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...

Monday, February 2, 2009

A Cutie Pie and a Special Gift


Look at that precious picture above. That little Carolina wren is just precious!!!! These little guys come to our feeders usually one at a time. There may be 40 Pine Siskins, some Goldfinch, some Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and Nuthatch--and of course a couple of Cardinals on our deck and at the feeders ---but here comes that cute little Carolina wren. He's not afraid of any of the other birds---and just wanders around eating anything and everything he can get in his mouth.
Carolina wrens are small but very vocal animals. Males are especially outgoing and are the only ones to produce songs. They employ one of the loudest songs per volume of birds. They are apt to sing anytime and any place they happen to be. Carolina wrens are usually found in pairs, and each pair stays on its home territory all year long. They are the official state bird of South Carolina.






Carolina wrens are monogamous, and breeding pairs may stay together for years. Females lay about four eggs and incubate them for two weeks while their mates bring them food. Both parents feed their chicks for an additional two weeks before they gain independence. A mating pair of Carolina wrens may have several broods each year. Above is another picture of this cute bird--on our deck.

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On another note, I WON a giveaway from FIONA so I wanted to share it with you. If you know Fiona, she's a real 'book' person and reader. She reviews lots of books on her site, so check it out sometime. I received two books and a beautiful card from Fiona. Both books are by Karen Rose ("Die for Me" and "Scream for Me").. These are "hold-your-breath" suspense thrillers--so I'm anxious to dig into them!!! Thanks so much, Fiona. I've never won much of anything in my entire life--so this is special!

39 comments:

Kim said...

Love your little wren. Carolina Wrens are adorable and their personality makes them all the more cute.

Congrats on winning those books!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on winning the books.
Love the pics of the "singy bird" as I refer to them. They are rather comical to watch, aren't they? Hope you and George have a great week and let us know how your books are.

Cedar ... said...

Good for you on winning the books! I'm not a mystery person, but any book someone enjoys is great. Your little wren is a cutie for sure. You must have been quick to get the shot, or is it relaxed enough to pose? Love it!

Anonymous said...

Carolina Wrens are special and I am happy to see your photos of them.

Memories

Jayne said...

It's so fun to win something. Looks like some good reading Betsy. I love the wrens too and could listen to their varied tunes all day long. :c)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Nice captures of the wren, I've never seen one around here.
Congrats on your win, way to go.

Jessica said...

I love the Carolina Wren. I saw my first one a few weeks ago. They are so much more beautiful than the common House Wren. Thanks for info on them.

Cassie said...

Congrats on your win! That is very neat. The wren seems to have it together doesn't it? It seems there are several types of birds that help out their partner & mate for life. How lovely.

Cassie said...

Hope I didn't throw you off with the different title on that last comment. I've fixed my mess up now. Sorry.

Mary said...

I love that little wren! One of my favorite birds. Those books look great! Will have to check out her site. Enjoy the reading!

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Adorable little birdie! I've heard some song birds recently...they are jumping the gun!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

He sure is a cute fellow.I love the Wrens as well.They have such spirit.
Blessings,Ruth

Diane said...

Dear Betsy, We may have a lot of wildlife around here but we sure don't have the variety of birds you do there, I don't think. Thanks for sharing the little guy with us. Congratulations on the nice stuff you won.

SmilingSally said...

I haven't read either of these, but I love suspense thrillers. Lucky you!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Congratulations on winning the books !
I love little Carolina wrens, they are such busy-bodies, in and out of the porch all day long, poking around in the birdhouses and sitting on the window ledge.
I didn't know all this information about them, so now, I love them more..ha.
I have nominated you for an award, just pop on over to my blog !

Tina said...

Betsy,
We do love those carolina wrens...such a loud song for such a little bird..but how can you not love it. As you stated, they are quite independent...and seem not to know their little tiny size..I've seen one chase a blue jay away from the seed feeder..ha ha ..a very persistant little critter.
Congrats on your win..you'll have to give us your review of the books!!

Susie said...

That little wren is a cutie! Congrats on the win Betsy. It's always fun to win a giveaway!

I Am Woody said...

I LOVE learning all this about birds - most of which I see or have seen but didn't have a clue as to what they were and I am too lazy to research it!!

No snow here - Only snowy wishes!

Anonymous said...

I love thrillers. Both movies and books. I haven't seen my wren lately but I had one here too a couple weeks ago.

Shelley said...

Wrens do have such great personalities! Glad they visit you! Congrats on your win!!

Anonymous said...

Cute little wren! I love their songs, and their "attitude"!

Unknown said...

Congrats Betsy! I love a good thriller, let me know if they are really good or not, might have to pick those up!! Cute birdie!!

Betty said...

Hi Betsy and congratulations on your win. I'm so proud for you.

I enjoyed the pictures of the Carolina wren. Is that snow underneath it's feet? I saw on the news this morning that Cookeville got snow. So the first thing that came to my mind was wondering if Betsy got snow, too.

Have a good week.

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

That is the cutest little bird! I always enjoy all the information you share on your feathered friends! Thanks so much!

Have a great day, Betsy!
Tammy

Sunny said...

awww, this is a cute little wren. :) I do miss my bird house and feeder back home in Michigan.

It's so nice to pop over here and see all the birdies! :)

Thanks, and hope this day is good to you!

~Judy

Aleta said...

Congrats on winning the books! Those Carolina wrens are so cute, with their little tails stuck up in the air. They love the suet at our feeder. Have you ever seen a little wren scurrying around under the leaves, like a mouse? We did last year and discovered it was a WINTER wren. They are seldom seen and it was the first time in my life I had ever seen one. (Hopefully not the last!)

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a little cutie indeed. My favorite part of your story: "They stay monogamous"
I love finding that out about certain animals.
congrats on your big win. enjoy.

Grammy said...

Congratulations on the books. The wren is really cute too.

Unknown said...

Congrats on your win Betsy and that is a sweet bird. I enjoy the watching the many different birds on our feeders.

Gill - That British Woman said...

congrats on the win, and those are lovely photo of the birdie.....

Gill in Canada

Naturegirl said...

Betsy birding is an activity that warms my heart..I wonder how these wee heart beats survive our harsh winters here but they do! Your wren sounds like the swans here that mate forever..tweets to you hugs NG

Anonymous said...

Adorable, like all wrens. :)

Our local groundhog wouldn't even come out of her den today, let alone see her shadow. That's entirely too cold!

The Birdlady said...

I love them too, Betsy. And yes, they are LOUD!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

The little birds are so sweet!!!Books too what a great day...m.

Jen said...

They seem to be bold little birds. We had one build a nest in a decorative thing hanging right by my front door last summer.
I loved watching the father help guard and feed the babies.

http://unglazed.blogspot.com/2008/07/birdie-update.html

http://unglazed.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-is-this.html

Becky said...

If you have time, I would love for you to stop by my blog and help me identify a bird I saw today.
Take care.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Kallen--Yes, the Carolina wrens are truly cuties.. They are just made different from other little birds.. Makes them special!!!

Mildred--They really can sing, can't they? Yes--because they are just different looking, I smile every time I see one of them. I'll keep you posted about the books--if and when I EVER have time to read them!! ha

Cedar-- I love TV dramas---and mystery-type shows. SO--hopefully, I'll enjoy these books. I stood very very very still and they finally started coming to the feeder. Once they started eating, they didn't pay much attention to me. That makes it easy to get pictures. Also--a couple of them were taken when we were inside, so they were through the glass sliding door.

Abe--Glad you stopped by.. Hope you are feeling good these days. Do you have these wrens in your area?

Jayne-- Can you believe a bird THAT small can sing like these wrens can???? Amazing!!!

Tom--I wondered if you had them in Ohio. I think they are mostly a warm-climate bird--although it wasn't very warm here today!!!

Jessica--I agree. The Carolina Wren is much prettier than the House Wrens. We used to have the House Wrens at my home --growing up as a child, in Virginia.

Cassie---I recognized Hootie and Baby ---so the name didn't confuse me. It is neat when I find out about the different birds and how they live, it makes me so happy to see that the father helps with the babies and also that the couple mates for life. Neat, huh?

Mary-- This wren is one of my fav's also. They are just so unique. Fiona wrote on her site today that there a 3rd book in the series... Don't know how long it will take me to read the first two!!! ha

Phyllis--This little wren will sing anytime--anyplace. AND he's LOUD. So--you may be hearing a Caroline wren...

Ruth--That's a good word, spirit.. These wrens do have spirit.

Diane--I think the Carolina wrens are mostly southern birds. I read that they cannot live where it's extremely cold.

Sally--Check Fiona's site. She has another giveaway. AND--she announced that there's a 3rd book in this series.

Josephine--That's another good word to describe the Carolina wren---busy-bodies!!!! They are definitely that! Thanks again for the award. Since I had gotten that award before, I just added your name on the award listed on my sidebar. Thanks again.

Tina--Can you believe that such a tiny bird can make that much noise when he sings???? Amazing!!!l They are persistent for sure!!!! I'll keep you updated when I get the books read!

Susie--Yes I was excited to win--since I usually do NOT.

Woody--You'd love to hear this little bird SING.. He's tiny--but he can sing loudly. You'd be amazed!!!! Sorry you didn't get any snow.

Pigeon--We watch alot of dramas and mystery-type show on TV.. SO--I've always enjoyed mysteries. Your little wren will return I'm sure.. They are persistent.

Shelley--Do you have those wrens up there??? I think they are mostly a southern bird since they can't live in extreme temps.

Deb--I love reading what you people are writing about the wrens.. Lots of good descriptions of the Carolina wren: has spirit, persistent, busy-bodies, and a bird with 'attitude'----ALL are TRUE!11

Darla--I'll keep you posted about these new books. Now --all I have to do is to EVER get off of this 'puter so that I can read!!! ha

Betty--Yes, that is snow under the Carolina wrens feet.. That picture was taken after we had had some snow. Speaking of snow, we got more today. Did you all get any????

Tammy--You'd love this little bird--and I'll bet you have them. He's tiny--but he sings very loudly... Listen for him!!!!

Judy---Sorry our Arizona Cardinals lost!!!! But it was a good game. We did have a good day today.. Had some SNOW.

Aleta--I love how those little wren tails --sticking up!!!! Those little birds truly are unique!!! They like the suet at our feeders the most also. I've never seen them in the leaves before. Quite interesting.

Suzanne-- Yea they do stay monogamous!!!! And how do I know that, she asks????? ha ha ... I read it in the bird book!!!! (Someone obviously has done some research on them!!!! )

Grammy--Thanks... I've never won anything much --so this was special.

Sarah--It's interesting to learn about all of the different birds in various areas of the country. Thanks!

Gill--Thanks!!! I don't think you have Carolina wrens up there in Canada. I read where they cannot live in extremely cold temperatures.

Barb--Yes, he is the cutest little bird around I think. He does have personality-plus!!!! Thanks!

Anna--How are you???? Glad to see you 'back.' I do worry about the birds and all wildlife during the cold winters. So Sad!!!! Hugs back at you!

Wren--Sounds like more long winter days ahead!!!! Stay warm!!!

Helen--Glad to hear from you. I love to hear the little wrens SING. They do sing loudly!!!!

Mary--Yes, they are sweet---and this little wren can really SING.

Jen--Yes, these birds are BOLD. They certainly aren't afraid of the bigger birds. I'll check out your sites on your Carolina wren. Thanks!!!

Becky--I did, and your mystery bird is a male Goldfinch...

Connie said...

Such a pretty little bird! Congratulations on your win. :D

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks Daisy... Yes, the PIne Siskins are cute little birds and we have LOTS of them!!!!