RECIPES

Sunday 26 April 2020

The Company Of Birds


Birds have kept me company through some of the darkest moments in my life.  Whenever I have been feeling lost or overwhelmed by life, there have always been birds to comfort me. 

Often they come and sit nearby and just watch me, other times they will sing, and sometimes they will fly around me to let me know they are present.  My spirits are always lifted by these special encounters.

BLACKBIRD

I am not a birder (how could I be when I also love cats?) but I feel an affinity with wild birds that is hard to define.

I was thinking these thoughts this morning as I sat out in the early morning sunshine and listened to the magpies chortling in the trees.  Away in the distance there were geese honking, presumably Canada geese.

It got me thinking about the birds we have seen and/or heard from home here, during the last five weeks of lock-down.  So I made a list J


JUVENILE PHEASANT

BIRDS SEEN (and maybe heard) – sparrow, blackbird, thrush, welcome swallow, goldfinch, magpie, plover, hawk, fantail, pigeon, mynah

BIRDS HEARD (not seen) – peacock, kingfisher, geese, bellbird, pheasant, Californian quail, tui

PEACOCK

I haven’t photographed any of them – I haven’t even tried (these photos are all out of my archives) – but I have appreciated the presence of each and every one of them.

They are a symbol that nature and life continues on, regardless of what we presently face in our own lives.  They bring joy and peace into my life, and give me hope of a better future.

Have an enjoyable day J
Margaret.

30 comments:

  1. I love watching the birds here.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Isn't it wonderful to see and hear all these birds. Crows and gulls are our regulars but there have been two big hawks in the sky a few times and we saw our first swallows.
    I open our windows early in the morning to hear the chirping

    ReplyDelete
  3. It would be a shock to see a peacock arriving in the garden here! but I do see lots of smaller birds

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are a few peacocks that roam wild in Hamilton Gardens, which are reasonably close to us. I hear them calling some mornings. I think I would get a shock too, if one actually turned up here!

      Delete
  4. We sit and have our coffee outside twice every day and love to watch and hear the birds, husband has encouraged the small birds into our garden, we love to see them swoop, we are seeing more butterflies and bees this year as well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Greetings to you Margaret. Yes, now it's so wonderful outside in nature, especially in the forest with the delicate green everywhere and the singing of the birds. Thank you for your nice pictures. I bought a book about fishermen's sweaters on the coast of England ... I think I'll knit ... cozy :-))
    Have a nice Sunday. Viola

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm looking forward to lock-down ending, so I can wander around in nature again :)

      Delete
  6. I think you feel an affinity, Margaret, not an infinity, but I am nitpicking no doubt. I was touched to read about your connection with wild birds. It has literally been my own connection with life for as long as I can remember - literally. Birds have been my every day companions through thick and thin. I think I would like to have a Wood Thrush serenade me when the time comes to leave this life. That would be better than the finest pipe organ in the grandest cathedral.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL you are so right - I've now fixed the mistake.
      Yes, I also would rather hear a bird singing (in my case, probably the Grey Warbler).

      Delete
  7. Hello, your birds are beautiful. I like the pheasant and peacock. Nature is grand! Watching the birds gives me joy and calm feeling. Take care, stay safe.
    Have a happy new week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been fascinated with peacock tails since I was a small child, and this guy had a beautiful one.

      Delete
  8. Oh, I love magpies - when not in breeding season!
    Such clever birds, one followed me around when I was looking for something that rolled under the car, so cute! In Australia, we sadly don´t have these cuties here...
    Yes, they bring joy! Sadly I haven´t seen any of "my" squirrels for a while, they´re fun fellas, too, to animals that keep us happy, Ixx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Magpies in breeding season are definitely to be avoided!!

      Delete
  9. I love watching birds...I don't keep a list of what I have seen or anything but just enjoy them. And I have been like that since before I ever started school. And I have cats...and cats cannot help their nature. One of mine is not much of a birder, and the one that is, stays inside most of the time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes I find it hard loving both birds and cats. Whenever I can I will stop a cat from bird-hunting, even though I understand it is in their nature. Some cats seem to hunt more than others, but I have only ever come across one cat that killed for the love of it (it was a horrible cruel animal, not a lovable kitty at all).

      Delete
  10. I feel the same way. The birds keep me going though I only have sparrows around the house.j

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like watching how sparrows interact with each other - they are like one big noisy family.

      Delete
  11. I love watching birds and being a person who likes to make lists I used to have a "life list" which I have unfortunately misplaced. But list or not I enjoy seeing, and hearing, birds in my backyard and anywhere else that I go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birds would have to be my most favourite creature, and I am glad you enjoy their company.

      Delete
  12. Oh my gosh. I am so envious as I live in West auckland suburbia. All of those birds!! I have noticed birds coming into my neighbourhood and I am so thrilled when I see them, I often feel that some birds are messengers.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love are such beautiful beings.
    My garden brings many in each day as they come to feast on flowers and bugs, hours are spent some days just sitting and watching.

    Lovely photos of the ones you see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know what you mean - it is very restful just watching the birds.

      Delete
  14. I don't know why but I have a thing for moreporks, we hear them calling at night sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have heard some here, but not for a while now. They always remind me of my childhood - used to lie in bed and listen to them calling most nights. I was so surprised the first time I saw one, as it was much smaller than I expected. Love our ruru :)

      Delete
  15. My favourite bird changes from month to month, season to season, depending on which bird is around. At the moment its the bush pigeon, the kereru, which swoop in every evening to feast on the Moreton Bay Fig beside my home. The love the swoosh of their wings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They make quite a noise don't they, it's unmistakable. Love hearing them :)

      Delete

Thank-you for visiting my blog. I love it when you leave a comment so please feel free to have your say. Have a great day! Margaret xx