“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
Matthew 6:26
Sunday and sunshine are a welcome combination after a cold and wet week. And so many across the nation experienced ice and snow with record low temps and major power outages. Even our neighbors in Alabama not many miles to our northwest had a snowy week!
When everyday living includes a few days with the stomach flu, it becomes necessary to take in some nearby scenery as well as observing what’s taking place right outside your door!
Our squirrel population is booming and it is not uncommon to see 5 or 6 at one time! But being confined close to home last week was mostly “for the birds”!
We only had a dusting of snow one morning but the cardinals loved it. Cardinals are very common throughout the winter in our area!
We do see a few females in the winter but it seems the majority are males. Or maybe their bright red just makes us notice them more?
Robins hang around most of the winter too. This robin was possibly overseeing the feeding grounds and stepping back to allow, what I think is a sparrow, a little time amongst the wild bird seed. You can get a better idea of their size difference when they are close together. I don’t think the robin has missed a meal!
We are interested in learning to identify our smaller birds. To me they are more difficult to distinguish and many have very similar features with harder to see unique features. Being small probably has a lot to do with that. Again, we are thinking this is a sparrow. These birds are very plentiful around the house. Maybe some of you are bird watchers?
The eastern blue bird may be small but definitely exhibits recognizable features. We do spot blue birds most days and they are already briefly going in and out of the bird boxes as if building plans may be in the near future!
This bird doesn’t require a lot of attention and is a year round resident. He actually sits just below the spot where the blue bird was perched. Nothing bothers him so apparently he rules the roost!
OK, we will attempt to identify and call this one a yellow-rumped warbler!
I debated whether to include this one as the pic is not very good or revealing. At first I did not include it. We have 2 woodpeckers that have red on the head and they should be easy to tell apart but not necessarily for a very amateur bird watcher. The red headed woodpecker is not as common and numbers are declining in some places while the red-bellied woodpecker is more common in our area. The red headed is dark on the back but I understand does usually show some white near the bottom of the tail which is not visible in this pic. The red-bellied on the other hand has a barred pattern across the back and is not as dark. I would like to think this one is the more rare red head but I really just don’t know. He wouldn’t be still long enough or let me get close enough for a better pic.
This flock kept circling overhead yesterday and when they banked a certain way the sun reflected on their white and stood out like shiny planes in the sky. When they would bank to circle the other direction you could barely see them! These are white pelicans which we have only been seeing around our lakes and waterways for a few years now. They of course have that large, very noticeable bill, but also have black along the back edge and out to the tip of the wing!
We included this close up of the pelican group we had in a post a few weeks ago. You can see the black along the wings on one bird that is just coming in to land!
With birds taking center stage this week, our throwback is to 2012. No question about this one. To witness a bald eagle in the wild was only something to dream about and that happening standing in our own yard would’ve been an impossible and really insane notion for most of my life. Our friend was perched by the river just behind the house. I think we saw our first eagles around our home about 10 or 11 years ago. Yesterday a mature bald eagle flew just a few feet above the Sunshine Cottage and across the back yard and pasture. No time to grab a camera or even a phone but at about 150 feet from our back door it is our closest encounter so far. Why it was so close to the house is a mystery but we love it!
If I go a while without seeing an eagle I can glance up at this one. He or she is always around and at 75 pounds, nothing has offered to bother this bird!
A beautiful sky yesterday with sunshine on our shoulders and temps above 50 (and no stomach flu) certainly did lift our spirits. By the way…do you see the moon in this photo?
Wishing you a blessed week!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
How exciting to have a bald eagle so close to your home. We have enjoyed the birds immensely this week. We have had lots of gold finches at our feeder and they seemed so hungry. We have filled the feeder twice this week. We also had a male purple finch which was a thrill. I wan’t able to get his picture. The chickadees also were very active. Cardinals are around all year but recently they have been noticeably absent.
Sorry, you have been sick with the stomach flu Butch!
Hope y’all have a great week. So glad it will be warmer!
Butch is feeling better and fortunately I didn’t get it. You had lots of bird activity this past week. Any sighting of a bald eagle always excites me. Have a lovely week Bonnie!
Oh no, so sorry to hear nasty stomach bug has been visiting. Ugh. I love to sit on my porch, bird book in hand, trying to identify all the birds. You are so right that all the tiny birds are hard for me to tell apart too. Carolina wrens and sparrows are so close in appearance. I can’t wait for summer to hear that little chipping sound they make. I’ve just added “clean out the bluebird boxes” to this week’s list (you never know when a snake might have taken up residence!). Hope you continue to feel better.
Good morning, Roxanne. Thank you for well wishes. Butch is feeling better and I hope you are doing well. Have a wonderful week!
Good morning! So sorry to read that you have had the stomach flu, and hope that you have fully recovered. Thankfully, Mike and I have been fine. The weather has been challenging, with lots of rain, and it has been very cold. But nothing to complain about, when we see what Texans have been dealing with. Love to all.
Butch is feeling better and I somehow escaped the stomach flu. Love to you and Mike!
So sorry you were sick, not fun. I think your red headed woodpecker is a Pileated Woodpecker, huge birds. I have a pic of a red bellied woodpecker on my blog today. It takes time and a good bird book. Join in on the bird counts, you have such diversity and your reports would be very valuable.
The hubby is feeling better. Thanks for your info, Carole!
Carole, Butch read your link and he definitely said it is a Pileated Woodpecker. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Hope you are feeling better Pam. Your photographs of the beautiful birds made me smile this morning. I start off each morning with cup of tea in hand while gazing out at the feeder, and it brings such joy just watching for visitors. You are so fortunate to have a bald eagle living near by and I love that colorful northern bluebird. Thank you for the cheery views!
Lee, watching the birds each morning gives me a feeling of calm. Watching the bald eagles soar over our houses never gets old, they are majestic! Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam and Butch, Glad to hear you are feeling better. We have been feeding the birds on the covered front porch this week as it is the only spot without a foot of snow and ice on it. We had lots of small birds but no cardinals which I love to watch.We’re thankful to only have a boil water directive as so many others are dealing with worse weather issues. The pictures are wonderful. I’m loving the blue sky ones as we’ve been missing the sunshine lately. Seeing bald eagles is such a treat! We don’t see them at home regularly. We see hawks a lot but nothing compares to the majesty of a bald eagle. Love your garden statuary. We’re looking forward to having more normal temps as we spent 9 consecutive days below freezing 🥶. Wishing you a wonderful week sweet friends! Clara ❤️
Clara, I read last night that you had nine straight days below freezing. Boiling water is a hassle but as you said many others are dealing with worse issues. It is fascinating to watch the eagles soar over our house. The mature ones are easy to spot with their white heads. Wishing you a wonderful week sweet friend♥️
Good morning, Pam and Butch. Butch glad to hear you are feeling better, the stomach flu is no fun. I do love all your bird photos. The Eastern Bluebird is my favorite. We had them in Virginia and they do begin their nesting in February. They are a pure delight. We have had a good bit of snow and extremely cold temperatures this week. But the daffodils are peaking through the snow – so, spring is on the way.
Have a wonderful day and a lovely week ahead!
Thank you Sandra. Wishing you a week of sunny days and warmer temperatures!
Do you have pileated woodpeckers in your area?? Glad you are feeling better. I am excited to say that my husband and I are going back to church today after a furlough of several months due to Covid. I am off to practice Praise songs in a few minutes. I am getting a signing bonus and twice my pay. I am Baptist and we do not get paid except blessing of serving. My pastor has a great sense of humor and is really glad to have his one and only leader back. God is good. Glad you are feeling better. Yuck!!! I am recovering from Shingles slowly also. Get your shot!!!
Good morning Vicky. The woodpecker has been identified as a pileated woodpecker. I am so glad to hear that you and your hubby are able to return to church this morning. Serving the Lord with the gifts and talents He has given are blessings. Shingles are rough, good to know you are recovering. Take care and have a lovely week!
Thank you for the close-up views of the birds, showing details otherwise missed. The eagle caught me short in his majestic pose. No wonder he represents the grandeur and pride of
our Nation. I will start searching for the Eastern Bluebird in these parts; just beautiful. The cardinals need no fanfare to say they are present…their scarlet robes sing out. Prayers for
Butch’s complete recovery, that the end of this Winter’s challenges can be fully enjoyed come
Spring…. are we all not waiting in hushed anticipation? A blessed Sabbath to all.
Thank you Mary, eagle sightings are always exciting! Butch is feeling almost 100 per cent. Wishing you a lovely week!
Wow, Butch, you’ve had a rough winter. So sorry to hear you had the flu. I was sick for 24 hrs after getting my second COVID shot this weekend, and it was no fun at all. Chilling, aching and overall just wanting the hours to pass, I was more than happy to wake in the night with a sweat that indicated the fever gone. As a matter of fact, I was glad to see this past week over with all the bad weather (which we had too, although we never lost power or water like friends here did). The bird sightings are just awesome. All but the pelicans are found here in WV. The size of that red headed woodpecker definitely looks like a pileated to me when I blow up the photo. Here’s to looking toward spring this week!
Yes, he has. I am sorry you had a rough time with the second shot. I have heard that some do and some don’t. My Dad got his second on Friday and didn’t feel well on Saturday, but much better today! Thankfully it is sunny and 60 degrees today. Take care and wishing you a wonderful week!
Wonderful bird captures, the eagle is amazing! So sorry about the stomach flu, not fun! We had an inch of snow in Vestavia, but it went away quickly…thank goodness, I am so worried about everyone suffering in Texas. Thank goodness our weather has warmed and we can have a more normal week!
Jenna, after the rain today we are supposed to have a few days of sun. Have a wonderful week!
I know and warmer temps 🎉!
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! I’m so glad you are feeling better. The stomach flu is no fun! Thanks for sharing all of those beautiful birds with us. How wonderful to see a bald eagle near your home. A few years ago my dad was out feeding cattle, and found an injured eagle in his pasture. He was able to call a rescue to come and pick it up for rehabilitation. They are such amazing birds! It has been a crazy week around here, too. We had almost 2 weeks of below freezing temps, with a temp of -12 that lead to pipes freezing between the sub floors. My hubby slipped on the ice and had a concussion, and I have been sick all week with an infection. Needless, to say I am so ready for spring and brighter days! I hope you both have a most beautiful week ahead! Take care!
Shannon, what a couple of weeks that you have had. I hope you are feeling better and that your husband is better. Two weeks of below freezing weather and frozen pipes are certainly no fun. Take care sweet friend!
Hi,dear friends! I am glad Butch is on the mend,I will pray for him to get better soon. Great pictures,awesome birds! Some years ago ,I saw a Toucan in my terrace. My sons and husband laughed and they didn’t believe in me because it is uncommon,I live in the city,not in the country…At about two months ago, the toucan return to here and this time we all could see it together! Best wishes. Keep warm!
Thanks so much Maristella. What a wonderful story about the Toucan. Have a wonderful week!
We are very carful with our little puppy because puppies and cats make nice snakes for eagles and owls which we have both. The owls are very patient and and sit without moving
For hours. We have a male and female living in our area. Did you know the high pitched one is the male and low pitched one is the female? We’ve had a robin that has stuck around all Winter. We see it drinking from the waterfall and we’ve managed to keep the water fall open through the subzero temps. And putting out bird seeds. The squirrels sit at the den window and watch our puppy inside. The cardinals and bluebirds are not in our area. However I love geese and love to see them flying in beautiful flight patterns.
Butch you got stomach flu and avoided covid! How in the world did that happen? We were blessed to not be conked in the head from United’s falling engine parts. Fu versus falling engines parts, what’s next.
Alice, I have a friend whose Yorkie was taken by a hawk. Yes, you have to be careful. I could not believe what happened with the United flight, that is some scary stuff! Have a lovely week!
What a fun post and what gorgeous birds, many I’ve not had the pleasure to “meet” in person. Alas! I do love the cardinals though, and especially in winter when seeing that shot of color can just make your day! Happy week!
Thank you Jeanie, I know you are a bird watcher! Have a lovely week!
So sorry to hear you have been ill and trust the Lord’s healing hand has made you completely well by now. It was interesting seeing alll the birds. My husband is a bird watcher and knows so many by name. I was really intrigued to see how small the sparrow is in the photo above and of course, my mind went to the Scripture about how God cares for the sparrows. If He takes so much effort to take care of just one of them, why should we be worried when we are of more value than many sparrows? Much-needed encouragement today after just reading disparaging news. God bless you all!
Thanks so much Cheryl. God is so faithful and so good!
I love God’s creation Pam! Such a delight & that beautiful sunset but no I can’t see the moon!
Blessings sweet friend,
Jennifer
Oh what wonderful bird sightings! Always so fun to see!
Sorry to hear you had the stomach flu Butch… that’s never fun!
The Eagle sighting is always a reminder of our American Beauty!
Catching up with you… Hugs!
Thanks dear one, we love seeing the bald eagles!