Tennessee

Mourning Doves

/ Rebecca / 8 Comments

Mourning doves are commonly seen sitting in our pine trees or searching on the ground for sunflower seeds that have fallen from the feeders.  They often have favorite perches where they sit, and from which their distinctive coos can be heard.  However, they are easily startled, and take off like a shot.  Their initial flight produces a sharp whistling sound, followed by the gentle flutter of their soft wings.

Time, as he passes us, has a dove’s wing,
  Unsoil’d, and swift, and of a silken sound.
~William Cowper

 

Carolina wren

/ Rebecca / 4 Comments

The Carolina wren is small in size, but mighty in energy and attitude.  It has a way of making its presence known.  With lively chatter, it darts to and away from the feeders, seldom lingering in one place for more than a few seconds at a time.  I always enjoy catching a glimpse of this spirited little bird when it is hanging about.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”  ~Winston Churchill

The Promise of Spring

/ Rebecca / 6 Comments

Every day in Northwest Tennessee we are seeing gradual signs that Spring is on its way.

“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” ~Rachel Carson

Heading North

/ Rebecca / 19 Comments

On a morning walk, my attention was drawn to the bugling sound that I’ve come to associate with the Sandhill Crane.  Looking up, I saw strings  of them coming across the sky above the farm fields, headed northward.  Spring migration has begun.

“… the grand tour is just the inspired man’s way of heading home.”  ~Paul Theroux

Male Northern Cardinal

/ Rebecca / 11 Comments

… And all things earliest loved by me, —
The bird, the brook, the flower, the tree, —
Came back again, as thus I heard
The cardinal bird.
~William Davis Gallagher

Out on a limb

/ Rebecca / 11 Comments

The American Black Vulture is a little more dapper than his fellow scavenger, the Turkey Vulture, sporting glossy black feathers and a gray neck and head.  The Black Vulture is also said to be more social and prone to maintaining family ties.  We spotted these as they were taking in the view from the top of a tree at the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge.

“When you are out on a limb, the whole world is at your feet.”  ~Unknown

Patience

/ Rebecca / 4 Comments

“Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cedar Waxwing

/ Rebecca / 1 Comment

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