to that. Although Bernard’s not been keen on the idea, since he cherishes his “independence”, Janet and R were able to persuade him to do this, since in fact he’s now very dependent on Janet. They took him over last Sunday afternoon, and they flew on Monday morning. Bernard likes to use his iPad for phone calls, since he finds it tiring holding a phone. However he is technologically challenged, so if it's not working properly in any way he’s stuck. Earlier in the week, a friend from church had visited him, and we thought had got him set up, but we still weren’t able to get through. Fortunately, Richard was there again today, and re-booted the iPad, and we managed to have a chat, as did Roger’s other sister Pamela. So Bernard did well for company and conversation today and seemed in pretty good spirits, and meanwhile J and J are enjoying a much-deserved break.