Eating In
While scouting for flowers to photograph, I spotted this bluebird sitting at the entrance of an old birdhouse in Lewisville, North Carolina.
Mother Bluebird
Allow me to introduce you to “Mother Bluebird.” She was getting ready to feed her little peeps inside the weathered birdhouse, when she noticed a stranger about 40 feet away. She’s not very used to having visitors at the house. Most of the time, folks just keep on driving by in their big cars.
I could almost hear her thoughts as she eyed me intently. Her babies were hungry, but should she leave them unprotected while a stranger lurked nearby?
More than the other birds I’ve photographed in recent weeks — the redbird and the goldfinches — this bluebird appeared to be very unsettled by the nearness of a stranger. (For more on those previous encounters, read Just Curious and Farewell to the Finches.)
But then it occurred to me that maybe the bluebird’s jitteriness had more to do with the protective nature of a mother than with her particular species.
Taking a Chance
The ever-increasing cries of her hungry brood were more than Mother Bluebird could bear. “I’ll take a chance,” she thought. “I’ll fly away for food and return as quickly as possible.” In an instant, she was out of sight.
Nearby, sitting almost motionlessly with my camera aimed at the birdhouse, I waited for Mother Bluebird’s return.
To read more on the encounter with Mother Bluebird — and to see a few more photos — please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more on Mother Bluebird
Graveyard Tour – Double Springs AME Zion
A solitary German shepherd rests for a few moments in the peaceful surroundings of the Double Springs AME Zion Church graveyard in Lewisville, North Carolina.
Double Springs AME Zion Church
The second of six stops on the 2009 Historic Graveyard Tour held on May 2, 2009 in Lewisville, North Carolina took us to the site of Double Springs AME Zion Church. (Click to read the previous post on the Historic Graveyard Tour at Concord United Methodist Church.)
Although the Double Springs AME Zion Church building no longer exists, the ties of family and faith played a key role in resurrecting the church’s once-neglected and much-vandalized graveyard which dates back to the early 1900s.
To see and hear more regarding Double Springs AME Zion Church and its graveyard, simply continue to the NEXT SECTION for PHOTOS, AUDIO, a MAP and news of a SPECIAL EVENT on Saturday, May 23, 2009. CLICK for more on Double Springs AME Zion Church
Farewell to the Finches
This male American Goldfinch rests for a moment before vying for space at a popular bird feeder in Lewisville, North Carolina.
Where Have They Gone?
It’s a lonely sight these days — the bird feeders that once were the focal points of so many famished goldfinches. Anywhere else, their constant chatter and all-out gluttony would have been fodder for endless gossip.
Now, the bird feeders just hang in a sort of sad silence. All that’s left are the memories of avian fellowship and, of course, the occasional feathered feud. (Remember Backyard Brawl?)
But then there was also the outrageous thistle seed expense. Unfortunately, no stimulus money whatsoever was allotted for goldfinches. For swine and rodent studies, yes. But none for the noble goldfinch. Not even a billion dollars.
What’s a Gal to Do?
Alas, the goldfinches’ departure has left such a void that I found myself digging through my goldfinch photos and staring longingly at them. In case you’ve missed the goldfinches, too, I thought I’d share a few more photos with you in the NEXT SECTION.
To our beloved goldfinches: May you flourish and be well-fed — wherever you are.
CLICK for a few more goldfinch photos
Llamas in Lewisville
Rivermont Llamas on Yadkinville Road in Lewisville, North Carolina is home to a number of llamas who spend their days grazing and basking in the sun.
Diverse Population
It’s not every community that can boast of an outstanding llama population — but Lewisville certainly can!
If you’re traveling west on Yadkinville Road from Winston-Salem, you’ll eventually drive by the home of some prestigious llamas on your right, just shortly before crossing the Yadkin River. Their home is actually Rivermont Llamas, which is located at the original home place of Sattsgate Farm.
Photo Sessions
As I mentioned in Lessons from a Llama, my first encounter with the llamas occurred one day in February when I spotted the llamas being backlit by a gorgeous sunset. I managed to click off a few good shots before the sun dipped out of sight. But to round out my photo coverage, I knew I’d need to come back again.
A few days later, I pulled off the road at Rivermont Llamas, where a few of the llamas were standing at the front fence basking in the morning light.
To my disappointment, as I approached the llamas, they scurried off to a distant shelter in the middle of the field. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a long enough lens to cover that distance, so I wasn’t sure if I was going to get any decent shots.
I decided to hang around for a bit, though, and began walking around the perimeter of the property. Every time I glanced at the llamas, they were all watching me intently. I just kept walking. Time passed, and the llamas remained huddled in the center of the field, still watching me.
Patience Required
Meanwhile, I happened to walk by some beautiful low-hanging tree blooms, so I spent some time photographing them, and ended up featuring those photos in the Springing Forth post.
When I finished photographing the tree blooms, I resumed my walk around the edge of the property. I was on the verge of calling it quits, when — all of a sudden — three of the llamas began making their way directly toward me. It was as if, after much deliberation, a consensus had been reached among the llamas, and they had finally decided I was “safe.” Here they came!
CLICK to learn more about the LLAMAS and to view the PHOTO GALLERY
