Thankful

My aunt's surgery was a resounding success! The only pain she has is from the incision site which is temporary. We are so thankful to God for answering our prayers, and for the dedicated family and friends who offered prayers on her behalf. Thank you, my dear blogging friends, for your kind words and prayers. Now if we could just get my dad's wife out of the hospital! Oy vey. Always something going on. I am so thankful to be back home to take care of my family when they need me. Please be patient as I try to hobble along and visit your blogs.

Needless to say I have not had time to get out with my camera, so I went back to earlier in the year and found images that I hadn't yet edited or posted. Without further delay, here they are.

American Goldfinch, Jan 2014

White-throated Sparrow, March 2014

Red-bellied Woodpecker, April 2014

Indigo Bunting, April 2014

Blue Grosbeak, April 2014

Leucy the Leucistic Cardinal, April 2014

Sharing with Anni at

And also Stewart at

(Link)

Please visit the links to view other birds around the world!

Fluffed Up

This white-throated sparrow was busy pecking underneath the feeders when all of a sudden he fluffed up and nestled into the ground. I have no idea what this behavior signifies, but it was interesting. The more I learn about birds and their behavior, the more fascinating they become. The white-throated sparrow's song sounds like "Oh-sweet-Canada-Canada" or "Old-Sam-Peabody-Peabody."

The last field trip for our birding class is at Lake Martin tomorrow and several of us have rented kayaks after birding. Thank you to sweet Suzzz at Tree Hugger for encouraging me! A rainy weekend is forecast which may put the kibosh on the whole thing. I'm going to remain positive though! Hope everyone has a great weekend. Catch up with you all on Monday, unless I'm rained in.

The Usual Suspects

Sorry for the same cast of characters. I will try to do better as the weather allows. Thank you for your patience. All images photographed on Jan 9th.

Tufted titmouse

White-throated sparrow

Northern cardinal - female

Carolina chickadee

Ruby-throated hummingbird

His eye is on the sparrow

The white-throated sparrow is a wintering bird for Louisiana. I saw this one at my favorite nature center the first week of January. They prefer to feed on the ground at the edge of forests or brushy areas. Some birders describe their call as "Poor Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody." Although they look nothing alike and aren't particularly related, the white-throated sparrow and the dark-eyed junco will sometimes mate and produce hybrids. More cool facts about this bird may be found here. Collective nouns for sparrows are: crew, flutter, quarrel, meinie, and ubiquity of sparrows.

When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is he
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches over me
His Eye Is On The Sparrow hymn. Lyrics written in 1905 by Civilla D. Martin.

Song history by Civilla Martin:
"Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of the experience."

Ref: Matthew 6:26 and Matthew 10:29-31

Birds and a Bloom

This is a scheduled post since I will be in New Orleans while Double D is at a business luncheon. Rain is predicted for the day, so I am leaving my big girl camera (Bertha) at home. I might go to the Aquarium of the Americas or force myself to shop. Most likely I'll manage to work in both. :)

Since I only post 2-3 times a week, I decided to combine two memes.

For Wild Bird Wednesday:

More looks at the indigo bunting, 4/21/13

White-throated sparrow, 4/21/13

Bronzed cowbird mating ritual. Basically, the male strutted around puffing himself up (sound familiar?) while the female
ignored him, continuing on with her foraging. She was all, "I ain't got no time for your foolishness, mister."
Bronzed cowbird photos taken on Bayou Manchac, 4/20/13

When strutting failed to work its magic, the male fluttered straight up in the air and hovered over the female.
The female remained unimpressed. It was really interesting to watch. I apologize for the subpar quality of
these shots. It was a cloudy day and I was too lazy to bring my tripod. 

And now for Creative License Friday!

This week I offered one of my own photos for the meme. This was a photo I took in Magnolia, MS several months ago.
I adored the bokeh and the color of the camelias, but I didn't know what to do with it. You wouldn't know it,
but I spent about 2 hours working on this. I don't excel in editing and feel I'm not as creative as others in this arena.
Besides, I have very little patience for editing which is another reason I don't participate every week.
Sorry, Jill! I'll try to do better.

Please visit the hosts of these wonderful memes and visit the participants if you have time!

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