For the Birds

Just a few photos of my local winged critters and some quotes which I found to be amusing. I hope you enjoy them.

“When birds burp, it must taste like bugs.” ~ Bill Watterson

"Everything at IKEA requires assembly. I bought a pillow, and they gave me a duck." ~ Todd Glass

“I don't like small birds. They hop around so merrily outside my window, looking so innocent. but I know that secretly, they're watching my every move and plotting to beat me over the head with a large steel pipe and take my shoe.” ~ Jack Handy

"It's a good thing we have gravity, or else when birds died they'd just stay right up there. Hunters would be all confused." ~ Steven Wright

"Growing up, my Mom always claimed to feel bad when a bird would slam head-first into our living room window. If she really felt bad, though, she'd have moved the bird feeder outside." ~ Rich Johnson

Fine Feathers

"It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds." ~ Aesop

I consider myself very fortunate to live just steps away from a beautiful park with walking paths and a pond. It's home, breeding ground and stopover for many different species of animals - particularly birds. A brisk walk around the pond only takes about ten minutes but I often find myself taking closer to a half hour to make the circuit because looking for, enjoying and snapping photos of wildlife takes time.

A couple of days ago, I stepped outside my door and onto the sidewalk which leads to the park. I walked about three steps and looked down to see a dead Mourning dove. It wasn't bloody or twisted. It actually looked rather peaceful, but a semi-busy sidewalk was not a suitable final resting place for any creature. I returned home, got a small bag, collected the dove and brought it with me into the park where I was able to give it a more dignified location beneath some brambles.

I removed it from the bag, and before I placed it in the snow, I opted to pluck one of its tail feathers to add to this beautiful feather keeper which Ellen so kindly gifted to me a few months ago.

As I continued walking, I heard the familiar "chip" sound of a Cardinal and I paused to look up to see if I could locate him by his brilliant red plumage.

It turns out that it was this more subtle, young cutie who was doing the calling. I think the female Cardinal with all her hues of gold and red is even more beautiful than the male.

Before I ventured much further, I could hear and see what I thought was a large flock of sparrows occupying the branches of a tree. I nearly kept on walking but something rosy caught my eye.

I moved in for a closer look and saw a number of these little sweeties. I wasn't sure what I was looking at and needed to check with a bird identification website. Even then, I wasn't positive so I turned to my other birding resource and he confirmed that this was indeed a House finch. I don't think I've ever seen one before.

I wandered down to the pond which was filled with dozens of Mallards. Typically, they're calm and reasonably quiet emitting a steady stream of murmurs and occasional quacks.

Every now and then one of them get a bit territorial and a fight ensues. This noisy altercation lasted for about one minute. Water splattered everywhere, and other ducks swam off to allow them enough space.

Eventually, they parted and each continued on as if nothing had happened.

Except for this proud fellow who declared himself winner and still champion.

I had nearly forgotten that I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the Wood duck who tends to spend his time with our Mallards. I was scanning the pond when I heard his tell-tale high pitched kind of whistle.

He swam right into my view finder. Thanks, Woodrow! I took about two dozen photos of him and I'll probably share more of them another time but for now, I hope you enjoy this picture of a most handsome fellow.

Seagulls and Mallards and Wood Ducks, Oh My!

Just as the title suggests, the following are a few photos of some feathered friends. The Seagull and Mallard are the same ones featured in the previous post, only up close and personal. The Wood duck is a frequent visitor to our local pond. Each of the three photos were taken on different days and different lighting conditions. I hope you enjoy some of our local water fowl.


I stood around photographing the gull for so long that we were practically on a first name basis. I love the way this guy was eying me.



And the same with his buddy the mallard. She's got quite the coy look, don't you think?

Woodrow, the wood duck was near the other side of the pond for this photo, hence the less than sharp image, but I love the colour of the water which reflected the surrounding trees on that October day.


He swam up a little bit closer on another day.



And hopped up onto the log to groom on yet another occasion.

That's all for now.

Ordinary Miracles

Ordinary Miracle was written by Glen Ballard and David A. Stewart, and performed by Sarah McLachlan at the 2010 Olympics opening ceremonies. Please remember to click on each image to enlarge.


It’s not that usual
When everything is beautiful.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.





The sky knows when its time to snow.
You don’t need to teach a seed to grow.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.




Life is like a gift they say.
Wrapped up for you everyday.





Open up and find a way.
To give some of your own.




Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.




Birds in winter have their fling.
And always make it home by spring.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.






When you wake up everyday.
Please don’t throw your dreams away.





Hold them close to your heart.
Cause we are all a part.
Of the ordinary miracle.





Its seems so exceptional.
Things just work out after all.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.





The sun comes up and shines so bright.
It disappears again at night.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Scene of the Crime

Yesterday, we were hit with the season's first snow-rain-snow storm. High winds and wet conditions kept me from taking my camera along for an outing but the day before that was dry. I decided to head up to a park which is about a 15 to 20 minutes walk from home. To my utter shock and horror, I came upon a crime scene, and it wasn't pretty. Come join me as I retrace my steps.

It started off just fine. A cold but pleasant enough day. I filled my pockets with peanuts, grabbed a camera for each shoulder and headed out along the path.



My local pond was partially covered with a thin layer of ice, allowing these ducks to walk on water. (please click to enlarge)





Different in appearance and attitude from the Mallards, this Wood Duck opted to find the open water. Doesn't he have such beautiful colours? All still seemed peaceful on this morning. Nobody could know the carnage which lurked ahead... (please click to enlarge)





I arrived at my destination, happy to photograph some of the bare bones of the foliage which remained. (please click to enlarge)





The dock, with its welcoming benches is usually bustling in summer. Folks sit, bird-watch, fish and simply enjoy the day. Today, the cold air made these benches much less inviting, and I moved on. (please click to enlarge)





I liked how these dead, leafy stalks dipped elegantly toward the water. The day still felt so innocent and tranquil at this time... (please click to enlarge)





I continued along and noticed this tiny leaf clinging tenuously to these burrs. (please click to enlarge)





As I rounded a curve in the path, I realized how populated this park was compared to the one closer to home. Squirrels began approaching me from every direction. Either they were very used to folks feeding them in this location or they could smell the peanuts in my pocket. In any event, they were quite bold. I offered nuts to a few eager cuties and they fearlessly took them directly from my hand. As I continued along, a man called to me from behind, suggesting that I turn around. Apparently the little guy pictured above never got his peanut and had begun following me, remaining close to my heels with each step I took. I turned and rewarded him for his efforts. As I bent to give him his peanut and snap a photo, another squirrel began climbing my leg, intent upon finding the stash in my pocket. Did I mention that they were bold? I moved along tossing peanuts to demanding critters as I went. (please click to enlarge)





These "dolls' eyes" caught my own eye. They're quite bright and inviting against their russet background but don't be fooled by them. They're highly toxic for living creatures to ingest - but not as toxic as the scene I was about to happen upon.... (please click to enlarge)





My first hint of trouble ahead was the look of extreme terror on this craggy face*. He was completely frozen with fear. I wrestled with myself as to whether I should turn to look or just run. I followed his fixed and frightened stare, and saw the scene which will haunt me forever. (please click to enlarge)

If you have small children in the room with you, please send them away before you scroll down lest the image traumatize and scar them for life.

Please steel yourself for the image you are about to see.

It's heartbreaking.

Particularly at this time of year.

I warn you, it's ugly.

If you're ready though, hold on to a loved one's hand and scroll down to see this shocker...





THEY'VE KILLED SANTA! And his little penguin elves too. (please click to enlarge)

If anyone has any information that might help us learn who would do such a thing, please call your local police department where you might also be able to obtain information to help you to break this sad news to your children. Oh the humanity.

When you raise the next glass of eggnog to your lips, please remember our dear, chubby friend and say a silent "ho ho ho" for him.

May the holiday cheer be with you.

*A nod to Rain whose blog often shows us some wonderful tree faces. She's a master at finding them. And Frank whose recent post is full of wonderful tree photos, including one of my favourites.

The Fire of Autumn

Three weeks have passed since the trees looked like this, but since I have these photos to share, I'll take you back to late October, and the fire of autumn. Please remember to click to enlarge.

"Ho! for the leaves that eddy down,
Crumpled yellow and withered brown,
Hither and yonder and up the street
And trampled under the passing feet;
Swirling, billowing, drifting by,
With a whisper soft and a rustling sigh,
Starting aloft to windy ways,
Telling the coming of bonfire days."
~ Grace Strickler Dawson





"When the trees their summer splendor
Change to raiment red and gold,
When the summer moon turns mellow,
And the nights are getting cold;
When the squirrels hide their acorns,
And the woodchucks disappear;
Then we know that it is autumn,
Loveliest season of the year."
~ Carol L. Riser





"Autumn burned brightly,
a running flame through the mountains,
a torch flung to the trees."
~ Faith Baldwin





"It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life."
~ P. D. James





"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne





"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
~ George Eliot





"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."
~ William Cullen Bryant





"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
Fluttering from the autumn tree."
~ Emily Bronte





"The milkweed pods are breaking,
And the bits of silken down
Float off upon the autumn breeze
Across the meadows brown."
~ Cecil Cavendish




"A tangerine and russet cascade of kaleidoscopic leaves, creates a tapestry of autumn magic upon the emerald carpet of fading summer."

~ Judith A. Lindberg

Sunlight, Shadows & Reflections (and Designing Covers)

If you've been reading my blog for at least a few months, you've probably noticed that I don't do memes, tags or follow-ups on all of the kind awards I've received over the last year and a bit. It isn't that some of them don't intrigue me. It's just that I like to keep my blog content my own for the most part, and so even though I love reading what everyone else has to say and show in their respective meme posts, I opt out of participating in them. Until now. Sort of.

There's one interesting meme which plays on the creative aspect of putting together a CD cover by going here and there for various components. For lack of a better idea, I'd like to take that meme a couple of steps off the beaten path, and offer to make either a CD or a book cover for you. I'll be using my own photos (as randomly selected by you) for the images. If you'd like to see how your musical or literary creation might look, please leave the following information in the comments section below:

1) Tell me if you would prefer CD cover or a book cover.
2) Give me a number from 1 to 65

I'll acquire the book and CD titles from the Quotations Page. The musical artist name will be generated by Wikipedia. Author's names will tumble out of Behind The Name, a random name generator. Artwork will be from my own Photobucket pages. I'll play around with them all in Adobe Illustrator and post several selections at a time. How many blog posts that turns out to be will depend on how many requests I get, and I'll probably post them more frequently than I usually do.

In the meantime, here is an example of each, followed by a few random photos which were taken recently.




My son, the author. Here's Alex's bestseller.




And of course, he's already my favourite musician in real life, but here's his randomly generated CD cover.




Speaking of CDs, this one was sitting on the dashboard of Frank's car when we were driving back from his place a couple of weeks ago. I liked the way the sun was hitting it, creating its reflection in the windshield. In order for it to appear in a photo as I saw it with my eye, I needed a dark background for contrast. This sign, announcing that we were nearly home did the trick. In case you're curious, the artist is Jo Stafford.



I was watering plants this morning and happened to catch the wall shadow of the empty pitcher as I brought it to be refilled. I liked how the sun shone through it to cast its ghostly shadow.




This goofy-looking guy is one of Frank's yard sale finds. It's a carrot. In short pants. And striped stockings. Don't ask. I don't know why he has those tiny springs on his shoulders, but I use them to hold feathers - a Mallard feather on the left and a Blue Jay tail feather on the right.




Early one morning, the sun was shining through from behind those feathers and the beautiful colours caught my eye.




Late afternoon sunshine caught this Mallard dipping his head into the water for a drink.




The little Wood Duck seems to have won his Mallard mate over. Here's the happy couple sunning themselves late in the afternoon.




The bare bones of early spring reflected in the pond below. Trees have begun to sprout buds since this photo was taken.




We see and hear these little cuties almost time we walk around the lake. One of them barks non-stop, guarding his home and his people valiantly. The other one sports a jaunty, green bandana around his neck, and he watches mostly-silently with tail wagging, hoping we'll come up and offer a hand to lick.

Please remember to:
1) Tell me if you would prefer CD cover or a book cover.
2) Give me a number from 1 to 65

And check back in a few days!