Spring Surprises

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Many common small birds clustering at my feeders are House Sparrows, House Finches, and Dark-Eyed Juncos. Meanwhile, the warming earth and Junipers laden with berries invite larger common birds, Robins, Jays, Solitaires, and Starlings. Others that hang around are Mountain Bluebirds and Barn Swallows. I enjoy keeping an eye on the birds, often through a camera, and also, observing their behaviors.

I’ve no welcome feelings for a beautiful bird that taps-taps on my house. Until its noises begin, I conveniently forget that Flickers also return in spring, and right now, their unique sounds are invading my comfort. When their invasive noises alert, I hurry outside with a towel or similar “flappy item” to wave, hopefully diverting the bird and encouraging it’s departure. Like all birds, woodpeckers have memories and may return to selected spots. Oh dear!

Setting that problem aside, the other day I found myself watching Robins fly to and from a house gutter where they were diving for trapped insects and berries. I saw all that, for I happened to be standing in an unusual spot, and thus, it was my first time observing the busy bird-and-gutter action. I went inside to fetch a camera and resumed my vantage point.

Suddenly, an eye-catching and new-to-me bird landed on the gutter. An area resident or a passerby? It neither disturbed nor was disturbed by the Robins. Like the other birds, it dove eagerly into the gutter, and soon, its mate joined and stood watch. I felt excited to capture those beautiful strangers.

Among pictures of Western Birds, this uniquely feathered pair is easy to spot. They’re Cedar Waxwings, and like the neighborhood Robins and Solitaires, are berry-eaters. If these two happen to be nesting nearby, maybe they’ll be visible this spring and beyond. Their visit to my roof gutter is a gift.

It’s always interesting, to perceive and try to capture, an “ah ha” or moment of learning. What strikes me is that this blogging format, where one works at marrying words to photos, has begun to sharpen my physical vision. And I like that.

Dear Friends, It’s an ever-evolving combination, body and mind. Diana