Eastern Bluebird ~ Sialia sialis

This morning I tossed a few more seeds on the front porch rail, sat down here at the computer, gazing at the brilliant white of sun on frozen snow, telling myself "no more bird photos today, need to get on with other projects while confined to the house for another day"...........................................


.................when who arrived right outside the window forcing me to grab a camera off the dining room table, slowly raise the blinds, and start snapping away, the delightful Madame Bluebird, bringing proverbial happiness!

She stayed a few minutes, her spindly legs and feet seemingly glued to the sparkling snow, eating a few seeds, looking out over the garden and posing for the camera. I say 'she' because of her duller blue, the male being brighter.


Through the 1940's to the 1970's, the population of the Eastern Bluebird spiraled downward due to changing agricultural practices eliminating nesting sites, pesticide poisoning and some severe winters. This has now been reversed thanks to backyard birders, conservation organizations and farmers, by placing incredible numbers of nesting boxes throughout the their range. The birds responded and are now on the rebound, even becoming common in some areas including here in North Carolina.

The critical feature of a bluebird nest box is its entrance hole which must be exactly 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) in diameter to prevent use of the box by starlings. In addition, the birds prefer boxes located in field type settings with scattered trees not closer than 25 feet.

(Info. from Garden Bird Facts)

Eastern Bluebird ~ visiting the porch January 31, 2010

To see other visitors to the garden yesterday during the snowfall, check my previous post.

Snow Birds

Our snowfall turned to sleet early yesterday morning. The sharp gritty noise it made on the bedroom window woke me just before first light. It continued much of the day making the hoped-for fluffy, sticky stuff, change into blowing drifts and then a hard crust. The landscape was transformed. We were unable to open the back door as the hard snow was piled against it - DH had to go around with his snow shovel (a relic from our Northern years!) and dig us out! The bitter cold will continue for several days. Our birds arrived at dawn. The feeder birds assisted in scattering seed for the ground feeders, all were eating well. It's on days like this DH and I feel money for seed was well spent. The birds are grateful for a meal to keep them warm and their body weight correct enabling them to fly.

Tufted Titmouse ~ year-round feeder visitor.

Male Northern Cardinal ~ often at the feeders for oil-type sunflower seeds.

Female Northern Cardinal.

Brown Thrasher

When you look out the window and see this big 'ole guy staring you down, not scared, not even shy and retiring, just be thankful he has graced you with his presence. He liked having his photo taken, many times, and then decided to sit on a pile of old books under the potting bench.

Brown Thrasher ~ usually only comes to feeders in severe Winter weather.

Song Sparrow ~ rarely visits seed feeders.

Male Rufous-sided Towhee - always bouncing along and visits feeders.

Black-capped Chickadee ~ at the feeders as long as seed is offered.

.......and yes, he and his family were out there in the snow very early, gobbling the dropped birdseed of course!

Here's a list of birds who visited the garden yesterday. I wasn't able to catch them all with the camera - guess they move even faster in the bitter cold to help stay warm!

Song Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Mourning Dove

Towhee

Titmouse

Chickadee

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown Thrasher

House Finch

Carolina Wren

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Blue Jay

Weather forecast..........be prepared

Oh gosh! Those weather people were right this time. They said prepare........run to the store for bread and milk, large containers of warming liquid refreshment...........................

......................soup ingredients, flashlights, batteries, or good old fashioned candles. Head to the wood pile, stack some logs near the back door.

Pyracantha and Rose Hips.

Funny how preparing for snow has one out in the garden checking about for flowers to pick before they are covered. I discovered the first snowdrop (can Spring be far behind?)......peeking out yesterday afternoon.

Snip pretty Pansies for the kitchen window sill.

The feeders had to be topped up as birds leave their houses and come early morning.............staying all day when snow arrives.

Squirrels seem to know when snow is just around the corner.......running recklessly up and down tree trunks, jumping from branch to branch, checking out the squirrel - make that bird feeders - and flapping those Winter bushy tails that will keep them warm.

Do come visit again later.............I'll show you the beautiful birds in my garden. They're always there but show up so much better in the snow. For those of you up North, probably tired of snow by now, please bear with us here in the South where we're having our first real Winter Wonderland. Being 'snowed in today' is a really big occasion!

All images from yesterday - Jan. 29, 2010

Old Friends - Best Friends

Paula & Mary

I thought about showing we two old broads in our youthful days. Those 1960's days when we first met in Washington, D.C. Young, fresh-faced, bee-hived hairdos and all!!! But why spend a lot of time in the past, wishing for what we were, when the here and now is so very special.

Jenny & Paula

We enjoyed every moment for three full days. We visited SuzAnna's Antiques and were welcomed with the best coffee cake ever - a sweet gift from Susie and Jenny. We dug in to foods from around the world , French, Italian, Thai. We shopped a little, looked at real estate, hugged family who stopped by, played with cameras, stayed up late by the crackling fire.................and talked and talked nonstop.

Much was bittersweet. How could it not be when a special man is gone from our foursome of so many years. Paula is a strong, wonderful woman. She was touched that so many of you left such kind words following her great loss. Much of our chatter revolved around travel. Paula has traveled the world, and plans to continue.......something her late husband Sterling would want. I'll let you in on a little secret, actually it's a huge secret, about a trip being planned. I'm so excited and will share details soon.

Pink Saturday and a Birthday

A week ago on Saturday, the lovely Susie of SuzAnna's Antiques in Raleigh, celebrated her Birthday. Plenty of pink around that sunny day. I was happy to be able to stop by and add my greetings for a wonderful day and a great year ahead.

Mini cupcakes and hazelnut coffee ~ tons of new treasure for sale ~ and guests were given $5.00 gift certificates. Imagine, Susie's birthday and she gave us gifts!!

Pink Saturdays are double fun when a dear one's Birthday is celebrated. Thanks to Beverly you can stop by How Sweet The Sound and find a lot of blog friends sharing their celebrations.

Best Friends

My best friend arrives tomorrow.
Leaving rainy, windy California.

Bringing sadness.

Her dear husband gone just a short time.
A few showers and some cloudy days here.
Inclement weather can't stop the warmth between dearest friends.

I will offer comfort.
Tears will be shed.

Cancer will be cursed.
Memories of wonderful times shared over forty plus years.
And then..............brighter moments as we plan ahead.

The future offers hope.

We will celebrate a special man in a very special place.

~ Best friends forever ~

Other Families and a Special Birthday

Who were they? The people in these vintage family photos from long ago. Family outings and reunions in front of country houses; chubby faced babies; pretty girls in white dresses; little boys in Sunday suits........

............mamas and papas with serious faces; grandparents staid and starched; sweet young things in Summer dresses and straw hats.

Don't you wonder how our family photos will be viewed in years to come? Sad to think that technology has changed everything. We will not be be sepia toned on sturdy card stock with deckle edges and hand inked borders. Instead someone will type in a password to pull us up in full color on a bright screen. They will not hold us in their hand wondering which family member we were.

Don't you love how Susie, Jenny and the creative gals at SuzAnna's Antiques have displayed this great array of old family photos?

Yesterday was Susie's birthday. Vanessa was back from Brazil, Anna, armed with her own chainsaw (brave woman!) to help a friend chop down a tree, and yours truly, just had to accept Jenny's invitation to stop by the shop to celebrate with cupcakes and great company.......and we were gifted too. $5.00 off anything in the shop coupons so you know we had to buy something - show you later!