Spring Posts

There are new posts about Spring on
http://www.captivatingwoman.blogspot.com/
which you may enjoy.
You can leave comments there, as well :)

Bursting Forth in Spring

After spending what seemed like a long time 'sorting' through stuff (others might call it Spring Cleaning), I got weary of looking at inanimate objects and decided I needed to go outside and feel Spring in my yard.
Spring is such a vibrant time of year! I love the feeling of everything stretching, bulging with promise and bursting forth in the most beautiful symphony of color and fragrance! I don't know how anyone can be outside and not feel how delicious it is - I wish I could drink it!
I took some photos from around my yard to honor the One who is responsible for all the glorious displays. He has my full attention and I love Him so! I could sing of His love forever!

(above) This Fair Maiden - a purple pansy - over wintered!

You can see that she bears some scars, but she lives! ! !

The Chocolate Bunny

Childhood memories of Easter are vivid in color, aromas and feelings.
I loved the Easter lilies in the church, the ladies' Easter bonnets (which soon went out of style in my life time), the triumphant hymns. Then there were all the colored eggs of all sizes - from regular eggs that were painted to the little foil wrapped chocolate ones.

I don't know why, I've never figured out what it is in me, but the thing I remember most and appreciated the most, was the Chocolate Bunny. I remember receiving one every Easter for years and I remember feeling the same way about it every time.

The bunny would come in one of those display boxes and I never wanted to open it. As a kid, I was amazed by the 'art work', the wonder of 'how this could be made' and I could see a 'personality' in its face - even though I was fully aware that it was only chocolate:)

I remember the struggle - I wanted to eat it because it was always the most delicious chocolate of the year, at least to me, but I also wanted to save it - savor the moment, savor the wonder. Almost always, my desire to save it won out, at least for a while, and the bunny would sit on my dresser for weeks before I would sit down and open it up. I would run my fingers over all the ridges and curves, and then, take that first bite. My, oh my! how sweet it was...

Busy Day

It was a beautifully busy day at the feeders today! Two mourning doves came back to visit a couple of times today. I finally was able to get the camera and some shots before they flew away this afternoon. They are so sweet - and I really enjoy their presence at the station.

Then this gregorious house finch came. I could tell right away that this guy had attitude. He coloring is brilliant right now and he is feeling like the world of bird seed belongs to him! The photo below is a moment when he was interacting with another bird. There was a lot of fluttering going on - I'm wondering if it is a female house finch?

The trees and hedges are fairly vibrating with the sound of bird songs and the feeders are needing to be filled about every other day now! ! ! I can't help but dance inside for joy at all the excitement! What a beautiful time of year!

**Click on photos for an enlarged view**

WOOO - HOOO! ! ! ! ! ! ! SPRING NEWS! ! ! ! !
ITS NESTING TIME IN MY BACKYARD! ! ! !

Today is the first day the little birds have started pulling cotton for their nests! I'm soooo excited! I love to watch this activity. They come and pull and pull until they get a huge amount of fluff in their beaks - I don't know how they can see where they are flying! Its adorable! I love the whole idea of them weaving it into their nests and then lining the inside of it with these soft white fibers.
A couple of years ago, when we were trimming the hedges, we found several nests (There must be over a hundred nests in there!) lined with the cotton. I LOVE IT! ! ! !
If I remember, the balls are not that expensive and I have no problem thinking it is money well spent. I get to enjoy hours of watching the birds use it, and I don't know how many momma birds and their babies that benefit from it too! :)
This year, my cotton balls were given to me at Christmas. A huge thank you to Rebekah - I'm still enjoying all the treasures you packed in that one box!

** You can click on the photo for an enlarged view**

Quote for Today

"Be like the bird that, halting on its flight

Awhile on boughs too slight,

Feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings

Knowing that she hath wings."

Victor Hugo

Rialto Beach, Washington in April

Gorgeous, beautiful, sunny day on the Olympic Peninsula today, and Rebekah and I headed for the coast to Rialto Beach. By the time we got there, the wind was up and the water had an aggressive restlessness about it. I've never seen it like this before - but, then, just about any time I go to the coast I get acquainted with another side of its personality!

With my back to the ocean, it was blue sky and there were flocks of seagulls that flew along the tree line - I didn't get very many shots and no great ones to speak of because my attention was really on the ocean.

There was a bank of fog rolling in and when our ears and hands were numb we walked back to the van. That's when I noticed that my lenses were covered in salt water spray!

I so love God's creation! The sound, the colors, the textures, the fragrances -- all alive, all like music to my soul resounding with, "All is well ! " and THAT my soul knows very well !

Spring Formula Question

In the Wild Birds Unlimited email flyer I referred to yesterday, there were some ads for 'seasonal' products they were promoting. Being a novice birder, and this is my first Spring/Nesting season to be paying attention to, I am wondering if these products are necessary? Do any of you change your formulas this time of year?
Currently I have chopped sunflower seed and niger thistle mixed in tube feeders; and,I have a tray feeder with black oil , peanuts, safflower and the homemade peanut butter suet.
I copied the advertisements below for you to see what they are promoting.

What say ye?

Now is the time to offer your birds our Nesting Blend.
This blend is bound to satisfy a bevy of birds in your backyard
with its mix of HULLED sunflower seeds, tree nuts, peanuts,
safflower, dried cherries and calcium, an important ingredient
for making strong egg shells during the nesting season.
For best results, offer this blend in a hopper style or tray feeder.

During nesting season, many birds struggle to get
an adequate amount of calcium in their diet.
Egg Essentials are suet snacks that contain the
necessary calcium to help make stronger eggs
and healthier bones for mother birds and their babies.

They Are Coming! ! !

I was beginning to wonder when I would see American Gold Finches at my feeders! It seems to me they have been here earlier in other years when I didn't have feeders! I was getting impatient -- of course! But, I received an email 'flyer' from Wild Birds Unlimited and here is what it said...

"The Finches are making their presence known! Today April 2nd the first Purple Finch showed up
at the feeders in our garden and we had a report of American Gold Finch in Seattle!"

So, as you can imagine, I am watching with eager anticipation for them to make their way to the Peninsula :) And, of course, I will let you all know as soon as they arrive!

Have a super Sunday!

New Blog to Check Out

There's a new bird blogger on the block :)
http://www.birdlovers101.blogspot.com/
Jayne introduced him on her blog and I stopped by to visit him.
He's got a great start for 12 years old! You will be impressed!
Go on over there and check him out - and leave an encouraging comment too!