Posts Tagged "birding"

Being Ourselves

Posted by Pat Stewart on Jun 16, 2013 in My Blog | 0 comments

One of the things I enjoy so much about birding is that there is so much beauty from Creation  that no one seems to feel the need put on airs, no pun intended. Take this photo of the Tri-colored Heron, for example.  He is comfortable with himself in his breeding plumage that I could see him selected for walking down a designer’s platform strutting his stuff.  Tall skinny legs…so he can wade in somewhat deep water, body high up but sharply focused eyes seeing through the water to potential dinner.  His lengthy, knuckled toes would make a podiatrist or foot-surgeon happy for shoes would certainly cramp his style.  But the size of those designer toes have purpose, to grab & hold tightly, balancing our waterfowl seeker-of-food on the move.  His long, sharply pointed bill aids him in spearing or clamping down on the prize which he can deftly devour in a quick swallow or take back to the nest for the little fuzzy-headed ones waiting! Now, picture him strutting down the platform, cameras snapping as did mine, capturing the unique and colorful headgear.  His entire head can go under water and with just one twist-and-shake of his head, the style is back! So, what’s all the fuss among the humans?  Do we not know that God put even more time and effort in our design?  Perhaps, it’s simple perspective. At any rate, I stand amazed at the beauty of the birds and their eager display of their acceptance…they are what they...

The Return of the Red-bellied Woodpecker

Posted by Pat Stewart on Oct 3, 2012 in Backyard Birds, My Blog | 0 comments

Recently when I experienced a hard drive crash, I ultimately lost so much of my writing and photography work.  PAINFUL lesson on the supreme importance of verifying one’s backup procedures.  Couple that with having spent the summer in Florida away from my birds who seemingly have come to depend on my feeding and caring for them, I have truly been mourning my losses.  Seriously! The backyard birds have been slowly returning to the feeding stations and enjoying the huge holly tree that I refer to as “Air Traffic Control.”   The holly tree was picked clean of berries at the end of winter by a convergence of robust robins and beloved Cedar Waxwings.  That was a process to observe!!!  I most often see robins on the ground searching for the proverbial WORM.  So, for me, it was a new experience to see them arrive in flock and devour the holly berries sometimes 5 or 6 berries at a time.  This occurred over several days. Then, one cold late afternoon, I caught a glimpse of what looked like the mysterious Zorro-masked Cedar Waxwing in an opening in the holly.  Could it be?  My heart began to race as I grabbed my camera to zoom and there he was standing sentry while yet another waxwing plucked the berries from further within the tree. But back to the Return of the Red-bellied Woodpecker.  I’ve had to be patient as the backyard birds slowly began to trust again after my absence, so I’ve been enjoying the Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, the Mockingbird, my soul-mates the Mourning Doves, Carolina Chickadees, the precious little Downy Woodpeckers and House Finches.  How I have longed to see the Red-bellied Woodpecker return, but no sign of one until yesterday.  And such a return it was!  She flew right outside my window as I was working at my computer and nearly took my breath away.  So striking, different and colorful as she crouched on a limb surveying the area before she moved to the suet feeder.  I was able to capture one good photo of her and gave thanks that I had received such a blessing in that moment. My, what wonders our Creator has done and continues to do in our world of...

Tufted Titmouse

Posted by Pat Stewart on Nov 16, 2011 in Portfolio | 0 comments

Downy Woodpecker

Posted by Pat Stewart on Nov 16, 2011 in Backyard Birds, Birds | 0 comments

One of the most enjoyable feathered friends at my backyard feeder is the Downy Woodpecker.  It’sNorth America’s smallest woodpecker.  I see them feeding along with chickadees, nuthatches and titmice frequently.  The male and female look the same except for the bright red patch on the back of the male’s head.  Juvenile males have the red cap which later becomes the patch more on the nape of the neck.  In winter, they come to my suet feeder frequently as the suet is a high energy blend.  The Downy is quite the acrobat with its clinging feet that enables it to climb, hang and move quickly into flight.  They forage on trees with insects and are never far from their nest in cavities.  Both male and female feed the little ones. I remember the joy when I witnessed the first Downy visit my feeder.  It was the male who would come.  At first, he was cautious and quick as lightening.  He would grab a little suet and off he would go.  For the first while I saw him twice a day usually in the morning and then again at “suppertime.”  Now, the female visits also and I have thought it was just one pair.  They visit so frequently throughout the day that I’m thinking the word of good suet has spread and I have a flock making the...