We stopped at the Big Sandy Unit Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge to see if we could see any hummingbirds at the feeders. We weren’t disappointed by the hummingbirds …
or by the beautiful butterfly garden and grounds which overlooked the lake.
I couldn’t decide which I enjoyed more, the flowers …
the birds …
or the butterflies and other insects.
“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.” ~Ruth Stout
The area around Reelfoot Lake was once again busy with a variety of birds, some of which were passing through during spring migration.
One of my favorites to look for each year is the Prothonotary Warbler with its bright yellow plumage. I spotted this one in a wooded area, busily preening its feathers.
Flitting about in the top of the Cypress trees were the Yellow-rumped warblers flashing their beautiful yellow patches …
and the larger gray and white Eastern Kingbird on the lookout for flying insects.
Down closer to the water we spotted a shy thrush sitting on a cypress knee …
and a male and female Red-winged blackbird, catching insects and guarding nests among the swampy vegetation.
“In a world where thrushes sing and willow trees are golden in the spring, boredom should have been included among the seven deadly sins.” ~Elizabeth Goudge
I spotted these three juvenile house sparrows sitting on some branches of a bush in my yard. They were sunning and preening and eagerly awaiting their mothers return.
Her arrival caused quite a flurry of activity as each juvenile vied to get the next morsel of food that she brought.
After feeding time, her departure left the juveniles looking a little lost and forlorn.
Here is a short video of the mother sparrow feeding the juveniles.
“(24/7) once you sign on to be a mother, that’s the only shift they offer.” ~Jodi Picoult
It is common for the Rose-breasted Grosbeak to migrate through our area in the spring. I heard reports of them being here in late April, but only spotted them in my yard this past week. The male, with his bright red patch, was the first to make an appearance, followed shortly by the brown and white female. Seeing these birds is one of the highlights of my spring.
“Last week, when I went early into my garden, a rose-breasted grosbeak was sitting on the fence. Oh, he was beautiful as a flower. I hardly dared to breathe, I did not stir, and we gazed at each other fully five minutes before he concluded to move.” ~Celia Thaxter
There’s a certain beauty about nature in silhouette. A silhouette leaves room for the imagination and seems to create a mood and story of its own.
“My imagination has always been inspired by nature’s vision.” ~Gregory Colbert
“When you are describing,
A shape, or sound, or tint;
Don’t state the matter plainly,
But put it in a hint;
And learn to look at all things,
With a sort of mental squint.”
~Lewis Carroll
walking on a country road 