Fluffy Twenty EIght

I may have mentioned that Gray Catbirds are one of my favorite summer birds - they arrive early in the spring, quietly and stealthily.  But after a couple of days getting the lay of the land, they can be seen and heard all over the garden.  They are somewhat territorial so there are frequent "threatening" displays which consist of the bird puffing itself up into something that is really quite comical.  Although it must be effective, it really looks very silly.  This bird was only slightly puffed, more of a fluffing of feathers than an actual terroristic display.  What I wasn't able to catch in this shot was the lovely burnt orange under tail.  It won't be the last catbird I blip this summer.  

I checked all the nest boxes today and was happy to discover that a second house wren nest is underway, with one tiny egg already laid.  The existing nest, about a half acre away, has six eggs that the female has been brooding for about a week.  I haven't blipped the house wrens next for my yardbird list, thinking I may wait until feeding is underway.  

I was up early and enjoyed my tea on the deck, serenaded by an orchestra of birds in the forest and garden.  I happily sipped tea and took photos, feeling stress just melt away.  I was able to identify by either sight or sound 25 species in just under an hour!   Even our resident weed-whacker (rabbit) was busy munching greenery at the edge of the woods.  And chipmunks everywhere.  This One was especially cute.

I got a most unexpected gift in the mail from a friend who had a brain tumor earlier this year.  I was able to be of some support to her especially as she navigated through the recovery, which can be quite daunting.  Anyway, she sent me the most perfect bracelet which is engraved with "Cancer messed with the wrong girl".  I will be wearing it when I go for my first radiation treatment Monday morning.  I have one other special piece of jewelry that I am going to wear - a necklace that my dear friend Lynn gave me before she succumbed to cancer 11 years ago.  

An otherwise lazy day.  Did some stretching for the hip, spent some time in the hide, and perhaps a trip to Starbucks later this afternoon.  

You know what to do, and what to eat while you do it.  I'm on a bit of a dark with sea-salt binge at the moment.

xo
Debbi