Friday, August 17, 2012

My Favorite Bird

 We are still seeing bluebirds in our back yard.  Their color isn't quite as brilliant as in spring and early summer, but I'm so glad they are still with us after the awful happening in early May that I posted about here.  Usually, most of the bluebirds we see in the summer will stay through the winter, too.  I hope this dreadfully hot and dry summer hasn't hurt the bird population too much. 


We celebrate the beautiful bluebird as a symbol of love, hope and happiness 
 ~ Larry Zeleny


With due respect to other birds, 
the "Baltimore Oriole of happiness" simply doesn't sound right.   
~ Bluebirds, by Steve Grooms and Dick Peterson, 1991

I found the following cute poem recently.  It really explains best why my house gets dirty from time to time.  There is just so much to see out my windows or, when weather permits, sitting on my patio.  Okay, there may be a few things to see on my computer, too!

Please excuse my dirty house
I know it is a mess
I don't have time to clean right now
I have a bluebird nest ....

  ~ Cherie Layton, The Bluebird Nut, 2005

I'd be curious to know whether those of you who don't live in the southern region and who have bluebirds at your house, if they stay through the winter months, too?  

Many of the birds go south cheerfully, indifferently, but the bluebirds seem to linger sadly and lovingly, and to feel that the migration is an enforced exile from the home they love best.   
~ Author unknown

 Until next time...

32 comments:

  1. I love, love, love bluebirds...we are trying very hard to attract some here. I love your poems, quotes, and the photos today. What a happy post! Blessings...

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  2. I adore bluebirds, although we don't see them too often. Beautiful photos.
    Hugs,
    Laura

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  3. Oh I wish that we had more bluebirds. We rarely see them anymore even in spring. They definitely do not overwinter. Very few birds do...chickadees, blue jays...hmmm...must do some research. We have seen cardinals in snow, but rarely.

    I see that you found the fold...so cute!

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  4. I do love blue birds, however, I have had a couple hanging out around the house this year, that have not been so nice...That get after all the other birds and squirrels..fun to watch, but I do feel sorry for the other birds.
    Enjoyed your post!
    Blessings.
    shug

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  5. That cute little poem, is sooooo wise. So very wise...

    Know what's important, in the long run. And in one's own life. :-)

    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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  6. i'm glad we keep them here year round. :)

    i liked your quotes - baltimore oriole of happiness. ha ha. :)

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  7. In Pennsylvania, the bluebirds leave in the fall. I seen a few early on and haven't seen them since.

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  8. Beautiful shots...I don't have any bluebirds at all so cannot answer your question.

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  9. Very nice pictures, I love bluebirds but never see any here.
    I don't know if thay are abundant in this region or not but I don't recall seeing any ever.
    Love the little poem!

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  10. I have never seen this bird here in Georgia - but I wish I could. I think it looks beautiful! sandie

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  11. I've never seen a blue bird like that gorgeous one! Actually, that bird is a Gator!!!!! :)

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  12. Your pictures are wonderful, and I have not seen any bluebirds here this summer!

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  13. So pretty. That bird does not come to this part of the country...good thing, I would never do any housework, just watch them.

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  14. Magnificent entry dear! Thank you for your visit and kind words
    BShell

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  15. Aren't they beautiful! Love the poem!

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  16. Such pretty birds! LOL on the Gator comment! Hope you have a great weekend!

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  17. that's the perfect verse for me today!!

    my house is filthy and i have been making excuses all day about cleaning it!!

    but i did get some awesome pictures today. lovin' that bluebird!!

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  18. I really can't say for sure, but I don't think the bluebirds stay during the winter here in southeast Virginia. I rarely see them, although we have a few bluebird houses at the side of our yard. They're so pretty! I love seeing them!

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  19. Bluebirds are so delightful! I hardly ever see them here in NY.

    I'm in the middle of going through and discarding years of magazines that I had collected and shelved. They would not be cost effective to take on our move. Talk about a mess, and a giant distraction!

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  20. Those are beautiful photos and beautiful birds. I'm not sure if I ever really took the time to look at one for more than just a second or two. I will the next time I see one since reading this post. I feel as if I"m missing out on something!

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  21. Hi Cheryl..
    it's easy to see why they are your favorite bird. So cheerful looking... they just look happy!

    Hope that this is a great week for you :)

    Smiles :)
    Kerin

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  22. Your bluebirds are so beautiful - we never see them where i live. Now i'm off to see those stunning notecards...

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  23. Mostly cardinals around here. Bluebirds would be a sweet treat.

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  24. Bluebirds are so beautiful- I love their gorgeous colors. We don't have many around here and when I do see them, they don't stay long.

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  25. Love that poem! If I had bluebirds, that would be me!

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  26. Your photos are beautiful, as always. We are lucky to enjoy the bluebirds year round. When I lived in Michigan I never saw them.
    The poem is so cute and one I can completely relate to :D.
    Thank you so much for your recent kind comments. I appreciate it.

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  27. He is such a stunning little beauty.
    I would love to see a Bluebird in person.

    Have a wonderful week, Cheryl.

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  28. I have some bluebirds too and I just love to watch them going in and out of their white birdhouse. So pretty!! A friend told me years ago if I would place my birdhouses toward the west the bluebirds would use them and he was so right!!

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  29. I'm glad you still have some bluebirds around! Between the heat and the snakes, yours have certainly been under stress this summer.

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  30. A birder of many years told me that bluebirds fly only as as far south as they have to to find food. Last year a few stayed in Ontario (Canada) just north of Lake Erie.

    I love them too. Such pretty birds!

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