Thursday, March 20, 2014

Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder...

Well, not quite my shoulder, but at least on my screen feeder!
(a little reference to the oldie-but-goodie song from Song of the South, Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!)

This has been the most unbelievable experience...

... having bluebirds visit our yard on a daily basis for the past couple of weeks.
As I said, we've lived here for 33 years and have never had a bluebird in our yard until now!

Sometimes there is just one...

... sometimes two...

... and sometimes a whole flock!

Up until the past few days the weather has been much colder than normal...

... and we're going to be returning to the frigid temperatures tomorrow...

... so I always make sure the suet feeders and screen feeder are filled with all their favorites.
One lone Junco on the right has joined the 4 males and 1 female at the feeder.

Here's a little male who decided to drop down to see what was on the menu for the day...

Looks like a mix of suet, seed, and some mealworms. "Yummy," he says.

(watercolor filter)

(dry brush filter)

(colored pencil filter)
When the bluebirds aren't at the screen feeder, they're feasting on mealworms that I sprinkle into some of my planters and such on the deck.

Here you can see a bluebird eating mealworms out on the patio table (which will require an extra-good scrubbing before we use it this year!).

I seem to catch a lot of birds coming in for landings lately. Here's Mr. Bluebird flying in 
to join Mrs. Bluebird for lunch.

After he landed Mrs. Bluebird looked straight at me and (telepathically) said, 
"I don't know why it's women who have such a reputation for being late." 
I don't either, Mrs. BB. I don't either.

While Mr. & Mrs. BB went to town chowing down in the background, another handsome fellow decided to have lunch on the blue pot, where I'd also sprinkled some mealworms.

 Another popular dining location for the bluebirds is my old planter on the deck. 
The saucers hold a good amount of mealworms.

We've hung up two bluebird houses in the yard and I'll share pix of those in a future post. Nobody has started moving in yet, but I have seen some bluebirds checking them out so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Wishing you all some little bluebird visitors! It's a magical experience!

I'm joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday this week.

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Donna

14 comments:

Michele's Treasures, Teacups, and Tumbling Rose Cottage said...

Oh, how pretty! I just love bluebirds with their brilliant feathers. Had one on my cherry tree out front recently. It's so nice that the birds are starting to return. It has been a long winter. Happy Spring! ; )
~Michele

Claudia said...

So amazing! I've never had a bluebird around here and I envy you this wonderful experience! Enjoy, my friend.

xo
Claudia

Chris K in Wisconsin said...

Oh, you are so lucky!! They are beautiful. Every year, right around Memorial Day, I see one or two at our feeding station. They only stay a day or two, must be just flying through to another destination. You are quite lucky, and wouldn't it be wonderful if they decide to stay in one of the houses?? Good luck!!

Gayle Ann Berg said...

A special thank you for such an enchanting post. I'm so happy for you! A whole flock right outside your window. Truly amazing! Your photos are gorgeous, especially the bird in flight photo. I love all the special effects!

Our temperatures are dipping back into the single digits this weekend. Happy first day of spring, Donna!

Southern Lady said...

Your bluebirds are beautiful! I have never seen that many together. -Carla

Unknown said...

Your bluebirds are spectacular and I can understand how excited you are to have them visiting after all these years! Thank you for sharing them!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

THE FLOCK!! You are so lucky ( I'd say blessed at this point :)

I was all excited today to see a little finch at a feeder...I'd probably blow a gasket if I had all of those bluebirds show up and stay, lol....well who can blame them!! :)

It is fun to see the goings-on there! :)

Suz said...

oh you are spoiling them with such offerings...mealworms
but it works!
and that dastardly snow...
enough already

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

I so love seeing your beautiful bluebirds. I don't think I've ever had any in our backyard. I would be staring out the window all day watching them. thanks for sharing these beautiful birds.

Shabby chic Sandy said...

Your bluebird pictures are so pretty. It looks like quite a meal you set out for them. We have had a whole bunch of birds this year too. We had a lot of hummingbirds during the snowy season..I thought they all left during that time but learned there is a type that stays here. My husband put out heat lamps by the hummingbird feeders to keep them from freezing up. All the birds have been driving our cats crazy!

Edith DUTERTRE said...

hello
c'est incroyable ces oiseaux bleus
nous n'avons pas ces couleurs
en France
surtout chez les petits oiseaux
cela doit être merveilleux
de voir à travers une fenêtre
nous avons la petite mesange bleu
et le rouge-gorge
tendresse
edith (iris)

Rosie said...

What an amazing post! Your photos are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
rosie

Donna said...

It was a visual delight all the way through your post, and you saved the best for last. Love the vivid blue!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hi Donna,
So glad to see you blogging again. Once in a while the spirit moves me. Not like years ago when we were all so busy blogging.
You are so lucky to have Bluebirds. We have 1 that we are trying to tempt to nest here. Putting the worms out and put out 3 boxes. Hope he decides to stay and brings the little woman.

Ahrisha