Friday, January 8, 2010

The Snow's Not the Only Flurry at the Feeders!

Hello all! Yesterday was quite the cold, windy, snowy day around here. I can't imagine what it was like away from our wooded area... I just had to share the photos, etc. taken over the course of the day... and it also caused me to create a little poetry. ;-) Without further adieu...

(There are quite a few tiny photos - click on them. Some of them enlarge nicely!)

Please do not use any of these photos or the poetry without permission.
Thank you.... nothing Shady, it's just mine!


The Flurry ‘Round the Feeders



The snow is not the only flurry

on this extremely cold, chill day.




The birds, it appears, are in a hurry

“The food is here,” they seem to say.














Quickly they each decide to scurry

but find there’s ‘someone’ in the way.














Perhaps, think they, “There’s quite a slurry

but it may not last another day!”

















And so the birds, they come a flutter

and lightly perch on what they may.

















“A challenge this,” they seem to twitter,

despite the cold; they mean to stay.



















My imagination they have captured;

I watch them with such tender care.
















Alighting they, with fragile stature,

They’ve journeyed from … I know not where.











All through Winter’s cold and snow,

I’ll faithfully those feeders tend



Intending that the birds not go.

‘til Spring arrives and Winter ends.


written by yours truly

Jan. 7, 2010


(Looks like a valentine... perhaps I'll use this photo again!)

:-)


13 comments:

Rebecca @ In The Garden said...

Incredible pictures Shady!!! I'm crazy about Cardinals & Blue Jays but rarely see either and have never seen them together. What an amazing collection, and lovely poetry. :)

Dave@TheHomeGarden said...

Very neat photos! I wish our birds weren't being harassed by two mockingbirds. The snow and cold weather has made them very protective of the feeders.

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

We finally got some snow--about 5 inches, but it seems like I had fewer birds and squirrels at the feeders yesterday than usual!!!

Nutty Gnome said...

Great poem and super photos ..I LOVE the header photos and really wish we had such colourful birds over here! Robins and bullfinches are very sweet but not as all our dashing as your gorgeous cardinals!

I did have two foxes chasing round the lawn earlier - until the 2nd one managed to steal whatever the 1st one had just caught ...a blackbird, I think :(

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Rebecca, I'm having a lot of fun - obviously! :-) (And I hardly ventured out of the house for TWO days!) ha. Thanks for the compliments.

Hi Dave, Thanks. I see a mockingbird occasionally here, but only in the Summer. I'm sorry they're "pesky." The Blue Jays consider themselves to have squatters' rights up here. (They do share, if they can have a place to themselves first!) ha.

Monica... I cannot answer that. Did anyone in your neighborhood begin feeding the birds (that wasn't before)? That may have something to do with it.

Hi Liz, Thanks! The cardinals are very striking, aren't they? I would have loved watching your foxes. We have them here, but only catch a glimpse of one occasionally. I can imagine the chase over food... At least you were fortunate enough to see the show. :-)

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Shady!

OOOhhh... That's what I exclaimed when I saw the cardinals in your masthead. Very pretty. I'm so dumb when it comes to birds. I thought all the pretty ones flew south for the winter. They should. I should, too! :))

Cute pics.

Karen - An Artist's Garden said...

Happy New Year Shady, what delightful images, I particularly like your blog header

We don't have cardinals here in the UK so lovely to see your images
K

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Kate! I'm having a wonderful time watching the birds. It was also nice to have all the cold temps and snowfall... I didn't have to go anywhere! ;-) Nope - these are what I call Winter Flowers! Thanks for stopping in!

Hi Karen, Thanks! Isn't garden-blogging fun? Visiting people from all around and enjoying what others (may take for granted) enjoy! :-)
Btw: I hope I never take these sights for granted!

Anonymous said...

It was a delight to see the shots and read your words, Shady, thanks! The birds are appreciative of your trudging out to keep the feeders filled, without a doubt. That does look like a valentine! :-)
Frances

Rosemary said...

Shady Terrific pics , greedy little beggars but such a joy to see in the winter.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Frances! It has been sooo cold lately (-10 degrees or colder) that getting outdoors is a mental workout. ha. However, it must be done. And, as you see, it pays off. ;-)

Rosemary - Thanks! It is a joy!

Kathleen said...

Love all the cardinals Shady Gardener! We don't have those in Colorado so they are a treat to see. That last photo really could be used for a Valentine.

Glad the birds are using the pie plates too!

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Kathleen, Wonder what you could do with this photo in a Valentine? :-) And the pie plates really are working well. I was relieved.