National Bird Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”~~Lou Holtz

Today, January 5, 2015 is National Bird Day.  I like the idea of birds having a day dedicated just to birds in general.  To me, birds are just interesting creatures.  In the last couple of years I have become more involved in bird watching which is something I never thought I would do. The changing weather earlier in the spring brought about different types of birds to the area that I had not previously viewed in the wild. The rains had left the creeks full and standing water in the ponds that usually dry up quickly. I was able to see a King Fisher and lots of Herons.  I spent a lot of time photographing these lovely birds.  I had days I just spent outside.

Sparrow

Now that winter is upon us, I have making certain that the feeders are full especially today with the temperature belong zero and the wind chill being even colder.  At least, I know that I have done a little bit to help out my feathered friends while the snow continues to build up.

Chickadee

Anyways the little Black Capped Chickadees will let me know if the feeders are low, they love to voice their opinions as soon as I open the door.  But I love to hear the diminutive bird chirping at me as I fill the feeders. I also love how the Sparrows with all their feathers puffed out sit on the branches near my window.  I think sometime they are waiting to be fed.  Or they are telling me to hurry up.

Now with Snowy Owls and Pileated Woodpeckers back in the area, I am hoping to get some better photos of these magnificent birds as well.

Snowy Owl

The Sun Started to Set, the Fog Began to Roll In

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The weather almost reached 50˚F this afternoon.  Definitely a rarity for December in Michigan, the temperatures are supposed to slowly drop tomorrow as rain begins to move in.  But we may actually have a little snow on Christmas Day, just enough to cover the ground.  We will see if I get my white Christmas or not.

I originally went outdoors to photograph some birds.  My feeders were being overrun with Sparrows, Titmouses, and Black Capped Chickadees.  I love these diminutive birds; they seem to “chirp” at me when I just step out the door.  Trust me; they are all very vocal when the feeders are low.

.SparrowSparrow

SparrowChickadee

After a while, my attention turned to the clouds.  They were just beautiful.  One person on my Facebook page describes the clouds as a “stairway to heaven.”  The stunning array was a perfect setting as the sun slowly began to sink below the tree lines.

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As soon as the sun started to set, the fog began to roll in….sounds like a good beginning for a book.

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The sun was already beginning to set in the above photo, but the clouds were still gorgeous.

Fog Rolling In

 

The fog rolled across the field, I actually watched the mist cover the ground.  I found the experience fascinating.

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The sun was setting, but the fog just covered the bottom of the ground.

I am sure there are better more scientific words to describe the fog, the clouds and the sun.  But I just like photographing the natural world around me.