I do not know why I have become so fascinated with the birds.
I think part of it is, I cannot believe… that they allow me to BE there.
To let me share their space.
And make no mistake… it is, theirs.
I believe this is a house finch, dim light, end of day.
❤
Just 9 days…
6 hours…
And 56 minutes.
❤
It was a Merry Christmas indeed!
One of the best moments was a sunrise walk I took on Christmas Eve morning, down at my home beach, Red River.
The sun was just beginning to break through the low-lying clouds on the horizon as I reached the parking lot.
When it got too bright for my eyes, it was fun watching its warm yellow glow reflected in the windows of the beach houses all along the shore.
I was just beginning to think that maybe it was too cold and windy for any birds to be out and about.
When a small flock of brants suddenly landed in the nearby channel.
Skerplash!!
Sometimes it’s tough to capture the pretty eyes that brants have.
But this morning’s sun was bathing each bird in a soft buttery light; illuminating eyes and bills, and feathers, too!
It was a grand Christmas feast there on the mud flats as the brants quickly discovered the tender greens that the tide had washed in overnight.
Brants are incredibly verbal birds; always talking among themselves. As if their sheer delight with life simply must be shared.
When they feed, they savor each and every bite. Almost as if it was the tastiest thing they’d ever tasted, or ever would.
And brants are kind. Always ready to make room for just one more at their table, even if they are late for breakfast.
But it’s only when a brant stops.
Turns its soft eyes upon you…
And then stretches up for a glorious wing flapping display that you realize you are smitten.
And that you will love these gentle birds forever and always.
I hope you had a Merry Christmas, and thank you to the brants who made mine! ❤
I come across flickers all the time when I’m on the road.
Literally!
‘Seems like I come upon one every time I take a walk.
Along the side of the road, poking around, looking for bugs.
So pretty.
Don’t you think??
P.S. NOT quite so much fun when they wake you up at dawn in the summertime, a-hammerin’ in the gutters! 😉
Ahhhh… the Mighty Sanderling.
Always ready and willing, to dive. Right in.
Pretty inspiring. Don’t you think?? 😉
I was driving to the marsh last evening, certain that the light was fading much too fast and the air too chill for anything to be out and about.
And then – out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of white!
A seagull? No, too tall for a gull.
Or could it BE? A Snowy? This early?
I pulled the car over and hopped out, my heart racing and my camera ready.
And there he was, a Snowy! And those glorious white feathers such a contrast to the matted brown marsh grass that framed him. He looked a bit tousled and dazed, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if the Red River creek was his very first stop.
How I have been longing for the these elegant, whimsical harbingers of spring to return. They are for sure one of my very favorite summer marsh companions and I have missed them since their fall departures.
And this clever one spotted me right away, I had but a moment to steady my trembling hands for a shot.
One click, then two, and up, up, and away he flew!
Sailing away with those skinny black and yellow legs trailing behind him, he faded into a pale, cloudless sky and was gone.
Almost as if he’d never been there.
But he sure was.
I’ll be looking for you, dear Snowy, you and all the others as you return to this, your Cape Cod summer home! 😉
Images of Cape Cod 