“Glimmers of Hope”
I’m not going to say it, but those of you who’ve been following this month’s photo prompt series can probably guess what I was thinking when I read this morning’s prompt: “On the days when you’re feeling like there’s no end in sight, what signs help remind you that change is on its way; that something new is right around the bend? Today, use your lens to seek out the kind of hope that you can hold onto until spring’s splendor comes knocking.”
Luckily, the neighborhood birds provided me with some great photo-taking opportunities this morning. I mentioned yesterday that I changed my feeder to a more bird-friendly format, and the birds took little time making the discovery. From my front window with the 55-250 lens, I happily clicked away. The shot that made me happiest, which I submitted to the gallery today, was this one of a male house finch:
Isn’t he cheerful with his red head and chest, happily posed on my near-by lilac bush – which happens to be one of my first shrubs with buds come spring time. Definitely a little glimmer of hope, I thought.
In addition to today’s house finch and the downy woodpeckers and tufted titmouse that showed up yesterday, I was treated to a nice variety of bird visitors. I think I’ve identified most of them, but I’d love for anyone in the know to either correct me if I am wrong, or give me more specific names of these birds:
I think all of the above are yellow finches in their winter “clothes.”
Some kind of sparrow?
Chicadee-dee-dee!
Bully blue jay. All the smaller birds scattered when this one came to feed.
Even the mourning doves came cooing along
I have lots of these little mystery birds. Anyone know what they are?
Even as I was treated to this lovely avian display, I couldn’t help thinking it how nice it would have been if the local cardinal pair showed up. The day’s chores must go on however, and I headed out to grocery shop. Coming back in the door, lugging the purchases, Meghan was bubbling at me, “Guess who showed up while you were gone! The cardinals! I tried to take pictures for you but I couldn’t figure out how to make it zoom in.”
Alas, I had left the 50mm on the camera after attempting to take some pictures of Cedric fascinated and chattering his “killer” instinct at the birds. Meghan took several shots like this one:
Imagine how nice it would have been with the zoom lens attached!
The seed supply we sprinkled on the ground is about wiped out now, although the bell and suet still have plenty. I’ll be sure to spread more seed soon (MORE SNOW forecast for us Tuesday into Wednesday) and hope that Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal make a return visit!
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