Our gnatcatchers, though higher and thinner sounding, often remind me of the catbirds of my youth. Isn't it funny how sound, like smell, can transport you back in time? I hope your little neighbors' nestlings fledged successfully!
It's summer at the beach near work, most noticeably marked by the many naive new beach enjoyers who don't know how much trouble the Western gulls can cause. The other evening I observed a young woman running after a screaming, swooping, circling flock of them, as they took turns grabbing and carrying an entire sub sandwich that one had apparently nabbed from inside a tent.
Hahaha, the seagull antics are incredible to watch! I've seen them steal sandwiches and bags of chips at the little beaches in Connecticut. You can't blame them. They are bold as brass and hilarious.
The catbird nest is difficult to see, up high in the rhododendron, but I think they all made it out. I can't imagine any creature finding it in that dense foliage. I've enjoyed listening to their songs all summer (the songs of your childhood!). The mourning doves connect me to Arizona in that same way. The songs stay with you always.
Yesterday, I was sitting out in the garden, looking closely at one of my lilac bushes. There was a small spider, almost colorless, climbing up the tallest stem when the wind picked up. The spider wrapped six of its legs tightly around the stem until the wind died down. I loved seeing the spider protecting itself this way.
Last weekend I spent an hour in the woods trying to photograph a Scarlet Tanager I could hear but not see. While I was doing that, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak - also a beauty - landed on a branch in front of me, so close I could not focus the camera. It stared at me for a few moments and flew off. Photography seems to me to combine observing with consuming, and maybe the grosbeak was telling me to leave the camera at home sometimes.
We don’t have Catbirds here on the left coast. They sound delightful, as is your painting!
I have a couple Scrub Jay friends whom I feed peanuts. If they hear me outside, they swoop into the yard and wait for their treats. If I’m not quick enough, one of them will ski down the deck roof, which makes a horrific screeching noise. He hops back up and repeats until I get the stupid peanuts.
Your gray catbird painting is a delight. When I opened the email and the painting of the gray catbird popped up I had this instant reaction of joyous surprise. Wow! What a thrill.
My small animal encounter was a day or so ago my husband turned on the sprinkler to water a patch of our lawn. All of a sudden a hummingbird appeared at our feeder (my favorite summer sound while I’m sitting out on the deck). But it didn’t stay at the feeder for long. Soon it was darting back and forth in the spray of the sprinkler (it’s one of those that moves back and forth in an arc), just like I did as a child on a hot day, and just like my kids did in that very sprinkler after it flew away.
Ah Kim! Thank you, I love this so much -- and it's so funny because a friend of mine just said yesterday that she was watering some plants with the hose and a hummingbird came right up and drank straight out of it. They are cheeky aren't they, and yours sounds like it was having a blast. I haven't seen one this year yet but I'm keeping an eye out!
Our gnatcatchers, though higher and thinner sounding, often remind me of the catbirds of my youth. Isn't it funny how sound, like smell, can transport you back in time? I hope your little neighbors' nestlings fledged successfully!
It's summer at the beach near work, most noticeably marked by the many naive new beach enjoyers who don't know how much trouble the Western gulls can cause. The other evening I observed a young woman running after a screaming, swooping, circling flock of them, as they took turns grabbing and carrying an entire sub sandwich that one had apparently nabbed from inside a tent.
Hahaha, the seagull antics are incredible to watch! I've seen them steal sandwiches and bags of chips at the little beaches in Connecticut. You can't blame them. They are bold as brass and hilarious.
The catbird nest is difficult to see, up high in the rhododendron, but I think they all made it out. I can't imagine any creature finding it in that dense foliage. I've enjoyed listening to their songs all summer (the songs of your childhood!). The mourning doves connect me to Arizona in that same way. The songs stay with you always.
From Sandra:
Yesterday, I was sitting out in the garden, looking closely at one of my lilac bushes. There was a small spider, almost colorless, climbing up the tallest stem when the wind picked up. The spider wrapped six of its legs tightly around the stem until the wind died down. I loved seeing the spider protecting itself this way.
From a reader in NY:
Last weekend I spent an hour in the woods trying to photograph a Scarlet Tanager I could hear but not see. While I was doing that, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak - also a beauty - landed on a branch in front of me, so close I could not focus the camera. It stared at me for a few moments and flew off. Photography seems to me to combine observing with consuming, and maybe the grosbeak was telling me to leave the camera at home sometimes.
I recently discovered catbirds! I love their crazy song!! And I love this painting! xo
Yay, thanks Anna! Isn't it fun to find a catbird? I find them inspiring.
Listening to one write now!! I love their chaotic jumble of a song.
We don’t have Catbirds here on the left coast. They sound delightful, as is your painting!
I have a couple Scrub Jay friends whom I feed peanuts. If they hear me outside, they swoop into the yard and wait for their treats. If I’m not quick enough, one of them will ski down the deck roof, which makes a horrific screeching noise. He hops back up and repeats until I get the stupid peanuts.
Who is training who?
Ooh, scrub jays, such a cool bird -- and smart! Hahahaha, so funny this one has your number. But how wonderful to have a scrub jay friend. <3
Catbirds remind me of growing up on Long Island. Beautiful!
Yay, thank you! I guess you will have to keep an eye out for that one who was mimicking the frog - ! They are such fun.
Your gray catbird painting is a delight. When I opened the email and the painting of the gray catbird popped up I had this instant reaction of joyous surprise. Wow! What a thrill.
Thank you so much, Rae! I'm glad it brought some cheer. I was excited to catch that yellow-green light that is everywhere under the trees.
My small animal encounter was a day or so ago my husband turned on the sprinkler to water a patch of our lawn. All of a sudden a hummingbird appeared at our feeder (my favorite summer sound while I’m sitting out on the deck). But it didn’t stay at the feeder for long. Soon it was darting back and forth in the spray of the sprinkler (it’s one of those that moves back and forth in an arc), just like I did as a child on a hot day, and just like my kids did in that very sprinkler after it flew away.
Ah Kim! Thank you, I love this so much -- and it's so funny because a friend of mine just said yesterday that she was watering some plants with the hose and a hummingbird came right up and drank straight out of it. They are cheeky aren't they, and yours sounds like it was having a blast. I haven't seen one this year yet but I'm keeping an eye out!