More of the painted bunting

I made the pilgrimage to Prospect Park a week ago to see the painted bunting, New York's biggest celebrity.  Since then, I can't get him out of my mind, so I paid him another visit today.  This time, there was a crowd of only five spectators and, at one point, I was even alone with the tiny superstar.  This made for a more relaxed experience.



He appears to be eating his way through the park...







He spent a good deal of time munching on the dark seeds that are hanging below him.



So much for table manners!



This seed is almost as big as his eye.





Despite being a blazing rainbow, the bunting is surprisingly well-camouflaged in the foliage.  I had a hard time spotting him even after people pointed him out to me.



The day-glo green patch on his back is, for me, the eye-catcher.  As he moved around, that bright patch flashed like a fishing lure.



See more photos here.

For more images of this bird, check out the extraordinary photographs by Francois Portmann.  They are absolutely stunning.

Previously.