Language Translator

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Bird's Eye View Of...what else? * Birds!

"Aww, Chickadee on a limb!"  Sweet!
Photo taken in Fort Worth, Texas
by Suzanne * February 6, 2012

So...how long has it been since I've been here?  A month or two, you say?  Well, I just wanted to give everyone a chance to take in my information on the 'Herb of the Year', 2012.  I saw it to be a nice surprise, since some of us only see herbs as Basil, Cilantro, etc.  And, of course, Herb himself!  I never considered the Rose to be a (an) herb, but, I was pleasantly surprised, since the Rose is so fragrant and desirable.  And, I've got my rose bushes pruned back, and leafing out for the first showing!

We've just been blowing and going since the holidays...cold weather, warm weather-the plants and beautiful creatures of nature don't know if they're coming or going!  And, we've been fortunate to have recorded some of nature's activities thus far.  Karo spotted a Chickadee outside our kitchen window one day...oh, we love Chickadees and always welcome them with open arms...or, to be exact, open seed bells!  So we ran out and got a couple of them to hang near our favorite kitchen window.  This window, much to our dismay doesn't offer a beautiful view...just the house next door.  But it's the closest quarters in which to view our favorite birds over coffee!


Carolina Chickadee * Photo by Suzanne * January 22, 2012

It was about 5 or 6 years ago that we first discovered these cute little birds outside our kitchen window.  We had hung a seed bell hoping to encourage the goldfinch we had seen flying in and out of the honeysuckle that grows on the fence.  Gradually, there appeared 6 to 8 of these chickadees at a time-very exciting!  But, for the last few years we haven't seen anymore...until January of our new year!  Chickadees are natives of Maine and Massachusetts. 

During the fall migration and winter, chickadees often flock together. Many other species of birds, including titmice, nuthatches, and warblers can often be found foraging in these flocks. Mixed flocks stay together because the chickadees call out whenever they find a good source of food. This calling out forms cohesion for the group, allowing the other birds to find food more efficiently.

These guys are busy little bees...I mean 'dees'.  And it's hard to distinguish between the male and female chickadee.  During my research, (of course) I learned that the male is only a little longer and perhaps wider than the female.  And, his white area is whiter, while his black areas are blacker...hmm!  I guess the male does all of the singing, actually the males compete for the females thru their singing.  Whoever sings the longest and prettiest, gets the 'gal'!  I did go to YouTube and listen to some chickadee sounds...so pretty, and I recognized them from sounds I've heard outside my window.

Here is a short video that Karo captured recently of a Chickadee feeding outside our window, then, going to work on his home...loved it!


Well, did y'all like it?  Notice I said 'Y'ALL'!  That's how I really talk, even tho I'm from Kansas.  We didn't say y'all, or even 'howdy' in Kansas.  But, just like the Chickadee adapting to our environment in Texas, so have I...Haha!

I do have some other birds in my library, but I don't want 'youse guys' to fall asleep whilst reading this, so, I'll have to save them for later.  But, I guess I could post a few pictures we have taken.  I was amazed to see these birds, and their behavior.  They share the seed, and even take turns.  We've watched the Cardinals share with the Tufted Titmouse, and also the Carolina Wren-now that's a pretty little bird with unusual markings.

~Birds of a Feather, Flock Together

photo by Karo * February 16, 2012
There they are!  Aren't they cute?  I mean, he's looking Karo smack, dab, in the eye!  So, you can see the detail on these birds feathers...looks like scalloping on their tails and wings. The bird in front appears to have bushy white eyebrows, like, say, Larry Hagman?
  ...sorry, just kidding!


photo by Karo* February 10, 2012
And here we have the 'Tufted Titmouse'.  They say it got it's name because of it's face resembling that of a mouse.  There are about 4 of them we've seen coming to our bell.  Two at a time...and they share with the chickadees and wrens.  I saw a video on YouTube where they were eating out of the hands of a young woman.  They are sweeties indeed!

Our little menagerie consists of the Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, and a few others that I hope to mention at a later date. 

And thanking my resources:
Karo
Google
Yahoo
wikipedia
all about birds
and, of course, my birdseye view!

***
I'm so glad you stopped by and meandered...thank you all for your kind comments, and, also, for your great blog posts.  It's an amazing experience, conversing every few days, once a week, or, once a month with folks who share the same, yet different interests.  Many of you have unbelievable talents that I don't possess, but, that I share an interest in. 
Hey!  So, that makes us even!!!

"Be as a bird perched on a frail branch
 that she feels bending beneath her,
still she sings away all the same,
knowing she has wings."
~Victor Hugo

Whitney Houston
August 9, 1963 ~ February 11, 2012


'til next time mes amis! ♥
 


10 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your birds with me. We had a lady from one of the Wildbird Nature Shops come and talk to our group at church Wednesday, it was quite interesting as this weekend is the 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, she had several blown-up pictures of various birds common to this part of the country. Wish there was some way for me to run off copies of your pictures and do a show and tell next week, I may just try it and see if I can make copies.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Mom, I'm glad you liked the birds, and I have emailed them to you. Hope you're able to print them to show at your meeting. Happy Sunday! Love, Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, Susan! I love your bird pics and video. I take seed outside every day to feed my birds and squirrels and have two birdbaths. Sometimes a large woodpecker flies in and we also get large (3 to 4 ft. tall) sand cranes that walk in from neighboring yards. They go door to door begging for any kind of scraps people are willing to give them. I found two injured birds on my property in recent years. The first was a baby blue jay that had fallen from the nest on a cold March day. The nest was too high for me to reach to return the baby so I took it to a woman who operates a wildlife rehab. I was back at the same woman's door a couple years later when I found a starling with a broken wing walking around my property unable to fly. I caught him in a carton and transported him safely to the rehab center. I hope you're having a swell weekend, dear friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. * Good to see you Shady! I've never seen a big woodpecker around here, just photos. And sand cranes! Wow! They probably eat a lot. I also have two birdbaths, a lot of dove also come thru here, and they love to congregate at the birdbath. It's admirable of you to save the birds you can. I don't know if there is a wildlife rehab around here. I'll have to check into it. Thank you so much for stopping by and saying hello, and for your wonderful bird stories. It's been a cool, rainy weekend, but, nice just the same. Take care...see you soon!

      Delete
  4. Such sweet little "dees" and they look like they are enjoying the seed treats you put out for them.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Sunday Nancy! It's amazing what one seed bell will do...so, we put a second one up for more birds to come. Next, I'll try standing still with a glove on to see if any will come and eat! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. See you soon. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  6. wow...karo's picture of the 2 on the seed bell is great!!
    and the video too!

    thanks for the chickadee break...i needed that...between appointments & doing laundry! ugh! trying to catch up on some way behind blog reading!

    they are such cute little birds!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura, yeah, we were so surprised to see that photo of the two birds on the bell turn out so good. He took the shot from inside thru the window. NO FEAR!!! And, the chickadees are the cutest...such busy little bees. Hope you're having a great week Laura. Thanks for stopping by! ♥

      Delete
  7. Hi Susan, just loved all the info on those gorgeous little birds. I'm especially taken with the Tufted Titmouse - it has the cutest face!
    Great photos and, as always, a beaut post.
    Cheerio for now xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Susan! The little birds are so precious. And, yes, the Tufted Titmouse has such an adorable face. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. And I had no idea what it was. Finally found it on the internet.

      Thank you for coming by and for your nice comments! Have a lovely week! ♥

      Delete

What is your favorite flower today? Stop by and say hello!