Here comes the light – Spring draws near
I haven’t had much to say.
But I thought you might – maybe want to hear
How we passed the winter away.
So scroll on through and I’ll share with you
Tales of dinner and play.
Birds at lunch, they’re a happy bunch
When seeds are filling the tray.
Six vignettes from February and March, 2015
LITTLE FRIENDS
Really wishing there were two.
Then comes along another little friend.
“I was hoping that it would be you.”
Till one little friend just has to leave.
TAKE THE SEED AND GO!
FLYING AND FLASHING
Oh how we love to flutter about
Flying and flashing, that’s our thing!
THE TUFTED TITMOUSE
The Tufted Titmouse, such a cute little bird
I know – its name is rather absurd
And its tuft is too cute for a word.
ME AND MY COUSIN
Me
and my cousin
He’s a fabulous guy
He’s great in the air
Wow! Can he fly.
But when it comes to looks
He’s just a little shy.
I am the one
with the bright red eye.
THE CARDINAL CLAN
and I bet that you can see how.
And that is how we passed the winter away. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Thank you dear Jim, they are so beautiful photographs, so beautiful…. as if I was there too 🙂 How lovely these little wings… Have a nice day, love, nia
Thanks Nia. Yes, they do have lovely little wings – upon which they flit in and out, all winter long. 🙂
Darling little creatures; so gracious with their spread wings and cute little eyes… Another heart-melter! 🙂 Thank you Jim!
Awww, thanks. They do have cute little eyes. Thanks for noticing. 🙂
Hi Jim, you got some great pictures! Your bird feeders look very busy!The birds FINALLY found our feeders and now they come by every day. I love to see them.
Best,
Gabrielle
Thanks Gabrielle. Yes, it was a busy winter at the feeders. The silver tray (which is really just an inverted pan lid) on top of the post was immensely popular. I’m glad the birds have found your feeders. Henceforth, they will know where you are and expect you to feed them. In return for which they will provide you will endless diversion through the winter months. Such fun. Have a great day! 🙂
Hi Jim,
I’ve enjoyed reading a wonderful writing and exquisite photos… This is the best blog post ever….Thank you Jim 🙂
Hi Bethula. Thanks! That is the nicest comment ever. I have noticed that you like an engaging combination of verse, nature and compelling photos, so I guess nailed it for you this time. Thanks again. Have a wonderful day. 🙂
Your posts are always excellent, well-thought posts. So I enjoy them each time, unfortunately I cannot comment each time, that I regret now…(Deadlines are killing the joy)
A happy Sunday 🙂
What a delight to see all your friends! >
Thanks. They do seem like my little friends. I would posit, though, that this is not quite ALL my friends. I have a few human friends too. And, well, you know… the squirrels, deer and flowers – they are kind of my friends too. 🙂
Incredible, Jim! Love the captures of their wings, actions, … so precious. I agree, another heart -melter! Thank you so much, Jim. 🙂
Hi Amy. Thank YOU! On the photography side, I bet you can appreciate that a good combination of snow and sunshine bounces so much light around, the action photos are doable – and FUN. 🙂
I just love your poetry these days… and the photos of all your friends! You sure have some lovely looking friends!
Thanks Meg. Glad you love the poetry. And yes, we are a fine looking bunch around here, me and my friends. 😉
What fun photos!!
Thanks. Such fun and adorable subject. 🙂 Have a great day!
Awesome, beautiful pictures and the birds, they are so pretty 🙂
Hi Alice. Yes, they are so pretty. Thank you for the nice compliment on the photos. If my notion of geography is correct, you have about the same amount of daylight there as we do here this week. Good for you. On with your sunny summer! 🙂
Hi Jim, yes, you are right about the amount of daylight 🙂 Spring Equinox was on March 20. So we are on with sunny days and more daylight hours day by day. Looking forward to see pictures from your garden waking up 🙂
How beautiful! I’m looking forward to seeing your view of spring through the camera 🙂
Thanks. After a hearty winter, spring is just now opening up and smiling on us here. I love it. Have a wonderful day. 🙂
Hello Jim and welcome back! Oh I just love these photos .. what a stunning collection. Thank you so much! 😀
Hi Julie. Thanks. I was hoping you would like my collection of pretty winter birds. A dry old summer down there eh? I hope you finally got some rain. 🙂
I have my fingers crossed 🙂
They are great pictures! Well done at getting such wonderful action shots 🙂
Thanks. The action shots are fun and challenging. The settings are tricky enough, but I find the hardest part to be catching those fast little birds in motion. So often – poof! They are gone and I have a picture with no bird whatsoever. 🙂
As an avid bird watcher this post made my day, thanks.
Hooray. I love making someone’s day. 🙂 We do have some lovely birds in these parts and it is my pleasure to share. Thanks for appreciating them. 🙂
Gorgeous pictures! You really got some great shots with such detail! Bravo!
Thank you so much. I appreciate the nice compliment. The birds are so intricately beautiful, it seems only fair to capture – and share – some of those details. Have a great day. 🙂
I love your stories and photos! The shot of the cardinals sitting on the stump is incredible. I love how they are almost sitting boy/girl/boy/girl all the way around. I also love the female cardinals and that bright pop of color on their beaks. The males are so bright and flashy but the females have a little color here and there. I loved the titmouse and nuthatch photos, too. Growing up, I used to watch those birds at the feeders, but I just don’t see them where I live now. Do you take requests? How about some blue jays, I miss seeing blue jays 🙂 Just kidding. Great post!
Thanks. The cardinals are a curious bunch. Sometimes the males all come together and the females all come together. Other times they come as a mixed group. Rather like humans. My favorite bird is the nuthatch but I think the female cardinal is the prettiest of the lot. So subtle and understated, yet packing those beautiful accents of color. 🙂
Oh Jim, These photographs are just breath taking! As an Australian, the birds are unfamiliar but I can see you have a great fondness for them and great patience to be able to capture the detail of their lives. All the birds are beautiful. You have especially done justice to the female cardinal finch with those gorgeous pink wing and tail feathers. Perhaps the colours seem more vivid because of the snowy background?
Hi Margaret. Thank you. So glad to share pictures of birds which you don’t see in your parts. Indeed, I am fond of them. And yes, I love the subtle beauty of the female cardinal. She is the prettiest bird of the bunch. I have found that the snowy background helps a lot. Perhaps it accentuates the colors, but more so, it allows the camera to work in such a way that it can capture really vivid detail, allowing the natural beauty of the bird to shine through. Thanks for appreciating that beauty. Have a wonderful day. 🙂
I love your photos… Thanks for sharing!…
Thank you. I’m glad you love them. It is my pleasure to share. 🙂
Beautiful pictures!
Thanks. Beautiful birds! 🙂
Beautiful winter bird shots! I’ve missed your posts. I also think the female cardinal is a beautiful, often overlooked bird. Happy Spring!
Thanks Grower. I bet you are getting you plot ready for a heck of a growing season, eh? Yes, the female cardinal is the star. The subtle, understated, “I don’t really care if you notice me” kind of star. She’s awesome. 🙂
As usual: fun and fabulous!
Thanks. Fun and fabulous – what a nice compliment! I’m running with that….. 🙂
Winter has brought forth all those fabulous pictures you have been waiting to take and we have been waiting to see. Thank you. I wish I has a go-pro when a little hummingbird came and sat 5 feet from me while I was watering my veggie garden.
Yep, winter is the time for bird photography around here. For one, they are here, seeking food at the feeders, flitting in and out, engaged in a fascinating social dance of who gets to be at the feeder when. And two, with snow and a bright sky, the light is right to capture some fun action shots. The trick is, as you note, to have the camera in hand when the birds present themselves. Have a great day. 🙂
Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing them with us!
Hullo JIm, This is an invitation to join a 5 day black and white photo adventure, you put words and pictures together so poetically. Hope you will iffen you can:: info. on “rules” here:
https://creekrose.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/two-step-black-and-white-3/
Have a lovely spring 🙂
Great images and stories.
Really awesome, amazing photos 🙂