Birds

Tales of Dinner and Play

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

One little friend150225_01

Having a meal.150225_02

Really wishing there were two.150225_03

Then comes along another little friend.150225_04

“I was hoping that it would be you.”150225_05

Now two little friends150225_06

Are enjoying a meal,150225_07

Munching on a seed or two.150225_08

Till one little friend just has to leave.150225_09

“Alas. Oh Shucks. Boo Hoo.”150225_10

TAKE THE SEED AND GO!

A slick little dude150303_03

The nuthatch is coolIMG_8238

He can walk highIMG_8043

Or low150303_01

When he wants food150303_05

He’s nobody’s fool150303_06

Take the seed150303_07

And go!150303_08

FLYING AND FLASHING

Flyng in and flying out150306_01

150306_02

Oh how we love to flutter about150306_03

150306_04

Flash some tail150306_05

And a whole lot of wing150306_06

Flying and flashing, that’s our thing!150306_08

THE TUFTED TITMOUSE

The Tufted Titmouse, such a cute little birdaa150309_01

I know – its name is rather absurdaa150309_02

But you must admitaa150309_05

It’s a cute little titaa150309_06

And its tuft is too cute for a word.aa150309_08

ME AND MY COUSIN
Me150313_01
and my cousin150313_02
He’s a fabulous guy150313_03
He’s great in the air150313_04
Wow! Can he fly.150313_05
But when it comes to looks150313_06
He’s just a little shy.150313_07
I am the one150313_08
with the bright red eye.150313_09

THE CARDINAL CLAN

The Cardinal Clan150317_01

starring the Man150317_02

so bold and red150317_03

and Wow.150317_04

But really it’s Her150317_05

whom I prefer150317_06

and I bet that you can see how.150317_07

And that is how we passed the winter away.  Thanks for stopping by.  🙂

49 thoughts on “Tales of Dinner and Play”

  1. 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

  2. Darling little creatures; so gracious with their spread wings and cute little eyes… Another heart-melter! 🙂 Thank you Jim!

  3. 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

    1. 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! 🙂

  4. Hi Jim,
    I’ve enjoyed reading a wonderful writing and exquisite photos… This is the best blog post ever….Thank you Jim 🙂

    1. 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. 🙂

      1. 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 🙂

    1. 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. 🙂

  6. Incredible, Jim! Love the captures of their wings, actions, … so precious. I agree, another heart -melter! Thank you so much, Jim. 🙂

    1. 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. 🙂

  7. I just love your poetry these days… and the photos of all your friends! You sure have some lovely looking friends!

    1. 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! 🙂

      1. 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 🙂

    1. Thanks. After a hearty winter, spring is just now opening up and smiling on us here. I love it. Have a wonderful day. 🙂

    1. 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. 🙂

    1. 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. 🙂

    1. 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. 🙂

    1. 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. 🙂

  15. 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!

    1. 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. 🙂

  16. 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?

    1. 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. 🙂

  19. Beautiful winter bird shots! I’ve missed your posts. I also think the female cardinal is a beautiful, often overlooked bird. Happy Spring!

    1. 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. 🙂

  21. 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.

    1. 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. 🙂

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