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...

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Birds and Roses


I took a few bird pictures while at the beach... BUT--I'm not 'up' on many of the birds that live near the seashore. I do know seagulls and some other common ones, but some, I do not know. AND--I haven't had time to look these up---so I'm going to rely on my great birder friends to identify some of these birds. Above is a picture of a bird in flight... Anyone know what it is????? Maybe it's some kind of Grackle. Below are others!!!







This little gull kept us company on the beach. It was looking for food--but we had none.. See her sad face??? What is he/she??? Ring-billed????? HELP!!!







Another colorful gull on the beach; Is this a Laugbing Gull? (Help me out, Birders!!!!)







This little guy (and many others ) were hanging around the doons.. I captured him from my balcony window--sitting on top of a sign. What is he/she???????







Second day of Bluebird pictures; They are about 2-3 days old I think. I can't see much growth since yesterday. They are just so tiny... In this picture, one mouth is open. The other three are lying down. You can see one of their tiny little legs/feet. Aren't they just awesome?????







I have posted two different photos of Rio Samba in the post on 5/13. Here is Rio Samba again... As this rose gets older, it turns more of a hot pink--and the yellow disappears. This is such a neat rose --to look at, in all stages!!!!







This is our 2nd rose to bloom this year. Her name is Sweet Freedom. I'll show this one again when it opens more. Pretty one, isn't it????







Finally, this beauty is named Sonia... This is our third rose of the season, and a new rose for us THIS year.


We went to Hendersonville yesterday to check on George's parents. They are still doing great, thanks be to God. And --we have company coming today. SO--I won't be able to get to your blogs for a few days. I will catch up though!!!!! In the meantime, have a great weekend.


Hugs,

33 comments:

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

I don't know much about birdy name's Betsy!! I love birds and have lots that come to my feeder's but the names allude me.........
The roses are all gorgeous but now I'm in love with "Sweet Freedome"........I am always drawn to white roses and I think I just love the name :)
Have a great time with your company this weekend and........

Steady On
Reggie Girl

Kim said...

I too am learning about gulls and am not sure what kind they are. The ones with the sweet faces though may indeed be ring-billed but I am not 100% sure. YOu got some fantastic shots of them though and I love the roses.

Arkansas Patti said...

To me, they are either LGB(little grey birds) or LBB( little brown birds). Sorry but I am pitiful with ID but always appreciate.
Glad George's parents are doing well and hope you enjoy your company.
Good weekend is on order for us all.

Rosa said...

I love seagulls. And bluebirds? Oh my. How sweet!!!

Unknown said...

Your roses are beautiful!!!!!

NCmountainwoman said...

Don't have a clue about the shore birds. Lovely roses. I wish I had enough sun to grow them.

Richard said...

Might be able to help out on a couple of ID's. The gull with the black head is called (guess what?) a Black-headed Gull. The gray bird on the fence appears to be a Gray Catbird (that's a guess).

Busy Bee Suz said...

The bird at the top looks like the ones from the movie: "The birds"

Pretty roses. I see seagulls near my house...we are miles from the beach. They get lost I suppose!!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I love seeing the baby birds. Happy weeekend...m.

Deborah Godin said...

Your third gull is most likely a Laughing gull - Bonapart's gulls have black bills. Black-headed gulls are similar to Laughing gulls, but they are quite rare (which doens't mean this isn't one). The most reliable field mark between the two are wing patterns, and this one isn't show us his! The bird on the sign is hard to tell, could be a thrasher or a mockingbird, but I don't see the black cap that a catbird would have. Roses are so much easier, they sit still!!

Diane AZ said...

Interesting bird pics, especially that black-headed one. The Rio Samba roses are so pretty with the hot pink. Sweet Freedom and Sonia are lovely too!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing the birds from your vacation. I can almost imagine the sounds and smells of the ocean.
Your roses are so pretty and Sweet Freedom is my favorite - I don't have anything even similar to that.
Have a great day with friends.

Judy said...

I don't know the birds but love the pictures. I always like watching them at the beach. The Sonia rose is my favorite. It is just beautiful as they all are.

EcoRover said...

Great bird pics, glad someone knowledgable checked in. I have all I can do to keep a few of our mountain/prairie species straight. Love seeing them, though.

Diane said...

I can't help you with the bird names, Betsy, but they're pretty. Love the flowers, too.

Rose said...

I love Sonia--such a pretty color.

You guys are making it tempting to me to try a rose again...I sure like them.

Joy said...

Love those beach birds. But I always think of that rhyme: Birdie Birdie in the sky why'd you do that in my eye. haha
Roses are so pretty...Hope those litte babies make it. That's a bunch piled in there together.

Joy

Tootie said...

The roses are soooo pretty! I think Sonia might be my favorite. :-)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: What a neat group of photos of the birds and flowers.

Mary said...

Those baby birds are adorable! I'd be afraid to disturb the nest. Beautiful roses!

lola said...

Cute little babies.
I love your roses.
Have a great visit with your friends. I'm so glad George's parents are doing fine.

Mandy said...

Those baby blue bird pics are wonderful! Keep us posted on them!

Mandy

T said...

Amazing photos Betsy!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Love the baby bluebird pictures !
They are ever so tiny.
The roses are gorgeous as always, how do you keep the mites off them ? Mine are covered.
No help on the seagulls, I think his name is Jonathan Livingston...
:)

Wendy said...

What a happy post, Betsy! I don't know any of the birds names. I love the tiny bluebirds. One with its mouth wide open. So sweet!!

Your roses are gorgeous. Will be waiting for you to post more pics as they open.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs

RA said...

I am a great admirer of mother nature, but I have just a few knowledge of her various species :(. I wish I will be in good health like George's parents at their age. That's remarkable! Thank you for the well wishes. Have a great weekend, I know you'll be a wonderful host :)

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Love the roses,each one soooo beautiful.
Blessings,Ruth

Bj said...

Picture #1, Ring-billed gull (immature)
Picture #2, Franklin's Gull
Picture #3, Mockingbird or sometimes called a Cat bird.
Good shots Betsy. Love the flowers too and of course the 'babies'. :)

Unknown said...

I've never heard of naming roses ... but it's a good idea. A rose is not beautiful because its a rose, a rose is beautiful for the time you spend with it. (Little Prince.)

Karin said...

Another fascinating post with the interesting gulls and then those incredible roses! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I'm totally amazed how you always come up with something special. Glad that George's parents are well!

Rebecca said...

LOVE the sweet lil' birdies in their nest! They make me smile! :) Your roses are just gorgeous. I am so glad to hear that George's parents are still doing well. Praise God, indeed. Have a lovely and blessed Sunday and week ahead.

Hugs and Blessings,
Rebecca

Grammy said...

I just love the seagulls. Your roses are beautiful.

Becca's Dirt said...

Sonia is my favorite. Beautiful roses. Becca