No, not my flight, though when I was young I did think I’d like to fly a plane, and when I was even younger I used to dream that I could fly like a bird.
This is the scene from the window and what I had to shoot around.
No, this morning I put some peanuts in the flat feeder, and that quickly brought in my merry band of noisy bluejays. I swear they sit up in the trees and wait for me to fill the feeders. They always arrive immediately and with great fanfare.
Trying to focus on the bird among the branches.
And while I was standing at the window, watching them come and go in the morning light, I realized I could try to capture their flight. They were much too busy hogging the peanuts to notice me.
He has 3 peanuts in his beak and more in his throat. But he’s not really in focus.
You need a very short shutter speed to stop those wings in mid-flight, at least 1/2000 per second. If there is sunlight that’s easier to accomplish.
Coming and going.
I took 84 images before the sun was hidden by the clouds of the latest incoming storm front. Out of that barely a handful are passable. But I learned a lot and some day I will try again.
My favorite image.
I’m sharing them with you now, because bluejays, no matter the fact they are obnoxious, are truly beautiful.
Backyard proof that spring is coming, and even if it’s still really cold out. Even when there is snow threatening to fall. Again. Absolute proof rests with my birds.
And the goldfinches are turning yellow.
Female blackbirds, hummingbirds and orioles will be here soon. Guaranteed.
We interrupt our tour of magical Kensington to announce that spring has officially arrived here in Southeastern Michigan. OK, it’s 30 degrees out with a stiff wind and snow lightly falling.
But it’s spring. Trust me on this.
Wait. That’s the wrong image. One moment please…
…try now…
What? You don’t see anything? How about now?
Well yes, that IS a goldfinch who MIGHT have a yellow feather showing, but no, what about the big black blob? What do you see?
Maybe this is better?
Yes! It is indeed our very first red-winged blackbird scout of the season! Give that bird a gold medal, he’s arrived early and the weather is clearly not in his favor. In fact we had a hail storm only two days ago. I hope he managed to avoid it.
I saw him for the first time on Thursday (day before yesterday), but I was on the phone and not close to my camera. I got a very poor image of him with the phone. But I shared it extensively with my bird friends here. Almost all of them had seen one in their yards that day too!
Yesterday (Friday) he stopped by again. The images in this post are from Friday’s visit.
I had filled all six feeders for him in the hopes he’d eat something. It was a very windy day and he was very hesitant. He slowly worked his way out from the safety of the middle of the beech tree, watching all the other birds eating. Clearly he was interested.
And then he made his move.
I hope he’s here to stay. I haven’t even heard the distinctive red-winged blackbird call yet. But I hope he starts calling in all of his friends so we know he is more than a fluke!
And I’m glad we were able to give him some food and water if he’s headed further north. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see if he stops by again.
Happy Spring everybody!
Edit: He’s here right now, eating at the flat feeder! So maybe he’s really going to stick around!
Once again I’m jumping online late at night while my mom snores over there on the sofa. She says if I want to write I should go get my own blog, but I say why do that when she’s already done all the groundwork?
This is mom’s garden. It might be the reason she’s snoring on the sofa.
Hey! Did you guys know I have a niece? I sure do! Her name is Sarah and she lives with my Mama S, the lady that delivered me and my four sisters two and a half years ago. My dog mom, Vivian, and her best friend Olivia live there too.
That’s me on the left, Sarah standing in back, my dog mom Vivian next and then Olivia.
She’s almost one year old and I love her so much. Last month my mom and dad took me up to Mama S’s house for a playdate with Sarah who is a bundle of energy.
Sarah loves to chase me, but I’m FAST! She’ll never catch me, no siree!
All four of us dogs and the three adult people went into the big fenced in back yard to play. Mama S had a bright orange tennis ball that Vivian and Olivia get very excited over.
Throw the ball!!!
She’d fling that ball toward the back of the yard and all four of us would chase after it, a few of us (not me) barking wildly the entire time.
Somebody get that ball!
I never once got the ball, it was mostly Olivia who did the ball handling, but sometimes one of the other two would get a chance to take it back to Mama S so she’d throw it again.
It’s a race back to Mama S!
And then we’d be off again!
Get it!
My mom and dad laughed at us a lot. Mom was busy taking pictures too of course.
A passel of shelties.
Mostly Sarah and I just ran and ran and ran. She loves to chase me and between you and me I could beat her but I let her get close once in awhile.
Sarah and Oliva the ball handler.
Then when she gets almost to my tail I take off again.
Nope, Sarah, you’re not going to get me!
We were both worn out when my folks said it was time to go home, but man, what a wonderful time we all had!
She’s gaining on me!
I’m just the luckiest sheltie girl in the whole world! I hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as we all enjoyed playing!
You’ve got snacks…right Mama S?
Signing off now to dream of running in a big yard, your athlete girl Penny.
I am not too proud to accept a free peanut! — Nuthatch in flight
So here you go. I’ll try to limit this to some of my most favorite from that early morning walk in the woods a month ago.
Excuse me, if everyone else has had enough, I’d like to approach the hand. — Titmouse
But it’s hard. I have so many favorites.
I’m a little shy, but I’d really like a bit of breakfast, lady! — Chickadee
As I study each of these I’m transported back to that cool morning, surrounded by hungry birds, the deer watching from further back in the trees, the squirrels hurrying so as not to be left out.
Thanks lady! Sometimes we get overlooked cause we can’t fly. — Black Squirrel
The chipmunks hoarding, the sunlight shifting.
I’d like a little more please! — Chipmunk
It’s always a magical time at Kensington, no matter what part of the park you visit.
Too busy to eat, I’m building my future family a new home! — Mrs. Red Belly
But if you want to experience wildlife in a more intimate manner, get there in the morning on a weekday before the crowds and walk the trails at the Nature Center.
It’s the interior decorating that takes the most thought.
Or early on a holiday morning. That works too.
You got to really get in there for the deep spring cleaning required prior to babies’ arrival!
Well, I am, for one. I haven’t eaten breakfast yet, and it’s mid-morning on a beautiful day here in Michigan. Lots of garden stuff to do. Places to be. People to see.
Early morning light through spring skunk cabbage.
But I’d rather be here with you.
Remember when I was out at the heron rookery in Kensington Park on Easter Sunday morning? You didn’t think I’d just leave the park after seeing the herons, did you?
Did you???
A busy neighborhood.
Well of course not.
When I could finally pry myself away from those big nests I went for a walk through the woods. And as soon as I was off the boardwalk I heard this cardinal just singing his heart out and enjoying the morning light at the very top of a tree.
Will sing for food.
Of course when he spotted me, perhaps the first automated bird feeder to arrive that morning, he shot right down to a branch directly in front of me.
Right at eye level.
You DID bring breakfast, didn’t you?
Now cardinals don’t generally come down to my hand to eat, though one did many years ago. But I think this one might have if I hadn’t accidently dropped some seed on the ground.
He was very interested in that.
What? You dropped my breakfast?
So was Mrs. Red Winged Blackbird.
I see an opportunity here.
And so was this squirrel.
I can be faster than all of you!
And this chipmunk.
But my cheeks can hold more seed than any of yours!
In the end I dropped some more for all of them and went on my way.
I remember that some of you have requested more bird pictures. Well of course I have some. Coming right up.
Change Is Hard 