Bird Watching

I love it—when my garden gets invaded by birds. Of course, it wasn’t just any kind of birds this time… it was the very big fat orange-bellied robins! The harbingers of spring!

Can you imagine? Ah yes, a whole flock of them moved in for a whole full day last Saturday. It was so much fun watching them feeding on ripening fruits on shrubs and trees… from the crabapple tree to the American holly to the dogwood berries, back to the crabapple tree…

Some of them decided that a bath would suit them just fine before they started back into the long journey ahead of them. Were they flying south? I like to believe that as they were flying to a warmer somewhere they looked down and way down there saw the house in the roses, then decided to make a stop in this little oasis.

Many scientists say the American Robin's spring migration follows the "line" formed by 36 degree average temperatures and it’s been so strangely warm around here—above the 30’s on many a day this year. It’s hard to believe we are still in the midst of winter.

The Red-winged Blackbirds were here too; although not in a Hitchcock-like numbers.

I love the soothing song these birds emit. They may not be too ostentatious in their plumage, but they were certainly gifted with a lovely song.

The little Black-capped chickadees mingled with the much larger Robins; content in their surroundings.

These birds store seeds and insects in crevices and under structures on the ground, such as twigs. They were making such a delightful ruckus in the garden as they searched for food in heaps of dry leaves.

It was enchanting—the sound; the swishing muffled sound of birds and dry leaves in the ever so quiet afternoon. Moments so soothing and captivating.

And just when I thought things couldn’t get any better a Northern Flicker showed up out of nowhere for a little bit… it was a fleeting moment; almost an ephemeral passing. Like a dream. Was he really here? I am glad I was able to capture a glimpse of this bird with my fuzzy lens… so enthralled I was.

I know we still have a long way before the first daffodils start breaking ground. Certainly, our ever so changing and unpredictable weather can surprise us with some unexpected minus nippy-ness any day, but in the mean time there is sunshine, and sunshiny days across my window... and that is enough for now.

How are your days? Anything exciting? Interesting? Mysterious? Funny? Anything at all? Please do share!