Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 34:52

Life's feeling a bit more out-of-control this week as we're realizing that {gulp} this Sunday is the date we've set for moving out of the cottage. The rain this past week, though much needed here in south Texas, set us back a bit.

However, it didn't seem to stop the locals any, as this week's images will attest.

Not sure of the id, maybe a Nicippe

Juvenile Scrub Jay

Raindrops on Roses

More raindrops on roses and a surprise

White-tailed doe and fawn

Eastern Phoebe shot through the crepe myrtle tree

Female Hummingbird - we've had both black-chinned and ruby-throats around so not sure which - they are nearly identical

A very wet Mockingbird

Queen Butterfly laying eggs

Taking the time to capture moments like these will be less likely in the days ahead. 
But I'll have my camera close at hand . . . just in case.

What are you seeing through 

your lens this week?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens, Bird D’pot,
Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens,
Wild Bird Wednesday, Our World Tuesday,
Community Global, Photo Friday, Little Things Thursday

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 6:52

We've had some glorious sunny days this past week, but I confess, the cold north wind has been keeping me inside. I just do not like the wind. The sun teases me through the windows with her warm golden rays, and I fall for it every time!  I venture out onto the porch, all seems warm and sunny - and then, I'm blasted by Mr. North Wind!

If I had to guess, I'd say the birds don't like Mr. North Wind either. He teases their feathers, and slithers underneath to bite their soft skin. Their only defense is to puff up, and bear it!

Lessor Goldfinch (Texas form)

I'm sure it's the cold that is driving them to my suet feeder so often. The added fat helps them stay warm. 

I shared my Scrub Jays with you last week, but I like the shadows in this capture, so I'm sharing him again. He's got his eye on the prize!

The black-crested titmice are back again, too. They are so fast, and difficult to capture. I think these are two of my best so far.

I haven't seen very many Lessor Goldfinches around this winter. But the finches that do come are eating my sunflower seed, not the nyjer I put out for them. They've always eaten the nyjer before. The seed is new, and doesn't have a funny smell, so I'm stumped.

Anyone experiencing the same? Ideas?

Lessor Goldfinch {female}

I'm hearing more bird song these days. I always know when the House Finches are in the yard. Their song is one of my favorites. So JOYful! You can listen to it here.

House Finch

Did you know that our ears are designed specifically to hear birdsong? It's true!

“…we have a very discreet bandwidth of supersensitive hearing and that's between 2.5 and 5 kilohertz in the resident frequencies of the auditory canal,” Gordon tells host Krista Tippett. “Is there something in our ancestors' environment that matches our peak hearing human sensitivity? Because most of what I'm saying right now, except for the "s" sounds and the high-pitched sounds, falls well below that range. And, indeed, there's a perfect match: birdsong. Birdsong.”  - Gordon Hempton, a self-proclaimed acoustic ecologist

I think that's pretty special!

What are you seeing through

your lens this week?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens, Little Things Thursdays,
Bird D’pot, Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens, Wild Bird Wednesday,
Our World Tuesday, Community Global, Photo Friday

Inspired by . . . it's the birds again

I know that's what you're thinking, but they've been making such a fuss over the suet, I can't help be drawn in by their chatter.

This is my golden girl. I love the way the early morning sun bathes her amber light. 

The amber hue is fleeting, I wonder , does she notice?

If you're feeling a bit drowsy, this chatterbox will wake you up!

He's king of the suet around here. 

These sweet little black-crested Titmice just wait for him to leave before helping themselves.

I admit these guys are a favorite!

The Carolina Chickadees are by far the most cautious. My arm fell asleep waiting for him to make his move. 

Did you read what Laura wrote about trees the other week? Her words always expand my mind and touch my soul.

I was thinking of Laura's words as I slipped beneath the branches of this young oak tree. His branches were low and thick, encircling me in a hedge of peace against the outside world. I heard him speak as the evening sun dressed him in beams of gold. A spirit language yet unknown to me. Beauty . . . grace . . . simplicity.

"The trees have long been our friends—oxygen makers, shade-givers, root teachers … ah, these with the limbs always reaching for God. Beauty learns from her simple grace." ~Laura Boggess

Shalom,

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Through My Lens, Little Things Thursdays,
Bird D’pot, Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens, Wild Bird Wednesday,
Our World Tuesday, Community Global, Friday Photo Journal,
Photo Friday at Pierced Wanderings

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 34:52

Looking back I was surprised to see that it’s been nearly a month since I’ve shared on any nature/bird memes.  August has been a busy month for us. We took a short trip to cooler climes and, as sometimes happens with time away, the before and after was a bit hectic.

I’m looking forward to sharing some of our mini-adventure with you, but for now, here is what’s been happening around the cottage.

I’m not at all happy with the abundance of Bambis this year due to the havoc they are wreaking on my flower beds. They have a particular appetite for blossoms and tend to pull things up roots and all. . . but still, it is hard not to find them endearing.

 

 

 

I shared previously how much fun I’ve been having watching the juveniles at the bird feeders. Here is an immature male cardinal in the beautiful bird feeder our daughter gave us for Christmas last year.

 

 

I don’t see the {Western} scrub jays around often. But when they are in the yard, you definitely know about it! These two made such a commotion, I had to grab my camera and see what the fuss was about. Nothing out of the ordinary, but they look like juveniles to me, so I suppose they were just finding their voice.

 

 

 

It’s been a banner year for butterflies. I planted butterfly weed in my flower beds this year and it is growing like crazy! I’m planning to plant even more milkweed next year. The Pipevine Swallowtails seem to be partial to the red butterfly weed.

 

 

I’m not often up for the sunrise {in the summer months} but we put in some long days getting ready for our trip and I happened to catch this jewel in the morning light.

 

 

The twins paid us a visit this afternoon. They look so skinny, I can almost forgive them for eating all the blooms off my flowers.

Almost.

 

 

And, if you’re still with me, I finally got some decent shots of the elusive Carolina Chickadee. They are the energizer bunnies of the bird world! Constantly moving!

 

 

The lighting wasn’t the best, no sun today for a change, so the greens are a bit dull. But I’m pleased enough to share them with you.

 

 

I saw this quote by Charles Lingbergh recently and wondered what the context might have been. Quite a fascinating conversation, I would think!

 

I realized that if I had to choose,

I would rather have birds than airplanes. ~Charles Lindbergh

  ***

What are you seeing through your lens this week?

 

Have a wonder-filled day!

 

Sharing inspiration here: