Bright sunshine, with warm temperatures, and brilliant colors in the garden. In posting this image, I have to explain. Though I am truly dedicated to planting natives in my garden, there are a small number of choices that are based entirely on sentimentality. As is this one. My Mom’s favorite flower, the Iris.
Oh the Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), having a grand time, enjoying seeds that I’ve put out. There are times when I can’t count the number of the little ones that are out there adding color to the world.
And to add the perfect accent, the crimson of the male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). What a lovely, bright day in the garden.
In honor of Earth Day 2022, I bring you some of my birds. As you think of these precious birds, and our wonderful planet, I hope you can decide to work to make a difference. Not to save our planet, but things you can do to save our environment. The planet doesn’t need to be saved. It’s going to keep on spinning for billions of years. Our environment needs to be saved. The environment these birds need to survive. The environment we humans need to survive.
These and other delicate creatures and creatures that don’t seem so delicate need our help. Celebrate our planet today on Earth Day and determine to make a difference. There is so much to be done. You’ve heard all the options. Make up your mind and do it.
The birds, top row, left to right: Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).
Middle row, left to right: Costa Hummingbird (Calypte costae), Scarlet Tanager (female)(Piranga olivacea), Sharp Shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus).
Bottom row, left to right: Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea), Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus).
Christmas cards are something that I’ve created for years. No telling how long it has been, just many many years. All year long I’m wondering what will be my choice as December draws near. It’s early in the year and though the high temperature today was 73° there’s a chance of weather appropriate for the subject of a card coming up tomorrow. Snow? Sleet? Crazy weather. It is not supposed to be in the 70s on February 23. But maybe tomorrow will make up for it. Bring on the cold.
Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) seem an appropriate subject, particularly if snow is involved. No need for me to entice Cardinals to come to my feeders. I think I’ve got the magic draw without giving it any thought. Black oil sunflower seeds and a bird bath filled with water.
These birds that don’t migrate. I appreciate that. They’re here all year long. Adding crimson or buff to the landscape whether against the many shades of green of summer or the blacks and whites of winter.
Northern Cardinals are included in a long list of birds that will attack reflections of themselves not just in windows or mirrors but chrome bumpers, shiny grills, gazing balls, or similar shiny surfaces. They become convinced that what they see is a rival bird and will attack it incessantly. Right Gary? There are many suggestions listed on the Internet on how to discourage this behavior. Seems that it takes as much determination on the homeowner’s part as the determination the Cardinal has to overcome the problem.
But for me, I am looking forward to tomorrow and seeing what the weather brings. Maybe the perfect scene for a Cardinal to pose for a Christmas card. Got my fingers crossed.
The Flowering Dogwood trees (Cornus florida) here in my neck of the woods are just beginning to open as the Eastern Redbud blooms (Cercis canadensis) are on their way into decline. That’s the pattern every year. A slight overlapping of their big show. Like homemade vanilla ice cream with home grown strawberries on top.
In case you didn’t know, what are thought of as petals on a Flowering Dogwood bloom are not petals at all, but are modified leaves called bracts. The actual flowers of the Flowering Dogwood are those tiny yellow-green things in the very center.
No matter what the parts of a Dogwood flower are called they are a shout for glee in the mountains.
As the season continues and they’re no longer paired with their buddies, the Redbuds, they are still something that makes my heart light.
Something that calls to me to bring my camera for an outing.
As the light changes, another chance for an altered glimpse of those four white bracts with their yellow-green flowers.
Flowers on trees that intrigue me. Flowers that are just an added benefit.
And here a Blue Jay, an additional added benefit.
A Cardinal? What more could I want!
And once those flowers and bracts are gone, still pure delight as the seasons roll on. Be sure to watch those leaves. I kid you not, they begin ever so slowly to turn to red in late June. Slowly slowly slowly.
Autumn offers up berries for the critters of the forest. Berries that last what seems but a brief moment.
Hints of winter as the leaves fall. But look my beloved Flowering Dogwood trees are planning ahead. Those buds. That is spring on its way.
Spring indeed is planned for. Buds in the waiting. But the trees must go through winter. More delight!
That plan for spring the trees have made? They survive. They survive through snow, ice and cold. They survive through the wondrous winter and come into spring with blooms as their buddies, the Redbuds are blooming. Like homemade vanilla ice cream with home grown strawberries on top.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). It’s no secret that I am totally crazy about winter. The black and white, pen and ink landscape takes me back to my childhood. Add a male Northern Cardinal to that beautiful landscape and you’ve got the perfect image.
The female Cardinal has her own beauty. Soft tawny brown with subtle accents of rich red and bright orange. A winged creature to marvel at.
The native range of the Cardinal is southeastern Canada through eastern North America including part of Texas, a small section of New Mexico, about half of Arizona, down through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.
And with all the coming and going of other birds, the Cardinal does not migrate.
During the mating season male Cardinals become extremely territorial but come winter they will flock together by the dozen or several dozen. A stunning sight on a cold winter’s day.
Perhaps you’ve noticed. I tend to anthropomophize. A lot. Rocks have thoughts. Trees reach out to greet me. The wind speaks to me. And on this particular evening, in this particular photograph there is a lovely Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). A female enjoying the incredible beauty of the ice storm we had a few days ago. Her rich buffy-orange-tan copies the color of the dogwood buds patiently waiting, knowing if they are indulgent, suffering in silence, spring will one day arrive.
Almost hidden in the image is one of the Cardinal’s buddies. A Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) in the lower left corner. I wonder perhaps it’s having a snack soon to sit back and enjoy the beauty in every corner. All around are their best friends who have come out to enjoy the glittery sparkly day.
So many birds consuming so many seeds. Just because their world is beautiful.
