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HOUSE FINCHES ARE FEATURED IN WIOB The other day was quite cold and I noticed a male House finch puffing up as he perched on a branch within an Ailanthus tree in my courtyard. Puffing up is something birds do to keep warm as I mentioned in this past Friday's posting. Male House finches are red and the females have brownish tones thus they blend in with nature, which is helpful in them being able to protect a nest. The one seen here (lower left) blends in with the branches so much that I may not have noticed her had I not wondered what the male was looking at. Their distance reminded me of the social distancing, a "task" that folks around the world have been asked to keep to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. |

Blogger Patricia Youngquist is an author and a photographer. Her recent e-book, BIRD TALES, is interactive and includes the Blue jay featured above. Prior works include versions of WORDS IN OUR BEAK, where the stories are narrated by Cam, a female cardinal. Additionally, some of her photographs have been licensed by Fine Art America to reproduce as wall art and on to an array of surfaces for various products! Do view both side-bars for specific details on all of this.
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Sunday, January 31, 2021
STOP THE SPREAD (of lovers's quarrels)
Friday, January 29, 2021
Friday's Fact: Mourning doves have their love to keep them warm!
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MOURNING DOVES ARE FEATURED IN WIOB |
It's been very cold and I've been wearing layer upon layer, but Mourning doves don't have to bundle up when the temps are so low, all they do is puff up (as evidenced by the image atop this entry which was taken in my garden the other day). Another way they may be keeping warm is by their love for their partner.
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Tu B’Shevat 2021
Just four days ago on January 24th 2021, I published a blog post (where I included a copy of the snapshot above this entry) in which I discussed my maternal grandfather's apppreciation for trees, something I seem to have inherited.
Then last night I had a conversation with a neighbor (LS) about the recent vandalism which occurred in my building and my roof extension garden, I mentioned that a main concern I had experienced during that crime was for the birds who visit my place and who have enjoyed the trees that I have planted over the years.
Knowing my love for trees, LS kindly told me that Tu B’Sheva had begun at sunset then explained that it would end at sunset tonight (1-28-2021). She went on to say Tu B’Shevat (or the birthday of all fruit trees) is s a minor holiday.
My knowedge of many aspects of Jewish holidays is minimal, even though I have a somewhat famous paternal Jewish ancestor, Rosa Sonnenschein, whom I've written about on this blog and who is featured in the image below).
After I spoke with LS, I did some research. I learned (from a writer re Jewish learning who calls him/herself MJL) Tu B’Shevat's name "is Hebrew for the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat. In ancient times, Tu B’Shevat was merely a date on the calendar that helped Jewish farmers establish exactly when they should bring their fourth-year produce of fruit from recently planted trees to the Temple as first-fruit offerings."
Now, honor of Tu B’Shevat, I will share photo-ops of birds enjoying the trees in my garden (during by gone years and at this present time).
I will also include photographs of them enjoying the Ailanthus Trees in the courtyard and trees. I will start with the trees that are no longer with me as a way of honoring their memory.Wednesday, January 27, 2021
"Birds are like teenagers They don't write. They don't call." (Wednesday's Wisdom)
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CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN WIOB |
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CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN WIOB |
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Teens Are Running Across NYC Rooftops and Up To No Good (Tueday's Truths WK 202)
The photo atop this entry was featured in my December 17, 2020 blog post where I mentioned the atmosphere that a then recent snowfall and readers could "see how my garden [It is under the string lights seen in this picture] looked in relation to the buildings in close proximity."
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Sunday's Sentiment: Remembering my Grandfather's Appreciating Trees
My maternal grandfather, Albert Elmer Herman Lewis Melahn, can be seen in an unndated snapshot (directly above) with a tree he had just planted. He died in the mid to late 1970's on this day of January 24th.
Saturday, January 23, 2021
In the spring, becomes the geranium....
Friday, January 22, 2021
Friday Follow Up: Miracle on the Hudson
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CANADIAN GEESE ARE FEATURED IN WIOB |
The photo atop this entry features a pair of Canadian geese walking on a sheet of ice that is covering a lake in Central Park. I was surprised to see this happening as this bird type can often be seen trying to keep their feet warm.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Squirrel Appreciation Day 2021
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Feather by Feather
I've been very overwhelmed by my circumstances which have been aggravated by a number of consequences re the coronavirus pandemic. I'm now behind in every level for many of my tasks from the mundane to major projects and it's getting out of hand.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
N'tl Bird Day 2021 has come and gone! However, one can continue to celebrate! (Tuesday's Truths WK 201)
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MALE HOUSE FINCHES ARE FEATURED IN WIOB |
This two hundred and one segement of Tuesday's Truths is to alert you to the fact that National Bird Day has come and gone for the year 2021. It was celebrated three weeks ago on 1-5. Information re this holiday can be found in a number of places on the web including a page for National Day.
But this segement is also designed to let you know that if you missed this year’s National Bird Day, just make it a point to do something that will benefit our feathered friends, such as making sure any bird feeder you have is clean as well as replenished.
They will truly appreciate your efforts as evidenced by this male house finch (in the photograph directly above) who is enjoying a snack from a feeder in my garden.
Another thing you can do is to make sure your bird bath is clean and if winter temperatures are prevailing, make sure the water isn't frozen.Monday, January 18, 2021
“A new day. A blue jay. A new beginning...."
Blue jays visit my garden frequently and the other day was no exception. My latest visitor can be seen in the image atop this entry as well as in the ones directly below.
Upon my seeing this creature, I thought of some lines from a poem by Eleanor Farjeon which go like this, “A new day. A blue jay. A new beginning...."
You may recognize her name as she wrote the hymn, "Morning Has Broken," which is usually associated with Cat Stevens whose recording of it popularized the song.This bird type, which sometimes gets a bad rap, has influenced me from an early age when I drew (albeit not very well) the creature's picture.Saturday, January 16, 2021
Taking a Cue From Mourning Doves
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MOURNING DOVES ARE FEATURED IN WIOB |
The other evening after the sun went down, I noticed at least seven mourning doves sitting in my rooftop garden. Due to their coloring and the darkness of the sky, they nearly blended in with the blacktop surface; so it was hard to observe their behavior and impossible (given the constraints of my camera equipment) to photograph them.
Friday, January 15, 2021
It's just another day?
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CARDINAL THEMED FACE-MASK AVAILABLE VIA FAA |
Indeed it’s just another day and a number is not going to instantly bring about changes to the consequences of where we are today (with the on-going coronavirus pandemic and with our political unrest).
A wise thoughtful, prophetic FB peep (SR) pointed out, “…presidency isn't the answer. This goes beyond politics… So for now do no harm. Try to promote peace and do good deeds. Leave others alone unless you have something positive to offer."
If we heed the wisdom of SR we can make this day and the ones to come more than "...just another day."
Thursday, January 14, 2021
"...When January brings new faces!"
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"THE CHIKADEE" BY RALPH WALDO EMERSON |
As promised in my last entry (published on 1-7-2021), I'm back in the blogging saddle for now. My absence wasn't so long when I consider it has been over eight years (November 18th 2012) since I heard the sound which poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, calls the "gay and polite" "cheerful cry" of a Chickadee occcuring in my rooftop garden but I heard it this morning.
Thursday, January 7, 2021
My Recent Articles
Once again I've been out of the loop re my blogging as I've been doing research and photo shoots for a few articles I was assigned to write.