As I returned from my walk yesterday, I heard a bird song in the Ponderosa above me.
I looked up and saw this guy…
He almost looks more like a painting!
Here’s one of his buddies…
One can’t help but smile when hearing the pretty little songs they sing!
May your day be filled with beautiful music…Sing a song of your own!
“Look at the purdy yellow bird!” I can hear my mother-in-law say in her country southern accent.
She loves yellow and she loves birds…. so a yellow bird typically tops her list of pleasures (really close to “red birds”, a.k.a. cardinals).
My husband commented this morning on seeing a bird that he’d not previously seen. He said they were hopping around everywhere and were really enjoying the elm tree. However, he had so far been unable to identify them.
So in the briskness of the morning, I stepped out to see what I could capture.
This little guy caught my attention with an array of antics to feast on buds on the tree. He was among the previously unseen flock. With a little research, we concluded he is an Audubon’s Warbler.
While I was out there, a number of Evening Grosebeaks were making rounds between the elm tree and the pond. This male really stuck out to me.
I could spend hours just sitting and watching these birds along with the other wide variety that feeds and drinks here.
These are for you, Kathleen….even if you can’t see them.
Enjoy!
The ponds are finally thawed, so… the robins are back! Of course one of the flickers is back too.
This morning as I watched, a robin and flicker were standing fairly close together.
As far as the flicker was concerned, his space, as well as the space of everyone directly adjacent to him, is HIS!
He proceeded to let the robin know he wasn’t welcome in that space!
The robin did not take off without a fuss, but the flicker was enough bigger that he didn’t argue long!
Of course that left the flicker quite satisfied with himself!
A different robin seemed quite content to stay out of it and continue his bathing ritual on the other side of the pond.
I hope you enjoy seeing animal pictures as much as I enjoy watching them live!
I was about to step out of the car to get the mail when Matt said, “Look! There’s a hawk…looks like he’s caught something!”
I looked and saw the hawk just a foot from the road and grabbed the camera instead of the mailbox keys!
Just as I did, he flapped his wings up and looked like he was pouncing on whatever it was he had.
He then really noticed me and just looked right at me.
Then gave me a beautiful display of the underside of his left wing. He was probably actually blocking something small from getting away.
Praying for his prey?
As some cars approached he took off to get away from the road. Of course his take-off stance was rather low.
He perched on a power line. At one point I could see something in one of his talons. He bent his head down to his feet and next thing I see is … well, something hanging out the side of his beak. My guess, a small bird.
I LOVE the where I am and the opportunities I have to share beautiful creatures with the rest of the world through my photography.
Some friends gave us a bird bath as a housewarming gift nine years ago. It was then the birds started frequenting our courtyard. We later placed a memorial sign naming the courtyard “Nina’s Aviary Oasis” for her love of birds.
Since then we have added ponds and waterfalls. The population has greatly increased.
Beside the patio out the back door is a set of three ponds. This set has attracted a large number of birds. Currently we have a flock of at least 50 Robins.
This Robin is drinking from the fountain.
These Robins seem to be trying to decide who gets to land next.
Bath time!
Up in the elm tree is a popular place to roost while waiting for a hawk to move on.
The Juniper tree is another great place to await the hawk’s departure.
The entire area truly is an oasis in the desert… for the pleasure and refreshment for birds (and other animals) who previously would seldom stick around for more than a few days, and for pure relaxing enjoyment of anyone who chooses to sit and watch.
What is your place of oasis…your place of refreshment?
I learned the Red-tail hawk was in the tree to the east. By the time I went out the front door and crept around to the back, he was gone.
I humored myself with Robins, Bluejays, Siskins, and various other birds for a while before concluding the hawk probably went and perched on a nearby power pole.
Indeed, he was there. As I approached, he began to screech…the signal he’s about to take flight. And what a beautiful flight it was.
He tilted some so I could see the tops of his wings. Then flew nearly directly overhead So I could get a good look at his underside.
Such a beautiful creature.
It seems he hasn’t a care in the world. He perches when and where he desires, soars as low or as high as his heart wishes.
His home is the trees, his vehicle the breeze.
He’s free. He lives for each moment.
We can choose to do the same. Yes, we cannot live in the trees (very easily) and we can’t fly…..but we certainly can live in the moment and enjoy what comes before us in life and allow our minds and hearts to be free!
On previous walks I saw a red-tail hawk take off from a power pole at the edge of a nearby field.
Today, I saw one perched up there again. I walked down another road to get closer to him. All at once he started screeching.
I have learned that this is his announcement that he’s preparing for flight.
After a few such screeches, he did take off….right over my head.
The beat of his powerful wings makes it very clear he believes he’s the king of these skies. He doesn’t just talk about it….he DEMONSTRATES it!
What a great reminder for us…. Demonstrate what you believe!
I saw a flutter out of the corner of my eye a couple days ago. when I looked out I saw this….
He sat there on the vent on top of the house for a couple minutes before flying down to a nearby tree. It was clear he was after a smaller bird.
Then he swooped around the house and landed on a fence post by the back patio JUST as I walked out the door to look for him.
He was attentive to any motion that could mean supper. I snapped several shots before he launched into the tree.
I so love the opportunity to observe wildlife right in my own back yard!
A restful Memorial Day afternoon was highlighted watching a hawk in the neighbor’s tree.In this case Hawk happened to be watching a Bullock’s Oriole that joined him. The Oriole was flitting about different branches around Hawk. They didn’t seem terribly bothered by each others presence!
I think the two-legged inhabitants of this planet could learn a bit from the two….just live peacefully together.
Below is one of several crows that decided to hang out in the same tree. Most likely watching for Hawk to take off so they could dive bomb him more!
Blue jay ignored the Hawk-Crow adventures. He was having an easy time at finding bugs to eat.
Red Finch perched in a cedar tree to get a good view of the land and all the other birds in the area.
I couldn’t resist a morning walk when I saw the sun shining on the yucca pods in full bloom.
They just glisten in the morning sun!
I love the delicate flowers beside the stout fence post.
The new growth on the Cholla Cactus appears rich and succulent.
Towee was sure enjoying the sunshine too!
Snapdragons prevail in the east field right now.
Red finch seem quite happy to perch on the cactus…it seems a safe place for them since nothing else is going to brave the thorns!
Hummingbird takes time to get some breakfast while the sun shines on his back and warms his wings.
Everything seems to thrive in the sunshine.
Challenge yourself to get out in the morning and see the gifts of nature put out before you! Chances are you won’t have to look far to see something beautiful and perfect. Where ever you are, you can count it your very own nature park just as I count this as my nature park!