I love the simple beauty of the wild chicory. I photograph it often.
Touch-me-nots (or Himalayan Balsam) are so named for the pods which grow and ripen late in the summer. One very gentle touch and they pop open to reveal the seeds inside. They're irresistible - kind of like nature's bubble wrap.
The pods were just beginning to grow on this plant iwhen the photo was taken. They sure do look pretty in the late-day sunlight.
As do these blushing rose hips.
I'm sure somebody, somewhere knows the name of this wildflower, but it isn't me.
Likewise for this lovely purple plant.
This one I know. It's a coneflower or echinacea.
Sometimes a blossom looks just as pretty from behind.
On to the birds...
Mallards are lovely creatures - even when they're moulting heavily. You can see the wee bits of green feathers just beginning to grow back on this fellow's head.
Male cardinals certainly add a splash of colour to their surroundings. This guy is eating Chez Frank.
And this sweet little sparrow became familiar to us over the course of a couple of days. Frank dubbed him Big Nose. Unfortunately, he wasn't coping as well as his mates. He'd stop by the feeding station and eat well enough, but he appeared to struggle and flutter to keep his balance. He flew just fine the first day but his wings didn't seem to be able to give him quite the lift he needed by the next day. By day three, he was clearly ailing - unable to fly at all. Frank tried to coax him into a cage where he'd be able to find food, water and safety from predators overnight but that was just not to be. I think a swift kill (if that happened) was probably the kinder end for Big Nose. We never saw him again after day three. In retrospect (and by Googling) we determined that he probably had the West Nile virus.
Rest in peace, little Big Nose.
Stay tuned for more photos in a few days.
56 comments:
You made me smile with your comment about Touch-Me-Nots being nature's bubble wrap. :) There are just so many beautiful images here. It wouldn't be fair to any of them if I were to try to choose a favorite...so I won't.
Aster and vervain are the 2 unknowns. lovely choices
It seems like you were just posting winter photos and now in these remarkable pics I see summer slipping away.
Love the subtle lighting on the male Cardinal.
These are all so beautiful, such vivid colors. The green tufts on the mallard's head are exquisite.
It's sad to find sick birds. I had a house finch that was obviously ill last week, sitting for the longest time at the feeder. Afterwards I took the feeder down and scrubbed it out with bleach water to make sure he didn't pass something nasty on to the other birds, poor little guy. I never saw him again either.
Hilary, I love the photos of birds! most the one of cardinal, it's a very smart bird!
what a glorious sunrise...love it....the chickory is def beautiful...as is that cone flower...hop you are having a wonderful weekend...
Another round of interesting photos. I feel sorry for Big Nose.
It is always such a treat to visit your blog. I am sorry for Big Nosey, too. Your photos are breathtaking and so inviting. It always makes me want to just follow along behind you and see what you see.
beautiful, all of them. you are so good.
Interestingly, out touch-me-not blossoms are yellow and orange. I called them orange poppers when I was just a poppet :)
Such beautiful photos. Hope change-form day for Big nose was a peaceful one.
Such a lovely post! Enjoyed my visit here!
All these gorgeous flower shots would be a welcome sight all winter! Any time, lady!!
I felt badly for Big Nose, too. His life has been acknowledged now by many, thanks to you.
gorgeous pictures..love the cardinal
i love them all. the soft color of chicory is just amazing. sorry about big nose.
Lovely images. The last one is clearly my favourite. I love those sunbeams reaching toward Heaven.
I know the feeling of great photos that you just have to share. When I get a good shot I definitely want to share it no matter what the season.
The sunbeams are breathtaking.
Purple flowers, of all kinds, are my favorites, i'm glad so many were purple or purplish in today's selection.
Struggling birds make me sad; that's one reason i always take fallen nestlings to the wildlife hospital.
All your photos touched me...fabulous
Hugs
SueAnn
The little sparrow brought joy to many of us via your photo. Interesting to see the creatures with ailments, all of us creatures actually. These photos are of such an excellent quality, clarity and color. Thanks for brightening my day with your photos.
I love cardinals! I wish they lived in my area. Chicory, too -- it's such a pretty flower. Luckily we get sunsets, so I can share that experience with you. :)
The West Nile Virus is so deadly.
A friend of ours Father in law passed away from undetected West Nile last week. He was elderly and all his other problems masked the real one. Very sad and quite scary.
Your ending photo with the rays of the sun is a fitting closure to the tale of Big Nose.
Gorgeous capture.
Poor Big Nose. Glorious photos, all. Thank you.
sweet big nose
thanks for trying to help him
the colors you cpature are so amazing
especially all the shades of purple
Hilary, this is such a beautiful series of photographs.
Thank you for the ID on the first one.
We have so much of that growing here. I think it is so pretty, but I never knew what it was.
Hope you've had a fantastic weekend!
xo.
Your request for plant names reminds me of a friend who is a plant specialist. When he's tried everything to identify a plant he looks in his weed book.
Nice variety in the types of flower photos eg. from the back.
You never fail, Hilary.
I love cone flowers! Why is the death and fragility of wild birds always makes me so sad? There is a vulnerability and beauty about them that I have loved ever since I can remember. Poor Big Nose!
Wow, these are glorious. Wish I could help on the flower IDs. Poor Big Nose. We had a finch that looked very weak, barely hanging onto the bird feeder perch. I walked within 5 feet and he didn't budge. He was clearly weak. I wanted so badly to help, but I thought I might stress him out more. It's hard to know what to do in those situations. Maybe ours had West Nile also. :(
Oh, that's so sad about little Big Nose. How kind of Frank to want to trap him to keep him safe. Hilary, I never get tired of your flower and bird pics (well, anything you post) so just keep on posting. I love the red and purple of that coneflower.
That coneflower is gorgeous! Always enjoy lovely pictures of flowers!
What beautiful shots. As always, the lighting is perfect.
Poor Big Nose - such a gorgeous bird.
glorious crepusculars, your photos rule. Your hearts are sweet to send big nose on his way appreciated and wished well.
Have a Great Week
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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There is something about wild chicory that holds me spellbound. I'm not sure if it is the shape of the petals or the periwinkle color, but I love them!
I loved them all. Just gorgeous.
Don't know which to admire: the blur or the focus!
Great shots all!
wow, these are glorious images, dear hilary!
ah, your photos are always worth the look!
big hugs!
The pictures are astonishing, the flowers and the birds, I love 'em.
That's sad that you had to see Big Nose struggling that way. :(
The petals on the chicory look like ribbons!
poor big nose ... make sure you have on bug repellent when you are out .. west nile is pretty deadly for people too
I have no doubt Big Nose is flying free and getting all the goodies he wants in some wonderful birdie heaven.
Ah yes, we will try to "bear with you" for yet another compilation of stunning inspiring delightful photos. Such an imposition! :)
Lovely as always. I've been enjoying being bitten by the photo bug lately too. :)
Ooh! and then the next picture... ooh!! and the next... OOH!
So lovely!
You capture such gorgeous images!
SD
Ooh! and then the next picture... ooh!! and the next... OOH!
So lovely!
You capture such gorgeous images!
SD
We had some first time visitors at our bird bath last night. A wood pecker and a dove. Poor little big beak/nose. RIP.
so very appealing ail of it
I like the cardinal, eating away. And the last shot of the beautiful rays.
Seriously Hilery, I think I'm definitely coming across to learn macro photography from you! Some wonderful photos again.
Seriously Hilery, I think I'm definitely coming across to learn macro photography from you! Some wonderful photos again.
I am over here having a browse from Gail's Blog. you have a lovely blog, I particularly like your chicory photo I use this plant as a symbol for my blog.
that cardinal looks like a sassy fellow! sorry about big nose but what a glorious sky you captured.
I can't resist bubblewrap. Wild chicory looks like it's made of frayed paper ribbons. Sad about the bird.
Although I take them on occasion, I am generally not overly fond of flower photos. I just about always like yours, however. You do them well. Poor Big Nose.
You look into the soul of that duck!
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