A Time of Birds

pair-of-geese

A Pair of Geese – A Good Match

The last few days have been absolutely glorious. (I do love the word glorious!)  Yesterday it was 70 something degrees and perfect weather for taking a camera and wandering around.

My husband pointed out that we had a pair of geese standing on a sandbar; on the river that flows through our farm. We had been watching the large flocks fly overhead on their way north; so it was a treat to see a pair that had decided take a break on the river.

I am hopeful that this pair, that seems perfectly matched, will decide to take up residence for the season in our area. In the past we have had resident geese and it is so much fun to watch them when they have goslings. I find it to be really neat that geese actually pair up for life. I have no idea how they go about finding their perfect mate. But as they stay together they must be a good match.

Nest in the Plum Thicket.JPG

Nest or Hideout

I finally remembered to take my camera on my walk yesterday. Every time I walked past the plum thicket alongside the road; I loved seeing this nest just waiting in the trees. I cannot wait for spring and summer when, hopefully, a bird will decide to reuse it as a home. If they don’t use it for a home, perhaps they could at least use it for a temporary hideout from a predator of some sort. My husband tells me it probably will not be reused but I am ever hopeful.

the-road-home

The Road Home

As I journeyed my way back home I could hear the sound of thousands of birds singing in the trees along the river. The closer I got, the louder the noise became.  It really made me wonder how many birds it took to make that much noise. I soon discovered how many it does take…..

migrating-red-wing-blackbirds

Red Winged Blackbirds

There were so many Redwing Blackbirds sitting in those tree branches that they looked like leaves. It was an amazing sight when they decided it was time to leave. A rush of wings, the sky dotted with an amazing amount of birds, the air echoing with the cries of all those birds …… and they were gone.

So much of life is like that. Moments that are precious are gone in a rush of wings and a few last cries. I guess it is a reminder to cherish those moments when they are here. Take the time to really enjoy them before they are gone in a blur of passing time. Realize when God has given you a friend, spouse, or family member that is a good match for you and let them know that you love them. Enjoy the journey that is life.

Memories are the key not to the past,
but to the future.
Corrie Ten Boom
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/memories.html

51 thoughts on “A Time of Birds”

  1. kindergartenknowledge says:
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    Ask me how much that I like the picture titled “The Road Home”!!! One thousand times one thousand times of likes! That is how much! I hope that pair stay on your farm! I would be so excited for you! Eagles mate for life too! The Decorah eagles are live on the computer now. Just certain times, but I believe that at least one egg has been laid. Seeing the eagles made me so sad not to have my sweet and overly talkative students! I have not gone yet to say my big Dutch word in the office. I was on my way and accidently stopped at an Antique Mall that was on my route to my school! Do you think that three Antique Malls in one week is considered going overboard? If you were here…we would go to at least FIVE!

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    • thechickengrandma says:
      Reply

      So glad you liked “The Road Home” that one is also my favorite….maybe because I love where it leads. You would have loved being here the other day….we had 5 eagles in the bottom field. Two were juveniles and did not yet have their white heads and tails. When you get to using your Dutch words let me know how that goes lol.
      Oh yes…..definitely five Antique Malls. I love those places….you never know what you need till you see it there. (using the term need quite loosely.)

      Liked by 1 person

      • kindergartenknowledge says:

        The Dutch words have brought me much joy and laughter. The stares are worth it! I sent you a text earlier from my phone about the eagles! It does not show that it went through to Iowa!! I was just telling you that eagles also mate for life! If I had been there, I would have been so excited! I would have been staked out in that bottom field! Five eagles…I cannot even imagine! Well…the antique mall in our suburb is not a good one. I thought sure that it had improved since I had not been there for over a year. It is uppity and snobby and very over-priced. AND NO JUNK ITEMS! Not my kind of place. I like the Antique Malls in Fort Worth and Arlington the most…they have a little bit of everything! You definitely would like them and surely find something that you need!!!!!!

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  4. Pingback: A Good Match: Moon and Night | What's (in) the picture?
  6. Anne Mehrling says:
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    I loved walking with you near your home. I didn’t realize you had a river! A river!!!! We looked and looked for a house with a mountain stream, but house and stream never matched. I’m happy here, and we walk to the creek most days, so everything is fine. I remember how excited I was when the red winged blackbirds returned to Long Island. They weren’t in huge flocks, but they hung out in the marshy weeds at the water’s edge. Spring was on the way.

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    • thechickengrandma says:
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      Yes we have a river. It is a small river called the Little Rock which feeds into the Rock River. On dry years you can walk across it at certain places and it resembles more of a creek. The last couple years it has been higher due to farmers tiling fields and a little more rainfall. My husband walks out there everyday and when my youngest son comes home that is the first place he heads for.
      I love those red winged blackbirds. They let me know Spring is on it’s way.

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  8. peggyjoan42 says:
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    What a wonderful post Faye. I loved your photos – especially that road to home. The Redwing Blackbirds head to our area every Spring and spend the Summer here. I have captured some great photos of them. Your posts are so down to earth and I love them. Thanks for sharing your busy and wonderful life with all of us. Have a great day. xoxo

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  13. thecobweboriumemporium says:
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    How absolutely beautiful this post it. Not just the photographs – although they’re little breath-takers, but your words too. By the time I’d read to the end I was filled up with a feeling of wanting to cry with thanks for all the blessings I had, and you’re included in those blessings too Chicken.
    Sending love ❤ and squidges ~ Cobs. x

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  14. Regina, Catchy Sketch says:
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    We have a koi pond in our apartment complex and every autumn and spring some ducks come to have a break here. I’ve never seen a pair with ducklings, but I saw a couple swimming around and playing yesterday. I still hope, but I don’t believe they can nest here, as it’s a dog- and cat-friendly community, not the best fit for ducks.

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  15. Deb says:
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    It was in the 70s here yesterday too…oh such a sign of things to come!! That’s interesting about the birds. I had that same experience a couple of weeks ago. I was leaving work and I could hear so many birds and when I looked for them they looked just like your picture. Like hundreds of them in the tree…then they all left the tree at the same time and they did that magical swaying dance that they do and then landed in another tree. They waited til every bird landed in the tree, sang for a bit and then flew up and around again til they found another tree to land it. It was quite a sight. I took out my phone to record it and wouldn’t you know they decided to stay in the tree they had last landed it. I kept waiting and waiting for them to take off again but they didn’t and my hands were getting so cold, I finally gave up. But it was quite an experience to watch. I hope the geese stay there too!! 🙂

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