Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Blind Images

Below are photos taken from inside my chair blind. I am loving that thing, but it is getting a little warm for it now. The link to Amazon has a different price every time I click on it; I purchased it for $75, but as I'm scheduling this post (5/9) it is $69.99. Last week it was $90. Since Amazon is being "playful" with the price, if you want one and don't like the price, wait a day or two.
For such a large bird, the blue jays around here are awfully skittish.
After about 10 clicks he was outta there.

Listening to the click of my camera.

This female house finch was eating my weeds. Thank you!

The female and male are never far from one another. It's so sweet.

The ravenous starling (one of many) who gorges on the suet before my poor woodpeckers hardly have a chance.

The infamous chair blind! Sorry about all the weeds in the garden; I haven't had the energy
to get to this particular bed yet. How do you like my dead branches attached to the feeding station? It's not pretty,
but it gets the job done. Extra seating for birds waiting their turn at the feeder.
Today I advance to the ripe old age of 53!! I refuse to let my age dictate any area of my life. My mom used to say things like, "She is too old to be wearing her hair that long" or "Women over 35 should not wear sleeveless tops" or "That woman is trying to act way too young for her age." Ummm...I am breaking every one of her rules, lol. The plan today is to kayak at my favorite lake in a TANK TOP, my hair up in a clip because I'm letting it grow out. I'm sure she's looking down shaking her head at me. My mom was such a graceful, refined woman, and although we have a strong physical resemblance, our personalities couldn't be any different. If she were alive, she would be praying the rosary the whole time I kayaked in an effort to prevent an alligator attack or drowning. Poor mama.

Since I'm scheduling this post ahead of time, I hope the weather holds up for us. It's not looking too good at the moment. So if you see me making blog visits it means the rain kept me from kayaking and birding. If it does rain, we will go on Saturday instead since I agreed to work for my former boss on Thursday and Friday.

38 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Gail! I hope you're having a great day!

Andy said...

Judging by these photos Gail, the "Chair Blind" is worth every penny. Happy birthday and all the best. Only 53 eh. Lucky you.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Happy birthday my friend!! And 53 is the new 29 :) age is but a number. Have lots of cake today!

Roan said...

53 is the new 30. Wear your tank tops proudly! These birds are amazing! Love Mr. Jay. I think I'm going to get one of those chair blinds to set up by my brother's pond. I don't think he'll mind my pulling up at around 5:00 a.m. to get set up, do you? lol Thanks for sharing!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Happy birthday! Hope you have a great one. THe chair blind is very cool.

Ha, I'm over 35 and also breaking the tank top rule today. We're rebels!

Anvilcloud said...

That's a neat concoction. I used my remote Giga T Pro yesterday to try to take finches at the feeder. It works, but ... well, I will probably post about it in a few days.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Those close-ups are to die for.

Kudos!

You made the Blue Jays look uncommon. That starling...ahhh

EG CameraGirl said...

I may have to invest in a chair blind! Happy birthday!

Barb said...

Gail, Your "chair" brought a smile to my face - I can just see you sitting in there (preferably in your bathing suit!). You sure did get great closeups. I don't act my age, and I'm 70 now! My mother never acted her age either - they say I take after her.

Barb said...

PS Happy Birthday, you're just a young whippersnapper!

Amy Burzese said...

That does look hot, but worth it (for a little while at least) to get these great shots. Sharp and clear. Excellent. Hope you get to go on your trip and we get to see the results!

The Cranky said...

Happy 53rd Birthday Gail! (Mine is coming soon.)
These are great shots, your chair blind was a great investment! Funny but true story: When I was 7 I couldn't go outside in daylight for a month in the spring because a bluejay kept flying down and ripping out my hair; that autumn, whilst doing tree trimming, my Dad found a nest that had been lined with..... my hair!

Karen said...

Oh that chair was a good investment Gail, your photos are wonderful!

Happy Birthday!

nookworm said...

You have no idea how much I enjoy your photos of the birds! They are wonderful! Happy happy birthday!

TexWisGirl said...

you're such a rebel. :) i'll be turning 51 in a couple of months. keep your spunk and your pep. :)

LOVE your starling photo! wowza! i snuck it to save in my 'if-i-want-to-pull-my-hair-out-someday-and-attempt-to-draw-this-fabulous-creature' folder. it might take me years (or forever) to attempt it, but i wanted to let you know is stole it, but it won't go anywhere else. :)

Maude Lynn said...

Happy Birthday, Gail!

Suzan said...

A very Happy Birthday to you Gail!!
Now that IS an awesome and neat Bird Chair!!
You put a huge :-}}}}}}}} on my face in re: to kayaking!! YES, YES, YES !!! But I'm with your Mom - you are listening to her since you know what she would say to you --- beware of those gators. Especially the nesting Mom gator, don't approach her nest mound.
They won't bother you as long as you don't bother them!!
SWISH, SWISH, SWISH.

Anonymous said...

Oh Gail, you are too funny. Happy Birthday to you.

Chair blinds, who knew! I have learned so much from you. Dianne

And may we trundle off together into the sunset,

Ruth Hiebert said...

Happy Birthday.Enjoy the day,whatever you end up doing.

Anonymous said...

I have found that if I go in the yard in earth colors, the birds are less intimidated by me being there. That and moving in stealth mode ;-) The bluejays on the other hand...I cannot seem to get close enough to them to capture them. They are quite skittish! Beautiful images!

Unknown said...

Sending wishes your way Gail for the happiest of birthdays ever! Sounds like you have a great day planned. Hoping the weather was good and you were able to get out in Kayak. Super great photos too.

eileeninmd said...

Happy Birthday, Gail! Love the birds and your photos. The chair blind is cool.. I hope you get to go kayaking, have a great evening.

Brian King said...

Happy Birthday! You got some fantastic photos!

Starla said...

Happy Happy Birthday!!I'm with you on breaking the "rules of age"! I, too, am letting my hair grow out, find myself looking at impractical high heels(and trying them on!) and trying to enjoy the moment, not worrying about the age!! Yay for growing older and not giving a hoot about the rules so much!! ;)

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Gail! I love the photos you got from your blind. The Starling is spectacular.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Happy Birthday. My kind of way to celebrate. Happy to see pix of your blind.


BTW I have kids older than you are and I still don't follow your dear mama's rules. (Well, I do have short hair, but I'm sure she'd say it was too short.)

DeniseinVA said...

Happy Birthday Gail, I'd say go for it :) Our mums were brought up in different times. I think mine would be surprised that at 63 my hair is finally back to the way it used to be when I was in my 20s. Long enough to put up in a bun or a pony tail, or whatever :) That bird blind is on my list. If I get photos as half as fantastic as yours I will be happy. Your photos are stunning!

Shug said...

Happy Birthday sweet friend. Hope that you were able to do all the things that you wanted to do on your special day!! Oh, I can tell you for sure that I have not done well..My hair is longer than most women my age and I still enjoy wearing sleeveless tops...
Again....Happy Birthday girl.

Debbie said...

ooohhhh Gail happy birthday!! Age is a just a number, I hope you always keep your joyful spirit!!

ps....so happy you have no time for weeding!!

Karen said...

I love your shots of the birds today Gail. 53 is a grand age, many happy returns. I will be 54 in a couple of months, ouch. If you want to wear your hair long, just do it, along with the tank top. The infamous chair blind and the bird feeder with dead branches are great set ups for bird watching.
Thank you for the comment on my latest post.
Have a wonderful day.

Indrani said...

Lovely captures, thanks to your blind. :)

A very happy birthday to you! have a blast!

orchid0324 said...

Happy Birthday to You, Gail♡♡♡ I'm 6 years older than you p;) Please enjoy or I hope you enjoyed Kayaking!
I'm SO amazed to read about your mother and you, as the character differences are so similar. My late mother was a really elegant, graceful, refined woman as well. On the other hand, I love the cheerful atmosphere (love making people laugh) and was always told my choice of dresses are too pretty :-)

Wow; "skittish" blue jay is SO lovely with sweet eyes♬♬♬ I love the shot of male finch looking brave with gorgeous color with blurry green☆☆☆
Poor starling but great photo as well.

Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Irma said...

A Happy Birthday to you Gail.
Love the birds and your photos.
The chair blind is cool.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Gail! All birds looks great!

Breathtaking said...

Hi Gail! Just came by to see your excellent photos,and say hello.:) I'm not back blogging yet, due to my own ill health, and my husbands, but hope to resume some time in June. A belated Happy Birthday to you!:) All your bird shots are stunning, you captured so much detail, and your chair blind is a great way to do it.
Take care.:)

Hilary said...

Happy Birthday, dear Gail. You rule-breaker you! ;) Times change.. people change.. expectations change and so do the "rules." Sorry, Moms!

Wonderful photos as always. That blind sure does work for you.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Happy birthday to my favorite rebel! Sorry I'm a little late with my birthday wishes. The images of the male house finch and the starling are fabulous, but the blue jay and the female house finch are nothing to sneeze at. That chair blind is serving you well. But I'll bet you're glad you have a privacy fence. :)

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday!