Each year I look forward to spring and venturing to our backyard to enjoy the many birds that populate our neighborhood. Growing up in the country, the pulse of life included harmonious songs of a multitude of birds. Life’s energy filled the world around me. When I moved from the country to a new development in town the absence of these beautiful songs and the lack of life was disheartening. Fifteen years ago, there were no trees and no birds in our neighborhood.
Today, after much hard work and time, we have many mature trees and numerous types of birds. This year we have a new addition, a chickadee family.
Captivated by the tireless efforts of this chickadee pair, I watched them carve a home out of a log stump in our yard.
This photo shows the result of many weeks of nonstop labor. Amazing! I would love to know what the inside of the stump looks like. Google, however, will have to suffice since I respect the hard work and home of these adorable little birds.
Black-capped Chickadee facts
- lay 1 egg per day and may lay anywhere from 6 – 8 eggs
- most friendly of wild birds, social birds
- create numerous food caches and can remember where they are
- can lower its body temp in winter
- has 15 different calls
- nonmigratory
- the nest excavation averages approximately 21 cm deep
- the female picks the location for the nest
For more information on Chickadees check out The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, The Canadian Wildlife Federation.
Life in Our Backyard
I am married to an amazing man who happens to be a very talented photographer. He captured these photos in our backyard a
Drawing Inspiration
The colors, shadows, shapes, subjects, and life in my own backyard often become part of my drawing inspiration. It is essential for me to spend time working outdoors. Quick sketches, like the one at the beginning of this post, help me to develop a creative pulse – some of those sketches work their way into other projects during the year. Being outdoors allows me to take a break from the normal grind of life, and not feel bad about keeping up with social media posts – a great way for me to reconnect and reclaim balance. The pulse of the garden is a tiny gift that money can’t buy.
One More Photo
There are many other types of birds that add to the pulse in our yard like this robin family. Every year there is a momma robin who builds her nest under our deck. I managed to get a quick photo while momma went for a worm run.
…guess we are sharing the strawberries again.
To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.
-Mary Davis