Sunday, February 14, 2010

Sunday Safari

 Today is Valentine's Day.

Today is Luna New Year.
It is the year of the Metal Tiger.

Backyard Bird Count has been these past three days.

                                                   It has been busy in my backyard.


                                            A snow squall came through this afternoon.



The sun came out for a moment.
I have counted thirty different species in the backyard
this February.


I heard a different call.
I looked out the window.


I think the Pine Siskins have returned!


I call February's New Moon the "New Cardinal Moon".
Over 45 Cardinals were in my backyard at one time yesterday.

The Mourning Doves clean up the seed on the ground.


Their numbers are down from last year.


It is cold outside so I am inside.
I am taking a journey.


Rumi fills my heart with love.



We are watching the Olympics.

The first modern Olympic games were held in 1896
in Athens.

The handbill,
 from the 1900 games that were held in Paris,
is charming.

May you have a very Happy Valentine's Day.
May you stay safe. May you stay warm.
Be full of hope.
Spring is coming soon.
Let the games begin!

17 comments:

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Beautiful - in so many ways. I especially love your amazing bird photos - they are always extraordinary!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

We have been watching the Olympics too. Wow you have so many Cardinals. I can't believe it. I love that picture of the white throated sparrow. Happy New Year. Happy Valentines Day too.

Cathy said...

Wow lots of cardinals hanging around your yard. What did you offer - free beer?

Amy said...

Reading your post is like receiving a heartfelt Valentine - thank you, and hoping your V-Day is special as well!

Barb said...

An uplifting post with wonderful bird shots. What - 45 Cardinals? All that red at once would be amazing!

Wendy said...

Happy Valentine's to you too. We also are watching the Olympics. I love to watch the skaters. Their costumes are beautiful. And their artistic expression as they skate together.

Your bird pics are lovely, as usual. And so many cardinals!!

Happy New Cardinal Moon - I like that.
Stay warm,

sweetbay said...

I haven't seen a Pine Siskin since we lived in PA. It's a thrill to hear their rising call.

Nan and =^..^= said...

Your birds are wonderful...they have found the perfect sanctuary!
I love they way you capture their delicate beauty. Happy Valentine's Day!

Flat Creek Farm said...

Our birds are costing us an arm & leg this year, but that's ok. With all this snow, they *must* have feed somewhere! Your assortment is amazing and pictures beautiful! We now have mostly cardinals, juncos, bluejays, titmice, various woodpeckers, chickadees, gold & purple finches, plus probably a couple I'm forgetting at the moment. So that puts us at 10-12 species more/less. Happy Valentine's Day! -Tammy

Jan said...

That's a lot of cardinals, Sherry! Are you doing the Bird Count? I'm sure they'd love to have that info!! I have upwards of 17 bluebirds at a time, and robins have been coming in large numbers this winter. Have only seen 2 bluejays this entire winter so far, which is unusual. Lovely photos, Happy Valentines' Day;-) Jan

Tammie Lee said...

Happy Valentine's Day to you too!
So many wonderful birds. The red birds are such a shock of color amongst the grays of winter! Lovely to see, as is the first image of the heart!

kkryno said...

What a beautiful Valentine!

Thanks, Sherry. :)

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry....such a pretty post......and so varied.

You have so many beautiful birds. I did the RSPB bird count at the end of January. House sparrow and starling numbers are down. There were others that had increased. The unusually cold weather here will not have helped.

My father was born in the year of the tiger.

Have a good week, stay warm, stay well......

Rose said...

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day, Sherry! I am participating in the Bird Count today, too, but I could certainly use you here with me--I had to consult my bird book to figure out that what I was seeing was a purple finch...I think:) Your backyard must be amazing to have so many different species, and 45 cardinals--all I can say is "Wow"!

Dawn Fine said...

Always love your Sunday Safaris

Meggie said...

Happy Year of the Tiger!
Love the little birds, braving the snow.

Tumblewords: said...

An exciting and heartwarming post, to be sure! Thank you.