birds – Page 3 – My Wylde Lyfe

My New Bouncy Friend

I was studying in the back garden; getting ready to help run the local polling station for the upcoming federal election. I was learning how to get people ready to vote and enable democracy while not taking any sides.

Out of nowhere, on the back fence I heard the loveliest warbling and trilling and looked around to see the house wren bouncing up and down. I had never seen one before and I thought he looked like a sparrow, but certainly did not act or sound like one.

His song was very beautiful and I found his bouncy behaviour very amusing. I will always be grateful to Elections Canada for inadvertently introducing me to the house wren.

The American Goldfinch

The goldfinch has a long, leisurely drink at the bird bath after satiating himself on niger seed.

He then flits away; twittering as he goes. Leaving a little gleam of sunshine in my heart.

The Female Cardinal

The female cardinal sits on my front porch eating her breakfast, slowly and methodically. Her muted scarlet hues accented by the rosy colour of the tiles on the porch.

She is caught in the moment by the sunshine and her presence lights up my heart.

The Common Terns of Long Point Provincial Park

We were in Lake Erie; off the beautiful beach in Long Point Provincial Park; in the precious and unique biosphere of the Long Point sandspit; recognized by UNESCO; enjoying the water and the waves.

I looked up over the lake to see a group of birds, crying and dipping and diving over the water.

At first I thought they were seagulls, with their grey and white bodies, but they had black heads and they didn’t sound or behave like seagulls.

I later found out that they were common terns; but they weren’t a common sighting for me and I was happy to see them.

The Great Blue Heron of the Long Point Marsh

He stood there transfixed–the epitome of patience and resolve. One hundred percent sure that his lunch would come.

Pre-Sunset Glow

The rarified ambience of an early summer evening.

The cumulus clouds that slowly move in the light blue sky.

The sun that sits in a corner of the sky like a dying campfire.

The special quality of the pre-sunset sunlight that illuminates the top of the trees.

The muted respectful staccato of the American robin and the low peaceful flute of the mourning dove.

The gentle breeze that blows the leaves and introduces a cooling air.

The sweet peas; the sweet peace; the sweet peas!

Biking through the Buttercups

There were buttercups everywhere. The robins were dancing in them. And I was on a ten kilometre bike ride–great stress relief.

Along the trail there were homemade bird feeders. One of them looked like a Tiki hut. I was delighted and inspired.

A Tranquil Moment

Is there anything more relaxing than to sit by the willow trees and watch the barn swallows swoop down by the gently rippling water?

I don’t think so.

The Magic of Dusk

The American robin is the town crier. He announces the descending of the night.

He sings incessantly, sincerely, melodiously. He sings from the bottom of his heart.

All of a sudden, the meandering grey clouds slowly reveal the bright fingernail of a moon suspended over the darkened treetops.

The Duck

There is a mallard duck that has a nest in the dense flowery growth of our garden.

As a result, we have gone out and bought a manual lawnmower, (so as not to disturb her).

I’m taking exquisite pride in using it; like a grandmother tiptoeing around a baby sleeping in a nursery.