As Elusive… and Handsome as Zorro
Ever since late July of last year, I have been lusting after a specific bird. In July, while vacationing in the NC mountains with a friend, we were along a lovely stream that had a nice waterfall. Standing on a little bridge, I was busy gathering photos of the waterfall, rushing water over what I imagined were ancient rocks, and my friend drew my attention to a bird she saw. Not having the best vision, I scanned the area saying, “where? where?” Finally, I caught sight of what appeared to be a masked bandit of sorts. It was a Cedar Waxwing which I had not seen before. Too far away for a close photo, I had to be satisfied with just having finally seen one. Fast forward to today, in my backyard, as I was tracking a lovely female cardinal. I got a few shots of her and then she flew away. As I was bringing my camera down I saw back into the tree a bit my very own Cedar Waxwing in my very own holly tree in my very own back yard! Oh, my goodness did I get excited. In bird watching, one has to learn to contain one’s thrills of the heart in order to NOT scare one’s subjects away. I have to admit, I was chanting my desires to God as I ever so quickly tried to focus…yes, myself as well as my camera. How can God bless me so? Cedar Waxwings are handsome birds with a long crest atop their heads and a black zorr0-like mask across their eyes. A brownish silky looking body with yellow underparts and as if God wanted to treat us just a little more, red tips on the wings with a bright yellow tip on the tail. They live in colonies and move about in numbers up to several hundred. They go where the food is. In this photo of mine, I think the one in the foreground stands erect as a centurion while the others dine on the berries. I have not seen it but others report that they will pass a berry down the line to one another. Handsome and generous. What else could one hope...
Read MoreAs If to Say “Hello, Love”
Valentine’s Day is for everyone! I use the day to send “love note” reminders to my daughters…who will ALWAYS be my Loves…to my precious grandchildren who fill my life immeasurably with joy and to special friends who are, indeed, my chosen family. Since my divorce in 1995…wow! THAT was a while back…I have not had the romantic Valentine experiences we see on TV and that’s OK! But I do treat my self to special indulgence on this day. Today, I greeted the world early, gave thanks to the Lord and headed straight to my coffee pot. Today’s treat is a 16 oz. hazelnut cream decaf and a toasted English muffin with Nutella! Yum! Have you tried Nutella? It’s a smooth blend of hazelnuts, milk and cocoa. As I moved to my computer to check on the world’s happenings, it was as if my recently reacquainted bluebirds seized the opportunity to spread a bit of their joy early in the day. “Hello, Love” I heard him say as he posed for my camera. “Thanks for the suet & berries, and enjoy your day!” From my needle pointing days, my girls will chuckle to read: A bell isn’t a bell until you ring it, A song isn’t a song until you sing it. And the love in your heart Wasn’t put there to stay – Love isn’t love ‘Til you give it away. Thank you, Oscar Hammerstein and the “Sound of...
Read MoreAh…A Moment for Myself!
Most of us require some amount of alone time or privacy. Some of us could easily become a bit like hermits cherishing those alone and quiet, undisturbed moments. Quiet time is quite valuable in my world of contemplation, prayer and writing. Blessed peace. In bird watching, we learn quickly that we humans must exercise caution in moving about too rapidly and take care not to talk openly scaring away the birds. Our “subjects” are much like us in that they know there is safety in being inconspicuous and not drawing attention to themselves. I enjoy capturing a photo of a bird that appears to have retreated a bit and has achieved some quiet time out of the lime light, such as this photo of my resident mockingbird. He’s more often perched up high on the holly reigning over his self-claimed kingdom watching and, sometimes controlling,...
Read MoreChilly and Windy Day…Watch the Birds
Even in sunny North Carolina we have some winter days that chill to the bone. When we dip into the 20s and have high winds, most of us feel like we are freezing! This morning, with wind gusts up to 35 mph and as my coffee was brewing, I noticed a beautiful male house finch perched high up on the holly tree basking in the sun. I snapped a couple of photos and returned to my computer with my coffee and started my day. Later, glancing out the window, I saw the rosy finch still in his favorite spot so I zoomed in on him discovering he was so comfy in the warm sun and under our Carolina blue sky that he had begun to nap a bit. Not a bad idea at...
Read MoreAfter the Rain
Sometimes the activity of birds let us know when weather changes are coming. There’s always a flurry around my backyard feeders that alerts me that inclement weather is on its way. The birds seem to be getting their last bit of food in case of extended weather that might prevent them from nourishing themselves for a while. Come to think of it, we humans do the same thing! I always chuckle to myself when a weather report indicates snow or ice may be just around the corner. The bread and milk shelves at the grocery store seem empty awfully quick. One can see almost all your acquaintances in the check-out lines. As today’s rain began to slow down, the feeders were heavily populated once more and some were perched on high at the holly tree fluffing their feathers as they caught a nice soft bath compliments of our...
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National Audubon Society
Help support the efforts of our National Audubon Society in conservation of natural bird habitats. Visit: www.birds.audubon.org