Celebrating the ordinary
It was a cold, snowy weekend here in Lexington, which brought lots of different birds (eighteen species) to our feeders. I enjoyed watching all of them, but must admit I have my favorites, including our pair of Carolina wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus). These small birds have a rusty-colored back, prominent eye stripe, long curved beak and up-turned tail. They are permanent residents and provide much enjoyment all year round.
Continue reading “Carolina wrens – another backyard favorite”
We had a surprising number of robins (Turdus migratorius) in the yard last week when our temperatures dropped to 12 degrees. The bird bath, with a heater that keeps the water from freezing, became a very popular spot.
We had just enough ice last week to give the backyard a very different look, and it was fun to get out and look around. The wire fence around the compost pile was strung with crystal beads that struck me as somewhat ‘arty’.
We enjoy our backyard birds year round. This is especially true in the winter when there’s not a lot else going on. Since late November we’ve been enjoying a pair of red-breasted nuthatches (Sitta canadensis), the first time I remember seeing these birds.
I like celebrating the winter solstice, our shortest day of the year, on December 21st. I’m glad to think of the increased daylight that leads us toward spring and another growing season. In the meantime, I’m enjoying the brilliant red berries of our winterberry shrubs.
This poem by Diane Lee Moomey expresses my sentiments.
SOLSTICE
Again did the earth shift.
Again did the nights grow short
and the days long.
And the people
of the earth were glad
and celebrated each in their own ways.
Best wishes to all for the season and the coming year.