Beauty in the back yard

At first glance, you might think this a small crow, but its actually a Brewer's Blackbird giving our backyard the once over from his lofty position atop a spruce. Alas, this shot doesn't show the iridescence on his body.

Now, I'm not one to get all gaga about sunsets, but sometimes, the sky just begs for a camera. This was taken from our balcony where I think I was out directing Bruce on how to properly barbeque.  Since he's only done it for as long as I can remember, he probably needed my help, right?

Garden friends

Since I've asked him to record the various birds in our garden, Bruce has taken an avid interest in my camera and can make it perform tricks I hope he'll teach me.  I generally see my camera perched on the top of a tripod these days and that pleases me greatly.  

Note:  I've included links for the songs of these birds.  They may take a minute or two to load.

He's taken some pretty good shots of our avian visitors.  This first is an American Robin.  This guy is sitting on top of a rhododendron in the pouring rain, fluffed up to keep warm.  Here's how he sounds.

American Robin

When Bruce told me we had chickadees in our yard, I was skeptical. I hadn't heard the call I learned to mimic as a child on our Alberta farm, nor had I seen anything that looked to me like a 'real' chickadee with polka-dot wings.  I still haven't heard them sing, but Bruce captured this guy noshing from the suet feeder.

Here's a link for chickadee bird calls.  The one I remember is the second one, our little guy is down the list a bit farther.  Both are beautiful songs.  Note Bruce's handiwork on providing a perch for the suet feeder. Garden twist ties have so many uses!

Chestnut-Backed Chickadee

The last of today's trio is a white-crowned sparrow who adds this note to the garden orchestra.  You might recognize that branch as the favorite place of our hummingbird .. seems to be a good vantage point for all.

White-Crowned Sparrow

I suspect shenanigans

Each time I park my car, I get to look at this amusing little vignette.  Tucked in amongst the peiris, our smug little sculpture waits for the birds to come visit from the suet holder Bruce has set up.  From the relative comfort of his office chair, he and the cats lolling on top of the file cabinet can watch the show.

Our local bird store has suggested filling a suet holder with bits of fur (lord knows we have enough cat fur around with both cats blowing their coats), lint, string and cotton bits to help the birds with their nesting needs.

Bruce's interest in the birds of our garden has certainly been mirrored by our own family felines, whom we often find crouched down by a window in 'hunting mode.'   Ours are no danger to the birds, not being allowed out, but we do have a neighbour who lets her cat wander about and he finds our yard quite delightful.  I wonder if it's the sun-warmed patio flagstones or if it's potential meals.  Call me suspicious, but I think there's funny business afoot.

The Birds ...

Spring has sprung,
The grass has riz.
I wonder where the birdies is.

Dorky poem perhaps, but a staple of my childhood.  I can still see my father's grin as he recited it.

Bruce asked Santa for, and received, a book on birds of the West Coast.  It's since sat handy to his telescope, coffee cup and comfy chair.  It turns out that we have quite a selection of birds in our yard, and Bruce has said that he'll do his best to capture some of them on film for me.

So, the answer to my father's perennial poetry query is ... the birdies is in our backyard.  ::grin::

Anna's Hummingbird

 I've misidentified this bird in my files, so I'll need t fix it .. this isn't a ruby-throated hummingbird - the rubies are on the other coast and like warmer climates than do Anna's.  This particular bird likes the very top of our arbutus tree; apparently he's set himself up as a sentry for the yard and he can certainly view the whole zone from this perch.  He's quite ferocious with that long beak and the other birds are very wary of the little guy.  He must be the chihuahua of the bird species.

Spotted Towhee

I've never even heard of towhees before last month. Now it appears that this bright little fella is one of many who visit our yard, along with assorted swallows, chickadees, finches, wrens and other sparrows.  Normally, the spotted towhees spend their time on the ground in the leaf litter, so catching him on a branch was a stroke of luck.  That, and the mating season when males grab a good vantage point to sing songs for their ladies.  After all, in spring a young bird's fancy turns lightly to thoughts of love ... if you'll allow me to shamelessly abuse Alfred Lord Tennyson for my own amusement.

Enjoy!

Also, the poem quoted at the start is known as "Spring in the Bronx" by Anonymous.  Isn't the internet wonderful?