Finding the Bluebirds

I grasp Annie's arm and stifle a giggle. We spot him at the exact same moment and two sets of binoculars pop up and lend us a nearly perfect view of the golden-crowned kinglet. She verbally describes the lores, the wings, the stripes on his crown. The description helps to confirm that what we're seeing is really the species we believe it is. We high-five and are eager to carry on down the path, but a tiny three year-old hand pulls on mine and I'm reminded we've been here quite awhile. I'm grateful she lasted this long.

We do the bird count as we meander back; "ruby-crowned, golden-crowned, horned lark, meadow lark..." It had been a successful hour of birding in our estimation. But, I wanted a bluebird, the sweet whistle-chirping beauty with the blazing cobalt feathers. Of course, I'd have to pick a dwindling species to be my favourite. Later that day I'd find him and even capture him with my camera--a little extra gift from God, I am certain. And while I am overjoyed in catching sight of new and returning flying creatures, I'm always on the lookout for my darling bluebirds.

Backyard Discovery

Molly came breathless, running into the mudroom, door slamming behind her "Mommy! There's a fox in the backyard!" In about four seconds, I'd grabbed my camera and ran barefoot in my pyjamas onto the deck. It was wet and cold and I shoved the camera at Meghan, who had followed her siblings and me. 

"Here! Try and get a photo if I miss him!" I scooted back inside for some boots and a coat. Who knew if I'd be tracking the little guy far from the yard. Oliver, Molly and cousin Sadie were crouched and pointing behind our thirty-foot spruce.

"He's just lying there all curled up!" 

"Aw, Mommy, he's so cute."

"Should we go up to him?" 

I turned my lens to zoom in and took a few steps toward the evergreen. The fox didn't move. In fact, he didn't seem to mind me coming closer and squatting near him at all. That concerned me a little but I really wanted a good photo :) I told the kids to stay back. The fox yawned and scratched himself. He was completely disinterested in us. I shot several more photos. It was as though he was posing, turning his head this way and that. Then he curled up a little tighter. 

The kids chattered behind me and I stood and told them to run and get Sadie's mom, who was working down at the nursery. As we all dispersed, I looked back and the fox was gone. "Nevermind," I called, "he left." I carefully and quickly strode in the only direction he could've gone and I spotted him sitting beside the horse paddock by the fence. He strolled along the pasture, perfect gait, no evident injuries. He didn't seem sick. He just seemed calm and quite used to city-life. Urban-sprawl having much to do with that, no doubt. Our woods across the road had been dwindling for years. 

I was taken with this sweet fox's beauty and am always amazed and grateful when God points out less common parts of His creation to us. He trotted off toward a small shed at our nursery and I headed back to the house. The kids mentioned later that they saw him again. Perhaps he'll hang around for a while. I'm glad my kiddos find just as much joy in wild creatures as I do. But, discovering them in your backyard while playing? Even more exciting!

Frogs and Toads And All Things Spring

Frogs and Toads... isn't that what little girls are made of? Or is it boys? Slimy, bumpy and squishy qualify as desirable playthings in our family. That means frogs and toads are right up there with silly putty and mud pies. Last week we visited the frog exhibit at the Royal Botanical Gardens with some good friends, after studying metamorphosis and amphibians.

Oliver's project

We topped the day off by strolling along one of our favourite woodsy trails to feed the birds. While we eagerly await the warblers from the south, we care for our winter birds who flit from one chubby little hand to another, pecking at the seeds in the palms of older ones who teach that the tickle of the tiny bird claws is a good thing.

 

 

 

God said, "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Genesis 8:22. He has kept His promise again. Spring has returned and we are delighted!

Everybody Does Their Own Thing

It's a small window of time till those birds can no longer be spotted as easily and so we lay down the books and take advantage of the weather and the barely budding trees. As long as we bring along scooters, a bike, and snacks, everyone is happy. Everybody does their own thing and it makes for an enjoyable adventure!

 

Point Pelee is the birds' first landing place after a long and tiresome flight and so, my friends, Annie, Cathy and I cottaged there, hoping to catch them before they dispersed north. Two days of staring through binoculars brought me a little closer to the Creator as I stood many times, marveling over the intricate details of colours, lines and feathers. Breathing in the fresh air, walking for eighteen hours between the two days left us tired, peaceful and hopeful for what we'd soon be capturing in our binoculars at home.

This one likes to have her photo taken :)

Somehow, every little thing becomes a gun.

We received a sweet welcome from this Common Yellowthroat the other day.

Identifying the subtle differences between each Thrush keeps things interesting.

Aw, how cute is this Bay-breasted Warbler?

This Mourning Warbler flitted down beside me while the "professional birdwatchers" were looking for him at Pt. Pelee.

Sweet Redstart

Funny, how my friends were searching for this Wood Thrush and when we got home, we realized I had a photo of him on my camera :)

Tiny Yellow Warblers at Pt. Pelee were as plentiful as Robins are here.

Trying to view a flycatcher. We call this the "neck-breaker".

Friendly Chestnut-sided Warbler. He followed us around.

The little Loft Cottage we stayed in at Pt. Pelee. It overlooked Lake Erie.

I had never seen a Scarlet Tanager before!

This Northern Goshawk landed on my neighbour's roof the other day.

Picking flowers makes life lovely.

Loved hanging with this knowledgeable lady.

Funny Green Heron, oh, how you make me laugh!

Beautiful Bird-Nerd (Annie)

Married outdoors-ys :)

Mama-walks

I call this Cedar Wax-Wing, the Captain of the Guard.

My little birder. Oliver puts a sticker in his bird book on every bird he's spotted. He's my most interested kiddo.

Three of these Elegant Indigo Buntings in two days? My surprise from God.

Togetherness is the most important ingredient in all this nature-hiking we've been doing lately. I'm so thankful we can each enjoy our own thing while remaining within close proximity to each other and to the living, breathing creation. If you're not a nature-seeker, I encourage you to get a magnifying glass and binoculars and get out there! You'd be surprised what you're missing in your area!