Monday, March 2, 2009

Finding Happiness

Frost on Goldenrod Gall

I hate to intrude--
feel that I've walked rudely into a scene, scattering those already there, sending them rushing for cover.
And, many times, catching their hasty exit in flutters and scrambles, I'll drop to sit, quietly without moving, right where I stood, hoping they'll be more forgiving of my carelessness, as a small lump on the ground.
And return, as if I were not there.

Frost on Ground

Yesterday I stepped off my usual path, and strode purposefully out across the grassy banks of the pond, toward the oak woods. Drunken on sunshine from the brightest blue overhead, delighted that this day, even though again sharply cold, had given itself for me to explore, perhaps more eager than I should have been to be out drinking it in, I startled a small flash of blue, and then another from the young trees at the woods’ edge.

And, though the air was cold, I found the grass already dried and warm, and knelt there, wrapped in my dark jacket, still, waiting surrounded by their branches.
Watching bluebirds.
Finding happiness.




We’ve tried for 3 years to attract bluebirds to nesting boxes in our fields, each time finding none. And though our rural area supports them well, we seldom see any on our land.
I wasn’t expecting to find them here at the edge of the oak woods, and had gone outdoors that morning with only a short lens, planning to photograph the very delicate ice left on the Goldenrod by chilly spring nights.

Perhaps this year, ...bluebirds.



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21 comments:

swamp4me said...

Hope you get your bluebirds this year. We have had a pair or two checking out the boxes we have put up here at the new house.

bobbie said...

Perhaps...bluebirds. What a simple wish. I hope it is fulfilled.

Susan Gets Native said...

I saw some today, too. In the woods at Lake Isabella, curiously peering into tree cavities.

I should be able to have bluebirds here at our house. But the HOSP make it impossible. I may try again....or not. It's heartbreaking to watch them build and lay eggs, only to be driven off by ugly foreign freeloaders.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I wish you the best of luck getting your bluebirds to move in. They must be checking out the real estate. This in itself is exciting.

We rarely see bluebirds around here. Your post reminds me that we have a box to put out in the side lot where they pass through going to or from who knows where. I get so excited just seeing them in the neighborhood.

KGMom said...

When you least expect it. . .
Smile, they're on candid camera.

Kim said...

I so hope you get your bluebirds Nina. I am like Susan and cant' have them in my yard due to those awful HOSP's. I love to see other bloggers get them so I can live through them. ;o).

Lovely prose. I felt as if I were right there beside you getting drunk from sunshine.

Mary said...

Bluebirds are happiness! I'm so glad you have them. Nina, I waited three years, too. I posted about having them in the yard last week "Eastern Bluebirds out back". They are still here!

Kelly said...

...I hope you get the bluebirds!

abb said...

I was home in MO in February. There were two bluebird families staking out their home territories. Though we're the ~Bluebird State~ here in CT, I've never seen a bluebird here. And in MO, I saw several pairs. It's just not fair!

jozien said...

Beautiful post Nina , both the words and pictures.
And ofcourse most beautiful the bluebirds!

John's Arts & Crafts said...

Great Photos & blog! New blog on the Hx. of the Ladybug:
http://historyoftheladybug.blogspot.com/

MojoMan said...

Nothing lifts the spirits like blue skies and blue birds. I could use a little of both right now.

Anonymous said...

HOSP's?? not familiar with that abbrev.... house sparrows??

We have a box..have had for several years... last year, they nested, persisted in keeping others out, laid eggs, 5, which hatched.... A week later, all dead... I looked for blowfly larva (the internet suggested that was a possibility) saw none.... I don't know who or what did them in...but I was heartbroken. A backyard birder suggested a predator may have pecked the baby skulls... I didn't look for that nor see evidence of such... But I saw a pair just the other day checking the box out for this spring...already another bird had taken residence there, so I trudged out to find a stick nest, which I immediately discarded in hopes that the bluebirds will try, try again..... In reading, I now understand that the boxes need to be monitored very religiously and carefully...probably ought to take some kind of class....

Good luck!

KaHolly said...

Such a wonderful post today. I love how the story ended! Have you tried offering mealworms? They aren't all that difficult to raise yourself.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Giggles--yes, HOSP is birder-speak for House Sparrows, the bane of a nestbox-watcher.
And, although we've never had bluebirds choose us, we always can count on Tree swallows (which I adore) or House Wrens or chickadees. And, those I leave--better to have something, than nothing, in my mind.

The House Wren fills our box with sticks, then builds cup on top--maybe you have a sweet little wren?

Kaholly--I have thought of being more proactive in keeping bluebirds close to us, but, we're heavily wooded around the house, feeders nestled bewenn trees, and not really where I would expect a Bluebird to come looking for dinner. Our fields would work well, but it's quite a hike to get back there every morning.
I may seek another spot in the yard to set up a feeding station--more open, for Orioles, thrushes, bluebirds,...all I would LOVE!!

Cicero Sings said...

We get the mountain bluebirds here and I love them. I love watching them hover and dive for a goody. They are so pretty.

Pat - Arkansas said...

A serendipty, indeed. I hope the bluebirds will settle in close to you.

naturglede/Randi Lind said...

Great choise for the G. Have a fun abc:)

Unknown said...

I need to learn to take pictures of frost and ice.I really like your's.

Tumblewords: said...

Beautiful! I haven't seen a bluebird for a long time but each of the past few summers have brought blue jays...

spacedlaw said...

I hope they come and you can take pictures. They are so pretty.