Archive for December, 2009
2K10 Wishes
Ok, I am just repeating the news anchor. 2010 and he is calling it 2K10 instead of 2010. My husband asked me why they didn’t call 2009 2K09. Sorry I cannot answer that.
It is snowing here and travel is very dangerous right now. So I am wishing you and yours a very happy and SAFE New Year. I am entertaining guests tonight, and right now it is up in the air as to the safety of them coming about 25 miles for a meal on bad roads, so it is up in the air.
I have other guests too. There are currentlyabout 20 black-eyed juncos (Snowbirds) frolicking on, around and under the caged bird feeder. I call these little birds “happy birds” because they always look like they are playing games and skipping and hopping and smiling. They always have a way of brightening my day.
God bless you all. have a wonderful New Year’s Eve.
A Bit Grateful
The cold let up a bit today, mainly because the winds died down. But, when it came to filling the bird feeders today, I was very grateful for the large capacity feeders, like the mesh bird feeder and the all weather feeder.
In this weather, if I can alleviate a trip out there or have a feeder or two that doesn’t need filling as often as the tube and thistles feeders, then yippee.
Stops Them In Their Tracks
There isn’t too much that will keep the birds away at this time of year. Those that chose to stick around through the winter, and those that migrated here from further north are always here. I sometimes think that I am the only one who feeds them for miles and miles there are so many of them. They cling to the caged tube feeder even when the wind turns it sideways. There is hardly a moment in the day when I can look out and see no activity.
So, it was a bit eery this morning when at an hour that things are normally at the height of feeding activity and there is a solid carpet of birds, there was not one in sight. Out came the trusty bird watching binoculars to see what I could find out, and lo and behold I spotted two Red-tailed hawks sitting at the very top of two trees in the yard. I do think the finches, bluebirds, juncos, doves and titmice decided to stay out of site. I was a pretty impressive site, but as soon as the hawks had flown away, the carpet of birds just came right back and resumed their feast.
Weathering It
Wind gusts of up to 45 mph and cold temperatures that feel even colder when you factor in the wind. Looks like that is our forecast for the next couple of days followed by a rain/snow storm for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Now, I don’t know about you, but that will keep me hunkered down and inside as much as possible. I still marvel that they can even fly in this windy weather, but there they are, and I have to get a move on before I have to leave for work.
I will go out to fill the feeders. The platform bird feeder actually turns upside down in the wind, so it will have to wait, but the caged suet feeders are both empty this morning and they need a refill. They are all enjoying the heated bird bath. It just amazes me. I have a hard time driving the car and walking up the hill in this wind and the birds just take off and fly. Hmmm -
Just Like The Birds
The holidays are so much fun. I have had the privelege and opportunity to entertain family for 2 nights in a row this year. What a great time. Yesterday, three of my grandchildren were here and today, the other 2. it seemed like they had no sooner arrived and poof!
Just like the purple finches that were scouting out the tube feeder and the thistle feeder this afternoon, when I blinked, they had flown away.
With the very cold temperatures returning this week, you want to keep the birds coming back, and they will!t
Tomorrow, after a short shift at the store, I am taking 4 of the 5 little grandchildren ice skating and then out to dinner I know at the end of the day, I will be thinking: there they go, just like the birds.
Australian Christmas Wreath
This delightful picture was taken at Lamington national park, west of the Gold Coast. These are native Australian mountain parrots, the red and blue kind are crimson rosella and the red and green are King Parrots. They are feasting on sunflower seed which Mr. Watt had left for them, but did not expect them to form such a perfect ring.
This “johnnie-come-lately” guy on the bottom is about to jump into the centre, much to the discontent of the other birds.
Now wouldn’t it be a treat to look out at our own bird feeders and find one of these birdies perched there? My platform feeder would look so totally different if I added a couple of the mountain parrots.
Continue to have a wonderful and safe holiday season.
Dashing Through
Yes, a mad dash to the finish. I always put off a lot of the things that need to be done to the bitter end. After my many years on this earth, I have come to realized that I enjoy the hustle and bustle. It gives me spirit.
So, tomorrow will be one of my rare days off from posting to this blog. And, today, BirdEssentials.com and I want to thank all of you for your continued interest, support and patronage.
Wishing each and every one of you and joy filled, memorable and blessed Christmas and holiday season. Remember the reason for the season, and be blessed with the reason Jesus was born. May He be remembered the way He should be. And yes, I am thankful for the opportunity He has given us for eternal life.
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Wishing You Joy
As Christmas day approaches, I wanted to take a minute to wish you all the joy you can imagine.
Find joy in seeing a carpet of white snow on the ground. Share joy with friends, relatives and loved ones. Feel joy at the sound of children’s laughter and their excitement. Experience joy by remembering that jesus is the reason for the season, and whatever doesn’t get done, doesn’t need to be done.
I am thankful to all of you for reading my ramblings. You too can find joy when you have a window bird feeder. It’s the next best thing to having them right in the house with you. Today there were 3 finches enjoying a little snack while I found much joy in watching them.
Have a peaceful,joy filled, healthy and memorable Christmas!
Robust Appetites
I had a wonderful day yesterday with 2 of my grandaughters. What else? We went shopping. They are at an age when they are very difficult to buy for, so we make a day of it, and they get what they want. What I can’t figure out is why they get so hungry so often. We went out to breakfast, and a couple of hours later they were hungry again, then before I blinked it was time for lunch and yikes, another hour or two and we had to stope for a soft pretzel and drink. Where do they put it all?
I got that same feeling when I went out to fill the mealworm feeder this morning. Where do they put all of those mealworms? I am not complaining. The payoff is getting to spend time watching my fine feathered friends enjoying their treat! The robust appetites of the birds is almost par with that of my pre-teen grandaughters.
Double Duty
Wow is it COLD! Yes, I know it is colder in other places. It’s just the wind chills and dampness in the air from the snow on the gound and the chill just runs right through your entire core.
One of the most used items in my yard right now are the bird houses. They are doing double duty by providing shelter to the birds from the cold. The other day I watched at least 6 finches come out of the blue bird house, and though I do not always get up at dawn to see whose been sleeping where, I have been told that they just keep piling into the bird houses until they can’t get another in safely and keep each other warm and just roost in there until daybreak. The other day there several roosting in the decorative bird house. I have to admit, they look pretty funny all stumbling out of there one right after the other.
"…"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"
(Isaiah 9:6)