Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). I know, not something you really want to think about. I’m right there with you. I’m highly allergic to it. BUT birds, including many woodpeckers, LOVE the berries. So I enjoy the Poison Ivy too, because of the birds, though I certainly try not to touch it.
In the morning hours of December 9, 2017 moist air and snowflakes wafted past a spider web. The moisture in the air and the feathery ice crystals clung to the web and captured my fascination.
Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) in dull winter garb. All set for the cold. If it ever comes.
Gregarious birds. Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum). In a group they’re called an “ear-ful” or a “museum” of Waxwings. They move together, often with American Robins (Turdus migratorius), from one area to another hunting down their favorite berries and fruits. Nomads roaming their range, showing up here and there wherever they can find a meal for their numbers. Here, Smooth Sumac berries have attracted them.
An annual tradition for many many years. Today I’ve chosen a photograph to use but its look will change as I add borders, surrounding the picture with images of fabric, or wrapping paper, or other visual textures that have tickled my fancy through the years. Choosing the photo is just the first of many steps along the way. This image was captured in Hobbs, New Mexico, at the beginning of November, 2004.
These are rose hips of Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora). An exotic invasive. Unwelcome but certainly looking lovely in the rain. The rain has stopped now, leaving much too little. Our last rain was eighteen days ago and much too little then as well. One of these days it will rain, lots of rain, and then it will all average out.
The term irruption when applied to birds is the sudden change in population density of a species of birds. Usually precipitated by lower than normal food supply.
It’s this phenomenon that brings a precious tiny bird to my yard every few years. The Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis).
I like to think of its call as a chuckle, which absolutely enchants me. During those wonderful winters, when I get to see these little creatures (a bit smaller than the White-breasted Nuthatch [Sitta carolinensis]), I am taken by their lack of concern of my presence as I bring seeds out to feed them. Peering at me and coming closer as if to say, “Hello! Is that for me?” How could I not fall in love!
For more years than I can count we’ve grown Christmas trees in two large fields here, below the cabin. Trees that we’ve planted.
Norway Spruce (Picea abies), White Pine (Pinus strobus), Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris), Concolor Fir (Abies concolor), and my absolute favorite Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens).
That Blue Spruce, needs care in handling, and care in decorating. Those needles are Oh! So sharp! But still, that marvelous color, that perfect shape. And those strong branches to hold ornaments that would make other branches sag way down. Yes. A wonderful tree.
Watching them grow from year to year. Watching the bears come and snap some of the trees in half in pursuit of the ants that go after the aphids that love Christmas trees. Seeing them develop into – perfect for the living room – trees.
Such joy in growing Christmas trees. Such pleasure in growing them right here. More need to be planted and soon. More trees for more Christmases.
Today there was an extremely small chance of snow flurries in the forecast. Not wanting to set my expectations too high, I wasn’t expecting any. But luck was with me! I got to see FOUR snow flakes! That’s enough to bring pure glee to my heart. Snow and I go a long way back. Good buddies. The two of us. Best friends. And these days snow takes me back to my childhood where happiness starts.
Seems every day I’m seeing another of my winter birds. This one, my treasured Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). A medium sized bird with a magical, flutelike song which it doesn’t bring along on its winter visit. It saves those lovely notes for summer, choosing to blend in and not make too much of a noticeable presence while in the black and white landscape of winter.
Out of necessity it also changes its diet, going from being an active hunter of yummy crawly things such as beetles, ants, caterpillars, true bugs, grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, and earthworms to what winter offers up to birds of winter, berries.
You can see in these pictures that the Hermit Thrush enjoys Smooth Sumac berries to dine on. Other berries they enjoy include Elderberries, Pokeberries, Serviceberries, Grapes, and Mistletoe berries. These are plants that I have in my yard or would certainly consider adding, just to invite more winter birds to come visit for the winter.
