Sunday, January 1, 2012

Had I but wings like thine

Well, it’ll be back to the real world for me tomorrow and after two whole weeks off from work, I believe it might be a little difficult. Especially when so many others have the day off.

So rather than dwell upon the situation, I spent some time yesterday and early this morning getting things ready for my return. (My clothes are ready and so are my lunch choices). Today we had some company out for New Year’s and the weather was absolutely beautiful. In fact, the whole weekend was rather nice, weather-wise.

I shot some photos of the various birds at the feeders and have come to the conclusion that if we had an additional different seed, we’d get a bigger variety of birds. The only seed we provide here at the Casa de George is oiled sunflower but we do have several suet cakes, and these attract the woodpeckers and nuthatches.

I hope you’re paying attention because there’s going to be a test later.

 

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You think I’m kidding, don’t you?

Common visitors to our feeders include the tufted titmouse above. They can be quite loud, especially when warning others about possible predators (me, I assume).

 

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Another tufted titmouse on the wing.

 

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The black-capped chickadee is a curious little bird who’s not the least bit shy.

 

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This one’s sitting at the extreme top of the tree on a piece of dead wood up there.

 

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The cardinal, on the other hand, is quite shy.

This is such a beautiful bird, but this one was hiding in the brush and difficult to capture today.

 

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This white-breasted nuthatch is after the big seeds in the suet.

The nuthatch got its name from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into the bark of trees and then whacking on it with their sharp bill to ‘hatch’ out the seed.

This is a little bird, but it’s a pretty vocal one.

 

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These two little male house finches were enjoying today’s 50 degree temperature while sunning themselves at the top of the dogwood tree. Of all the birds that visit our feeders, I enjoy the song of the little finch the most.

 

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Here’s another.

I love the lacy shapes of the dogwood branches in the background.

 

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Had I but wings like thine,
Free bird of flight,
To scale the heights that only wings can reach,
Or steer my passage o'er yon seas of light,
Whose cloudy beach
Is ever shifting like the sands of
time.

~ Martha Lavinia Hoffman (1865-1900)

I am loving my new camera and the new lens. Have a great week, all. I hope the New Year brings peace and happiness.

123 Signature[5]

44 comments:

Deb said...

great photos....enjoy your week back to work....

Christie - Fine Lines said...

Those wings are pretty amazing!!!

Cheryl said...

The prose is beautiful, and again, your photographs are stunning. I hope your week at work is uneventfully enjoyable.

abb said...

You are so deserving, my friend.

Well, except for tomorrow - you deserve another day off!

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos ! I have in our feeders wild bird seed with the fruit in it as well they love that as well I have feeders with oiled sunflower seed , suets, whole peanuts and niger seed I have 12 feeders all together spread around the yard , we get all kinds of birds as well but not as much as I would like due to all the stray cats we have hanging around. Miggy often barks and scares the cats away for a bit but they always return lurking in the hedges ! Happy New Year to you and your family !

tj said...

...Wow. I'm lovin' your new camera and lens too. Gorgeous photos!

...My personal fav' is the second photo. I love the transparency of the wings as well as how the lil' bird's feet are outstretched. Sweet. :o)

...It's been unseasonably warm here too. Yesterday it got up to 60 degrees. Weird. Now tomorrow it's supposed to be very windy with wind chills in the teens. Brrrrrr! *shivers*

...It's always hard to return to work after having time off but once you're there for a few hours then you get back into the groove and all is well once again. :o)

...Happy New Year! My hope is the new year will be filled with happiness, love, prosperity and good health for you & your family.

...Love to you & blessings too. :o)

Jill of All Trades said...

Oh my Kay, those pictures were so beautiful, especially the first tufted titmouse in flight. LOVED IT!

Happy New Year!

Live with Flair said...

How glorious! I love the one taking flight. It looks like an angel might.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Gorgeous! Love your new lens too. Sorry about your return to work tomorrow, I don't have any words of comfort other than summer will be here in the blink of an eye.

Chrissykat said...

Great pix. I love to bird watch. How about adding Safflower seed? I think it's less messy than some other mixed seeds. The wings photo is so calming & lovely...nice job!

Candace said...

Your bird shots are gorgeous and the wings in the last photo...beautiful. Happy 2012!

Nellie said...

Kate, wonderful photos! Those bird shots are lovely!

It was always an adjustment for me to return to work after this holiday! It sounds like you've taken some positive steps to make the week back more bearable.

Happy New Year!

Low Tide High Style said...

Sorry you have to head back to work tomorrow. Your images are all beautiful, but that last shot...WOW, simply stunning!

Kat :)

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Hopefully you'll be able to ease into your day tomorrow!

Stunning photos, especially the last one!

Donna S. said...

Ah yes, back I go tomorrow too!! Not looking forward to it. Mondays & first working days of months are bad enough but I took last week off also. Everyone around here (son & kids) had an awful cold & I managed to avoid it. Other grandson (almost 3 yrs) visited with nasty cold & guess what I'm coming down with? Oh well, that's the way it goes. Downing vitamin C & using my netti pot.

Have a good week!!

Andi said...

Happy New Year dear Kate! Praying this year brings you much joy and peace.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Happy New Year, Kate! I offer the same things here at These Nine Acres...oiled sunflower seeds and suet cakes. And I get the same visitors at my feeders. I do believe that might be because we only live about 30 minutes from each other! Speaking of which, I can't believe we can't get together when we live this close. Phooey.

JaneK said...

beautiful, Kate, just beautiful!

spindrift,maine said...

Your words and photos are such a comfort tonight, Kate! I have major macro lens envy. Tonight all is quiet here with our busy little grand-girl out for the count. Holiday excitement winding down. Your birdies make me smile, know peace. Happy new year, dear Kate!

spindrift,maine said...

Your words and photos are such a comfort tonight, Kate! I have major macro lens envy. Tonight all is quiet here with our busy little grand-girl out for the count. Holiday excitement winding down. Your birdies make me smile, know peace. Happy new year, dear Kate!

Bluebird49 said...

I love the Tufted Titmouse and the chickadee--all of them. And I loved your NYC pictures, but was even more glad you got a chance to get away to the big city and see it all--I know you needed it. So glad you got to see both sons--and I'm glad your husband was able to be alone to while you went!

Jan's camera said...

Happy New Year, Kate. I'm studying for the test.

LL Cool Joe said...

It appears that the the US and UK get very different birds. Love the photos.

Yep today is a bank holiday here in the UK, but tomorrow my partner will return to work, and I have to say I'm quite pleased, although the kids will still be around for a bit longer.

Happy New Year!

Chocolate Cat said...

Beautiful photos! I am back to work tomorrow as well, I am so not ready!!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

oooh, those translucent wings, Kate. You're amazing with bird captures, really. I need to find hte patience. Seagulls were all I got yesterday. And they're easy.

Mental P Mama said...

Happy New Year, Baby! If it makes you feel any better, I am going to go to my office and get some stuff done too. xoxo

The Weaver of Grass said...

A Happy New Year to you both - and good health too. Lovely photos of birds which we never see in the UK.

Kerri Farley said...

Oh Kate ..... I am truly Smitten with these images!
The last one of just the wings .... makes my heart skip a beat!
Wonderful post!

tina said...

stunning bird shots!

Anonymous said...

OK, I've been out of the loop for a couple of days. Just caught your additional NYC photos and these unbelievable birds. Awesome! And what is the new camera? A D7000? And the lens? Do tell. And are you using a tripod on these feathered friends because, if you're not, you're rockin' it! Happy New Year!

Charlene N. K. said...

Lovely birds captured wonderfully! Nice poetry too.

thecatalanway said...

I love your bird photos - you are so skilled at capturing their essence. The black capped chickadee sitting majestically on top of the branch is wonderful and I LOVE and titmouse in flight. I can't imagine having these birds in my garden - of course there was a great variety in Cornwall but now I live here in a Spanish city we have only a few which come to the terrace. So I enjoy yours even more. I wish you a happy and peaceful new year and I hope your first week at work is not too hard. Best wishes for 2012 Katy xx

Anonymous said...

I thought I might be seeing a clarity I hadn't noticed before. so so lovely. Love the shy little cardinal. those are from my home state of Missouri and I don't get to enjoy them here in New Mexico. You always have a way with the birds. the wing shots are so ethereal.
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne
http://cheyannesexton.etsy.com
ps I work as well so don't feel bad.
p.s.s. Happy New Year too

Anonymous said...

I thought I might be seeing a clarity I hadn't noticed before. so so lovely. Love the shy little cardinal. those are from my home state of Missouri and I don't get to enjoy them here in New Mexico. You always have a way with the birds. the wing shots are so ethereal.
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne
http://cheyannesexton.etsy.com
ps I work as well so don't feel bad.
p.s.s. Happy New Year too

Anonymous said...

I thought I might be seeing a clarity I hadn't noticed before. so so lovely. Love the shy little cardinal. those are from my home state of Missouri and I don't get to enjoy them here in New Mexico. You always have a way with the birds. the wing shots are so ethereal.
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne
http://cheyannesexton.etsy.com
ps I work as well so don't feel bad.
p.s.s. Happy New Year too

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

Beautiful photos. You are mastering the new camera. I need another lens. Yes, need is the right word. LOL

Jeanne Walker said...

Happy New Year, Kate! I am loving that photo of the wings...I chose to think that angel's wings may be on this order! If you should decide to put this photo up on Etsy, please let me know!!!

Sorry you had to return to work today...but you are now one more day closer to spring break!

beth said...

our birds are scarce this winter and it's making me sad....thanks for sharing yours :)
xo

Mary said...

I miss feeding the birds. We stopped because the feeder was attracting squirrels who were, in turn, trying to gain entry to our attic... Now we have had several bear sightings in the area, so the bird feeders close to the house doesn't seem like such a great idea again.

Love your wings-- fabulous!!! xoxo

mrs mediocrity said...

I am loving your new camera, too, that wing photo is gorgeous.

We used to used a mixed seed, but most everything but the black sunflower seed ended up tossed out onto the ground. Sn now we just use that, they all eat it when they get hungry enough!

Georgianna said...

Happy New Year! Incredible photos, Kate! That last one is really heavenly. Wishing you a wonderful 2012 that's even better than you can imagine. xo – g

Lili said...

Phew...no pop quiz at the end, I was ready too Kate! ha! Gosh your birdie captures have such a beautiful and delicate quality. I especially love the last one and that quote. xo ~Lili

Lisa said...

Wow Kate I loved this last shot. I wont forget it.

GailO said...

Oh lovely new camera and lens! Besides the black oil sunflower seed I have been using thistle seed and that feeder is hard to keep full! All the finches love it an I have been getting pine siskins there too...It's a little pricy but I buy it at a job lot.