Birds: Surprising Things I’ve Seen

Bird watching has jaw-dropping moments. Some are hilarious! Others are filled with awe and wonder. Get ready to laugh out loud and then feel amazed!

This is the most recent hilarious event. A downy woodpecker surprisingly crept to the top of Jingle the gnome. I was all set to photograph the downy woodpecker. Tufty landed smack dab, tail-to-beak in front of him! Pretty obnoxious! One looks quite startled and annoyed; the other unapologetic and quite mischievous. Behind his massive mustache and beard, Jingle is totally inscrutable. The front of a Christmas card might say: “Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle!”

Of course, the birds were really having a discussion over what was tucked behind the pinecone decoration: sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet crumbs. The other place it might have been fun to entice them was the very top of the gnome’s cap. (See the lone peanut and sunflower seed?)

I was afraid the birds might be a bit suspicious of Jingle. Did you notice his antique bed spring? (I fell in love with antique vintage touch.) The bedspring gave Jingle and unexpected effect on a windy, cold day. In addition to being a tall stranger, the bedspring made Jingle wobbly in the wind, turning him into a winter scarecrow. Lucky for me, food at this time of year is pretty irresistible. The peanut and sunflower seed trail entices the birds closer and closer. It took a little time, but it worked! Yay!

In case you’re wondering, Jingle was made by Karen DeHaven of Last Chance Wood Products. We met them at Howard County Crafts Spectacular, MD. They can also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LastChanceWoodProducts/

Birds Fill You With Wonder

There are no words to describe this experience. Looking at this tiny moment in time still engulfs me with a sense of awe. “Azure on Winter White” is in our powder room so I never lose my sense of wonder. Let’s face it, that little room is a place of contemplation that many people visit!

Why would a bluebird do this? Bluebirds are definitely curious. I’ve seen their inquisitiveness on many occasions. Scientists have studied this trait. Winkler and Leisler confirm this trait with these thoughts: “Exploration and curiosity are undoubtedly important components of bird behaviour.” “Play in birds is widespread and bears many features of exploratory behaviour.” I don’t really need to understand why. I just shake my head in amazement that it happened.

Another reason for the bluebird’s behavior might be the warmth from the lamp. The lamp’s heat is funneled by the globe. If you’ve ever tried to put your hand on top of the globe of a lamp, it won’t stay there for long! (Ouch!) The heat also rises above the globe. I image birds would be sensitive to the change in heat from the air flow. On a snowy day, it might be really enjoyable.

Here are three more images that the camera captured.

In the first photo, it looks like he has a hot foot! In the second, he’s using his wing to turn. The last photo looks like he’s opening up to get his whole body warmed. What do you imagine in these photos?

Birds Are Playful

Birds move incredibly quickly. The camera captures things that I couldn’t begin to see. This sequence of photos was taken in September, 2015. I’ve seen people toss food into the air and try to catch in their mouths (sometimes with really funny results). The nuthatch tossed the seed in the air, tracked it, nearly flipped backwards and caught it in his beak! We have limited success with a comparatively large mouth. His beak is quite long and skinny. Astounding!

Birds are Determined in Their Quest for Food

Tufted titmice are insatiable when it comes to peanuts! Truth be told, the jar was probably filled much higher with sunflower seeds and peanuts in the beginning. That was, until I began to wonder just how far the little tufty would go to get a single peanut at the bottom of the jar. I thought I was being a little devious, but I swear the tufty laughed at me as he absconded with his trophy!

Birds Fill You with Wonder

“Toasting My Toes“ was another moment filled with awe and wonder. By itself, ball jar is quite simple and classic. The jars acquire a whole new level as a candle holder, especially with real berries, pine cones, greenery and jingle bells surrounding it. This scene was outside long enough for snow to cover the ground and for the candle to drip wax. Sunflower seeds were sprinkled in the greenery where the ‘average’ bird would look for food. A chill breeze made the candle flicker. My husband named this image “Toasting My Toes”. The light and warmth from the candle sweeps up over the front of the chickadee. Again, I just shake my head in amazement.

I hope you enjoyed both the laughter and the awe that birds bring. Settle into a comfy chair by the window with a hot cup of tea or coffee in the morning. Put some black oil sunflower seeds near the window. Given time, you’re sure to have some memorable moments!

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Smiles!