Catching photos of birds has always been a joy and pain at the same time. It seems my camera is always not on me when I see a great photo. Forget about running into the house to fetch it!
Bird watching has been a wonderful pastime for years, learned from my dear Aunt from many a walks in the woods. I started keeping a ‘life list’ of the species in my 30’s. I only have about 130 species checked off so far. The last, very exciting species I saw (and have only once) was the Bobolink!
Our feeder is filled daily with sunflower seeds. The bird bath is next to the feeder. Watching a bird take a bath will make one laugh! One day I’ll catch a photo of it. BTW, sunflower seeds attract Goldfinches as well (some folks insist thistle seed is the only feed to attract goldfinches). Truly, life is not the same without the beautiful, cheerful Goldfinch in it.
Another fun discovery for us with sunflower seed is how easily they grow all around the house and garden! We have beautiful sunflowers from the seeds the birds drop all around the house. We leave them on the stem and enjoy watching the birds, especially the Goldfinches, eat on them all through the fall and winter. Bonus! If your zinnias are left to dry out in your garden, you will see the birds eating them as well, plus they will re-seed themselves next spring. Double bonus!
There are many other birds around here on the farm than posted on this blog. These are the few that just happened to turn out rather nicely. Thought it would brighten the day to share a few of these lovely, happy neighbors that are all around us.
Thank God for birds. A friend of mine recently told me where she read “of another service rendered as the birds sing their praises in the morning…that somehow the vibrations of their voices actually affect and aid in the awakening of God’s creation for the day.”
Isn’t that a beautiful thought?
one_local_gal 
These are beautiful photos!!
Thank you! 😃
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
I love the quote your friend shared with you! And your photos are beautiful!
Why, so you so kindly. I loved that thought too from my friend! It’s a lovely thought, isn’t it! 😊
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
Pretty pics!!!
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you, kindly. 😀
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
Mitzy these are such beautiful pictures!!! Good thing I don’t live close I would be there bird watching! (And visiting you too of course!)
That sounds grand, Diane! 🙂
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
amazing post. thanks for sharing!
Thank you kindly for your comment, reading and following the blog. 🙂
I really enjoyed your post today, and I agree with all that you said… watching birds in the bird bath is just so much fun! And they do love sunflower seeds! I have a lot of birds that visit seasonally, and some that stay year round. We don’t have cardinals here though! I do wish we did. I have never seen a bobolink! Bird watching is very fun indeed, and I have a lovely bird feeding area outside my office window, which is really nice. Many blessings to you Mitzy 🙂
Why, thank you, Marylin! Our oldest son and I used to do lots of birdwatching when he was young and at home. We go on occasion now–it’s great! Love hearing from you! 😀
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com