Merry Christmas!

"May your days be merry and bright..."

from my heart to yours

iphone photo - 12/21/09

The Twenty-Third

Yesterday, the 23rd -
a deep emotional day for me, yet, I found
many "gifts" in my day -
shopping in the evening - I enjoyed the experience!
shared a lovely dinner with my daughter and son-in-law -
came home to find a box - a gift - my first Canon SLR camera!
AND on the 23rd of the Dec. (1st anniversary month for my bird blog)
I found Follower #23 joined! - Welcome!
I have felt the spirit of Christmas everywhere this week for the first time since
childhood...
Merry Christmas Eve to all !

Remembering~~~

Today, my heart remembers my daughter, Odessa.

March 30, 1982 - December 23, 2005

She walked into heaven's gates from the top of

a mountain where she had been skiing.

She is dearly loved and greatly missed.

Gold finches, Gold finches, Gold finches ;)

(I think there are 17 gold finches in the above photo -

in addition to 7 (?) house finches! I know you only have

my word for it, but there were more here earlier this morning ! ! !)

Last winter, I had so many pinesiskens - I think one day I counted 60 at the feeders at one time!This year, I haven't seen one so far.
Last winter, I didn't see one gold finch - until late in the spring!
This year, I have gold finches! I've never seen them here in the winter, nor in such numbers when they are around. In the summer I remember being excited to see 5 at one time - but, for the last couple of weeks there are more and more coming to feed and drink.
This morning I finally got some passable shots to post. Through the window (grrrr....), and dark, windy, rainy day (more grrrr....). But, I wanted to share the fluttering news with everyone!
Besides the gold finches, there are other birds ;) None of the chickadees were here when I had the camera out this morning. I've seen a half dozen of them at one time - which, again is unusual, since I've observed that they tend to shy away from crowds ;) And, of course, the house finches (and mates) and gold crowned sparrows.
I chuckle when I scroll back in time to a year ago when I first put up the feeders. Even though my Bird Sanctuary Dream didn't become what I dreamed, that hasn't stopped the birds from coming! And that really is the point, isn't it :)

Birds in a Puddle :)

I was just commenting to someone the other day about the great number of birds this year. There are quite a few gold finches - which I have never seen here in the winter before. Lots of juncos, and house finches, of course and sparrows.
We just had a down pour and there was so much excitement outside - little bird bodies everywhere! Flying from trees and shrubs to feeders and in every puddle in the yard! It was delightful to watch!
Unfortunately, this photo had to be taken through my kitchen window :( I know, I know - but if I had opened a window or the door, well...you know the story ;)

First Snow

In the last couple of days, it seems that many parts of the country has had a "1st Snow" - and I was least of all expecting it this morning when I woke up. It is just a dusting, but it lifts my spirits to a level of excitement, expectation, wonder, and delight. That's the one thing that has never changed in my whole life - the love of my world lightly covered in snow. Have a wonderful Sunday!

I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.

One Year

(photo taken with iPhone a couple of mornings ago)

It was one year ago, today, I wrote my first posts on "My Bird Sanctuary Dream." I have only 142 posts, but I took lots of photos and I am amazed at how much I've learned this year! I can recognize many more species now. I can identify more songs than I knew before. I've learned some of their unique characteristics. I have really enjoyed them coming to my feeders and have fallen in love with many birds that I didn't take a passing glance at before; and, I've gotten a little better with the camera(s) at hand.
But, the greatest discovery of the year was getting to know all of you! From the encouraging and helpful comments you've left on my blog, to the window into your lives through reading your blogs - it all added up to finding a circle of friends that not only has birding in common, but also the struggles and joys of life in general.
I don't know where birding goes from here for me, but it will always be a part of my life to some degree. Because of my life, right now, bird news is scarce; I keep the feeders full, and there is lots of activity, but there's nothing "new" to share. However, I do love the nature that surrounds me and can't help sharing that with you sometimes.
I wanted to thank you for making this year a delight! Thank you for all that you've shared with me - and, in case I don't get to post between now and the end of the year, I want to wish you all beautiful, meaningful holiday moments and lots of birds at your feeders! God bless!