Thank you Barbara, I so love the birds too! I'm currently waiting patiently for the Swifts to arrive, they bring such joy, soaring through the skies screaming with delight and I'm lucky that they nest in the eaves of a building really nearby. Last year I welcomed a little group of them with a song of 'Wheeee!' when I saw them in the street near my home and they seemed to fly extra low and over my head and scream just for me. It gave me shivers of joy. I also really love the goldfinches (goldies), though I haven't seen so many of them yet; their song is so complex and musical and they are so gregarious. It was interesting hearing the differences in the birds you have there and those we have here and in their songs too. I could recognise most of them. We have Jays for example, but they are coloured differently and look very exotic - the sound they make is very harsh and loud, much more so than Crow. Of course we don't have the chickadee, but on listening to it, I guessed that's what it was. Your new boggy pond looks very inviting. Much love
Hi Clair! I love the Goldfinches so much and the day after I wrote the post they showed up in droves! Along with the first Hummingbird and lots of Orioles. Do you have Orioles?? Big hugs to you! Have the BUGS arrived yet?? 😳🩷
Hi Barbara, no, no way do we have orioles! I might have seen some golden ones in Costa Rica, along with humming birds, but never in London! (or GB for that matter). I'm not quite sure what you mean by BUGS...(the first thing I thought of was the ones certain people would like to see us eating, which is probably my warped sense of humour!), but I don't guess that's what you meant! So far I've seen bees, hover flies, flies, moths, beetles, a few butterflies, though not many, but not bugs like what they call June bugs (these marvellous creatures seem to be quite rare now; they are quite big with pincers and they're quite formidable in a way but I love them and they seem quite vulnerable as well somehow). What did you mean by bugs? 😂❤️
Thanks to you, I’ve been paying attention to the birds in my backyard and there are quite a few of them! I saw this meme the other day that said something like: “what’s up with turning 40 and suddenly you have an aching to be an ornithologist? One day you’re fine and then the next, boom, is that a yellow-rumped warbler?!?”
Anyway, I wanted to quickly update you that the mourning dove taught her two babies to fly and just when I was fixing my trellis and vines for the summer, I saw that the next was occupied again. Now I think it’s just the adult mourning dove in there, but is it the same one? Why has she return? And you’re right, they’re totally mild mannered. I was making all kind of ruckus about a foot away from her and she stood perfectly calm. Strange creatures.
Many cardinals in my yard. Also, the creeping Charlie is out of control and its blue flowers attract hundreds of butterflies and bumble bees. I dare not mow the lawn; I don’t want them to leave.
Thank you for posting this. Love seeing the photos and reading your witchy nature adventures.
Oh my goodness, Tonika! What a gift to have the Mourning Doves there and so comfortable with you. Haha, that meme! Ever since I started posting pics on Instagram I'm part of the bird algorithm and that's just fine with me. :)
The day after I published my post a Hummingbird showed up at the feeder and about a dozen Orioles! I guess they liked what I wrote. :) Big hugs to you, beautiful friend. XOXO
But, when I returned home yesterday after running errands, part of the feeder was on the ground. So, the question is...was it the greedy (I'm sorry but it's true) 🐿️ or was it a 🐻?? Anyway, whoever the culprit was didn't break it. xoxo
Yes! The bears can smell the seed from a long way off. They will take a tube feeder down, unscrew it and chug the seeds. There’s a whole thing of putting hot seeds in the top of the feeder because the birds don’t have the same taste buds so they don’t mind but rodents and bears hate it. Ditto the Hummingbird food. They love that too! Who knew? I sure didn’t! 😂🐻
I just was able to turn on my STRIPE account... Your pledge just got paid, FYI.
Now, if you'd like to explore a T-Shirt option, or a small painting, I can create either with your choice of colors and so forth, just for you! Let me know if you'd like to go there, we can email about it... You have my email, I think? Or message me.
I love reading your posts, they are always uplifting. I love the Corvid family; we have many Hooded Crows, Jackdaws and Magpies around our garden and land here in Cyprus. They keep me amused all day as I go about my gardening jobs. I put out water for them (no natural water sources here anymore, rain not expected now until October). They often steal the cat biscuits I leave on the wall for the stray cats (I will catch and neuter these pesky toms but need to win their confidence first).
The blue of the bluebird! Wow how beautiful he is. The nearest equivalent bird to that colour we have here is the Bee eater and the Roller who are Summer migrants.
I can understand your delay in writing; I think many of us are feeling the urge to be and not do at the moment. Sometimes it's just nice to let go of the pressure we put on ourselves to deliver.
Thank you for reading, Ingrid! I love that your last name is Finch... :)
When I lived in Jersey City, one of my neighbors would befriend and then have the feral cats neutered. I love all that you're doing for your wildlife friends.
So, today, just a day after my post, the first Hummingbird arrived at the feeder and also a bunch of Baltimore Orioles! I've never seen one before and they are something to behold. They love grape jelly and oranges. Go figure!
Yes to wanting to take off that writing pressure. Say hello to the Crows in Cyprus for me! XO
This was perfect to read, post my listening to birds this morning, sitting on a step with my coffee. Yes, no surprise, Barbara is immersing herself in the daily miracle of birds and birdsongs. Of course they heal, like plants do too. And I know you know this.
I always feel uplifted by your posts, and always learn from them too.
Spring is a transition for me as well. I related to the many drafts sitting in dashboard. Some will likely get finished, more won't, and oh, well. Thank you, Barbara. With honesty and humility, you delight.
Gosh, Kathleen, your comments always go right to my 🩷. Thank you. And, oof, that Dashboard thing....our muses need to slow down a bit so we can catch up with their inspirations/ideas! Happy bird watching, fellow Nature-lover! 💚 (Can you believe there are no good bird emojis???)
Barbara, you posted another winner! I loved this. It was a perfect piece to read right before going to bed. So relaxing. That turkey was a riot! Thanks for your beautiful work.
Thank you for reading, Rocket! And OMG, he is a STRUTTER! He usually has at least one female with him. I'm just so happy when they show up. It's like a Turkey parade...they either come out of the woods or up my driveway, single file. It's hilarious. XOXO
Ahhhhh. I've been wondering where you were! So nice to see you back, lovely one.
I, too, have been enjoying the birds... and very very happily seeing them in a sort of resurgence from last summer, when they seemed to ... vanish, almost. I feared they were being EMF'd. Maybe they are, but maybe they adjust, as it seems maybe WE do... over time. I don't know, but I love 'em so much.
Thanks for a lovely paean to the birdies. I don't think I could stand not having them around! And thanks for giving us an update on your doings! Always a treat. xo xo xo
Thank you, Jaan! I'm glad the Birds are there for you, as well. You're not the first person who's mentioned the lack of birds/wildlife they saw last spring/summer. Fingers crossed...XOXO
How exciting to be so "fired up" about our bird friends. You took some gorgeous photos. It's an especially gorgeous one of Tom Turkey. The colors are so subtle but iridescent! Handsome bird!
You have made such a thoughtful sanctuary for the birds. Bravo!
Thank you Barbara, I so love the birds too! I'm currently waiting patiently for the Swifts to arrive, they bring such joy, soaring through the skies screaming with delight and I'm lucky that they nest in the eaves of a building really nearby. Last year I welcomed a little group of them with a song of 'Wheeee!' when I saw them in the street near my home and they seemed to fly extra low and over my head and scream just for me. It gave me shivers of joy. I also really love the goldfinches (goldies), though I haven't seen so many of them yet; their song is so complex and musical and they are so gregarious. It was interesting hearing the differences in the birds you have there and those we have here and in their songs too. I could recognise most of them. We have Jays for example, but they are coloured differently and look very exotic - the sound they make is very harsh and loud, much more so than Crow. Of course we don't have the chickadee, but on listening to it, I guessed that's what it was. Your new boggy pond looks very inviting. Much love
Hi Clair! I love the Goldfinches so much and the day after I wrote the post they showed up in droves! Along with the first Hummingbird and lots of Orioles. Do you have Orioles?? Big hugs to you! Have the BUGS arrived yet?? 😳🩷
Hi Barbara, no, no way do we have orioles! I might have seen some golden ones in Costa Rica, along with humming birds, but never in London! (or GB for that matter). I'm not quite sure what you mean by BUGS...(the first thing I thought of was the ones certain people would like to see us eating, which is probably my warped sense of humour!), but I don't guess that's what you meant! So far I've seen bees, hover flies, flies, moths, beetles, a few butterflies, though not many, but not bugs like what they call June bugs (these marvellous creatures seem to be quite rare now; they are quite big with pincers and they're quite formidable in a way but I love them and they seem quite vulnerable as well somehow). What did you mean by bugs? 😂❤️
lol, no I meant ticks and biting flies which will be arriving soon. It’s a bummer here for sure. Probably like the midges there??
Thanks to you, I’ve been paying attention to the birds in my backyard and there are quite a few of them! I saw this meme the other day that said something like: “what’s up with turning 40 and suddenly you have an aching to be an ornithologist? One day you’re fine and then the next, boom, is that a yellow-rumped warbler?!?”
Anyway, I wanted to quickly update you that the mourning dove taught her two babies to fly and just when I was fixing my trellis and vines for the summer, I saw that the next was occupied again. Now I think it’s just the adult mourning dove in there, but is it the same one? Why has she return? And you’re right, they’re totally mild mannered. I was making all kind of ruckus about a foot away from her and she stood perfectly calm. Strange creatures.
Many cardinals in my yard. Also, the creeping Charlie is out of control and its blue flowers attract hundreds of butterflies and bumble bees. I dare not mow the lawn; I don’t want them to leave.
Thank you for posting this. Love seeing the photos and reading your witchy nature adventures.
Oh my goodness, Tonika! What a gift to have the Mourning Doves there and so comfortable with you. Haha, that meme! Ever since I started posting pics on Instagram I'm part of the bird algorithm and that's just fine with me. :)
The day after I published my post a Hummingbird showed up at the feeder and about a dozen Orioles! I guess they liked what I wrote. :) Big hugs to you, beautiful friend. XOXO
Of course they loved what you wrote! And your cute little feeder came through! Beautiful! Big squeezes right back at you, my dear!
But, when I returned home yesterday after running errands, part of the feeder was on the ground. So, the question is...was it the greedy (I'm sorry but it's true) 🐿️ or was it a 🐻?? Anyway, whoever the culprit was didn't break it. xoxo
Glad it survived! Oh those squirrels!! I can imagine a bear wanting seeds?!? But maybe it was a curious bear!
Yes! The bears can smell the seed from a long way off. They will take a tube feeder down, unscrew it and chug the seeds. There’s a whole thing of putting hot seeds in the top of the feeder because the birds don’t have the same taste buds so they don’t mind but rodents and bears hate it. Ditto the Hummingbird food. They love that too! Who knew? I sure didn’t! 😂🐻
🤯
If you end up spicing up the seeds, I can’t imagine a bear (or a squirrel!) dealing with the spice! That’s gotta be some funny video in the making!
Hey, Barbara,
I just was able to turn on my STRIPE account... Your pledge just got paid, FYI.
Now, if you'd like to explore a T-Shirt option, or a small painting, I can create either with your choice of colors and so forth, just for you! Let me know if you'd like to go there, we can email about it... You have my email, I think? Or message me.
I've been in serious need of some healing birdsong, so thank you for this, Barbara. Xox
You’re welcome, dear Mary. Thx for reading! 🧚💙
I've never seen a blue bird either. I have little glass ones that I adore 🤭💙 ... this was so great!!!! Thank you 💗💗💗 xoxox!!!!
Well, keep an eye (or two!) out for them. I'm sure they're in Michigan! Thx for always taking the time to read, dear Jamie. Love you! XOXO
What a delight to read Barbara!
I love reading your posts, they are always uplifting. I love the Corvid family; we have many Hooded Crows, Jackdaws and Magpies around our garden and land here in Cyprus. They keep me amused all day as I go about my gardening jobs. I put out water for them (no natural water sources here anymore, rain not expected now until October). They often steal the cat biscuits I leave on the wall for the stray cats (I will catch and neuter these pesky toms but need to win their confidence first).
The blue of the bluebird! Wow how beautiful he is. The nearest equivalent bird to that colour we have here is the Bee eater and the Roller who are Summer migrants.
I can understand your delay in writing; I think many of us are feeling the urge to be and not do at the moment. Sometimes it's just nice to let go of the pressure we put on ourselves to deliver.
Thank you for reading, Ingrid! I love that your last name is Finch... :)
When I lived in Jersey City, one of my neighbors would befriend and then have the feral cats neutered. I love all that you're doing for your wildlife friends.
So, today, just a day after my post, the first Hummingbird arrived at the feeder and also a bunch of Baltimore Orioles! I've never seen one before and they are something to behold. They love grape jelly and oranges. Go figure!
Yes to wanting to take off that writing pressure. Say hello to the Crows in Cyprus for me! XO
This was perfect to read, post my listening to birds this morning, sitting on a step with my coffee. Yes, no surprise, Barbara is immersing herself in the daily miracle of birds and birdsongs. Of course they heal, like plants do too. And I know you know this.
I always feel uplifted by your posts, and always learn from them too.
Spring is a transition for me as well. I related to the many drafts sitting in dashboard. Some will likely get finished, more won't, and oh, well. Thank you, Barbara. With honesty and humility, you delight.
❤️
Gosh, Kathleen, your comments always go right to my 🩷. Thank you. And, oof, that Dashboard thing....our muses need to slow down a bit so we can catch up with their inspirations/ideas! Happy bird watching, fellow Nature-lover! 💚 (Can you believe there are no good bird emojis???)
So kind.
(Can you believe there are no good bird emojis???) I know! What's with that? 🐦🐦🐦
Here's to catching up with our ideas! 😘Happy wondering through woods!
Barbara, you posted another winner! I loved this. It was a perfect piece to read right before going to bed. So relaxing. That turkey was a riot! Thanks for your beautiful work.
Thank you for reading, Rocket! And OMG, he is a STRUTTER! He usually has at least one female with him. I'm just so happy when they show up. It's like a Turkey parade...they either come out of the woods or up my driveway, single file. It's hilarious. XOXO
Now that sounds like pure joy! I can almost feel it from here. Take a photo next time if you think of it.
I will!! 🦃🦃🦃!!
Ahhhhh. I've been wondering where you were! So nice to see you back, lovely one.
I, too, have been enjoying the birds... and very very happily seeing them in a sort of resurgence from last summer, when they seemed to ... vanish, almost. I feared they were being EMF'd. Maybe they are, but maybe they adjust, as it seems maybe WE do... over time. I don't know, but I love 'em so much.
Thanks for a lovely paean to the birdies. I don't think I could stand not having them around! And thanks for giving us an update on your doings! Always a treat. xo xo xo
Thank you, Jaan! I'm glad the Birds are there for you, as well. You're not the first person who's mentioned the lack of birds/wildlife they saw last spring/summer. Fingers crossed...XOXO
This is so lovely!! The birds are such special friends! Glad to read your words whenever they appear.
Thanks, Bird Woman! 🦅 🩷
How exciting to be so "fired up" about our bird friends. You took some gorgeous photos. It's an especially gorgeous one of Tom Turkey. The colors are so subtle but iridescent! Handsome bird!
You have made such a thoughtful sanctuary for the birds. Bravo!
Thank you, Linda! You inspired me. 🥰