Merry Meet and Merry Part, and Merry Meet again

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

For the Birds

Okie doke! Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!! I finally "shot" the Elusive Cardinal. After many days of attempts! (Clicking on photos will make them bigger)





Mrs. Cardinal was on the feeder next to The Big C., but unfortunately she fled once she saw the photographer. That's okay...."I'll get you, my pretty!"  The cardinal has always been my most favorite bird. I grew up in Virginia where the cardinal is the state bird. So striking these birds, don't you think.

Just as I finished capturing the Big C. on film, an enormous beautiful Blue Jay landed on top of the shepherd's hook. Typically, I reacted too physically before I could snap him too, and off he flew. I will get him too.

The yard is a flurry of activity in more ways than one. Firstly, it is frickin' snowing!! Big, wet heavy flakes. Grr. But secondly, the feeders are crowded.






Bird watching is more than a hobby for me. I consider it part of my Wiccan Path. Since I was a child, I loved the wild birds, watching them at the feeders, in the yard, in the trees. Since I have been a practicing Wiccan, though, I see divinity in all living things (both animate and inanimate). Feeding the birds, paying attention to them is one of the ways I feel I honor the Goddess and the God. All of nature is touched by divinity. Providing shelter, food and security for these backyard birds is one small way of forging a connection with nature, and thus with divinity.  Once the weather gets more conducive to such things, I will be having a morning ritual out in the yard.  In the meantime, watching from the window serves me well.

Oh, and by the way this little fella is out here several times a day, along with his partners in "crime". I have dubbed him "Tiny Tail", as he seems a little short in that department.

Tiny Tail

10 comments:

Alexis Kennedy said...

These guys are just too cute for words! Thanks for sharing them, Robin!

Lady Caer Morganna said...

The pics of the birds are stunning and as for the squirrel, well, you know, they must eat too!!! LOL!

Thanks for sharing with us!

Blessings always,

Kim

Aine O'Brien said...

Oh, how I miss feeding the birds! I used to have a pair of cardinals as well, and my official announcement of Spring was their appearance at my bird feeder. And where there's a bird feeder you know who else you can expect!

mxtodis123 said...

Beautiful pictures I used to love feeding the birds, but here in the city, there are just too many cats
Mary

Sandy Sandy Art said...

Glad I found your blog today. Kindred spirits are we. Enjoyed your post. (I bet your cropped tail squirrel escaped a predator.)

Anonymous said...

The red color of the cardinal is fantastic! We have our bullfinch but its red isn´t that shining.

The squirrel is so beautiful too! I wish we had more of them here where i live, even if they eat both the bird food and eventual birds too.

Have a great day now!
Christer.

Magic Love Crow said...

Robin, I love all your pictures! That's one thing my mom and I love to do! Watch the birds and feed them ;o) I also love Tiny Tail!! So cute!! Animals make me smile! Take Care ;o)

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful photos. I love birds as well. They are such free little souls.

SharleneT said...

Great photos. Now, I'm going to wait for the Blue Jay. I don't care for their stealing the smaller birds' food but it's a gorgeous bird and well worth a photo. Thanks for sharing.

Jeanne said...

Congrats on finally getting pics of Mr. Cardinal. They are such pretty birds. :0)

I always have feeders out at my place - even in the summer. Watching the birds is such a pleasure.