(Lilacs. May 2008. © Robin)
About the time we first hear the Robin’s ringing welcome to spring we may listen for the Bluebird’s more gentle greeting. No bird’s song is more associated with the return of Spring than the Bluebird’s: nor is there a bird’s note more expressive of the passing season than the Bluebird’s Autumn call of far-away, far-away.
~ Frank M. Chapman, Birdlife, 1897
It’s not all snow, all the time here in the Bogs. In spite of the cool weather we’ve been experiencing lately, spring is taking hold. Why, I expect before long summer will be here and we’ll wonder where spring got to.
The plants and trees are not the only creatures displaying their warm weather plumage. The bluebirds are simply brilliant this year:
(Male bluebird at the bath. May 2008. © Robin)
As usual, birds are difficult subjects for me (meaning: the photos aren’t that great). I do give myself credit for capturing this bluebird at all because these guys flit around like crazy and rarely stay in one (visible to me) place for a long enough period to snap a photo.
This is an eastern bluebird. As you can see, they have wonderful coloring. I think we have at least four pairs of bluebirds on our property. They hang out with the American goldfinches which have a brilliant yellow coloring. I’ll be able to get a few shots of them late in the summer as they are attracted to the sunflowers (and we’ve planted plenty of sunflowers).
(The same bluebird. © Robin)
I’ll leave you with a sunset…
(Sunset by the pond. © Robin)
… and some music. And a little more music. And the music you might have been expecting.
If a bluebird has come into your life, look for opportunities to touch the joyful and intrinsically native aspects of yourself that you may have lost touch with.
~ Ted Andrews, Animal Speak
Pretty birds Robin, and always love that pond, especially when it’s not frozen…
R(etc… )
Love your bluebirds _ I never see then any more. ANd I can’t take photos of birds either. It’s on my list that’s 10 pages long. “Try to take some bird shots.” Ha! At least wildflowers hold fairly still, if you can tame the wind. Ha to that too!
Love Little Milton.
Beautiful.
That bluebird is amazing. I miss songbirds living in Florida. We have mockingbirds but not much else.
I never see bluebirds here:( Pretty!
What do you mean your bird pictures aren’t great? I don’t even try with birds!
These are beautiful photos. The one of the lake is especially inviting!
R(etc…): lol! Yes, the pond is much nicer when it’s not frozen solid.
Bo: I’ve had many a flower shot ruined by the wind. “Ha!” is right.
TPG: Thank you.
Brian: I never realized there were no songbirds in Florida. What does the mockingbird copy/mock?
Bookbabie: The bluebird population dwindled for a while, but it’s said to be on the upswing again. Bluebirds can be difficult to spot, though, as they move around so quickly.
Corina: Thank you.
Mainly themselves. We get songbirds passing through in the spring and fall, but few nest in Florida. The usual bluejays, sparrows, cardinals etc., but little variety. Not like where I grew up for sure.
Compared to desert-mountain lilacs, bog lilacs are mutants. (In size, that is.)
Your bird photos are gorgeous. Yesterday I tried to snap a shot of a red Tanegeres (sp?); I had zero luck.
Are the desert-mountain lilacs larger or smaller, Ybonesy?
My husband and I were out at a local nursery yesterday looking at all the different varieties of lilacs. They range from dwarf to common to giant. The colors vary, too. It’s amazing how many different lilacs there are. I’m used to the common lilac (your average purple as pictured above) as that’s what I grew up with. One of my favorite places to play when I was a child was inside the lilac bush as it was huge and a perfect place to hide and/or pretend to be making my way through the jungle.
Thanks for the compliment on the bird photos. I’m determined to get the hang of shooting (with a camera, of course) birds.