Thursday, April 16, 2009

Impromptu

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Today I did not intend to post anything here. There were no stories or thoughts to write until I took a good look at the new oak leaves. So here I am with whatever. The first oak leaves, to me, means spring is racing towards summer. It’s definite.

I worked/played in the yard this evening thinking I should start building a pile of stuff to take to West Virginia with me. Bring out the suitcases, at least. Heck, I still need to shop for appropriate and professional birding apparel. That notion makes me laugh! A week from Sunday I’ll be leaving for the New River Birding & Nature Festival and I’m feeling some jitters. It’s too exciting to think about meeting more than a dozen people I know so well but have never seen eye to eye or held close to me. Have I lost my mind? I feel like a post-menopausal student leaving home for the first time, off to college… Wish me luck. ;-)

Here at my little wildlife habitat, I do a lot for the birds who visit but I think perhaps the greatest gift I have for them is the pond. They can survive without my all-you-can-eat buffet but they need the water.


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Robin is checking it out, testing the water. I remember taking these photos with a cell phone on my ear. How'd I do that?


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I enjoy watching birds bathe more than anything. Rocks are placed strategically at the water’s surface to make it easy for them.


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I rarely get close enough for photographs. When flocks of Cedar Waxwings arrive, it's breathtaking, stunning, surreal.

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Isn’t that wonderful?


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Those Brown Thrashers would never let me see them at the pond.


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Modest? Maybe.


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Prefers a dust bath, as far away from me as possible. See the left eye?

Last week I saw the first lilypad.

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These guys will keep the tadpole population under control. No doubt about it.


34 comments:

TR Ryan said...

Stop it!!! Stop taking outrageously fantastic photos and posting them for those of us who lug around thousands of dollars worth of fancy equipment to glare at in absolute envy.

The robin shot needs to be posted right now in Facebook's Nature Photography contest: Birds - deadline is tomorrow. Go post it.

And the pond shots - you knew it was time for me to have another chunk of stunning pond photos - didn't you! Be still my heart - the motion, the colors, the texture - I LOVE THESE.

West Virginia - I am right with you - the most uncanny feeling of meeting people for the first time who you've known now for two years. I keep forgetting that we don't really know what each other looks like. It's all make believe until next Sunday. It feels like Christmas is coming and there are huge, fantastic presents already under the tree with my name on it - waiting to be unwrapped and enjoyed. I have the biggest butterflies in my stomach.

And one last thing:

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY - HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

10 days and counting!!!!

Wendy said...

Well, Happy Birthday to you!!! I didn't know it was your birthday. Many happy returns. You will have so much fun in West Virginia, meeting all those people and birding. Just be yourself. And have fun.

Yes, your pics are gorgeous! A lily pad so early? Wow - that really says summer to me. The robins, I think are posing just for you. LOL!

Sky said...

amazing shots! a nice spring infusion for me....thanks!

Corey said...

Ditto T.R. on the robin photo . . #2 is amazing.

Happy birthday, and enjoy WV!

Aunt "B's" Backyard said...

Sound like you have a fun time ahead of you...just relax and have a GREAT time!! Your shot are just incredible, Mary. The colors are absoutely breathtaking!!

Dawn Fine said...

I agree with T.R. fantastic photos...So nice you have created such a great habitat for the birds.
Do you have a good zoom on that camera? It seems you are able to get so close to the birds.

Dawn Fine said...

Oh..Hope you had a great birthday!

Susan Gets Native said...

I feel like I am an old pro at meeting bird bloggers, having done it a handful of times. Know what happens? Lots of big smiles and falling into each other's arms.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I'm getting nervous too May. I can't wait to hear everyone's voices. I want to know what you all sound like. And hugs. I want hugs.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Happy Birthday Sweetie-Pie!!

J.G. said...

Serious pond envy going on here. Love the water swirls!

Jayne said...

Love the robin in the pond and the sight of the koi in there as well. Spring is definitely underway... I know you'll have a great time in WV Mary. :c)

KGMom said...

Another round of stunning photos--will ya put down the cell phone so some of the shots don't turn out? ;-)
Well, I will just have to scoot over to FB to wish you a happy birthday.
Have fun with all the friends you have yet to meet.

Cheryl said...

Hi Mary......you will be fine and have a fantastic time......enjoy....


You are so right....a pond is such a lifeline for many creatures. I have noticed since we put the water feature in last year we have had a lot more visits from birds, insects etc.......


Lovely photographs as always.....

Just read first comment...think you have a huge fan....

Happy birthday Mary, have a wonderful day......

Endment said...

Wonderful series
and happy belated birthday

Kyle said...

A beautiful series of shots, Mary, but that first one of the new leaves popping out against that crisp blue sky is by far my favorite!

And happy belated birthday! I'm celebrating mine today.

Hope y'all have a blast in West Virginia next week!

dmmgmfm said...

Beautiful, Mary. As usual.

Happy Birthday.

Heidi said...

Yay for spring!

I can't wait to hear of all the adventures - day time and night time from WV!

A New England Life said...

Wow Mary, I'm a few posts behind to say the least! Seems that's just how things are these days : /

Gorgeous shots! Wouldn't I love to have a pond instead of a birdbath to watch the birds splash around in. Maybe one day. I think my hubby would really enjoy making one and caring for it.

It's not too often I see a brown thrasher! They tend to stay on the outer limits of our yard, scratching around, blending in with the leaves.

Wish I could join you in WV. Wouldn't that be a hoot!

Sharon

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Your impromptu posts are always interesting. I like to see where you lead us. It is always fun to hang out at the pool.

You will have a great time on your trip. Birders are fun people.

Anonymous said...

I love to watch birds bathe too. You just know they love it and it is a time that they are not worried or spooked. Nice set of images.

Kathi said...

Can't wait to meet you. Now, stop taking pictures and go pack!

~Kathi, the Overpacker, who should take her own advice

Rose said...

Happy belated birthday, Mary! I hope you had a great day, and all your feathered friends came out to help you celebrate.

As always, fantastic photos. Enjoy your trip to West Virginia; I have a feeling everyone else has the jitters, too, but they're anxiously waiting to meet YOU!

Unknown said...

Many a times I've thought the same thing. That's why I post by theme. And am I homesick for the Mudderland, or does that robin look exactly like a Baltimore Oriole.

Tina said...

I think I need to try and take my pictures with one hand..maybe I'm doing something wrong.. having both hands on my camera never seems to get me the quality and crispness that you get!! :)
Happy belated Birthday...know you prob had a good one.
HAVE FUN on your trip..take lots of pics of those newbie birds and some of those elusive bloggers that you only know in cyber space.

Naturegirl said...

Mary! I'm home now and you're leaving! OH what action and life in and around your pond! Mine is soupy..you know before that first cleaning in Spring..yuk! I'll do it alone as natureboy still in AZ.
Enjoy your new meet & greets I know that you will feel as though you've known them forever..because you have much in common! That's what I found in meeting people I've met through blogging!! safe travel hugs NG

Naturegirl said...

Heh!! Did I miss something?? Is it your B. Day?? Well then
(((HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY!!))))

Balisha said...

The pictures are breathtaking. I love them. If i could take pictures like those....they would all be framed and would cover my walls.

Bill said...

Revisiting your sight makes me realize how much I miss blogging. I promise to get back at it!!

Appalachian Lady said...

You took the robin photo with a cellphone--wow! Wonderful photos all. I too love the trees when they are first showing green. You captured the oak leaves nicely.

Kathleen said...

Ditto! I too have photo and pond envy. That Robin - the lily pad - WOW!

I too am excited about WV! I've decided to attend - in part because of you! Seeing the logo on your website every time I visit urged me to NOT miss the fun this year! I can't miss work the entire week, but I'm be there Thursday night. I'm looking forward to meeting you!!

Happy Belated Birthday!

Julie Zickefoose said...

I love love love the robin shots but the swirly koi one is my favorite. Go Lumix, go Mary. Checking the weather for Fayetteville WV it looks like SUMMER will be there by the time we are! Although mountain weather reports are notoriously unreliable.

I love this post, the beauty you wring out of your backyard, cellphone to ear or not.

Robin's Nesting Place said...

I've missed your blog while I was away, Mary! A beautiful post! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip!

Happy belated birthday!

r garriott said...

Marvelous photos, thanks! and the bee, too... I love watching the bees...