Heartbreaking!

This has not been a good week in so many ways.

This female bluebird is a bright spark though. She was 

outside the window a little while ago.

I cleaned out the large birdhouse ready for spring nesting

 and hopes of more bluebird babies this year.

This Saturday morning the news from Europe, especially as broadcast by 

the BBC, and much more in depth than what we are seeing on US news

reports, has stunned us even more. The almost a million refugees arriving

 in Hungary and Poland - Ukrainian mothers and their little children being

 'adopted' by caring people - but they also scared for the future of

 their own countries.

 Ukrainian fathers now 'soldiers' trying to save their own country.

Babies are being born in basements and metro stations. 

Many have nothing but the clothes on their backs or in a backpack

 as they escape the bombing of their much-loved homes.

Hundreds of Indian university students are locked down in hostels without

 food and water for several days now, no way to leave, nowhere to go, and

 being shot at if they venture outside, and it's bitterly cold.

So many more stories, all heartbreaking.

Please pray for these people, and all who are fighting for their lives, their

country and the freedom they so rightly deserve.

Once again the entire world is in danger because of one insane man!

 Yesterday I walked to the neighborhood park.

The sun was bright and very warm.

I knew I was safe, a lucky person, and in a peaceful place.

This blue and yellow reflection in the pond was a message.

Sunday morning winter light -

On the box they named this amaryllis 'Charming' so I was expecting blooms

 similar to the one in the last photo on this post. . . . . . also named 'Charming',

a bulb grown a few years ago. 

This new one is the bulb purchased before Christmas. 

However, like much of nature, surprises happen. Many are forgivable, 

actually quite acceptable, and often very beautiful to behold.

May I introduce you to what I believe is the early blooming amaryllis

named 'Lemon Star.' 

A very tall plant, now measuring 31 inches from top of bulb to tip of blooms! 

Sturdy, with no need of a support - though I did tie a little jute bow to hold

leaves to stem in case they flopped - this is a pristine white beauty with

 slightly ruffled petal edges and a lemon/lime center.  This morning in the

 sunlight there are two blooms fully open. Two more buds, still tightly closed

 wait in the wings so to speak, so I'm hoping for open flowers to enjoy for

 another week at least.

Do you get the feeling I love these special bulbs of beauty?

Do you spy another bulb now has a stem with a bud? 

Wondering what that one is - it's from another year so will 

be a surprise.

This was Amaryllis 'Charming' with touches of pink, in 2018 - very lovely.

Sunday sunlight is fading now and rain is coming in for the remainder
 of the milder day. Much colder tomorrow with full sun but no chance of

 snow here yet. In fact the fig tree is already showing some new green

 buds and the bluebirds are back at the feeders.

 FYI - If you're a fan and nature lover, it's a special night on TV today! 

Season 2 of the 'new version' of All Creatures Great & Small 

returns to PBS here in the USA. I'll be snuggled in front of the fire

 watching as I love this program, though it makes me even

 more homesick for the English countryside!

Saturday morning - no snow, just sun!

 

They fooled us!  

Those weather guys sometimes don't know what they're talking about!

Yesterday we nibbled and gobbled all day long to stay warm, expecting to

 awake this morning frozen to snow covered branches, only to flap our

 chilled wings and head to another suet breakfast in truly brilliant sunshine!  

Many friends showed up with the same idea, but when the Northern flicker

arrived we had to wait our turn, after all he's much bigger than us!

Northern Flicker : Colaptes auratus

A 12" brown and black woodpecker with black necklace and red spot

on nape of neck. Male distinguished by a black mustache also.

Female (left) and male (right) - a sweet pair of Eastern bluebirds

 waiting patiently for their breakfast.

Male Northern flicker.

So, no snow blowing or shoveling, snow person building, snow angels, 

or 'birds in the snow' photos. Thank goodness for the latter you may say,

 how many bird photos can she take?  Instead we'll be enjoying the sunny,

 cold day as we go to get new tires for my car, take a walk while they mount

 them - heavy bundled in layers of wool, cashmere with fur-lined boots and

of course our masks - and then back home, light the fire, and settle in

 for the evening.

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe.

Be kind to yourself and others.

Rainy Sunday before Christmas -

Today is cold and dreary. Rain a steady heavy drizzle. Skies leaden.

The only lively spot is the leafless fig tree with birds waiting on the 

rain-soaked branches for a turn at the feeders. 

Three Eastern bluebirds attacked the suet feeder at once - a family

enjoying Sunday breakfast perhaps.

 

Note my favorite vintage rolling pin and cookie cutters - and the
 baking tins I brought from England so many years ago.

My traditional English mince pies - ready for the oven.

My weekend has included baking - mince pies, ginger crinkle cookies, 

a delicious apple galette (shared with the new next door neighbor), and

 then sitting and thinking about other traditional foods I will make in the

 coming days and into the new year.

Sadly, no usual Christmas Eve party, but for some reason I still feel

the need to bake and cook like I always do . . . . . . . you just

know someone will eat the food!

A bit bedraggled this morning - but always a pleasure to see in the garden.

I'm struggling a bit learning the New PicMonkey - - there really are a lot

of differences but thankfully they have great tutorials - I just need to set 

aside more to read them, and watch their videos. 

Brrrrrrr!!!!

is for

AMERICA and ANTARCTICA

Female Eastern bluebird this morning on the fig tree.

She looks cold and almost grey - I feel a lot like that also.

I'm not outside despite the sunny day - just too cold.

Not complaining though as it's just warmed up above freezing here.

 I was just advised the US mid-west is

 much colder than Antarctica. Chicago-area residents' teeth will

chatter today if they head outside in -15F temperature. 

They could head to Priestley Glacier, Antarctica where it will reach

 a balmy 6F today!!!

Me on a sunny 33F morning in Antarctica - January 2013

Stay warm and safe all my mid-west friends. . . . . . I still have the overly

 padded 'make you look fat', Canada Goose down jacket and cold

 weather gear. . . . . .if you want to borrow!

New Year's Day 2019 -

Morning has broken and a new year is here.

This morning the Eastern bluebird - bringing happiness - was the first bird

 I saw when I opened the dining room blinds!  What more could I ask for!

Bird Attacks - The story of Blue Boy. . . . . . .

Perhaps you have a similar story to share about a bird who just wouldn't go away!

If so, you've probably dealt with this issue we're having, the bird who 'attacks' a window.

Some birds species are naturally very aggressive and territorial. When they notice their

 reflection in a window, car mirror, chrome bumper, reflective grill, gazing ball, or

 similar shiny surface, they assume it's a rival bird and will attack the reflection to try

 and drive the intruder away. They may fly at the reflection, peck at it, rake it with their

 talons, or beat it with their wings. They may also strike aggressive poses and

 threat postures in front of the reflection between actual attacks. 

While these actions do not generally cause severe injuries, they can lead to

 exhaustion that will make the bird more vulnerable to disease, malnutrition

 and predators.

The Eastern Bluebird is one of the many birds who are known to attack

 themselves in a reflection. This is most common in late winter/early spring

 toward the breeding season when birds' competitive drive is highest and 

they start to claim territory.

So, introducing BLUE BOY, the handsome Eastern bluebird who has been driving us

 crazy the past two days! Apparently his calendar is off as it's nowhere near breeding

season. . . . . . . plus he already has a mate, You will see her further down in the photos

casually eating seeds, while he continues to bang on the dining room window, stare at

me through the glass, chirping quietly and then fly up to check out the hanging 

bird boxes. These bluebirds have been nesting here for several years, but not in those 

boxes, they prefer the larger birdhouse on a pole in the garden, which by the way, we 

recently cleaned out ready for spring when hopefully they'll raise another family.

Above and below, Mrs. Bluebird, who doesn't seem concerned her mate is in

 attack mode all day long! Note her colorization is more subtle than the male bluebird.

So, here is Blue Boy looking in the window as he has for two days.  

This morning he was back, flying at and tapping on the glass so we've

 decided to keep the blinds down and partially closed, hopefully this will

 make him stop as his reflection is now impeded. 

He is a beautiful boy and we don't want him injured. We also noticed he doesn't seem

to be eating as he's so busy 'attacking' himself, and that's worrisome too.

All photos taken with Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V - edited in iPhoto and PicMonkey

Hope you enjoy these closeup photos I've managed to take - through the windows

 of course. This episode of bird behavior did at least allow me to gather a lot

 of photos - I'm talking well over a hundred - of this gorgeous garden bird.  

And then of course there is always the lovely thought that this particular bird brings.

 It is known as the proverbial 'bluebird of happiness' and we can always use more that!

FYI - Bob and I are still struggling somewhat with the 'bug from hell' but each day

 we are a little better. Tomorrow I have to see my doctor for a problem with my right

 shoulder which is causing me excruciating pain to the point I'm even finding typing

 very difficult (and just when I got my lovely new MacBook Air - which I'm so

 pleased with).  It has taken me ages to write this post, grrrrrrr!  I'm dreading what

 this pain might be - I need this dominant arm/hand to get back in working mode

 so I can start on the Christmas decorating - which is why you haven't seen any here!!

Swim buddies. . . . . . . .

An unusual pair at the swimming hole - the Brown Thrasher and the Eastern Bluebird.

Neither one appeared bothered by the other - don't you love it when people, animals

 and even birds get along together, sharing the same space, attending to their personal

needs, even singing a song whilst doing it.

This is a male bluebird but as the male and female thrashers are identical, 

I'm not sure if this is mixed bathing, or two of the boys getting squeaky clean to

 pursue their respective mates. 

It's that time of year again, the birds are definitely feeling romantic and are

 in nest-building mode.

Bob and I will soon be off on the water ourselves. 

The Mediterranean calls and we're looking forward to the trip

around Sicily and Malta.

My neighbors and family members who stop by will hopefully keep the

 bird baths topped up - with all that splashing the water level soon

drops and bathing becomes difficult for the larger birds.