Sunday, February 16, 2014

My Feathered Friend

Good Sunday morning to you.  It feels like Summer here!  Of course, I enjoy the being outside part of this weather, but truly, I wish we had some real winter! This is crazy!  The trees are all blooming too early, and the grass is already growing as if it were Spring.  And my feathered friends are beginning to look for places to nest and raise their young already.  I always keep my feeders full, and I have noticed an odd fellow visiting my hummingbird feeder lately.  So yesterday, I opened the screen and window, and perched at my kitchen sink to wait for him, to get some photos.
He has, what appears to be a very damaged beak.  I don't know if something is on it, or if it is a birth defect?
He didn't seem to have any problem extracting nectar from the feeder though.  He is a bit of a bully, shooing all of the other birds away, so he can have the lion's share.
I actually switched out my lens, for my zoom to get as close as I could to view the beak.  
As the sun began to set, I watched as more and more hummers crowded around the feeder.
There were as many as 15 at one time, circling and waiting for their turn.  At another seed feeder, this female House Finch was loading up on goodies.
In the bottle brush tree in the back yard, there were dozens and dozens of crown sparrows chittering along.
This is a Mandevilla in my front planter that my girlfriend Joyce gave me, in honor of my Nana.  It is blooming beautifully, and I think of both Nana and Joycie, every time I see it.
The handsome rusty Rooster was a gift from my friend Denise.   I love to see him standing guard in the planter.
While I was taking photos of birds, the sun continued to set, and Noah called me over to check out his mad hand ball skills.
The moon was spectacular last night!
Good Night Moon!
I made another cowl.  I got the pattern from my friend Priscilla's blog.  She posted the link, and I also posted the link on a previous post, if you want to find it, scroll down a bit.  The first one I did, seemed different than Priscilla's.  After chatting with her, we realized that I was simply crocheting much looser.  I did my next one with more tension.  It is the same pattern, same hook size, and same weight yarn, but you can see the size difference.  I like them both, and they fit nice and softly against your neck.
I made a simple crochet rose to put on it.  But the next one I make, I think I will do flowerless.
Here are the two, side by side, so you can see the size difference.
I like them both ways.  My natural tendency is to crochet loose.  So my next one will be more like the pink one.
On Super Bowl Sunday, Joann's was having a deal with their flannel 50% off, and 48 Cents for shipping.  They didn't have the same selection that they do in their stores, but I found a few to order.   My order FINALLY arrived on Saturday.
Couldn't beat the price!
That's about it from my neck of the woods.  Didn't even go see a movie this weekend.  Lots of yard work going on over here.  I am sitting in my bed still, nursing my sore body before I get back out there again today.
See you soon.
XO  Kris

21 comments:

Unknown said...

That poor little hummingbird looks like he ran into a window! Glad to hear he can eat. So many birds...love that one talking to the metal bird! Looks like you will be having some fun sewing..soon.

I spent the yesterday with three of my Sisters on the Fly and all are from California, we got to talking about fruit just picked in your yard...unheard of for me. I had to tell them about your oranges and avocados...that I was drooling over. One of the gals moved back to California and that's how that conversation started. Must be nice.

Teresa Kasner said...

I was sad to see that bird's deformed beak.. I'm glad he can still eat with it that way. It almost looks like he got into some chemical that messed it up. We have fed a few hummers through the winter, poor little souls! Love your cowls.. I have yet to make one but do want to some day. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

From the Kitchen said...

I have an idea. Let's trade houses for a vacation next winter. We'll mow your grass, collect eggs and pick citrus. Y'all can shovel our snow, hack away at the ice on sidewalks and enjoy many pots of soup!!

Best,
Bonnie

Gloria Baker said...

poor little bird.We have had many birds this summer and the nests always busy! hubby say is funny because always are someone on the nests!
I love your crochet rosa look beauty!
xxc

Pammy Sue said...

I love the bird photos! It does make it seem like springtime. That poor little hummingbird! Looks like he's not feeling sorry for himself though. He probably doesn't know any different. Your cowls are pretty! Cowls are good to crochet for some almost instant gratification. I was looking at the moon last night too. I wonder if we were looking at it at the same time?

Betsy said...

I love your bird pictures. I have to agree with everyone else, while I feel sorry for the little guy with the beak issues, it doesn't look as though it bothers him a bit! :-) I love your cowls, big and small and wonder what the fabric is destined to become.
While you're wanting winter I'm very ready for spring. What a crazy, mixed up season it's been this year.
Blessings,
Betsy

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, I'm sitting watching the Northern Trust golf tournament on t.v. and I'm a bit green with envy over So.Ca.'s weather. We still have snow on the ground and the temp today was mid 40's. The wind was picking up, so think the snow will melt. I love your cowl and especially like the tan one. The Humming Bird is something else-maybe he was eating so much because he hasn't gotten a lot of nectar.
Enjoy your outdoor time my friend!
Hugs, Noreen

Dawn said...

Interesting hummer. I wonder what happened. It looks like he was moving to fast and smashed his beak like an accordion.

Jeanna said...

Looks like someone stuck his 'beak' where didn't belong :) Poor little fellow. It's good that he can still get food.

Your photography is so amazing. I love all of your bird shots.

And the cowl is pretty too!

Amy at love made my home said...

I think that I actually prefer your looser cowl of the two - although they are both of course very lovely, just different strokes for different folks! It is sad that the bird has a deformed beak, but it doesn't sound as though it has any problems getting food, amazing what animals can overcome isn't it! Hope that you have a good week. xx

priscilla said...

Great bird photos ! That poor little guys beak ..Pretty scarf and what difference in size from the first one !What a difference your weather is from ours .. winter storm warning here til tonight ! I'm taking all my winter decorations down and putting up spring hoping that Mother Nature gets the message :)LOL ! Enjoy your warm weather ! My garden is buried under a couple feet of snow !

Debbie said...

I am with you. While I am enjoying this weather (how could we not?) I wish we'd have a bit more of a winter. I have a hummingbird feeder too, but I never have more than two birds at a time. I'd love to have as many as you do! Love the cowl. I recognize everyone of those fabrics, lol, and even have some of them. There are just soo many cute ones. I can't wait (when we have the shower for Jessie) to post the blanket that Diane is crocheting for the new baby. I love everything about it. The colors, the pattern etc. I have a feeling you would too. OK, better get busy! Enjoy your week Kris!

Pam said...

That poor little bird's beak - thankfully he seems to be able to eat just fine. Love both of the cowls!

Poppy said...

Hmm. I'm wondering whether that 'poor' little hummingbird got into a few scraps with his pals over all the yummy seeds, and that's why his beak is injured, from the way you described his hogging the goods!

Beautiful pics, Kris of all your goings on!

xo
Poppy

Kelli said...

Oh the poor bird!
I know we have had a warm winter here in northern ca as well. All the trees and flowers are blooming. I think it will be a long summer.

Mereknits said...

That poor baby, with his beak all mashed up, no wonder he is a bit of a bully. Love the crochet and the new fabric. Hugs to you Kris,
Meredith

Susanne Tyree said...

So sad about that little hummingbird's beak. At least he is able to still get the nectar from the feeder. He is special. It is times like this that I wish I lived anywhere but Ohio. I envy the warm weather you have. I figure it will be June before I even see my crocus bloom.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Linda said...

Hope you are feeling better, girlfriend♥️
I don't know where my comments go!
That little hummer is adorable♥️
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Kris, Oh I can't wait to be nursing my aching body from yard work. lol! Yesterday was beautiful and it felt like Spring. Today it snowed and blew quite hard. A wet snow so nothing is sticking to the ground. I love Mandevilla and wish it grew here. It's only an annual. The flannel was a great deal and the cowls are pretty!
hugs,
Jann

Cathy said...

That poor little guy does seem to have a damaged beak but he gets along pretty well despite it. Love your pictures. Learning to crochet is still on my list. Wish I could stop by for a quick lesson to get me on the right tract. You got some good buys at Joann's. Have a nice sunny weekeknd.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Love the hummingbird photos...the little guy seems to have adapted well with the damaged beak. Maybe WE are having your winter as well as our own this year...going to be -17 the next two nights...sigh.