April 15, 2010 Feeder Friend

Just a quick shot out the patio door today. I'd never bought the seed logs for the birds before and didn't know how they'd go. All the birds feed on them and the woodpeckers especially like them! Be blessed friends!

Look to the North February 17, 2010

Look to the North, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

Lunch time at work today, I didn't have my MP3 so I didn't have my music. Decided not to walk, cleaned the store room and decided to take some boxes out to my car. As I was returning I heard an unusual squawk and turned to look in time to see a giant bird land in the tree across the parking lot. He looked to have a red head and I got quite excited! I ran back into the school, grabbed my camera and dashed back out. Looking in the tree I'd seen him land in I was disappointed to find him gone. I started perusing the area thru my lens and was THRILLED to find him in the tree in the photo. I took a couple shots, moved closer, took a couple more got a little closer took a couple more.

I've seen evidence (long large holes in trees) that these beauties were in the areal for at least 3 maybe 4 years. Thought I saw one fly overhead once but wasn't sure. Then today, providence chose to bless me with not only a good look but the opportunity to photograph this wonderful bird as well.

I was not as close as I would have liked and this photo is quite cropped. I had my 55-200 mm lens but would have like something a little better. I would like to explore the possibility of getting another lens and any help from you my readers would be oh so appreciated.

In the meantime i am so pleased to have a photo of this bird. Providence is waiting to bless you too, are your eyes and your heart open?

Blessings~

Girlfriends February 13, 2010

Not really a pair, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

There have been a lot of wookpeckers in my backyard recently. There may be 2 or three little Downies and a couple of the larger Hairy woodpeckers all at once! They usually come and go to the feeders separately and tend to chase each other away from the feeders and the trees. Today I captured these two on the seed cake and there were three of them fairly close to each other in one of the trees.

Today I will imagine these two are girlfriends spending a little quality time together, shopping, sharing lunch and secrets. There is just something about a girlfriend. Someone who loves you warts and all, someone you can trust to be honest even when the truth may be painful. A girlfriend listens, loves, and lifts you up in prayer. If you have even one, cherish her, you are blessed! If you are one, you are a precious gift!

Blessings

On Alert February 8, 2010

On Alert, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

This fella has been spotted previously only once! How wonderful that he has returned. I saw him briefly on the seed cake but he spent the rest of his short visit in the tree. He's found the seed now so I trust he will return. I'll be watching.

Blessings!

Hairy Woodpecker February 6, 2010

Hairy Woodpecker, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

While waiting for some friends to pick me up for a girls day out I was thrilled to see so many birds using my feeders again. Slowly the numbers are increasing and though most of the users are sparrows and finches it's a thrill! To date I have had sparrows, yellow finches, purple finches, juncos, pine siskins, chickadees, my beautiful cardinal pair that visit daily now, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, one redheaded woodpecker and starlings (when I put out bread). The birds are such a joy to me, just so much fun. They are a wonder as well, such tiny fragile things withstanding snowstorms and blizzards, walking barefoot in the snow, and singing and chirping praises to the Father. Would that I be so grateful for all He abundantly provides for me that I have joy in my heart, peace in my soul and a song of praise on my lips.

Blessings~

He hears me! February 3, 2010

He hears me!, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

After filling my feeders again, I took a walk thru the deeeeeeep snow to the back of the house. Eyes on the trees, I was nearly on top of this guy before I noticed him. He was alone at the feeders and oh so very busy. He would stop, listen and then poke at the suet a bit more. I was able to take several shots but when I tried to move a couple steps to the left (the camera wanted to focus on the feeder not the Downy), I spooked him and off he flew.

Had I been content where I was, I could have watched him at close range a bit longer. A lesson there. Sometimes I need to just be still, enjoy the moment, be content.

Blessings~