birds

so I just really, really get an urge

to quietly sneak out the front door

where my tripod stands ready,

shushing the kids,

having a child grab the dogs by the collar,

and trying to blend into the brick wall,

and sometimes, just sometimes

the subjects don't fly away....

aaahhh

Junko

I just can not resist grabbing my camera when I see these little fellows sitting in the dogwood outside our window.

mourning dove

"Whistling wings" sound like cards being shuffled when the mourning dove is flushed from its resting position.

These ground feeders eat fallen seeds from feeders as well as left overs from crops and seeds from weeds. When they are sitting up on the wires or other high perches they are digesting their crops full of seed and grit.

The mourning doves flock together except in mating season.

After their young are hatched both parents secrete a high fat milk from their crops, for the first 3 days, to feed these young.

pictures for oma

chickadees continue to be a favourite at the bird feeder, but..

we have also seen a purple finch...amazing

winter

Brrrrr.....brrrrr

Extra suet and extra birdseed

but only the junkos and a rare chickadee are braving this weather.....

(Having just made these comments

the dove, the cardinals, the american gold finches, and the woodpeckers arrived!

Splendid!)

New Year's Day

Best wishes are given over the phone

making for a quiet day.

The gentle snow keeps falling, wonderfully quiet.

Jack and I are feeling better,

Maria is tuckered out,

Izak is feeling better and getting fresh air, urging me to come outdoors.

Norah suggests that her fingers are taller, she is outside playing,

Marten's limbs feel small, he is sleeping again,

Tommy's ribs are showing, but he is outside shoveling snow.

More laundry waits,

but

We are on the mend.

happy new year

It is beautiful outside, a gentle snow cladding trees in a mantle of white.

We ushered in 2010 with the stomach flu, all 7 of us at various stages.

No parties, no cheers, just wiping the forehead of little boys,

and starting yet another load of laundry.

Outside peace reigns as another year slips into place.

Thank you Lord!