Birds

 

Yesterday began and ended with birds. The fog was dense and the air was frosty when the crows arrived just at dawn. I hadn’t even taken the camera out of the closet yet when I heard them cawing.  They were hopping from post to post, and then visiting the feeder. Perhaps they were excited about our first frost. I was!

 

 

 During the day I noticed a variety of birds and I made sure all of the feeders were filled. I’ve added a woodpecker block, suet, and seed sack for the finches. I only wish the other critters that climb and walk would leave most of it alone, but I guess we all have to share. I’ve been hanging things higher and tying more securely. And we all loved the squirrel photos last year, so I shouldn’t complain about paying my models.

 

 

 

It was sunny and warm by the time the heron was strutting his stuff on the dock. I walked down toward the pond just to see what was going on, and didn’t even see him sitting there until I started to unlatch the gate.  I walked very, very slowly through the grass and used my butterfly technique- take a shot, take a step, take a shot, take a step.  I managed a couple of decent photos before he flew to the top of the tree across the pond. He looks so silly perched up there, and his hold seemed precarious, but he actually stayed there for a long time.

 

 

There have been ducks on the pond all week. I love to see them and I hope we have a few all winter. We always kept ducks and chickens and sometimes geese when I was a child. In fact, seeing the birds yesterday reminded me that there have actually been more birds in my life than cats or dogs. I’ve mentioned before that my grandmother treated her beloved parakeet, Tweetie, like a child. He was free to fly throughout the house during the day and usually perched on the lamp in the living room to watch everyone. He often ate from her plate or drank from her glass.  He bathed in the kitchen sink.  He whistled loudly and was generally entertaining. He lived twelve years.

Grandad had a pet crow who only tolerated the rest of us while perched on Grandad’s shoulder. He “talked” in a scolding voice if we got too close. Thank goodness Grandad kept him in a cage outside next to the guinea pigs.

Mom kept a parakeet for a while. And when we lived on the ranch in CA we had a dozen in a cage on the patio. When I was in the eighth grade my social studies teacher moved and left me his flock of homing pigeons. At various times Dad also raised doves, quails, pheasants, turkeys, and “novelty” chickens.

As an adult I have had a parakeet, finches, and doves. We raised white doves one year and I enjoyed them so much! Their cooing was so peaceful and soothing.

So I guess my fascination with our feathered friends is a natural progression, and I look forward to observing them this winter. I hope there are birds outside your kitchen window and that you take time to watch them each day. If you don’t have feathered friends, I urge you to invest in a feeder. It will be well worth the money.

 

Comments

[Megan]

We don't have the variety of birds you have, but buying birdseed is on the list this week. Our high on Wednesday is going to be 19. Our bird friends will need some assistance. Out comes the heated bird bath.

All set up, of course, as winter time cat tv. : )