Attention seeking behavoir!

When I was out for a walk last week I heard a loud tapping noise. It took me some time but I finally spotted the source, a Flicker:

 

Why didn't I see it at first? Well here's what my eyes saw:

 

 

 

Then again through the camera:

Why is the woodpecker hammering on a vent? Well to attract attention of course, although it was not for my benefit, he was actually after a female flicker.

 

 

...and after tapping and watching....

...and tapping and watching...

 

..and, well you get the picture...

 

...who could resist? Well I think he must have spotted a female because...

 

...he started displaying his finery.

 

..what do you think?

 

 

..aren't I gorgeous...

 

...well this has got to impress the little woman...

 

...what are you waiting for?...

 

...here it is, my best pose...

 

If this series was accompanied by music, what would it be; maybe O Sole Mio, or I'm looking for a hard headed woman or maybe a bit of bump and grind???  Maybe you have some ideas.

 

 It was the middle of the afternoon, but I have heard many stories of people being wakened very early in the morning to a loud tapping, coming from, you guessed it, a woodpecker, hammering on a light standard or on a piece of metal flashing.

 

One can be excused for thinking that they have mistaken it for food; no it is absolutely intentional and meant to attract as much attention as possible.

 

The Flicker version of friending on Facebook? If it were a personal ad it might go something like this:

 

Handsome SFM (Single Flicker Male), NS (non-smoker), ND (non-drinker) seeks female:

 

I am a tall (14"), good looking Red Shafted Flicker but I've been banging my head in frustration looking for my own true love. I love the outdoors and want someone to join me at my favorite restaurant in the forest (Rotten Log), to share a romantic meal, to sing a few duets and to watch the sun go down. My object is matrimony, I am seeking someone that is not afraid of commitment, to settle down with me, share my life and love nest and raise a family. No triflers please, tweet your particulars at #hollowlog.

 

 

Speaking of woodpeckers, do you remember the "Woody Woodpecker" laugh: 

 

 

 

"I'm looking for a hard headed woman" by Cat Stevens

 

 

 

OK enough of that foolishness! I did actually do some painting this week. It is a painting of daffodils, which my husband gets for me at the farmers market this time of year; so beautiful and so fragrant.

 

A watercolour that I call "Spring Blooms":

 

Details on this painting at GillianOlsonArt.BlogSpot.com

 

 

I got good news yesterday from my surgeon; the tumour (adrenal) he removed from me was benign and except for following up with a specialist to make sure my remaining adrenal function is sufficient I am finished with this health bump.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by, Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next time...

 

 

Gillian

 

 

 



Blossoms, beginnings and endings

The early blossoms are starting to appear on the trees; they are pretty and delicate and add and subtle perfume to the air.



Delicate pinks, white and deeper blossoms herald the beginning of spring to me.

 

"The Blossom" is a poem by William Blake, published in Songs of Innocence in 1789:

 

“The artist is the confidant of nature, flowers carry on dialogues with him through the graceful bending of their stems and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms. Every flower has a cordial word which nature directs towards him.”

August Rodin

 

These blossoms remind me of fluffy little tutus:

 

Blossoms in the Springtime (song byVaughn Horton)

When I see blossoms in the springtime
I know that sweetheart time is here
My love that blossoms in the springtime
Blooms in my heart through all the year.

I love the blossoms in the springtime
Kissed by the sunshine and the rain
I love to hold you oh my darling
When kisses bloom in sweetheart's lane.

 

Never to flame all winter long
Then like the blossoms in the springtime
Burst with the first red robin's song.

I love the blossoms in the springtime
Kissed by the sunshine and the rain
I love to hold you oh my darling
When kisses bloom in sweetheart's lane.

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Here is a video "Simon's Cat: Springtime"

I mentioned endings in my title. Earlier this week I was wandering in my garden when I found the tiny body of a hummingbird. It is one of the Anna's Hummingbirds that have been coming to our feeders year round for a few years. This one was a bit smaller than the others.

 

An Anna's Hummingbird is a medium sized hummingbird native to the west coast of North America. It has a reddish purple throat but here it appears black.

 

It was sad to see, this little fellow's ending was especially poignant to me because it is just the beginning of spring and new life.





 

On a happier note a bit later in the afternoon I got a picture of another Anna's at one of our feeders.

 

 

 

I have begun painting again, several things at once, but have only managed to finish one painting so far. It is painting of a bird I saw in Italy last summer, a black headed gull I think. A watercolour, no name, no signature, just a little study I did.

 

 

 

 

 That's all for this week, happy Wednesday, thanks so much for dropping by.

 

Gillian

The artist is the confidant of nature, flowers carry on dialogues with him through the graceful bending of their stems and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms. Every flower has a cordial word which nature directs towards him.

Auguste Rodin

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/blossoms.html#MWDugrrP6xfRld25.99

 

Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.

Walter Scott

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/blossoms.html#MWDugrrP6xfRld25.99

Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.

Walter Scott

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/blossoms.html#MWDugrrP6xfRld25.99

The artist is the confidant of nature, flowers carry on dialogues with him through the graceful bending of their stems and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms. Every flower has a cordial word which nature directs towards him.

Auguste Rodin

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/blossoms.html#MWDugrrP6xfRld25.99



Who's Watching Who

Well I am back.

Bird watching is a curious phrase, I often feel like the watched rather than the watcher as in these pictures:

Asleep?  I don't think so...

Watching while having a dip...an eye out all the time.

 

 

 

This eagle was surveying its surroundings, taking in me and everyone else passing by.

 

 

 The Redwing blackbirds have been back for a while and are staking out their territory around the pond.



 

 

 

A Rufus sided Towhee taking a rest from foraging in the undergrowth.

A Robin catching the early worm still has a bit of time to keep and eye on me.



..and this Chickadee stopped to watch me pass.

 

 

The Crows are always alert.

 



It is two weeks since my surgery and I am feeling much better, still sleeping a lot but able to get out and walk now. The fresh air is wonderful and I even took my camera with me yesterday and came home with these shots.

 

I have started splashing a bit of paint around in the last couple of days but have nothing to show yet.

 

Spring seems to have snuck up on me this year, I think it came while I was napping. I am looking forward to improving my fitness, flexing my artistic muscles and enjoying the new season.

 

Until next time, happy Wednesday, thanks for stopping by.........

 

Gillian 

 



The Melt

Last week's snow ended with a power outage here, sure makes one appreciate the light and heat that we usually take for granted.

So days of grey skies gave way to sunshine and all that is left is the melt.

A thin coating of snow is still on the trees, nestled in the rushes and on the bridge over the pond.

 

 

 

 

Still a few traces of snowmen.

 

 

There is still a coating of sludgy snow on the pond but the blue of the  sky is still evident in the reflections. 

 

The ducks have "cleared" pathways through the water.

 

 

 

There is a fresh coating of snow on the local mountains too, but after all that is where the snow should be.

 

 

Since I took these pictures it has snowed again, and again, and almost vanished. Usually the snow has fallen on the weekends minimizing traffic woes.

 

Pretty while it lasts as long as it does not stay too long. We are more used to rain than snow here, and that does not need shovelling!

 

Here is one new painting, it is finished or almost finished. I have not decided what to call it yet but it is a watercolour on paper. This was inspired by a photograph that a friend Robert took. Here is his website:   www.alifeintheday.ca

 

 

Untitled watercolour

 

 

Thank you for stopping by, I am always interested in your thoughts, happy Wednesday.

 

I will likely be absent for a week or two because I am scheduled to have surgery next week. I will be back as soon as I am able,

 

Gillian