Monday, February 10, 2014

Counted Cross Stitch Chickadee and Singing Valentine


 
"If I am late filling the feeders or Jill is slow cutting the suet, we hear from the chickadees.  They twitter from every icy twig, scolding in a nice way.  They are my favorite winter birds, for their dee-dee-dee has a bright sound and they wing so bravely through falling snow, cocking their black-capped heads toward us.  They are small, compact birds, grey with the satin-black markings but when they come close, there is a soft, almost apricot color on their breasts.  They can crack sunflowers seeds with the best of the bigger birds, and they can sit right down on their stomachs to eat the suet in the window feeder.  They tuck their delicate legs under, put their tail feathers flat behind as a balance and sit at table in a most amazing manner."  by Gladys Taber
 
Singing Valentine
Outside my window
on the icy ground below
a little bird sings:
         “Chick-a-dee
                            dee
                                 dee
         Chick-a-dee
                            dee
                                              dee
A valentine melody
         just for me!
 
by Linda Kulp
 
 
What is your favorite winter bird?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Answer in the comment section below.  If you are reading this via email, you must click on the title of my blog post to be able to comment and read the comments of others.

Dasha Brandt from Australia sent me this fabulous youtube of Bellbirds.  Enjoy!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_72WGRT0mJw
 
You might also want to read my previous blog post Kiss Quilt Block and Valentine Matchup.

8 comments:

  1. So cute. I love chickadees. They come through with the redbirds and titmouse.

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  2. We don't have chickadees here, and our migratory birds (not many of them) arrive in summer not winter. The majority of birds we have here are Rainbow Lorikeets and Bell Birds. The latter are little dun coloured jobs, very well camouflaged, that live in all the trees around us and tinkle little bell type calls day in and day out. They are belling away right now. Very pleasant to listen to.

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    Replies
    1. Dasha,
      I've had Lories as pets. Their colors are drop-dead gorgeous and their personalities are wickedly fun. I can't imagine living among them in the wild. :)

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  3. We have a Great Tit that is a Chickadee relative. The song and behavior is the same. Today I bought them more sunflower seeds. My favorites, though, are the Japanese White eyes. If I fill a wine glass with orange juice and set it out on the wall. they will perch on the rim and drink it all the way to the bottom.

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  4. I love chickadees but they are so difficult to photograph!

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  5. I love to watch the chickadees and snowbirds (junco) at our feeders. Occasionally we have the bright red cardinal.

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  6. My favorite winter bird is the one who is currently at the feeder - junco, chickadee, cardinal, blue jay, mourning dove, finch, nuthatch, sapsucker, woodpecker, titmouse - each is gorgeous in an unique way. I could sit and watch them all day...and, sometimes I do!

    I am new to your blog. Gladys Taber is my favorite author and my connection to you today.

    I have read Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek series, but not read her latest books. Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker sounds like a good one and what a great idea to make a quilt block at the same time -sorry I missed the opportunity. I have been on hiatus from my quilting for years...this sounds like a good way to return - read and quilt! And, watch birds.

    Could I possibly add one more thing to my busy schedule? Of course I can!

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  7. This is so beautiful!! I actually love seeing the Blue Jays around here! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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