Backyard Brawl
Two American Goldfinches going at it in a Lewisville, North Carolina backyard.
Even in Paradise
Maybe one of them simply woke up in a “fowl” mood. Or maybe it was an off-the-cuff tweet. We’ll never know exactly what started the ruckus. Whatever the cause, the two Goldfinches were not backing down.
I saw it all with my very own eyes. It happened while I was visiting my mother and stepfather, whose backyard is a bird’s paradise. Yes sir, it’s food for life over there if you’ve got wings. It doesn’t matter what your tail feathers look like, or how long your beak is, or whether you claim Northern- or Southern-hemisphere allegiance.
You’d think that — being in such a backyard paradise — there would be no disharmony amongst our feathered friends. Then again, come to think of it, I recall there once was a paradise in which we humans also went astray.
Even in paradise, sometimes things just don’t go as expected!
The Gift of a Garden
Bees enjoy the variety of flowers in Robin McBride's garden in Lewisville, North Carolina. Robin also grows herbs and vegetables in her garden.
Serendipity
Yesterday, I listened to a podcast that struck me as being wonderfully well-timed, not only for today’s post, but also for Easter. The program, Speaking of Faith, is produced by American Public Radio, and hosted by Krista Tippett.
This week’s guest on Speaking of Faith was theologian and avid gardener, Vigen Guroian, who discussed what gardening has taught him about life and faith. Guroian has a beautiful way of describing his observations, and he has also written two books about gardening: The Fragrance of God and Inheriting Paradise. After hearing him on the podcast, I have a feeling these books would be splendid reads. You can listen to the intriguing interview with Vigen Guroian by visiting Restoring the Senses.
Entering the Garden
Now, on to the lovely garden of Robin McBride! If you missed the previous post in which I introduced Robin, you might want to check out A Gardener’s Delight before viewing today’s photos.
Following are just a few of the many flowers/plants growing in Robin’s garden: Forget-me-not, money plant, camellia, rosemary, daffodil, hellebore, spring star, pansy, azalea, mustard, lilac, woodland phlox, grape hyacinth and gardenia. And believe me, this is just a partial list!
Photo Gallery
Without further delay, you may now CLICK to enter the garden of Robin McBride! Enjoy the photos — and feel free to leave a comment.
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Just Curious
A redbird sits in a tree near the Veterans Memorial at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, North Carolina.
The Redbird
I couldn’t help myself — I was curious. I wondered whether the redbird I wrote about in the Birds of a Feather post would be waiting for me if I ventured up to Shallowford Square again.
Sure enough, as I approached the Veterans Memorial yesterday morning, I spotted the redbird singing away at the POW-MIA monument! I couldn’t help but smile at that animated little creature.
I know very little about the habits and instincts of birds, and this experience has piqued my curiosity. So I have TWO IDEAS:
IDEA #1
If you’re a birder, can you shed some light on the territorial instincts of birds? I’m particularly wondering whether the redbird’s behavior is typical. Please share your knowledge in the Comments section.
IDEA #2
If you’ll be passing through Lewisville and feel a bit curious yourself, how about stopping by Shallowford Square for a few moments and see if you spot the redbird on or near the POW-MIA monument? (The POW-MIA monument is at the base of the black-and-white POW-MIA flag flying at the Veterans Memorial at the Square.) Then report back here in the Comments section and let us know if you saw “Red” — or not. I think this would be a fun experiment!
It’d be great to hear from some of you! Now, for one last photo, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK to see Red giving me the eye
Birds of a Feather
A redbird guards his territory at the Veterans Memorial at Shallowford Square.
Looking Everywhere
Clouds were moving in, and I was getting a little desperate to capture at least one good photo. I’d already been to several locations around Lewisville and had taken a few half-hearted shots, but I knew that none of them was particularly outstanding. The overcast light simply left most subject matter looking bland.
Even the beautiful trees in Shallowford Square that were in full bloom looked dull. Still, I walked around the Square, scanning the area for photo possibilities — and I felt my anxiety rising with nearly every step I took.
Creatures of Habit
As I approached the Veterans Memorial, I spotted a redbird sitting on the POW-MIA monument. When he saw me, he immediately flitted to one of the nearby oak trees. I didn’t think any more about him, and continued surveying the area, looking and hoping for something that could become an interesting photograph.
Moments later, the redbird flew back to the monument. All the while, he was twerping the cardinal’s melody. Then he flew to a tree that was only a few feet away. I thought, “I wonder if he’ll fly back to the monument.” Sure enough, he did.
I began to think that perhaps this little redbird was going to provide the shots I needed for the day. So I sat down on the ground, about 20 feet from the monument, focused my long lens on the top of the monument, and waited.
What transpired for the next 30 minutes or so became a drama of two curious creatures watching each other! To read more of this tale (and to see a few more photos), please continue to the NEXT SECTION! CLICK for more on this fine feathered friend
