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 

 



Gold Rush

A few days ago when I returned home there was quite a chorus of birdsong coming from next door. Not a song and a reply, but a great confusion of song, dozens of birds singing at once.

I watched and listened for some time but still wasn't sure what kind of birds they were.

I went inside for a while and then noticed quite a number of birds fly onto my feeders. A different crowd than I normally see ... and then more and more. So I got the camera.

Pine Siskins! Baby Pine Siskins at that, at least two dozen of them; on the feeders and the ground under the feeders, on the fence and in the trees. At first I thought they were Goldfinches but early readers set me straight.

This chickadee was in the minority for once.

They foraged in the grass under the feeders.

Some of them seemed a little confused, standing on top and hanging underneath the feeder.

This sparrow does not look pleased with all the unexpected company.

Such a cutie, and looking a bit younger than some of the others.

This little one curled up on the feeder and

Nodded right off ..........

Sorry here's a second picture ...

So much activity around the feeders, obviously more than one brood.

They have been around for a few days now and are growing quickly. I only saw the adults once at the very beginning, maybe they have gone off by themselves for a rest.

I have been trying to keep the feeders stocked.

That's my birdie offering for this week.

I did get some painting done though, another seashore painting called "Beach Buddies".

A watercolour of course, for more information follow this link: GillianOlsonArt.blogspot.ca

This and other recent works are featured on cards at on my website (PS Whimsy) under New Items and Specials:

CARDS (with envelopes): 1 for $4, 4 cards for $14 and right now when you buy 4 of the same card you can use the bonus coupon to receive another card free.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and a special thank you to all those who leave comments for me, I really appreciate hearing from you.

 Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next time ..............

Frosty

A new year and new beginnings. Resolutions made that might be starting to look unattainable, one of mine has to do with getting back to swimming regularly. I used to swim faithfully three times a week but then .... so far I have been once this week (it's a start). 

The daylight is increasing a bit every day, that is a good thing. I am still having trouble with the lack of light and sunshine (low energy level); I wonder whether the lack of sunlight hit me harder this year because after my cataract surgery  (last spring) I got used to having much more light ... and now we are in the dark days.

There is usually a lot of dark, wet weather here this time of year. Today for instance both the paper and the weather man on the radio predicted light rain and it has been pelting down all day, with snow at higher elevations. 

But enough of that, a few days ago the day started cold and clear and I was out early with camera in hand and here is what I found in my garden:

These little frost covered birds on a small ornament were catching the first rays of sun.

The remains of a late flowering rose.

Sage, mint and parsley adorned with frost.

 

The spent flower heads first and then my Hen and Chickens Cactus or should I say Cacti.
  

 

Frozen fruit and vegetables; chard first and then strawberry plant.

Oregon Grape, Azalea, and Rhododendron:

The last few leaves still cling to the maple tree.

There were a few feathered friends enjoying the bounty at the feeders and not terribly bothered by my presence.

A dark eyed Junco.

 

A sparrow, a Song Sparrow I think.

A bright eyed Bushtit on the suet feeder.

Black capped chickadee

And lastly one of our garden ornaments, a gargoyle named Alabar, in rear and front views.

I have to admit that after the busy time in mid to late December I seem to have been in a hibernation phase as far as getting anything accomplished in the studio. But I do have a picture to share with you; it is a picture of one of the small towns in the Cinque Terre in the Liguira region of Italy. A watercolour titled "A walk on the Cinque Terre" that I painted for my husband.

More details on this painting at GillianOlsonArt 

Thanks for dropping by, with a special thank you to those that leave comments for me, good luck with your resolutions, Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week ..............