“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
bird
Cedar Waxwing
It is always a joy to catch a glimpse of the Cedar Waxwings when they wander into our area searching for berries. Their high pitched whistle, as they call back and forth to one another, usually gives their presence away.
“I love berries. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, black berries, anything with an ‘errie’ in it!” ~Jordin Sparks
Common grackle
This adult male grackle was foraging for food amongst the needles of a cypress tree. His shiny black plumage took on a glossy-iridescence when struck by the bright sunlight.
In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. ~Aaron Rose
In search of the Sandhill Cranes
After spotting three Sandhill Cranes on farmland near our house, I was curious to find out why the cranes were in the area. I did an online search and discovered that “Hop-in Refuge”, located not far from us in West Tennessee, is a wintering home to several thousand Sandhill Cranes each year. Used as farmland during the summer, it is then flooded to provide habitat for birdlife during the winter months. I was excited to go on a road trip in search of the Sandhill Cranes. We found that though the refuge is closed during the months of November thru February, there are plenty of cranes to see dotting the farmland in the surrounding area.
“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.” ~Unknown
Sandhill Cranes
During a walk on our country road, I heard a strange bugling sound that I was unfamiliar with. Looking around, I saw three tall birds standing off on the other side of the field. They were Sandhill Cranes searching for food in a harvested corn field.
“When we hear his call, we hear no mere bird. We hear the trumpet in the orchestra of evolution.” ~Aldo Leopold
Stirring up the Snow Geese
The Snow Geese are back at Reelfoot Lake, and the Bald eagles are keeping an eye on them in hopes of acquiring an easy meal. Whenever a lookout detects a threat from an eagle, a call goes out to the rest of the flock, and the Snow Geese take flight.
“If you feel the urge, don’t be afraid to go on a wild goose chase. What do you think wild geese are for anyway?” ~Will Rogers
Sitting high
Driving along the levee beside the Mississippi River, I spotted an American Kestrel perched on a power line, hunting for insects and small prey. It is a small and colorful member of the falcon family.
“There are things we see with our eyes, sitting high and looking out. And there are things we see with our hearts, sitting still and looking in.” ~Philip Gulley
Female Ruby-throated hummingbird
It’s been quiet in our backyard since the hummingbirds headed south for the winter, with their flurry of activity being sorely missed. Here are a few photos taken shortly before they headed out.
“Goodbye? Oh no, please. Can’t we go back to page one and do it all over again?” ~Winnie the Pooh
Passing through
A small flock of birds that I did not immediately recognize visited my feeders earlier this week. They made themselves at home for part of a day, feasting upon black sunflower seeds. It turns out that they were Brown-headed Cowbirds in the process of molting into their winter plumage, and included some juveniles. I have kept an eye out for them, hoping to get another glimpse, but they have not shown up again.
“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” ~Unknown
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
… God has blessed all beauties of Nature;
He’s set His approval and seal
On all of His small, winged messengers
That fly through the air with such zeal.
~Gertrude Tooley Buckingham
walking on a country road 