Would You Ever Notice?

May 18, 2026

Our time is not our own anymore, or at the very least, we have given it away. Knowingly and willingly we daily spurn our limited, precious hours away. How? Think about it. Chart the course of your own typical day. Keep an account of just how you spend every hour of it. Be honest with yourself. What did you find?

Perhaps you discovered hours of your day has been willingly given away to your device. Do you own your own time, or does the device own it? Do you even care?

Truly, our time is not our own. It is a gift. It has been given to us and can be taken away in a moments notice. We all know someone who has suddenly died.

So then, do we treat time as if it is an unlimited commodity, or worse yet, as if it were nothing?

Here is my ultimate question and point of this blog post:

If the birds stopped their singing today, would you even notice?

*A beautiful Mockingbird* *singing his melodious songs.*

*Never forget our State bird—the Cardinal.*

*The sweet, sweet Kildeer (aka Plover).*

*Our gorgeous, sharing Bohemian Waxwings.*

*And last but surely not least, our diminutive, cheerful Goldfinch.*

I ask again—would you ever miss them if they stopped singing?

Do you hear the birds?

Sunday Stills—-Our Winged Neighbors

Aug 17, 2025

This is my first try to join Second Wind Leisure Perspectives by Terri. Sure hope I get it right.

Here are a few of my favorite photos I have caught of our winged neighbors.

*We visit Kiptopeke State Park for extended family time every year. The birds are fun!*

*This photograph won a blue ribbon at county fair.*

*A winter visit from Great Blue Heron. No fishing today, water frozen.*

I do hope I get this down correctly.

Write 28 Day Challenge—Day #18 Tiny

Mar 1, 2023

Spring has come early here to the Northern end of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. I have to say there has not been enough snow this year for me. One of the earliest signs of Spring are our happy, vocal Spring Peepers. However, they are still quiet. Perhaps they know we still have to get through March.

Just the same, a careful look at bird feeders reveal a small sign of Spring. The tiny, diminutive male American Goldfinch is beginning to put on his summer courting outfit. Goldfinches are year-round residents here in Virginia. Males loose their bright plumage for winter. This makes it difficult to tell males from females. Not to worry. Spring brings on the summer wear and males are very easy to spot then.

American Goldfinches, Carduelis tristis, are often called Wild Canaries. They are a very loved tiny bird that twitters upon taking flight. They fly an undulated flight pattern.

They come year-round to bird feeders. They love Nyger thistle (which is pricey!), but they also enjoy Sunflower seeds (not as pricey, and brings in more birds). I have them all year at my sunflower seed feeders.

An interesting fact: They belong to the finch family, and are the only finches to change their ‘coats’ season to season!

Hope you enjoy these photos I have taken of ‘our’ finches at the feeders. Happy birding!