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, February 28, 2021
#ShowYourStripes but Show Your Spots Too! It's Rare Disease Day!
Saturday, February 27, 2021
It's Pokémon's Anniversary
The creation of Pokémon took place on this day of February 27th in 1996. I confess that I don't know anything about Pokémon or the character Pikachu, but I recognize the fact that there is a huge community out there who apppreciate this phenomenon, and so I'm sharing what I know about it, which is limited to my seeing Pikachu in a few Macy's Parades.
I first saw the character in this venue when I attended the 2014 Macy's Parade and took note of how he could be considered a voyeurs. This is something as you might also surmise from the photo-op atop this entry, but Pikachu is certainly not the only one to be a Peeping Tom when participatingin the parade.
Friday, February 26, 2021
Friday's Fact: I often give into a Blue jay's wide-eyed look...
During last week's snowstorm, a young Blue jay visited the Smoke Bush which I have in my garden. From the vantage point of that shrub's branches, this bird seemed to be giving a wide-eyed look, as seen in the images atop this entry.
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Pretty Handsome In Pink
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Keeping up an outdoor Christmas tree is for the birds. Tuesday's Truths WK 206
We are still dealing with a lot of snow here in NYC and as you can see in the set of four pictures atop this enty, House sparrows, visiting my snowy garden appear to have found solace within the branches of my Christmas tree which is still up outside.
Monday, February 22, 2021
Little stars or little snowflakes?
We have been having wintery weather here in NYC and as you can see in the set of four pictures atop this entry, European starling visited my snowy garden during a snowfall. In winter, starlings are duller overall, covered with white spots (which are sometimes called little stars, or “starlings”). However during our wintery mix, one could easily call these white spots liitle snowflakes.
MY BOOK SERIES |
Sunday, February 21, 2021
"Spring is just around the corner?"
Atop this entry is a copy of a Mutts comic strip created by Patrick McDonnell. It was initially emailed to me this morning, February 21, 2021. We are still dealing with a lot of snow here in NYC and as you can see in the next set of three pictures, Mourning doves, visiting my snowy garden appear unphased to know that spring does not seem to be around the corner.
MY BOOK SERIES |
Saturday, February 20, 2021
"His eye is on the sparrow...."
Friday, February 19, 2021
The 5th Anniversary of Harper Lee's Passing
The author, Harper Lee, known mostly for her novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird," died five years ago today (2-19-2016). In honor of her memory I'm sharing three photo-ops (atop this posting) of a Northern mockingbird who hung out with a Mourning dove in my garden during yesterday's snowstorm.
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Throwback Thursday: Ellen McConnell Blakeman Passed Away 3 Yrs + 1 Wk Ago
MY BOOK SERIES |
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
I need help (Tuesday's Truths WK 205) and pls note on-going updates posted at the end
These are times of struggle for many as I truly know. In terms of me, I have had a series of unfortunate circumstances, including ones related to my oral health.
Monday, February 15, 2021
Monday's Memo: Honoring the Bearded Barista, William "Bill" King
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE |
I spent yesterday's Valentine's Day holiday on an assignment regarding an article for the on-line publication, "I love The Upper Westside" and it was published last night.
Sunday, February 14, 2021
It's Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is here and I've been publishing a number of posts in the month leading up to the "holiday." I do realize it can be a rough day for some. If that "some" includes you, dear reader, know you are not alone, so find love and joy where you can (there's a lot of it out there).
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Non-Social Distancing House Sparrows's Scenario Needs a Caption!
The picture seen directly above was taken in my garden during the 2-1-2021 nor-easter, the House sparrow at the right is one I'm asking you to ponder as you contemplate a caption for this photo-op.
Here are some ideas:
1. "Sorry I'm late!"
2. "Save some for me!"
3. "There is always room for one more."
Or perhaps you can think of a different caption? On another note: Sparrows are one of many bird types who are featured within my three volume hard-cover book series, Words In Our Beak.
MY BOOK SERIES |
The goal of these books is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden (mine) in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it.
Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective.
These books are nice to give to someone who may be in quarantine or lockdown due to #COVID19 (cornavirus) as the stories in them can bring the outdoors into the homes of those who cannot go out and about. Moreover, they would make a great gift to give to love birds who love birds on Valentine's Day (which is tomorow).
Friday, February 12, 2021
Friday's Fact: Birdie's got blue eyelids!
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Did juncoes inspire the article of clothing known as a cape?
It is very cold today The sweet-looking Dark-eyed junco (who visited my garden today and can be seen in the photo atop this entry) is a bird type that loves cold temps. Hence this creature's nickname of "snowbird" seemed to be using his feathers in a way that resembles the way humans wear a cape!
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Wednesday's Wisdom: Soon (and very soon) it will be Valentine's Day!
Yesterday I received Valentine's Day cookies for myself and valentines (in the form of suet cakes) for the birds who visit my garden, which is the setting for my three volume hardcover book series, Words In Our Beak.
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
"...Bully bird species are naturally more aggressive and territorial about their feeding areas." (Tuesday's Truths WK 204)
But did you know, "bully bird species are naturally more aggressive and territorial about their feeding areas, protecting food sources exclusively for their own use." For instance, "House sparrows, often feed in flocks and can crowd out other birds so more species cannot access the seed. Some bully birds will even guard a feeder they perceive as theirs and will attack or chase away any other birds that try to feed."
In the picture seen directly above (which was taken in my garden during the 2-1-2021 nor-easter), the sparrow at the left seems to be the one guarding the feeder. The quotes are from an article in The Spruce (which you can read by clickin here). As for sparrows, they are one of many bird types featured within my three volume book series, Words In Our Beak.
Monday, February 8, 2021
Monday's Memo: Catch a Falling Snowflake
Sally (seen in the image atop this entry) knows how to find happiness during a snow-day, and so did my visiting starling! When he stopped by during yesterday's snowfall it appeared he was trying to catch snowflakes with his beak (as evidenced in the photograph directly below).
Sunday, February 7, 2021
Sunday Brunch in my Garden
This past Monday, here in NYC, we had a nor'easter (which I wrote about in a recent post here on Blogger). Now, six days later wet, heavy snow has been falling since early morning but this did not deter avian creatures from visiting my place, as evidenced in the photos atop this entry.
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Saturday's Snippet: "emilia" Is A New Place To Get Food On The UWS!
The other day I received an email saying, “a new delivery-only Italian restaurant called 'emila', has opened on the Upper West Side snd offered to send me some food, so I thought I'd pay it forward as a token of my appreciation for your work.”
I was delighted that someone appreciated my work and that they thought of me. I took him up on his offer and contacted the lovely Anastasiia Kozlovska, who with her husband, Sergio Serafin Spera, collabrated with Luca Di Pietro, owner of Taralluci e Vino, a restaurant that is located at the same location as emilia (475 Columbus Avenue, on the corner of 83rd Street located in the UWS of NYC).
Anastasiia referred me to the menu on restaurant's website, where I read, “At emilia, we're all about satisfying food. Everything we do pivots around the essence of Italian cuisine – simplicity and freshness. We believe every dish should be served with casual warmth and care. Just as Nonna would have done it.”
I chose their Fusilli Cacio De Pepe for an entrée and she suggested I order a scoop of Burrata to place on top. When I received an email of what would be delivered to me (which in addition to the main dish included Butternut Squash Soup and Tiramisu), Anastasiia wrote, “I can send you a bottle of white wine!?”
My “goodies” arrived in a bag that included a bouquet of roses (which cam be seen in the photo atop this entry) and a couple of heart-shaped shortbread cookies, causing me to think if this was far beyond “casual” warmth and care! Their Nonna would be most proud.
I have not been able to eat much of anything due to my tremendous pain and difficult in digesting food (as a result of needing to complete my dental procedure). This meal was a true blessing. It has been a long time since I’ve enjoyed eating any food.
My visiting figurines who posed (seen in a the photo-ops posted below) with some of what emilia sent me...
...concurred with me that if my NYC peeps are wondering what to do for this coming Valentine’s Day (which is a week from tomorrow), get thee to emilia’s web-site and order a meal for your true love. Fyi, they are open (delivery only) from Monday through Sunday between the hours of 9am to 9pm. Their phone number is 315.544.3788. and their email is hello@orderemilia.com
Friday, February 5, 2021
Friday's Follow-Up Re A Visiting Jay
Atop this entry is a copy of a Mutts cartoon created by Patrick McDonnell. It was initially posted in celebration of the 2018 Winter Solstice and I thought of the sentiment expressed by Mooch during the nor'easter which occured in NYC this past Monday (2-1-2021).
Thursday, February 4, 2021
A Bernie Sander's Meme Featuring Cam and Mac! (Thursday's Testimony)
Does anyone happen to remember when a House sparrow alighted on Bernie Sander's campaign podium in 2016? It was adoreable. Here's the link to a recording of the incident in case you missed it and/or want to refresh your memory). My recalling that sparrow plus seeing all the Bernie Sanders mitten-memes inspired my idea to create a meme with him wearing my cardinal-themed face-mask.
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Patrick McDonnell has got this! "A little bird seed or a source of water goes a long way for wildlife!" (Wednesday's Wisdom)
I completely agree with this bird featured the Mutts's drawing atop this entry (as anyone who reads this blog I'm a huge fan of Patrick McDonnell (the creator of the Mutts strip and related cartoons). Be that as it may, it has been beyond bitter cold the past few days (and continues to be). I spent much of this last Saturday pouring hot water over the frozen water in my bird baths (that are in my garden) in order for the ice to melt and allow my visiting wildlife to take a drink or two.
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
2021's Ground Hog Day + NYC's 1st Nor'easter for this Year (Tuesday's Truths WK 203)
Results are in! A couple of hours prior to this seemingly pensive Blue jay (seen in the picture directly above) alighting on the branches of the smoke bush that I have in my garden, NYC's spokes-groundhog predicted an early spring. However, Phil, the spokes-groundhog for nearby Pennsylvania predicts six more weeks of winter.