The Gardener's Friend

Here he comes, the perky robin in his gay red breast --- He perches on the barrow, absolutely self-possessed. . . . Looking for a snack perhaps, his dinner or his tea. But I'm inclined to think he likes a bit of company.

He carries on a conversation, chirping, twittering --- making friendly observations --- idly gossiping . . . And whether it is warm and fine or winter cold and grey --- He comes around to have a chat and pass the time of day.

~ Patience Strong ~

Legend of the First Robin

The Legend of the First Robin

One day, long ago, a little bird in Galilee saw a large crowd gathered around a Man carrying a heavy wooden cross. On the Man's head was a crown made from a thorn branch. The thorns were long a sharp. The little bird saw that the thorns were hurting the Man. It wanted to help Him, so it flew down and took the longest, sharpest thorn in its tine beak. The bird tugged and pulled until the thorn snapped from the branch. Then a strange thing happened. A drop of blood fell onto the bird's breast, staining it bright red. The stain never went away. And so today the robin proudly wears a red breast, because it helped a Man named Jesus...

Author unknown

Morning Walk

A chilly morning. No sunshine and the weatherman says none for a week. But winter provides its own charm and beauty. A walk about the ponds at the park provide many interesting things to see. There's a beaver trail and fresh chew marks on the beavers chosen tree. A great blue heron flies away because he doesn't like being disturbed. And a pheasant creates lots of noise as Lucy, the dog, flushes it out of the woods. A robin looks puffed up in a tree as he tries to keep warm while a blackbird sings its unique song as we walk by. There's ice on the some parts of the pond and ducks in another. Dried grasses and weeds, rushes, and twigs. There's not much color but monochromatic has an interest all its own. Isn't it fun to find objects of interest all around, even on a winter day?

Nature Speaks

We welcomed spring this year with beautiful blue skies and clouds that seemed to speak expressively as they changed formations and reflected light and shadow.  It was a perfect day for a walk along the wildlife refuge trail.  We've been seeing huge flocks of snow geese from our house, and their presence enticed us to go to the refuge waters to see what else was there.  We were not disappointed, as white pelicans, swans, Canadian geese, and a variety of ducks were enjoying the quiet waters of the refuge ponds.  Red-winged blackbirds and robins filled the air with their sweet sounds.  They seemed so expressive and joyful with spring's presence.  It's been a cold winter, and there isn't much new growth yet along the trail.  It will be a few more weeks before dormant plants really believe that spring is here and respond to its warmth.  But even dried grasses and sagebrush have a beauty all their own in their winter state.  A beautiful sunset pleased us as we completed our walk around the wildlife trail loop.  The gentle lap of serene waters and the sounds of birds chirping as they found places to roost for the night were added delight to our senses at the end of a welcome day.  I'm so glad that spring is on its way, aren't you? 

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

A New Note

"There's a new note in the choirs that sing upon the leafless boughs.  There's a new song in the air today --- a song that seems to rouse --- and resurrect the life within, grown cold in winter hours --- Waking all the old sweet dreams --- of blossoms, buds and flowers.  There's a new hope in the world today because of this glad sound.  There's an urgent and an upward thrust of green things in the ground.  There's a new joy in the hearts of men because of this strange note:  this rapturous reveille from some little feathered throat."

~ Patience Strong ~

Riverwalk

Easter week-end and sprouting greenery on hillsides and in fields coincide each year. It was the perfect day for a walk along the river. Although breezy, the weather was pleasant and comfortable. An old railroad bed has been converted into a trail that goes for miles and miles. It was easy walking along the river shore. But before long we couldn't resist leaving the trail to find pathways to the windmill and down to river's edge. There we found a large colony of terns, gathered together in the shallow of the river. Some flew overhead, and others could be seen diligently swooping and circling for fish. Off-shore, two large osprey nests were being constructed by two pair of osprey, large raptors that feed on fish. They were busy building the nests on the tops of tall poles. Although they had to fight against the breeze, their strength was evident as they carried branches and twigs longer than themselves through the sky from a nearby grove of trees. We observed one struggle to get it set on the nest when it missed its mark and the stick fell to the ground. Instead of flying down to get it, the osprey didn't miss a beat and flew off to get another from the distant grove of trees. Spring must be here; many kinds of birds were active today along river's shore.

The picture on the left shows an osprey bringing twigs to its nest. The picture on the top right shows the terns, but they blend in so well with the water, they are difficult to discern. The sagebrush is turning a lovely silver-blue, showing signs of spring growth.

Click on the pictures for a closer look.

Gull and Fish

Rylan's note:

Also taken at the refuge. I didn't notice the small fish in its mouth until I saw it on my computer screen.


Photo copyrighted by Rylan 2007

Great Blue

Rylan's note:

I was surprised to see this Great Blue Heron. Usually they hang out at the far side of the refuge, and in a place that isn't easy to get to... unless you want to be covered in ticks and waist deep in water.

Still using my Sigma 50-500 and my D30.

Photo copyrighted by Rylan 2007

Reflection

To persevere is always a reflection of the state of one's inner life, one's philosophy and one's perspective.

David Guterson

Rylan's notes: I (finally) managed to get a picture of this guy. I had been trying for a week and a half. Again, I used my Sigma 50-500 and my D30 [previous Canon].

Black-necked Stilt

Photo copyrighted by Rylan 2007
taken at the nearby wildlife refuge

Buddies

Goose and Turtle rest together on a log, enjoying the sunshine on a calm day. If you listen carefully, you might hear their neighborly conversation (in your imagination, of course). According to Rylan's notes, this was one of his first shots using his Sigma 5- - 500 lens.

Photo copyrighted by Rylan 2007
taken at the nearby wildlife refuge

Peculiar Goose Dance

Rylan has titled this picture "Peculiar Goose Dance". I'm interested in his notes about this photo. They read:

"These guys were standing on a floating log out in the water. They must have stayed there for over an hour."

These guys? It sounds like they are neighborhood buddies. Well, maybe they were, as this was taken at the wildlife refuge just down the road. I believe Rylan took this photo several years ago. It was about the time he had just gotten his driver's license. He would take photo excursions by himself and birds and waterfowl were his area of photographic interest at that time. If he knew that the geese stayed there for over an hour --- that means that he was there just as long, observing. What patience!

Photo copyrighted by Rylan 2007
taken at the nearby wildlife refuge

Hospitality House for Mr. and Mrs. Bird

Last week-end when we were wandering on the mountain, we found the side latch open on this birdhouse we had fastened to a tree several years before. Brent peered inside and it was empty, so he closed the door and latched it securely. Today, as we wandered again, he happened to open the latch to look inside. There was a perfect nest, ready for a new bird family. How exciting it will be to watch little ones grow, right at eye-height as we take gentle peeks in through the latched side door! It's always amazing what can happen in the span of one short week!

Mourning Dove Pair

A pair of Mourning Dove's has set up housekeeping in our weeping cherry tree which sits right outside our family room window. We are able to observe all the comings and goings quite easily from our perspective. The Mourning Dove is a member of the dove family, Columbidae. These beautiful birds habitat ranges from Central American to southern Canada. Since we have been able to observe our Mourning Dove pair quite freely, I thought it would be interesting to learn more about this lovely pair. According to Wikipedia, the male leads the female to potential nest sites and the female will choose which one she wants. It is the female dove who builds the nest, a loose structure made from twigs, conifer needles, and blades of grass. The male flies about, gathering up material for the nest and bringing it to her. Generally a Mourning Dove clutch size is two eggs. They are small and white-colored. The male incubates the eggs from morning to afternoon. The female at night and for the rest of the day. Evidently they share quite freely in the parenting process. They are devoted parents and their nest is rarely left unattended. Incubation takes approximately two weeks. Once hatched, their young are very helpless with closed eyes and are downy covered. Both parents feed their young 'crop milk' that is produced in their intestine until the babies are gradually augmented by seeds and adult foods. The young remain in the nest for 11 - 15 days and then leave the nest, but remain near so their parents can continue to feed them for several more weeks. It is going to be interesting to observe this process! I hope the little ones remain nearby so we can watch them grow.

Fly Away

Our little robins decided to fly away this morning. The three tiny little babies grew quickly and by yesterday were really pushing at the edges of their nest. Their parents were kept very busy keeping them fed. They kept up a constant flight pattern from nearby tree to their off-spring's nest. By yesterday afternoon, one of the babies was missing. This morning Brent found it in the garage. Evidently it had flown out of its nest and through an open door. It spent the night in the garage without parental support and was found in the bottom of a waste basket this morning! Brent carefully took it back out to the tree where it's siblings were. He placed it on a nearby branch so as not to alarm the other little ones. It seems the babies were excited to be together again. Within minutes they had all fledged and flown to different sections of the back yard. Off they went into the big world! Their parents are busy today, responding to their peeps and teaching them how to survive.

Good-bye little birdies! It was fun having you so close!

I couldn't bear to post a picture of an empty nest, so this post is photoless. :)

The Little Robins Grow

The little robins are growing by leaps and bounds! They are now about 10 days old. I think they enjoy 'peeking' at us as much as we enjoy 'peeking' at them. They are still cozy and content in their nest, but are pushing the edges and will be soon be learning to fly.

Speaking of God's creatures, early this morning we were able to observe one who likes to come out at night. For quite some time, our dog food and cat food has been disappearing faster than our pets can consume them. We've been suspecting stray cats or neighborhood dogs as the culprits! About 4:30 am, Brent heard a sound on the porch and went to see what was there. Much to his surprise (and delight) there was a large raccoon chomping away on the cat food. Because Calli has a 'self-feeding dish', there was plenty of food! For thirty minutes Brent observed (by porch light) the raccoon climb here and there on the porch furniture with ease as it explored for tidbits of this and that. He ate out of Calli's dish for a very long time. Finally satisfied, he decided it was time to cross the lawn and breach the fence to his home in the wildlife refuge. Although crayfish and other raccoon goodies are abundant there, it seems he enjoys the ease of commercial pet food! It's time to start feeding our pets inside for awhile! It seems the Mr. Raccoon is a big eater!

Robin's Egg Blue

Mrs. Robin has laid three perfect, blue eggs this week. . .one a day for the past three days. One more egg and her clutch will be complete. Then she will be ready to start incubating them. Robin's lay only four eggs, sometimes five. Even if an egg is broken or stolen, Mrs. Robin will not lay more --- but will be satisfied with two or three eggs --- as long as she laid at least four to begin with.

Aren't Mrs. Robin's eggs a beautiful color? They are perfect in every way!

Robin's Nest

A pair of robins have been diligently building a beautiful nest in the center fork of our flowering crab-apple tree. Perfect in every way, it it ready for the first robin eggs. Just outside our window and at perfect height to peer in when on tip-toe, we'll enjoy the pair as they raise their young.

For the Birds

It was a beautiful day for an afternoon drive. Sunshine provided warmth, yet puffy clouds shadowed the earth in huge spots and a cool breeze reminded us that it was still early spring. Since spring break is almost over and the eldest goes back college classes on Monday, we decided it was time for a last school-vacation adventure. We drove in one huge circle, spanning two hundred miles of high desert and out-of-the-way places. To us, any place off the 'beat and track' is so much more interesting than amusement parks and commercial sites. Our destination? A small town miles from anywhere with a population of 90 people and thousands of bluebirds!

Bluebird Houses

Situated at 3,000 feet above sea level, this rural community is known for wheat farming and abundant crops. It is also known as the bluebird capital of the world! Farmers and community people for miles around place welcome birdhouses of all colors and designs on fenceposts, sometimes only 1/4 mile apart. On one birdwatching trip, we counted more than 100 birdhouses and that was just on the route we took! There are more, more, more! Each little feathered friend can find room at the inn in this neighborhood. Today we were pleased to see vibrant bluebird pairs winging around birdhouses as if to say "Is this the one for us?".

Vibrant Blues

Bluebirds arrive at their summer home by mid-February. Nesting takes place in April through July. It's during those months that they are viewed in more abundance, but we were pleased with the number we saw today. Their vibrant blues were contrasted by the yellow of the meadowlarks that sat on the fence barb-wire between birdhouses. The bluebirds remain in the area until October and then migrate to more pleasing climes for winter months.