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, February 7, 2014

Photos taken on February 6, 2014

Northern Mockingbird
PART I:  I took some bird photos (2/6/14) ---and thought I would share them with you.   I also have another SURPRISE which I will show you toward the end of this post!!!

Above is a new bird to my feeders,  a Mockingbird.  I know that Mockers are common --but for some reason,  none have ever visited my feeders before.  I was thrilled to see one today!!!!  Believe it or not,  that was the 30th different bird to visit our feeders since I started feeding the birds several years ago.  I keep a list --and have seen other birds in other places.  But this count is only the ones who have visited  my feeders.

Here are a few more photos of some of my bird visitors on the 6th.  Click on them for enlargements:
Carolina Wren

Mourning Doves
Northern Cardinal (they are even more beautiful in winter)



American Robin
This beauty is my BULLY BIRD....  He is only a winter visitor when the ground is frozen --but this winter,  he thinks he OWNS the Bird Kitchen.. He loves to scare the other birds away from 'his' kitchen.  Luckily,  the other birds don't seem to pay much attention to him!!!!!  But---he's my BULLY this year!!!


"YES,  I'm talking to you, Mr. Robin.  Don't look at me like that!!!!"
This Robin hasn't been taught very well by his Mama... He manages to POOP all over my deck...  Bad Birdie!!!!!! ha ha


Northern Mockingbird
Finally,  here's one more photo of my 'new' bird.  Isn't he pretty?????

***************************************************************
PART II

Here's my surprise......
Have any idea what this is??????  I had it made on ZAZZLE --using 3 of my photos from Mt. Nebo, Arkansas


Here's the other side of that unknown thingee!!!!!!  Any ideas????





Hmmmmmm---it opens up!!!!  Maybe it holds something special... Ya think???


Ahhhhh---that thing behind it may be what goes in there!!!!  Recognize it now???


Here it is ---my NEW LAPTOP  ( a MacBook Air) ---look how thin it is!!!



Betsy's new Macbook Air
I have an older Macbook  (which still works well and will be for sale soon).  BUT--I wanted more memory for my photos when we travel.  This one is PERFECT.   I'm having fun learning all of the new things it will do! 

George also got a new toy (a new iPad --to replace his old one) ---and I'm sure he will talk about his new 'toy' sometime in his blog.  SO---we are both enjoying our new purchases --trying to keep up a little with technology!



I'll stop by showing you another photo  of the new laptop... I didn't like the color it showed in the previous photo (since it is SILVER) ---so I decided to show you another one.  (Excuse the mess!  This is my 'clean' desk---or at least part of it... ha)

Hope you enjoyed my photos from Feb. 6. Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday.  Stay WARM wherever you are.  It's been cold and cloudy here FOREVER it seems.  Where's the sunshine?????  OH---what am I saying??? The sunshine is within my heart!!!!!  Right???

Don't forget to check out the new quotes on my sidebar!

Hugs,

56 comments:

Kamana said...

always such a treat to visit you betsy. love your bird shots!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi Betsy. You have a lovely selection of birds coming to your feeders and your photos of them are great. well that is a beautiful cover for your new laptop. Hope you have great fun with it.

Hootin Anni said...

Love, love, LOVE the laptop cover! What a great, wonderful, super idea.

And your bird photos...perfection. I know you don't do memes at all, but with these fantastic images of the beautiful birds...well, if you want, come by tomorrow on I'D Rather B Birdin' and link up this post. Okay, I know, you don't do memes, but it was a thought. :-)

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos and birds! specially, laptop photo..

Catherine said...

So many pretty birds you have!
Loving your new MacBook Air Betsy! Totally jealous. Have fun!
xo Catherine

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Congrats on the new laptop, and that must be the coolest case ever!

Marcia said...

You'll enjoy your new laptop for sure. I sue a MacBook Pro but youngest daughter has the one you have. She totes all over at grad school.

Other news: I'm a grandmother for the first time. Daughter and son in law adopted a baby girl they've named Annabelle, born on Wednesday. So exciting. We'll get to meet her tonight using FaceTime.

linda m said...

Great bird photos (as usual). Love the new storage case for your Macbook Air. I have never seen anything like it before. Have a great weekend.

Tabor said...

I do like the way we can have craft type things made from our photos. maybe they will outlast the albums? You should join the Cornell Feeder Watch each winter!!

Big Dude said...

30 different birds is quite a treat. I suspect your computer bag will be easy to find - clever idea, but that's not surprising.

Out on the prairie said...

I have one feeder that shuts when a squirrel gets on it. Yesterday I noticed it shuts when a Jay landed and felt bad. Glad there were other feeders for it to visit.

MadSnapper said...

i guessed what was in it because i knew you had a new laptop.. great looking case for it...love that first shot of the robin

Jeanne said...

That little Robin does look like he's pretty demanding! Very cute!!

Karin said...

Loved your beautiful bird photos! Tell the bully he should get going northward now - we need spring and birds here! Enjoy your MacBook Air - I absolutely love mine. Your case for it is lovely! I have a 'mesh' tray underneath mine so that the warmth of it is not directly on my lap! I don't sit at my desk to use it. Have fun with your new toy!

Jim and Sandie said...

I can tell you put on a great feed because you have some of the "fluffiest" birds. They definitely don't look like they are going hungry - bully or not. Congrats on your new bird. But big congrats on the new Mac. You are enjoying the challenge of the new computer and I just hate that. Wish I could be more like you.

Janice K said...

It is interesting to hear about your "bully" the Robin. I have heard some people say they saw some up here earlier in January, but I have not seen any. They usually prefer to stay on the ground, but then I guess that is when they can find worms. Are they attracted to your mealworms?

Pretty fancy computer cover!! Neat idea, plus something new to play with during these cold "stay-at-home" days.

Have a great day!

Miss Debbie said...

How nice for you! My daughter needs a need Mac...hers is dying slowly!She uses it to work from home so I think they plan to use some of their tax refund to purchase a refurbished one...can't quite manage a new one. Didn't know robins were bullies...usually blue jays here!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I love the Northern Mockingbirds. We don't see them often in Indiana, but occasionally. They are so pretty in flight, and I love their singing. Your captures are beautiful, of all the birds. The one of the Cardinal is perfectly framed and the greenery adds to the scene.

Congrats on the new computer. I'm awfully jealous, although my HP has served me well for several years. Love the new laptop case.

DeniseinVA said...

Beautiful birds! I used to have a mockingbird come regularly but he disappeared a few years back and has not been seen since. You made me laugh about your Robin. Congratulations on your new laptop. I know you're going to have a lot of fun :)

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful, colorful birds!!! I love them all! And congratulations on your new Macbook!! I know you'll have even more fun now and the cover is terrific!! Seems to have been a great week so far!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy!!

Connie said...

I always love seeing your bird shots, Betsy! So pretty.

Congratulations on the new laptop! The cover for it is pretty too. :)

Have a great weekend!

Peaches McGinty said...

Hi Betsy!
My Mr is a keen birdwatcher and was thrilled with your pics! I used them as a quiz, he did well! he is amazed at the beautiful birds you have visiting you, as am I and they are very well fed and happy birds! your new laptop is very fancy and lovely!the cover is excellent too! have a wonderful weekend Betsy x x x

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I have seen all these birds at the feeders, too, except the robin and mockingbird. they are usually only seen in warmer weather around here. Love the case for the new laptop. That is so neat!! Have a great weekend!

KathyA said...

Love your feathery friends! I actually started looking up "bully bird" and then realized you were casting aspersions!! ;) We have some bullies at our feeders, too. Just bought quite a lot of seed from Audubon Society and are hoping to attract some new friends!

Let us know how you like your new Airbook!

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Always love the bird images Betsy - and all I know about the gorgeous mockingbird is that there's a song about them/it?
AHA, I knew straight away what your new cover was for (neoprene covers they are called here) and you won't be sorry about your Macbook - daughter and son-in-law have them for travelling and they LOVE them!
Enjoy your weekend and stay warm!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Love your birds. My feeders are too far from my windows for me to get a good look at visitors, other than the cardinals, which are visible even when they think they are hiding.

Congratulations on your new toys! Enjoy!

Terry and Linda said...

I love your bird shots Betsy! What a clever and cute idea for your laptop!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
*♥´¨) ¸.-´¸.-♥´¨) Happy Valentine’s Day¸.-♥¨) (¸.-` ♥♥´¨

Shug said...

Love the surprise....this is very neat!! Sam is wanting a Macbook....let me know how well you like yours. Just might be a good anniversary gift or him...
Love all the photos...
Have a .... warm .... weekend..
shug

David said...

Betsy, What great bird photos! With the cold weather our heated birdbath and our suet feeders are busy from dawn to dusk... Lots of woodpeckers and we're seeing plenty of mocking bird traffic as well. My wife keeps her bird book next to her seat on our couch... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Ruth Hiebert said...

I love seeing all your birds but that Macbook case is divine. What a great way to protect it and show your pictures as well.

Rose said...

We have sunshine here...your MacAir looks soooo thin....hope you enjoy it for a long time to come!

happyone said...

The robin looking straight at the camera is my favorite. Great picture.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Great selection of birds you have had visit your home! Glad they were not frozen or starving. You are really good to "your" birds! Have a great weekend. Love that new computer bag!

Ann said...

Love all your bird shots and that bully Mr. Robin does look like he's pushed quite a few birds out of the way and had more than his share of seed :)
Cool new toy you got.

Susie Swanson said...

I love your bird shots and congrats on the new Laptop. You'll have so much fun with it. Hugs and love, xo

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Great bird photos!!!
That new laptop cover is the best. Have fun with your new technology. It's amazing the new features you can use.

Jeevan said...

Yes, The Red Cardinals seems to enhance in winter white... that’s a pretty grey new arrival on your feeder. I also liked the second pic on Robin!

Btw. Congrats on the new macbook :) You hold a wonderful cover covered by your images. Enjoy the weekend

Annie Jeffries said...

We have some small and round black birds around here that swarm and swoop everywhere. I need to send you a pictire and perhaps you can i.d. it. 😄

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, great selection of yardbirds. And congrats to you and George on your new Laptop and Ipad. I am sure they will be used alot. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Sally Wessely said...

Oh wow! A MacBook Air. I have looked at them, and looked at them. I just have not bit the bullet and bought one. I do love the thinness of the. My girlfriend has one and loves it. Jim gave me a new iPad Mini for Christmas. I really, really like it.

I'm impressed by your talent in making the case for you computer!

We have not seen robins yet. I don't expect to for at least two or three more weeks. It is so cold here.

diane b said...

Love your yard birds, they look so chubby I guess they are puffed up to keep warm. But I like your Macbook Air better. I have been eyeing them off every time I go into an Apple store. However I 'm worried about transferring everything off my MacBook and learning a new platform. Is it easy??????

Beatriz said...

I'm warm here Betsy, with sure!!!
You really like to take pictures, and yours are gorgeous! I'd like to learn how to capture different kinds of light....

Have a perfect day!

Bia

troutbirder said...

Very nice "home collection" of feeder birds. We don't have them here but saw lots on our Florida vacation...

Beth said...

I need to find my bird book because I have birds that I do not know. The easy ones are the Cardinals and their mates.

Love that laptop. I still have the old-fashioned desk top with a monitor---works best for my neck, back, and arthritic fingers. Mike got me a new one for my birthday, but it's not shiny like yours!;>)

Lynda said...

Your computer case is sooooo beautiful as is the new machine. Your birds are gorgeous as usual, too. I know if they could love a person, you are at the top of their list this year with the weather. Your heated birdbath is still one of the neatest things I have read on any of the blogs.

Anonymous said...

Oh how fun! I love your personalized case of one of your favorite places! So pretty. That bully robin tickles me!!! Somebody better teach him some manners! ha

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Really like your bird shots.

Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

Small City Scenes said...

Love the laptop cover thingie. HOW DID YOU DO THAT?????
I think I am so useless. LOL
Bird shots are neat too. The Robins stay away from out feeders. they are out in the lawn only. Our Bully birds are the Stellar Jays.
MB

Neal said...

Nice bird shots....as usual. Getting a new computer and iPad huh? :)

Grandma Bonnie said...

I just love the Mourning Doves they are so sweet. Congrats on the new Macbook. I have been dreaming of a new laptop for a while now. My laptop died a few months ago and my hubby is now sharing his desk top with me. I really dislike being pinned down to the desk though.

Kay said...

Love all your bird photos and really, really jealous of your new Macbook Air. I'm getting a much, much cheaper tablet for travel...

Did I mention that I was jealous. Sigh...

Betty Manousos said...

oh, betsy, i love your yard birds!

your laptop cover is so cool. what a wonderful idea!
congrats on the new laptop and ipad.
hope you enjoy them for a long time to come!
big hugs~

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Your bird photos are simply amazing, Betsy! Just beautiful, in such detail and so close! I learned so much by reading this post and thoroughly enjoyed your pictures!

Pat Tillett said...

Nice photos and that it is a great looking case for your new computer!

Rohrerbot said...

That's a great idea! I love that shot you chose. I remember you guys putting that up awhile back. Good choice:) It also helps ID your laptop in a pinch:)

A Colorful World said...

Beautiful photos! And that ipad cover is just too wonderful! What a great idea! Hope the two of you are having a special Valentine's Day!