Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, July 17, 2009

Afternoon Joy!!!


Yesterday afternoon, I took a break from 'life' ---and sat on my sofa just enjoying the birds coming to and from to our feeders. I managed to get a few good pictures---so I'll share them with you now. Above is a good picture of one of our Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Below are more. You can click on them to get a larger view.











It almost looks like this little Mourning Dove was taking a nap in the plate feeder. At one time, there were two Mourning Doves in the plate together... I missed that picture though.











I think this little gal in the plate is a female House Finch. If I am wrong, please let me know!!!











I'm sorry that this picture of a male Bluebird is a little blurry. I get so excited when the Bluebirds come to the feeders... They are just gorgeous!!!









Here is a sequence of six pictures of a female Cardinal at the plate AND a little Brown Thrasher trying hard to reach the suet.







Looks like Ms. Cardinal is watching the Brown Thrasher --and wondering how he (or she) will reach that suet... The Thrasher is probably asking the Cardinal for some suggestions. (I guess I need to change that suet since they have eaten it down so far!!! Or maybe I'll just add to it!)









These two birds just keep looking at each other. I wonder what they were thinking!!!!!







The Thrasher is trying HARD to reach that suet. I wonder if the Cardinal has any words of wisdom for him. The Thrashers cannot climb on the sides and bottom like woodpeckers do---so they have to eat from the top only... That's a little disadvantage, don't you think????? ha (Of course, I've been told that Brown Thrashers don't come to the feeders at all. They are supposed to be ground eaters. WELL---not MY Brown Thrashers!!!! They love the suet!)









Looks like he's gonna make it....... Eeeeeeekkkkkkk... Don't fall, little one!









Can you hear him holler out "Yippee Yay! I did it!!!" (By the way, I think this may be one of the fledglings that were nesting in our front yard!!!!!)











Finally, this picture was taken from our computer room --looking out the window where we have another feeder. I love seeing the Cardinals come to this feeder also (along with Bluejays, Tufted Titmice, Goldfinch, etc.). Isn't that a neat picture looking out of my window?


Gosh---don't I have a wonderful life!! Two days ago, I had grandchildren here visiting, and yesterday I took time to watch the birds. Life is GOOD!!!!


Hugs,

P.S. We'll be gone all day today. We're going to Hendersonville to check on George's parents. Please pray for safe travel for us. Hope you all have a fabulous day!

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have a safe and enjoyable visit. I especially love your bluebird picture today.

Nina said...

Our state bird is the blue bird yet they're a bit scarce. I agree it's so exciting when you see one. They are so vibrantly blue in the sun!! Love these little beauties you've captured. :-) Love and Light, Nina P

Darla said...

Gee Betsy, don't know how you lead such a stressful life...LOL Great views from your home.

Mark Kreider said...

Isn't it nice to have birds so close by? We have 8 young cardinals living our bushes this year.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Yes, life is good and the birds are beautiful.

Dorothy said...

Great pictures of your birds, Betsy. Life is good to the point that I sometimes feel guilty for enjoying it so much. Guess we have earned our retirement. Enjoy!

Arkansas Patti said...

Wonderful pictures. Don't know how you get anything done but watching the show. Think the dove might have been saying grace.
Have a safe trip.

Cedar said...

How nice! I especially like the lady cardinal! I'm listening to a robin singing right now.

Peggy said...

Loved seeing your birds and what beautiful photos. Have a safe trip.

Randy said...

What a wonderful collection of birds you have visiting you! I love the view out your window.--Randy

Kirigalpoththa said...

Nice to see so many birds from your window! You have a lively home!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Such a lovely view of nature you have there Betsy!!!
So much action in your yard!

SmilingSally said...

Great shots. The afternoon paid off.

T said...

I love the shot out of your computer room! What a peaceful and lovely site.

Safe travels my friend.

penny said...

Hi Betsy, Your cute little feathered friends sure do eat well at your house.
I enjoy seeing their visits to your lovely garden, thanks for sharing them :D

Susie said...

Love the bird pics Betsy. I really wonder what goes on in the minds of birds. Do one species communicate with another type? Or do they communicate with body language? Either way, they are very entertaining.

You guys be safe on the road today.

Diane AZ said...

Wonderful post! I love seeing what your birds are up to. Have a good trip to Hndersonville. :)

NatureStop said...

Great post and it must be so great to see the birds from your window!

I Am Woody said...

Beautiful shots!! Safe travels, my friend!

Jen said...

I miss my Blue Birds.
Have a good weekend you and George.

Diane said...

You're so blessed to have such beautiful, colorful birds visiting your yard. Have a nice trip. Thanks for your journal comment on my blog.

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

Sounds so nice to take the afternoon off, sit on the couch, and watch the birds. Kudos to you Betsy for taking the time to BE STILL...a vanishing art in our society!

Deborah Godin said...

That's a great shot of the cardinal outside of your computer. You have a real...wait for it...bird's eye view!

joyce said...

Every time I visit a new blog I learn something new....I didn't know that some birds can't stand on the sides of things like the suet cage. Beautiful birds in your area!

Rambling Woods said...

Loved the bird photos..Have a safe trip Betsy...Michelle

Neal said...

C'mon Betsy.."break from life???" ... you guys take more breaks than anyone I know. :) You got some good pictures. Eventually I would like to get a better camera (even though I have a Rebel XT) that takes good pictures at a high ISO so I could get some hopefully good bird shots.

Leedra said...

Oh, you and Troutbirder, just keep rubbing it in about how great retirement is. One day! Loved all the bird photos.

Leedra’s Photos For Fun

Connie said...

Great photos, Betsy! My favorite is the brown thrasher cheering! :D I hope your day of travel went well today. Enjoy your weekend!

Kathy W said...

Betsy I am so jealous of your great bird pictures. Hope you and George have a safe trip.

Janice K said...

I pray that your journey is safe and your visit is good for all of you. I have parents in their 90's, still living independently, so I know how much they enjoy just having us spend time with them.

Enjoyed your birds. I don't think I have ever seen a Brown Thrasher, and I am still waiting for a blue bird to come back and visit me. I saw them quite a few years ago, but not recently.

Janie said...

You see so many birds and get such great photos of them.
Hope your travel today is safe and fun.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

It is said that Thrashers don't come to feeders.I have also read a few other things some birds don't eat or do,BUT,someone didn't give them the right memo,because they do it anyway.Somewhat like children, always doing the things we say they refuse to do. Funny!
Blessings,Ruth

Lola said...

Love the pics. Do have a safe drive. Hope you found all ok.

Rosa said...

Love the pics! Safe returns! xo

Unknown said...

It's always the simple pleasures ... interrupted by life's complexities ... that keep us buoyed. Watching birds and family are in the top 10 list of simple pleasures.

Unknown said...

It's always the simple pleasures ... interrupted by life's complexities ... that keep us buoyed. Watching birds and family are in the top 10 list of simple pleasures.

Kelly said...

...the little Thrasher is so cute!! You're so lucky to have one at your suet feeder. I know what you mean....just sitting and watching the birds at the feeder is so relaxing...life is good! :-)

SquirrelQueen said...

Great photos of all those wonderful birds. That little Thrasher is so cute.
Have a safe trip.

Joy said...

Who needs a tv when you have that kind of entertainment. Great pictures.


Joy

Rose said...

I get so excited sometimes I get blurred pictures, or forget to change sittings on my camera...I would love to have the opportunity to capture a bluebird just once.

Mary said...

I'm way behind on your blog! These are funny. I love watching Thrashers, but don't get too many opportunities.