Waxwing wind up

      I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.  ~Henry David Thoreau       

Why do birds sing in the morning?                                                                   It's the triumphant shout:  

 "We got through another night!"

 Enid Bagnold                                               

                

 Click on any picture to enlarge

Three days ago, it was too warm.  Yesterday, back to chilly, today, downright cold.  

Two days ago, I posted the beautiful Waxwings.
Friday, was another show.  They are so fascinating to watch.  The pickings were slim on this day.
The birds were up in the tall trees.  It almost looked as if the clean up process was choreographed.

I set up camera, chair, wine, and waited.  When the show started it was fast and furious.  They became so excited that some would fly into the window.  I finally stood up to break the glare.
The window was reflecting the sky and as proof of how distracting the glare can be, the upper half of the window has a huge series of cracks.  Thank goodness for double pane windows!
A hawk was intent on its prey and flew right into the window.

The only regret I have is that I missed out on them feeding on the ground.  They were picking up berries that had fallen.

Birds of a feather flock together and crap on your car. ~Author unknown

 

Bluebirds are busy

“In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.” 

― Robert Lynd

“She decided to free herself, dance into the wind, create a new language. And birds fluttered around her, writing “yes” in the sky.” 

― Monique Duval

Don't forget to
click on picture to enlarge.

While I was busy shooting pictures of Waxwings, I inadvertently caught this precious picture.
No mistaking a male with a bit of nesting material.
I wonder where they are building the nest. I hope in the bird house they used last year.

I do have to tell a Waxwing story
We have a friend who is an avid animal rescuer in the Austin area.  They have animals on their beautiful place all the time.
One time, a mom brought her son with a box of sick looking birds, hoping our friend could save them.
Our friend told them they were not sick, they were drunk!
They had over done the berries and were falling down drunk.

Waxwings are here!

 Welcome, welcome, little stranger,
Fear no harm, and fear no danger;
We are glad to see you here,
For you sing "Sweet Spring is near."

~Louisa May Alcott, "To The First Robin," 1840

The waxwings have been perching in our trees for about a week.  The days I attempted photographing them were always overcast and grey and very windy.  Yesterday, I drove in the driveway from shopping run.  There was a wild flurry of wings as the waxwings burst out of a Yaupon tree by our patio.

This morning, things are very different.  42° is not an auspicious time to walk out in robe and slippers.  "Just checking"   I was privileged to see dozens of waxwings settling in the tops of our tallest trees.  Fascinating!

I got so excited!  Turned around and hightailed back to the house and my camera. Hubby watching his nutty wife whiz through the living room.  I am sure he knew what was happening.

For the next 30 minutes or so, I was laughing and crying at the sight.  Dozens and dozens of waxwings would swoop on to the top most branches, only to be "crowded" by their companions.

At one point the branches were crowded with these beautiful birds.  

I started shooting pictures,  wishing I had my tripod.  Not really necessary, as it turns out.  Most of the photos are not blurry even catching birds in flight.  

My heart is full.

New Mexico pictures

"Steam rising underneath a canopy of whispering, changing aspens; starlight in the clear, dark night, and wondrous beauty in every direction. If only all could feel this way, to be so captured and enthralled with autumn." Author: Donna Lynn Hope

One of the few stands of Aspens with all its leaves

This year on the first day of our visit, we returned  to the same area above Mancos, Colorado. Years past, we headed for the Absolute Bakery and Cafe for breakfast.  Wrong day, they were closed.  I love this place!  Our son introduced us to this food haven years ago.  It is tiny, the coffee is always fresh and flavorful. I usually buy a bag or two of flavors to savor at home.
That said, we ate breakfast at a Mexican restaurant that was just opening. Huge platters of food.  Way too much for us seniors. Son made a valiant job of cleaning his plate.

With full stomachs, we headed to the usual look out area.  There are few really good and easy to take pictures of the scenery up here.  It was also a bit later in the season and many trees were bare or nearly.
Gives a good opportunity to compare years past.
For me, this blog is my diary and my photo album.  At this point in picture taking, I seem to have waaay too many of the same pictures and other special memories and always intend to thin out some.

Seeing this road with nearly bare branches, I worried that I couldn't get good pictures. You know what? This is a good picture. The camera is new and obviously could have been tweaked a bit.  I still like it.

From a distance the trees look bare. Up close, there are plenty of leaves.  The ground was damp and fallen leaves smelled so good.

I think I have taken this same shot over the years.  Must be access to the road. With my new hearing aids, I can walk into this stand of trees and hear the leaves rustling.  A good place for a cup of coffee, to just stand and listen.... 

+

I know there were many, many other locations for aspen picture taking but this area is the closest and gives the excuse to visit the Bakery.  It might be "fun" to find photos of these spots from  years past and see the changes.  Weather plays

a big part in what we will find on our return. 

This is one of the "perfect" spots.

Cattle are ranging all over the area. There are fences and the cattle guards to keep them in certain areas.



I wonder if the cattle are driven down from higher elevations, or drift down on their own.

Clouds began to be the topic of conversation  We were up about 9000 ft.

This one became darker as I took this picture.

This odd formation is called a Pileus formation.

 One year, we got heavy snow on us before we got to a lower elevation.


Were on our way shortly.

Took quite a few shots of cloud as it moved "through" the hole

I love this picture.  Could have tweaked it,but like it as is