Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Faces Only A Mother Can Love!

Yes, it is true....I am a bird nerd!!! I love my feathered friends. I feed them, I set up habitats for them, provide nesting boxes, and I photograph them too. I keep journals of migration habits, and I keep track of the bluebirds and how many fledglings they have. I order mealworms by the thousands to keep them well fed. I make nectar by the vat full, every few days to keep my orioles and hummingbirds happy. I keep my binos by the big picture window in my living room to grab quickly for when they do something to interest me. I collect nests from the orange grove after nesting season is over, and I spray them with bleach and then dry them and bring them in for decoration in florals and in my Christmas tree.
I find it very relaxing to watch the avian activity that surrounds me. And I absolutley love to hear the birds sing their songs all day long. Thirty years ago, I used to tease Greg about watching birds. Now look at me. The bird nerd of Corona. One of my biggest thrills was watching a Bald Eagle while on vacation this past summer at Bass Lake. And one of the most beautiful birds that I have yet been able to photograph is a Wood Duck.
So go ahead, put out some feeders, maybe start with a little hummingbird feeder. Or maybe a thistle sock to attract beautiful American Goldfinch. Or some suet in a tree to bring in Woodpeckers. A bluebird box to help rebuild the Western Bluebird population. If you build it, they will come!
Below is a photo I took this evening of a nest full of baby Western Bluebirds. I watch Mama and Daddy Blue rush mealies and insects and worms in all day long to feed their hungry brood. Soon, they will fledge, and Mama and Daddy Blue will build another nest, and have a second brood. If I am lucky, perhaps a third.
Aren't I lucky?

9 comments:

Kelly said...

Well, I have to say I'm not a bird fan, but those little guys are kind of cute. Now Jason... he despises birds. Mostly chickens and geese though. But I think it's because he's really afraid of them!

Kris said...

How can anyone despise birds???
When do you leave?

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

What fun! I am not quite as avid a fan as you but I keep by bino's in a basket on the side or my dresser near the windows so I can watch them out by the brook or in front in the cherry tree. My mom always had her ready with her old bird book too. Guess I will have to make sure Lilana has her own pair some day!

The grands are so cute Kris. I can see how much joy the bring you!! I can't wait for that.

hugs, Linda

deb said...

How funny...go look at my blog today.....I have a little nest in a hanging plant, but I confess, Iam a bird lover too, we have so many birdhouses in our yard, and right now they are all full of babies. We always have the endangered California gnatcatchers build their nests and have their babies here year after year. I love them.....and I have raised many a baby bird that has been abandoned....

Kristi said...

You're so great Kris. I like to look at birds but that's about it. There is something about their boniness (is that a word) that weirds me out. But I think they are beautiful, and there is nothing like seeing an eagle when we are camping up north. Now I want to go fishing.

Lauri said...

Gee, I learned something new about you. It sounds sort of intriguing to me...maybe I should get a few feeders around here and see what kind of birds I can attract.

Genn said...

Yup. It's true. You are a BIRD NERD. I don't know many other bird nerds. I can't stand the sound of their happy chirping in the wee morning hours when I am TRYING to catch a few more desperately needed ZZZzzz's!

Maybe in 20 more years, I too, will become a BIRD NERD.

Cute pic of the baby birds. I hope that they survive unlike the last batch of babes in your yard.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

You are a lucky bird nerd! You and Miss Cucaroo over there.

Anonymous said...

When i was a kid I raised a dove that fell out of his nest.. he didnt make it :( i was sad.. His name was lonesome.. i love this picture :)

Have a great weekend