Hi David, I'm in between my right eye and left eye cataract surgery, that's sort of a crazy time to try to read, however I did some and loved the photos and your perseverance. will come back to more of the text in a week or two. At any rate, as usual you cast a spell of another world I can feel and smell. No stranger to ticks having lived in NJ. Icky little things that make one vigilant!
Love this dreamy time you had...building Bluebird trust in all the ways you know how. The ticks might've had me standing abruptly, or leaving! So glad you lingered, returned, and pictured these beautiful interactions. Their flight-forms entering and leaving the nest box are marvy, the way you lined yourself up to catch that backlight---wowzers, Dave, each moment is filled with wonder...
Thank you dear Toni. Yes, the ticks... I picked three to five off each day I was there and tried not to think about it too much. I say, tried. I can't say I succeeded. But I did tamp down my 'hee-bee-gee-bees' enough to crawl and sit there anyway. Little acts of courage are almost always required in the pursuit of wonder, aren't they? Even when looking a lump of clay in the eye, or a newly gessoed canvas. So I'd guess.
I tried this same 'what the heck is he doing' trick once with a band of Bighorn ewes and lambs high on the slopes of the Wallowas, right at tree line. Might have been twenty years old, back then. Spent more than an hour on hands and knees acting the nonchalant fool and the normally protective momma sheepies just watched, far more curious than afraid, as I inched closer and closer, until I was maybe twenty five or thirty feet from some of them. Got some pretty good pictures and learned so much about animals who generally don't suffer fools, by simply hanging out with them.
It is such a cool-fool thing to do! I once did something similar with abandoned feral kittens up in the Jemez Mountains where Philly and I were teaching outdoor school one summer---they were terrified until I stretched out on the ground on my back... soon their curiosity got the best of them, and they started playing rough and tumble all over me...
What beautiful photos, the bluebirds, my favorite. And your story is just as beautiful. You write so well, keeping us at fifteen feet or so waiting for the tale to go on. I hope you plan to publish your human-bird contact stories. They are so unique and special!
My own encounter with bluebirds was less successful. John and I had recently moved into our new house. We built a true form bluebird house and hung it toward the edge of our yard, not having a meadow but an old cranberry bog we thought might attract birds, and hopefully a bluebird. What joy one morning when I heard the singing, and on my husband's birthday two bluebirds had come to nest. We watched, we took photos. The babies grew. I don't think they had fledged when I woke to signs of an invasion. The birds were gone. Later that day, the male returned with a young female and showed her his home. She was wary and would not go inside. That was the last time we had bluebirds. A highlight of my life, though a sad one.
Well there is one wonderful 'blue' in this world allocated to a simply gorgeous species!
You open my eyes every week David to see such beauty that I would otherwise not be able to, or not think of. This was a sheer demonstration of forbearing and patience and you / we, were duly rewarded. The last shot of them both at their 'front door' is so special. 💙
Once again, Sally I find myself smiling at a note you've left me. Thank you for the encouragements. It really helps to read such kind responses after the labors of trying to get the telling of such a story to reflect the wonder and the truth.
Sometimes I think these winged creatures were put here just to charm and entertain us. You reveal your captivation with them so beautifully. A pair of hummingbirds have built a nest in a loop of rope in our clothesline, believe it or not. We will be careful to keep away. The clothes will dry on another line. I would love to make a video of the family but all I have is my iPhone and I don’t want to get too close, they wouldn’t like that, right? I will just have to use words to describe it and some long shots.
What a kind note, Vickie. Glad to paint a picture of a camera'd geezer crawling through the meadow on hands and knees, talking to bluebirds. Time with them was suffused with happiness. I"m glad you could get in on some of it.
To quote you from this meadow, “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” But I can’t be there, or even beneath the guardian pines in my own yard. Thank you for taking me along on this joyful adventure with your beautiful images and words.
Reports from the field, like yours are so helpful, Susan. I'm pleased to be a part of your therapeutic regime. Getting out in the woods and fields makes all the difference for me, as well.
This was an enlightening post with beautiful pictures of the blue birds. I do no think I have ever seen any since they are western blue birds. Thank as always for the education and story with pictures.
What a beautifully weaved story, thank you. After making friends with Blue Birds for ten years now, my heart is magically entwined with them. A nurse friend of mine used to call me Snow White, a name from the movie that introduced me to Blue Birds!
I have 2 Blue Bird boxes ready in the back yard. Last year I watched a couple discussing one of the boxes, then going to the other box to discuss that one. It seemed the female was quite opinionated about things and the male had a supportive role! In the end, they aborted. At the season’s end, I discovered a nest in both boxes and abandoned eggs in one box! Not sure what spooked her…
Sharing the Blue Bird of Happiness. Thank you once more.
Hi David, I'm in between my right eye and left eye cataract surgery, that's sort of a crazy time to try to read, however I did some and loved the photos and your perseverance. will come back to more of the text in a week or two. At any rate, as usual you cast a spell of another world I can feel and smell. No stranger to ticks having lived in NJ. Icky little things that make one vigilant!
Parenting pulls pair...
Bluebirds, Perry’s patience, pics.
“Pure, bird-nerdy bliss”!
Adore!
Photo-odes like this...
Momma Blue, Blue Boy, new chicks.
What this world needs now.
Love how intimate this is - the photos and your story. From the title, I thought this post was about you ~ 😉
You got me chuckling, Julie.
God help me if I ever become that obvious...
Thanks for the read and the smile.
Love this dreamy time you had...building Bluebird trust in all the ways you know how. The ticks might've had me standing abruptly, or leaving! So glad you lingered, returned, and pictured these beautiful interactions. Their flight-forms entering and leaving the nest box are marvy, the way you lined yourself up to catch that backlight---wowzers, Dave, each moment is filled with wonder...
Thank you dear Toni. Yes, the ticks... I picked three to five off each day I was there and tried not to think about it too much. I say, tried. I can't say I succeeded. But I did tamp down my 'hee-bee-gee-bees' enough to crawl and sit there anyway. Little acts of courage are almost always required in the pursuit of wonder, aren't they? Even when looking a lump of clay in the eye, or a newly gessoed canvas. So I'd guess.
I tried this same 'what the heck is he doing' trick once with a band of Bighorn ewes and lambs high on the slopes of the Wallowas, right at tree line. Might have been twenty years old, back then. Spent more than an hour on hands and knees acting the nonchalant fool and the normally protective momma sheepies just watched, far more curious than afraid, as I inched closer and closer, until I was maybe twenty five or thirty feet from some of them. Got some pretty good pictures and learned so much about animals who generally don't suffer fools, by simply hanging out with them.
It is such a cool-fool thing to do! I once did something similar with abandoned feral kittens up in the Jemez Mountains where Philly and I were teaching outdoor school one summer---they were terrified until I stretched out on the ground on my back... soon their curiosity got the best of them, and they started playing rough and tumble all over me...
Love this!!!
Oh my heart!
And that last photo…a perfect heart-shape shared between their forms. 💙
Hadn't quite noticed that, my friend.
You don't miss much.
Thank you for finding the golden thread within a meadow tale.
What beautiful photos, the bluebirds, my favorite. And your story is just as beautiful. You write so well, keeping us at fifteen feet or so waiting for the tale to go on. I hope you plan to publish your human-bird contact stories. They are so unique and special!
Dearest Mare, thank you for your patient read and your kind note. It means the world to be able to tell such a story and find receptive eyes and ears.
My own encounter with bluebirds was less successful. John and I had recently moved into our new house. We built a true form bluebird house and hung it toward the edge of our yard, not having a meadow but an old cranberry bog we thought might attract birds, and hopefully a bluebird. What joy one morning when I heard the singing, and on my husband's birthday two bluebirds had come to nest. We watched, we took photos. The babies grew. I don't think they had fledged when I woke to signs of an invasion. The birds were gone. Later that day, the male returned with a young female and showed her his home. She was wary and would not go inside. That was the last time we had bluebirds. A highlight of my life, though a sad one.
Well there is one wonderful 'blue' in this world allocated to a simply gorgeous species!
You open my eyes every week David to see such beauty that I would otherwise not be able to, or not think of. This was a sheer demonstration of forbearing and patience and you / we, were duly rewarded. The last shot of them both at their 'front door' is so special. 💙
Once again, Sally I find myself smiling at a note you've left me. Thank you for the encouragements. It really helps to read such kind responses after the labors of trying to get the telling of such a story to reflect the wonder and the truth.
I like this - bluebird blue. I would paint around my house with it.
Yes so do I. I was thinking that too! Maybe even a front door 😉
Sometimes I think these winged creatures were put here just to charm and entertain us. You reveal your captivation with them so beautifully. A pair of hummingbirds have built a nest in a loop of rope in our clothesline, believe it or not. We will be careful to keep away. The clothes will dry on another line. I would love to make a video of the family but all I have is my iPhone and I don’t want to get too close, they wouldn’t like that, right? I will just have to use words to describe it and some long shots.
Your hummingbird loop nest is a thing of wonder, Douglas.
Thank you for the kindness of your note.
Obviously the Blue Birds trusted your energy and your ability to “act unlike any human they’d encountered”. (I would have paid to see that 😁).
I’m in awe of you and others who track and photograph elusive birds.
I hope the mythology of the Blue Bird is true and that it brings you much happiness! Your story and photos have certainly brought me much joy! 🫶🏼
What a kind note, Vickie. Glad to paint a picture of a camera'd geezer crawling through the meadow on hands and knees, talking to bluebirds. Time with them was suffused with happiness. I"m glad you could get in on some of it.
Thank you for such a kind note.
To quote you from this meadow, “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” But I can’t be there, or even beneath the guardian pines in my own yard. Thank you for taking me along on this joyful adventure with your beautiful images and words.
So glad you made time to join in on this adventure, Retta. May your day be kind.
There is a lot of talk going around about how beneficial spending time in nature can be for modern day humans.
David, your essay this morning is the proof. Just reading it calmed my nerves and centered my being.
Total emersion therapy, once removed.
Reports from the field, like yours are so helpful, Susan. I'm pleased to be a part of your therapeutic regime. Getting out in the woods and fields makes all the difference for me, as well.
And just like that you serve up the magic that brings hope and joy Dave. You made my day. Thank you
I concur
This was an enlightening post with beautiful pictures of the blue birds. I do no think I have ever seen any since they are western blue birds. Thank as always for the education and story with pictures.
You're quite welcome, Teri.
What a beautifully weaved story, thank you. After making friends with Blue Birds for ten years now, my heart is magically entwined with them. A nurse friend of mine used to call me Snow White, a name from the movie that introduced me to Blue Birds!
Love this, Danyce. I did not know about your nickname but the rationale makes me smile. Do you have a nest going currently in your garden?
I have 2 Blue Bird boxes ready in the back yard. Last year I watched a couple discussing one of the boxes, then going to the other box to discuss that one. It seemed the female was quite opinionated about things and the male had a supportive role! In the end, they aborted. At the season’s end, I discovered a nest in both boxes and abandoned eggs in one box! Not sure what spooked her…