Wednesday, April 29, 2009

BIRDS OUTDOORS AND IN


Yesterday's rain and dim light lasted much of the day. This picture of a Swainson's thrush is barely worth posting, but I have a soft spot for thrushes, so here s/he is. This morning very early, I heard one plaintive flute trill in the half-light. I'm not any good at differentiating thrushes by ear, so I can't say if it was the little Swainson's. I lifted my head off the pillow and opened one eye (why does that help to hear better?) but then a loud pushy bluejay announced his arrival, and I heard no more from the thrush!



Late in the afternoon, it cleared and brightened, and that 's when a small flock of American goldfinches showed up at the niger feeders, the males burning like bright little suns all their own. I love this shot of the male and female pair - has she fallen head over heels for him, or is it just because of the seed port location?





The tiny bunch of white-throated sparrows has moved on. One day was all they spent here, but I always keep one in my library. It started one day when I was wandering around a craft store, I saw an unpainted wooden birdhouse, and an idea formed. Next aisle over I found a small decorative bird with pink and purple feathers. I painted the birdhouse sky blue and dabbed some sponge trees on the sides, and repainted the bird to look like a white-throat. Then I took a popsicle stick (orange-flavor, I think it was) and glued it across the front with the homeowner's name written on it. I don't think white-throated sparrows nest in houses; mine may be the only one.

18 comments:

Great Grandma Lin said...

you are celebrating spring inside and out. I aired out my house today and worried with both doors open and no strings that I might get a bird inside but luckily none ventured in...

Indrani said...

Lucky, you ave so many birds around you.

Kim said...

Love your birdhouse idea!! It is so nice to see all of the birds you are getting now that spring is here.

Sylvia K said...

It is wonderful that you have so many birds around! Love the birdhouse! Isn't it wonderful to celebrate SPRING! finally!!!
Lovely post! Have a bird filled day!

bobbie said...

I love your bird house.

Had to laugh at the head raising, one eye opening thing. I think I hear better with my glasses on.

Kat Mortensen said...

This was a charming post. I enjoyed your white-throated sparrow and goldfinches (love that topsy-turvy effect). I also enjoyed looking at your books. I'm really intrigued by what I can see: "walked into a bar?" Do tell. What's the first line of the title?

Kat

Deborah Godin said...

@Kat - that's a great book, the full title is "Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes" You laugh, you learn, what's not to love!

dennis said...

Dennis likes your nice (drool) bird pictures (drool)

Anonymous said...

I took a thrush photo last week just about like that, but I kept it since it is the only thrush shot I have taken.

Hey, your birdhouse matches your blog.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great bird photos, Deb... I don't think I've ever seen a thrush... BUT--we have plenty of Goldfinch. Love the males and that bright yellow color this time of year.

Cute bird and birdhouse in your library.
Do you have to feed him???? ha ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Dianne said...

I love the birdhouse you created
and I love the way you arrange your shelves, I do the same thing - books going in different directions and lots of treasures in between

SandyCarlson said...

Spring has come to you and brought some very handsome friends in on the breeze!

Cloudia said...

"the males burning like bright little suns all their own. "
A charming post that reminded me what's great sbout today!
I too have a soft spot for the little guys. We must be birds of a feather! Aloha

Shelley said...

I do believe that female finch was swooning upside down in love! LOL! Love what you did w/ that birdhouse- adorable!! (I collect birdhouses.)

Ruth said...

I have a hard time telling the thrushes apart. On Ontario Birds today they reported that 5 thrush varieties were seen at Point Pelee today. They are beautiful singers.

magiceye said...

wonderful captures all and of course the interesting tale to go along with it..

Quiet Paths said...

The males burning like little bright suns all their own.... gorgeous! We still have crossbills and of course the finches burning like suns at the feeder too.

Squirrel said...

Yesterday I saw a male cardinal and a couple of blue jays hopping around... that sight was enough to make my heart glad. I also love tufted t's and robins.... and so many others, but the red and brilliant blue is so eye catching.