The first time I noticed yellow finches flitting around was two years ago.  They were feasting on sunflower seeds from the tall stalks of once beautiful sunshine flowers that now were just pin cushions of seeds providing nourishment to the birds.   By the time I noticed them they flew away, yellow streaks to across the field to find the protection of an old tree.   These are elusive little birds.

I have been on a mission to photograph these guys.  Today when I arrived to check my garden’s harvest I saw them fly over to the fence with their not so showy finch cousins.  No sudden moves.  I walked v…..e……..r………y……..s…….l…..o……..w…….l……y through the garden and stood very still, sometimes squatting out of site waiting for  a yellow finch, also known as a gold finch, to present himself to my camera.  Finally one began streaking around the garden looking for food as his little body caught the late afternoon sun.

Hanging out on the garden fence.

Yellow finch snacking on a sunflower seed.

Today, December 30th, 2010 it is 60 outside!  Tomorrow we are suppose to have thunderstorms.  While I am thankful that there is no ice or bad roads or a city shut down because of a blizzard, I should wouldn’t mind winter to return. I love the light and shadows that winter provides and the colors.  I guess I should be careful what I wish for but the snow a few weeks back was so pretty and the frosty morns give me good reason to smuggle my camera under my coat while taking Bear for a walk.  Did you know that Bear is shedding because it has gotten warmer.  I have almost brushed out a full “sweater” of Bear fur.

the pretty blanket of snow

pretty bird feeder

view from the living room

fresh snow angel

Nibbles in fresh snow

frog with snow toupee'

frozen foggy morning

birds snacking on berries

swoosh

the night after the lunar eclipse

ice crystals

This morning I witnessed Nibbles the cat catch in his mouth a flying being.  When I saw this poor winged thing on the door step I thought, “did you bring me a hummingbird moth?”   It was not a moth or butterfly but an actual hummingbird.  I couldn’t believe it!  I was a bit distraught because the poor thing was in shock, breathing heavy.  From having experienced this type of cat present before and getting knowledge from Walden’s Puddle, a local wildlife rescue, I located a little box. Then I gathered some newspaper and scooped up the little bird and put her/him in a quiet, cat free place in the box.   About 30 minutes later I went to check on the bird and when I touched him he turned his head back toward my finger.  I knew he would be okay.  Got out my camera and took some photos and with a little assistance the little bugger made a shriek and flew away to a tree.  Probably won’ t leave the tree for awhile.  Anyway here he is just before he left his temporary nest.  Never before have I been this close to a hummingbird.  He is absolutely beautiful.   His body is maybe two inches long with a wing span of about five inches.  Such a soft, sweet little miracle. Thank you Nibbles and thank you for not really harming him.

such a beautiful color palette!

Just before I cut away one side of the box to try and get a profile shot, he flew away to his tree!

A little photo album of the robin family on Clarke Street here in Historic Old Hickory Village.  April 14-29. 

A few days before the babies left the nest.

April 14th.

April 22nd, snug as a bug in a rug!

Dinner time!

Keeping the babies safe and warm.

Feed me!

Dad out gathering worms.

Family Portrait

napping

Always ready to eat!

open wide!

protected and safe

Just before they flew the nest.

the babies free.... the other bird (there were 3) flew out on his own the day before!

My house in the spring has a new view everyday.   From the huge white pine that lives on the corner of the property and can be seen from both bedrooms (it is like living in a treehouse) to the sweet orange that has become the local drinking hole for the birds, my views from my second story really make me happy and present something new to see each day.  This morning while I was brushing my teeth I looked out the window into the saucer magnolia and spied a female cardinal primping.  I ran to get my camera and even though she did move I was able to catch her hiding in the tree.   The saucer magnolia is getting ready to bloom.  The buds at the top of the tree are beginning to show signs of the beautiful pinkish purple petals that will soon fill the tree.  This for me is a true sign of spring! 

I am not going to sugar coat this, this winter has been rough and depressing.  As much as I like to think that I like change, I realize it is anticipation of change and what it will bring, the not knowing, or what will happen…that is what I do not like.  Life IS ever changing, transforming and all I can think about to give myself hope is, the butterfly and spring rolling around the corner.   Life is a journey and I guess I have been stagnant and suffocating her for too long.   Here I present some hope and beauty that winter gives to us:

Winter with it's soft palate and beauty little sculptures, yes, this makes me happy.

The cardinal couples who grace the "drunk tree" outside my living room window.

A favorite wire for the birds to perch upon. Would you look at how plump this little guy is!

Bear searching out smells under the snow.

Snow baby!

Snow princess!

Creative uses for recyclables!

Riverside drive in the village.

A sweet pup named Duncan who could be the offspring of Bear.

My backyard garden.

Frog and chair with snow.

Full moon light in the backyard!

Last week I took a trip to the Nashville Zoo.  It had really been too long, two months since I had seen the little baby clouded leopards.   They have gotten so big and the girl has already left for her new home at the National Zoo in Washington DC.   She is going there to get acquainted with the baby clouded leopard cubs born this year as possible mates.   So it is just Luke and Chet.  I wonder if they miss their sister?    Here are some photos of the cubs along with some of my other friends who were out enjoying the warm, autumn air one afternoon last week.   Another interesting thing while I was at the zoo this particular afternoon:  I witnessed three separate scuffles.  Two meerkats were at it, two lorikeets were at it and two of the gibbons were at it.  

Such a beautiful face.

Big...yyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn.....prrrrrrrrr....

What's that I see over there?

Handsome profile!

The boys kept looking up... there was a squirrel tormenting them.

Relaxing.

This is from the creek that runs through the Gibbons exhibit. I like the reflections.

The meerkat.

Silly goat.

Gotee.

Mr. Giraffe.

Knobby knees.

I cannot remember the name of this bird, he/she is related to the roadrunner and makes a really cool coo sound.

This guy was beautiful when he spread his wings... too fast and I was too occupied with the thought of lorikeets running into me.

Lorikeets.

Two more of one of the boys.

My newest additions to the back yard sanctuary.  These guys first showed up about a month ago.  See their first pictures here.  They just hang out in the garden most of the time.  Occasionally I try to get them to leave because I fear Luna, my older fat cat will get them:  they are just her speed.   I shot this last week after I shooed them up off the ground.  They made their way to the garage roof under the crape myrtle where they can rest and still have watch over the garden.  

Juvenile Mourning Doves on the apex of the garage roof, napping.

Yesterday morning I was so happy to see a baby morning dove in my backyard.  He was sitting on my fence and I first noticed him as I was investigating a spider web.   Then I realized there was another one on the ground, hiding among the pine straw.   It seems this guy was not a very confident flyer.  He could get on the fence but was a little afraid.   Once they were on the fence I was able to get some beautiful portraits of these sweet (in my mind anyway, a couple times I thought the brave one was going to fly right at my camera) birds.   This morning the brave one came back and perched on the apex of my garage roof watching me water the garden.  I think they are nesting in my neighbors maple tree.  

Here they are together by the back gate.

I love this image.

My absolute favorite image from the session.

I was talking to him... notice how he looks like he's listening.

grooming... I love their yellow underbelly.

Stretching out his wing.

So pretty... I think I kinda fell in love with them. I guess because they let me get so close to them.

The brave one.