Monday, January 05, 2009

birds of Winter



Having spent most of the entire month of December in bed sicker than a dog, I had a chance to watch the tiny little birds at the suet feeder, and the platform feeder that was heavy with snow for almost 3 weeks.

The Ruby Crowned Kinglet is one that for several years I had been trying to identify, and it was not until last summer that I saw him stick his ruby feather up through the olive colored ones. He hides it well. He is sooo tiny. Even smaller than the Black-capped chickadees!

Today, as I was drinking my morning coffee, the feeders were rather busy. Spotted doves, two kinds of chickadees, house finches, kinglets, Downy woodpeckers and Hairy Woodpeckers, and the tiny little nuthatches. It was a busy place. Even Jupiter, the nasty bird-killer from next door, was slowly sneaking up on his own personal hors'dourves tray! Sadie chased him off, and off flew the rest of the crowd.

Yesterday, I was watching them all and suddenly they all just dissappeared. A Cooper's Hawk dropped down out of the canopy of the alders and tried so very hard to have his lunch at my expense. He lost!

I am ever so slowly getting my self back together. My cough is still there, but getting better, and I can actually breathe. I spent New Years Eve unconcious! Tylenol 3 with Codeine sure makes you sleep. But then I am a cheap drunk anyway, you just whisper "narcotics" and I am OUT like a light. I could never get addicted to illegal drugs, I miss too much of life. I am still waiting for Christmas! My kids came over on each weekend, Donna right after Christmas, and Tim on New years. I will Cook my Christmas Prime RIb dinner when they can all be here. Tim works most weekends, (overtime) trying to meet a deadline on re-painting a NOAH research ship. He Loves his job!

Today I have a pot-luck and Board Meeting for The Coupeville Festival, so I am going to try and not cough in public! I'm not contagious any more, but try telling that to people!

Hope you all had a good Holiday season!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad your a bit better...a belated Happy New year...regards from NZ

Sally said...

What amazes me is that you know the names of all those birds!

I'm glad you're better also, but please be cautious until you're completely well.

Brenda said...

I would love to be able to snap pictures of all of your birdies! I had a strange visitor the other day and still have no idea what sort of bird he was. I didn't have time to grab my camera before he flew off.

I'm glad you're feeling better Miz Mary lou. Don't overdo it now, ya hear?

Tabor said...

At least you can enjoy your feathered friends while feeling so sick! Take it easy as you slide back into the world.

Jennifer AKA keewee said...

It's good to hear you are on the road to a full recovery.
The Kinglet is such a cute little bird. I discovered the birds a couple of years ago, but did not know what they were, until I was given a bird book for last Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! I'm glad you're feeling better.

Unknown said...

It's good to know that you're feeling better now Mary Lou. I wish I had all these birds around the house. There are to many cats in our neighbourhood, at least 20 and they all catch every day 1 bird as a present for their daddy. That means at least 7,300 birds lost their life last year... hmmm...

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you're feeling better.

Rain Trueax said...

Glad you are feeling better. That virus is a nasty one. Hope your new year is a good one. I also find a lot of enjoyment in watching the little birds. It's dismal out here otherwise as it varies between heavy rains and then sulking.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you are getting well.
Take it easy and spoil yourself rotten. That's why we retired.

How has all of that wind and rain affected your place? I think about you everytime I see the pictures on the news. Stay inside and crochet.