Although the signs of Spring are everywhere winter still blows her icy kisses this weekend. The cardinals and other song birds are all puffed up staying warm in the chill and the bird feeder looks like the lunch rush. I can't keep enough seed out for them - it's gone in an instant, and then they flutter about and cheep loudly and look at the window practically tapping their little feet, probably thinking..."hey in there...where's the grub?" Whenever I'm in a glum mood all I have to do is sit still and watch the birds for a bit and all is better. Their cheerful demeanor reminds me that nothing is important enough to ruffle my feathers. So I sit when I can, take deep breaths, relax, lower my shoulders, watch the birds and do not think at all.
My bird watching-road trip going-merlot sipping-eagle seeking-pelican photographing-girls day out lunching and Conservancy Co-Founder friend Carroll and I hosted a Birding 101 presentation to our neighborhood Conservancy members and neighbors, and Tri-County Master Gardener representatives Sunday. The presentation was awesome and we're so stoked!
Case in point. We've been innundated with several varieties of gulls on our lake. I'm not interested enough in them to track down what species I'm seeing, but they are very entertaining. About this time last year we had what we called The Weekend Of The Gazillion Gulls. We always have lots of gulls, but for three days it looked like a snow blizzard on the lake every single second for three days. They were everywhere, dipping and darting, floating on the surface, perching on boat houses and slips. Mostly Ring-Billed Gulls (I DID look these guys up, it was such an unusual event), which are quite large. Their calls were constant and loud; we could hear them in the house. ANYWAY, I'm digressing. Yesterday my husband is staring out the window toward the lake and said "What are those birds DOING?" A bunch of gulls were feeding on what we guessed to be a school of minnows. The loons were trying to cash in as well. Here's one shot of many.
Okay. I had to get outside. The birds were calling me. Back to my mini-road trip. Pulling into a large gravelled area below the dam, the designated bird watching area was practically deserted. Sounds of gulls reached my ears when the car's engine was silenced. Aaaahhh....how peaceful. Gulls and cormorants and coots were floating around in front of me - the usual dam birds. (LOL)
I grab camera and keys, locking the door began to walk around. Immediately, I spy something unexpected and almost couldn't breathe - the American White Pelicans were here!!! Folks, this is rare. This is only the 2nd year I've been fortunate enough to see them. Amazingly, they were completely unfathed by my presence and I got some great shots. Here are some good ones.
I HAVE to post my bird pictures. Everyone seems to be experiencing these great birding moments, and I've relished in the blogs of others these days. However, the past 6 months - give or take - I've been lacking in the bird moments. Husband retired - "surely you're not buying more BIRD SEED are you?" Well, um, yeah......I have been. But I had to quit for a while since the family wanted groceries THEY could eat (selfish as they are - LOL) so I begged for a new birdfeeder and years supply of bird seed for Christmas. The hubby came through, but bought that cheap seed. These song birds don't like that round stuff, so once that's gone I'll go back to the good stuff.
After several weeks with the new feeder up and shiny ribbons flying finally, FINALLY, birds started coming 'round. First came the ubiquitous cardinals, which I LOVE. The bluebirds, the house finches, doves, the wrens and chickadees, and finally goldfinches, titmice, a white-breasted nuthatch and a prize - a Eastern Wood Pewee. (Believe me - I had to look that up!)
Some of my favorites are the Tufted Titmouse. They're sort of cocky, and I like that about them. They only come around for me when there are tons of other birds around. It's not that they're shy, but simply cautious.
The last little guy I captured was a white-breasted nuthatch. They're everywhere, but don't often like posing for photos. I mean, this isn't America's Next Top Bird Models, for heaven's sake. They all just want to nibble in peace and not be bothered by my camera with a long lens and my dog's big face in the window. Birds just make me happy. How can one not be cheered by a bird? (with nod to Pooh) Thanks for letting me post these bird's photos. 
