All posts by Sheila

I have a passion for the outdoors and I am most happy enjoying what nature has to offer. Hobbies include photography, birding, Pickleball, astronomy, biking, and hiking. I have been happily married, for 50 years, to an amazing person.

~Its Coming!

~Loveland, Colorado, October, 4, 2017

Yesterday, a small flock of White-crowned Sparrows landed in the yard to partake of the “buffet” I have setup. Also, a Mountain Chickadee was spotted at the Sunflower Station. A flock of Eurasian doves arrived Monday and ate everything in sight, it was a feeding frenzy. They decided to leave, with just a few long-term residents staying behind. (Flocking up to head south.)

This morning other visitors arrived, Juncos! They are leaving higher elevations, because of the weather.

Two Hummingbirds are still hanging out at their Hanging Station. I tell them everyday to head south. It has been getting down into the 30’s here, so they need to go! This morning, one was sitting in a big Blue Spruce preening! Just go!

A hawk flew by a window. I think he wanted to partake in a buffet of his choice (a live one). He was too fast and didn’t stay for identification.

Other birds in the yard this week: Scrub Jays, Blue Jays, Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadees, Black-capped chickadees, Mourning Doves, Downy Woodpeckers, Red-shafted Flickers, White-breasted Nuthatches, House Finches, House Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, Robins (flocking up), and Western Tanager.

We don’t usually see the Mountain Chickadees and the Stellar’s Jay, which means they are coming down to lower elevations. We are at 5,000 feet.

Howard and I know what these sightings indicate.

oOo – Winter is Coming!

~Happy Birding!

Remember to assist them during the winter, and with their migration south!

 

~My View

 

~A cloudy, fall day at home…..

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The trees we planted years ago are looking a little ragged. Age has a way of doing this to all living things. As ragged as this old tree looks, it still gives me pleasure looking out the window and seeing it, when sitting at my desk.

This tree attracts numerous species of birds each year, flocks of Waxwings and Robins, Jays, Doves, Woodpeckers, Bushtits, Sparrows, Towhees, Chickadees, Finches and Townsend Solitaries, to mention a few. It is a good tree.

I was sitting here at my desk, in what is called a basement, the other day looking out the window. Glowing up in the south, we didn’t have basements, this one sits in the ground, so the window is right at ground level. Strange at first, but normal after all these years. In fact, during the summer, this is the best place to be in our tri-level home, because it is the coolest room.

It was a cold, rainy day here in northern Colorado, in fact we have experienced several weeks of cold, rainy weather, so it was a good reason to be sitting inside. My window faces east and the view, from our hill, overlooks the town of Loveland. At times hubby and I think, “should we sell this house”, but quickly say “no”, because we still love The View. 

It occurred to me that I could take a photo from my chair looking out. I have seen photos showing a window frame with a view beyond and thought them to be interesting. Why I haven’t thought to do so prior to now, I don’t know.

After taking the photo and thinking about it, I realized it captures my personality perfectly. Perhaps most, but not all of the things I love are portrayed in this single shot. I guess each of us can take a look around our surroundings and it will highlight what we love.

What I love the most; however, isn’t in the photo – my sweet hubby sitting at his desk next to me and my best four-legged friend lying on the floor next to my chair.  I am positive them being near, adds to the comfortable feelings I have sitting here and looking out.

Looking at the photo, I can see things I like doing that fills my life with pleasure. Of course if you have followed this blog, you know I have a love for photography and birding. Some of my bird books are within reach for easy access to research.

Other times a calm, peaceful mind is needed and reaching for an adult coloring book, and spending an hour or two coloring takes me to a blissful state of mind (no thinking, no world tragedies to read or hear about). Or perhaps I want to do something a little more creative, beading fills that beautifully. My astronomy books are nearby and I do enjoy observing dark, clear skies, and reading about current astronomy events. Having spent a career in computers, I still enjoy time spend on my computer devices. What’s not to enjoy about, blogging and Words with Friends. BaHaHa!

In my view you can see an Orchid, a very special one, and one of eight. This one was an Anniversary gift from hubby this past August. It is still gorgeous after nearly two months. Of course, there are other things I enjoy, which aren’t reflected in my photo and these would be mostly outside activities. Traveling is another activity hubby and I enjoy a lot, and one that after awhile has be missing my view.

Truly, my intend was to simply capture the view from my desk, but it turned into something beyond a photo.

Why taking this photo and reflecting on what it shows, has put me in a “mood”. I use the word mood, because I can’t think of a better word or words to use. I admire those of you who can express your state of mind in beautifully written words.

I guess, in summary, my feelings might after all be easy to express…

~”A simple life and simple things, with a view to enjoy!”

 

Header photo: Taken, just as I was going to publish, through my window using my iPhone. I have several visitors who like to come see what I am doing and sometimes they will even peek in the window. One time I looked out and a deer was staring back at me. Mrs. Rabbit came to clean-up my messy yard and enjoy a few nibbles. I am hoping she will do a good job, so don’t pay any attention to my mess!

~Birding in Texas, White-winged Dove

~South Llano River State River, Junction, TX, Spring, 2017

 

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White-winged Dove (adult) Note the dark cheek patch and blue around the eye

These beautiful doves are easy to photograph, they are slow moving and like to perch for extended periods of time. They were plentiful in South Llano River State park this past Spring. The males were beginning to show subtle breeding colors, brighter red feet and legs, and yellowish hues around the back of neck. We only get to see them while traveling south. They have a limited range in the US, mostly Texas.

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White-winged Dove

I was sitting in one of the blinds when a Texas farmer came in and sat down. He was very friendly and a good photographer. He commented on the large number of White-winged Doves we were seeing. He stated him and his wife have too many doves around their farm. I could tell by the way he spoke, they didn’t seem to care for these doves. I’am not sure if they caused them problems or they just didn’t like them. Maybe they ate too much bird seed!

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This from Wikipedia- “The white-winged dove is a dove whose native range extends from the south-western United States through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In recent years with increasing urbanization and backyard feeding, it has expanded throughout Texas, into Oklahoma, Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. It has also been introduced to Florida.”

Happy Birding!

 

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~Birding in Texas, Black-crested Titmouse

First day of Fall! Yay!

 

~Birding in Texas, South Llano River State Park, Spring, 2017

 

Black-crested Titmouse
Black-crested Titmouse

It was nice this Titmouse had a sunflower seed in its mouth and was intend on eating. They are always flitting around, never still.

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Upside down.

 

It takes a contortionist to eat a little seed.

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Sweet face. Big, pretty eyes!

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Located in western Texas, they prefer oak woods and feed on insects and seeds. My first sighting of this bird was back on 11/20/2008, at South Llano River State Park.

 

Happy Birding!

 

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~Birding in Texas, Goldfinch

~ South Llano River State Park, Spring, 2017

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Goldfinch – Lessor

Back to South Llano River State Park for some additional photos. There were several goldfinches around the park; most of them enjoying the feeders set around the blinds. They were beginning to show their breeding colors.

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Goldfinch – Lessor

I can’t say why I like this photo, but I do. This little lessor goldfinch seems to be hiding under a leaf. Look close and you can see his eye. Note the dark color of the legs and the short tail.

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Goldfinch – American or Lessor?

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American Gold Finch
Goldfinch

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Goldfinch – American

Note the pail color of the bill and legs.

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Goldfinches – American

Note the longer tail.

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“Is my head getting dark?”

~Happy Birding~

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