The recent article in GRIT magazine titled “How to Watch a Bird” had me reflecting on this past summer and all the birds I have been noticing and what fun they are to photograph. The challenge is getting that perfect shot! I love this picture I took recently so much I have it as my computer screen saver!
We have discussed various birds for our country home – guinea fowl, peacocks, and my favorite … swans! I know what a huge bird the swan is as I have been observing a mated pair each season give birth and raise their babies. This year there are six babies and they are adorable. The first photos were taken June 8, 2008, and you can see how they have grown in 2 months from the last photo. We are not 100 percent sure if we will have swans on the pond, but they sure are a beautiful bird!
Also this spring I witnessed a pair of cardinals build their nest right outside my kitchen window and raise two baby cardinals. The following photos were taken in early spring. The cardinal is the State Bird of Illinois and as I researched, I discovered it is also the state bird for neighboring states … Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. I never knew this. The baby cardinal matures very fast and leaves the nest within a week or two. One of the babies was much bigger and left the nest sooner.
Last year when we bought our place down south I noticed a rather strange (at least strange or maybe new) behavior occurring with the birds. Right around sunset they all gather on the trees and then fly from tree to tree in swarms. The noise they make flying is LOUD … this is what caught my attention. It may well be a normal bird function down south or maybe near a pond or even by growing corn? It definitely is a ritual for these birds and this year there seems to be more – thousands of birds! It’s an amazing sight! I know the bird’s insect eating abilities are wonderful for a garden and there are books and articles devoted to the subject of attracting birds to your garden. Basically, you should supply a source of water for the birds – a birdbath works for this purpose. Provide some type of protection or shelter and make sure to feed the birds. This year I experimented and let the seed that fell from the feeder grow. I recently cut down the seed stalks and have them drying either to replant next year for more birdseed or to just feed the birds!
Birds are beautiful creatures!
