The Last Leaf Gardener

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Squirrel Appreciation Day 2021

This photographic features a squirrel lying on his stomach on the branch of an Ailanthus tree. His front legs are hanging on either side of the branch. His ears are pointed straight up above his forehead and he appears to be looking straight into the camera.

his photographic features a squirrel balancing himself on a branch of an Ailanthus tree. He is staring intently at something beneath him. One of his ears is visible and it is standing straight above his forehead. A portion of his tail is dangling over another branch.

Today, January 21st, is the annual day to celebrate Squirrel Apppreciation Day. I've written about this holiday within a number of venues including entires on this blog.

These animals can provide a lot of entertainment when you observe them as I've done in both Central Park and Riverside Park over the years when I've encountered various types including Cinnamon Variant squirrels, Black squirrels and Eastern gray squirrels.

On July 8th 2020, shortly after NYC started to begin easing up on lockdown restrictions (many of which were subsequently put back in place) which had been in effect since March due to the devastating consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, I had the chance to watch squirrels from my window for they began to visit the Ailanthus Trees in my buildings courtyard and as you might surmise from the photo-ops atop this entry, their antics gave me many reaons to smile during those isolating times.

Feather by Feather

This is a picture of a Mourning dove preening. I’m not sure of the bird’s gender so I’ll refer to the creature with the he pronoun. He is doing this activity while standing atop an outdoor garden table made of marble. The surface is white. From the position he is in we can only see one eye and it is almost closed, which allows us to notice his pale blue eyelids — a characteristic of Mourning doves. We can also see his pink feet which are a characteristic of this bird type. The feathers that he has preened are standing straight up (as shown in the left portion of the image) resembling a paper fan. Mourning doves have a story within volume one of my three volume book series. Info re these books is another post within this blog @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

Here is another view of the Mourning dove seen in the first image (directly above this one). I’m not sure of the bird’s gender so I’ll refer to the creature with the he pronoun. He has paused from doing the activity of preening and is still standing atop an outdoor garden table made of marble. The surface is white. From the position he is in we can only see one of his dark eyes eyes and he is staring intently at something unbeknownst to me. We can also see his pink feet which are a characteristic of this bird type. The feathers that he has preened are standing straight up (as shown in the left portion of the image) resembling a paper fan. Mourning doves have a story within volume one of my three volume book series. Info re these books is another post within this blog @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

This is another picture of a Mourning dove preening. It is a slightly different view of the of bird referenced in the first image (two pictures above this one). I’m not sure of the bird’s gender so I’ll refer to the creature with the he pronoun. He is doing this activity while standing atop an outdoor garden table made of marble. The surface is white. From the position he is in we can only see one eye and it almost closed, which allows us to notice his pale blue eyelids — a characteristic of Mourning doves. We can also see his pink feet which are a characteristic of this bird type. The feathers that he has preened are standing straight up (as shown in the left portion of the image) resembling a paper fan. Mourning doves have a story within volume one of my three volume book series. Info re these books is another post within this blog @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

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.

Therefore visits to my garden by Mourning doves have become more important than ever.

N'tl Bird Day 2021 has come and gone! However, one can continue to celebrate! (Tuesday's Truths WK 201)

This image features a male House finch perched on the left side of a bird feeder that is shaped like house. The feeder is made of metal and is hunter-green in color. House finches are featured in volume one of my book series, "Words In Our Beak." Info re these books is in another post on my blog @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

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.

In bygone years, I've published posts about this occasion as I certainly appreciate any occasion that aims to raise awareness about members of the animal kingdom and I don’t think it needs to be limited to one 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.

“A new day. A blue jay. A new beginning...."

This is a picture of a blue jay perching on the rim of a flora container in my garden. The bird’s beak is open ever so lightly and he appears to be looking into the container. “Blue jays are large for songbirds, typically measuring between 9 and 12 inches long, and weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 ounces. Distinguishing characteristics of the blue jay include the pronounced blue crest on their heads, which the blue jay may lower and raise depending on mood, and which will bristle outward when the bird is being aggressive or becomes frightened. Blue jays sport colorful blue plumage on their crest, wings, back, and tail. Their face is typically white, and they have an off-white underbelly. They have a black-collared neck, and the black extends down the sides of their heads - their bill, legs, and eyes are also all black. Their wings and tail have black, sky-blue, and white bars. Male and female blue jays are nearly identical.” (Info from https://forum.americanexpedition.us/blue-jay-facts). They are featured in my three volume book series, “Words In Our Beak. Info re these birds is in another post on this blog @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

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.

This is a picture of a blue jay perching on the rim of a flora container in my garden which is wrapped in burlap. He appears to be looking on to the garden floor. “Blue jays are large for songbirds, typically measuring between 9 and 12 inches long, and weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 ounces. Distinguishing characteristics of the blue jay include the pronounced blue crest on their heads, which the blue jay may lower and raise depending on mood, and which will bristle outward when the bird is being aggressive or becomes frightened. Blue jays sport colorful blue plumage on their crest, wings, back, and tail. Their face is typically white, and they have an off-white underbelly. They have a black-collared neck, and the black extends down the sides of their heads - their bill, legs, and eyes are also all black. Their wings and tail have black, sky-blue, and white bars. Male and female blue jays are nearly identical.” (Info from https://forum.americanexpedition.us/blue-jay-facts). They are featured in my three volume book series, “Words In Our Beak. Info re these birds is in another post on this blog @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

This is a picture of a blue jay perching on the rim of a metal saucer that is in my garden. He appears to be looking at what is there which bits of fruit. “Blue jays are large for songbirds, typically measuring between 9 and 12 inches long, and weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 ounces. Distinguishing characteristics of the blue jay include the pronounced blue crest on their heads, which the blue jay may lower and raise depending on mood, and which will bristle outward when the bird is being aggressive or becomes frightened. Blue jays sport colorful blue plumage on their crest, wings, back, and tail. Their face is typically white, and they have an off-white underbelly. They have a black-collared neck, and the black extends down the sides of their heads - their bill, legs, and eyes are also all black. Their wings and tail have black, sky-blue, and white bars. Male and female blue jays are nearly identical.” (Info from https://forum.americanexpedition.us/blue-jay-facts). They are featured in my three volume book series, “Words In Our Beak. Info re these birds is in another post on this blog @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

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.

Taking a Cue From Mourning Doves

This image features a figurine designed by Lori Mitchell who has named her Miss Teachy. Miss Teachy is wearing a yellow cardigan and plaid skirt. She has a pencil in her right hand and is holding a book about trees in in left hand. Teachy is wearing horn rimmed glasses and the look in her eye dares students to not pay attention. At the top left corner of my image I’ve included text that states, Take a cue from what mourning doves are doing when they visit you. Mourning doves are featured in my book series, “Words In Our Beak,” and info re them is in another blog post @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

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.

It's just another day?

This photo features a woman wearing "costume glasses" New Year's glasses for 2021. They are made from a metallic plastic material comprised of a several colors including shades of blue, shades of pink and shades of yellow.

CARDINAL THEMED FACE-MASK AVAILABLE VIA FAA

As we face this day of 1-15-2021, two weeks into a new year, I am reminded of some lyrics in a song written by Linda and Paul McCartney which state, "......Ah, it's just another day. It's just another day. It's just another day."

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."

Search This Blog

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Squirrel Appreciation Day 2021

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Feather by Feather

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

N'tl Bird Day 2021 has come and gone! However, one can continue to celebrate! (Tuesday's Truths WK 201)

Monday, January 18, 2021

“A new day. A blue jay. A new beginning...."

Saturday, January 16, 2021

Taking a Cue From Mourning Doves

Friday, January 15, 2021

It's just another day?

CHECK OUT MY ART!

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BLOG!