Views on Nature from the Back Deck Swing -- Saturday May 14, 2016

Bijou -- Age 16 going on 17 -- April 23, 2016

       Ah yes, the simple, sweet moments in life -- a bit of sunshine & fresh air on a Spring day along with birds and other critters to watch from the back deck swing!  When you are old and do not still have a lot of oomph left in you, life can be still be savored with the aforementioned special pleasures.  For me, I do still have a little oomph but I had some work obligations yesterday -- grading papers.  Bijou convinced me that the best place to do that was the back deck swing!  And she was right!  And so with coffee, papers, red pen, laptop, binoculars and camera, I perched outside on the swing alongside my old girl, graded papers and watched the wildlife.

       We have several families of birds, parents and young who hang out in the trees nearby as our bird feeders hang off of the deck.  So I was able to watch the antics of Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, Carolina Wrens, Downy Woodpeckers, House Finches.  The goofy begging youngsters are wonderfully entertaining.  Several other species, not with young in tow, were also observed:  Northern Cardinal, Cedar Waxwing, an occasional flyby egret, Chimney Swift, Northern Mockingbird, American Crow, Mallard, Brown Thrasher, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Kingbird, Great-crested Flycatcher and American Robin.  And yes, there is a Mama Wood Duck on eggs in the nestbox and so I did see her fly into the box after her morning feed.

      Quiet time on the deck allows for a few decent photographic moments of the wildlife.  With camera ready, I took advantage of it.  Here is what I got:

Carolina Wren -- Parc Perlière -- May 14, 2016

Northern Cardinal -- Parc Perlière -- May 14, 2016

House Finch --  Parc Perlière -- May 14, 2016

       Bijou is much more into the watching and/or snoozing, than in the chasing these days so neither I nor the anole worried too much about his safety as he traversed the deck in front of us.

Carolina Anole -- Parc Perlière -- May 14, 2016

        My favorite photo of the day was my lucky shot of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird!  He did not really give me but one opportunity and thankfully, the light was right and the camera ready!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird -- Par Perlière -- May 14, 2016

         Yes, indeed, these quiet moments in nature are a delight to share with my old girl who loves the sunshine, the fresh air and the swing.  Sitting still and watching reveals so much about the lives of our wildlife -- even right off of the deck!.  It can also be a great place to unwind from the more hectic pace of the work week.  Sometimes all you need is a bit of nature, binoculars, a comfortable, swinging perch and the cheerful company of a cozy kitty!  Thank you, Bijou!