Mallards and a Night Heron
For Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge: M or N words
M and N
Tag: birds
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Feathered Blessings
My sick bed – where I was confined for three years – was on the main floor, with a window at my feet. Just outside, my husband installed bird feeders – a condominium of choices to draw feathered friends.
Now, I am able to get outside, and commune with the birds in their own settings, but still, two feeders hang outside the window, and I love to sit on the porch and watch as sparrows and finches vie for a perch.
Feathered blessings never get old.
Downy Woodpecker
Frenetic movement just outside my window alerted me that I had company. Parked along the river, I was searching for the young eagle, and equally as delighted to find a Downy Woodpecker in close proximity.
Too busy with his task to notice me, he kept up his antics and I took advantage of the situation.
(For Cee’s Black & White Photography Challenge: any topic)
Note: V.J.’s Weekly Challenge should resume next Monday, all going well.
Flight Day
While fishing with our granddaughter down by the falls, we are joined by an osprey, also looking for a catch. None of us has any luck, and the osprey moves on.
We decide to follow him back to the nest. Mom and babies are in residence when we arrive, and after a bit of observation we realize that one of the young ones is finding his wings preparing for first flight.
After stretching his wings a few times, he practices lift off, then seems to confer with his mother.
Dad arrives just as junior takes first flight, circling the ball diamond and landing on a light post.
Pardon the photo quality. The day is windy and overcast, and in my excitement, I fail to hold the camera steady.
This fishing exhibition turned out to be quite memorable.
New Baseball Fans
Baseball is big in our town. Home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, we have several diamonds, attracting ball fans from far and wide. This year, we have a family of new fans with a view of their own.
When we first spotted the nest, there appeared to be one young osprey peeking over the top. On a subsequent visit, we noted two. This photo clearly shows three, but I’m not sure we’ve seen the whole crew yet.
More entertaining to me than baseball, I confess.
(Linking up to Granny Shot It’s new challenge: Bird of the day.)
Sparrow Study
As common as these little birds are, did you know there are about thirty-five different sparrow species in North America?
Personally, I love sparrows: their happy chirps, and perky presence always makes me smile. The featured bird and this younger version above nest in a creeping vine on a nearby carwash. Although, I am in no way an expert, they fit the description of House Sparrows.
This Chipping sparrow, with the red crown, nests in a neighbour’s bush, and came out to pose for me in the rock garden.
Look how sweet this Song Sparrow is! Nature’s artistry is masterful.
Lately, I’ve been paying more attention to the more common birds, discovering they really are quite uncommon.
