My View

The morning view from my kitchen window is ever changing. Minute to minute the light streaming through the trees makes the falling dew drops flash like diamonds.  It is as if during the hours before dawn, God was busy carefully placing each water droplets so it would roll off the leaf at just the instant when the sun would bring it to life for one split second in a spectacular flash of  his glory. Most mornings I come into the kitchen before the sun begins to stream through the trees and sadly I often miss the glorious display the creator has placed just outside my window.  How may other wonders he has created for me do I miss each day?

I truly enjoy feeding the birds.  An over the years we have established a reputation in the bird world as a dependable spot for a free meal.  Usually, safe from neighborhood cats with only the occasional diving hit and fly attack by what must be a super sonic falcon. Amazing event!  The hit happens in less that a blink of an eye and I usually stand stunned watching feathers float down, wondering, what happened?  But such is a part of God's master plan, the balance of nature.

Blue Jay, Goldfinch, Nuthatch, Towhee, Warbler, Chickadee, Flycatcher, Mockingbird, Sparrow, Carolina Wren, Hummingbird, Brown Thrasher, Titmouse, Cardinal, and Bluebirds all stop by multiple times during the day to check out the daily buffet of sunflower hot meats (hot to keep the squirrels form emptying the feeder), suet, freeze dried meal worms and take an occasional sip from the birdbath. This year we have been over whelmed by 3 types of Blackbirds who can empty the feeder in less than an hour.  Bullies are never welcome, but again such is the balance of nature, and so we wave arms and scare them away a few times and then give up.  It does seem however, that without our help our "favorite" birds are able to enjoy the buffet.  So even in a world where there are bullies, life can go on. 

The Cardinals, Bluebirds and Woodpeckers are favorites.  It is easy to give them my perception of a "personality".  Bluebirds seem to want to be close to me, especially when I am putting worms in their feeder.  I repeat a whistle  pattern and with seconds there will be a Bluebird within 3 feet waiting for the buffet service to begin.

The Wren has the title of "Boss of the Deck," as he or she seem quite comfortable managing every activity that occurs on his/her deck and will inform all around of his/her interest and concerns!

And then there are the Hummers.  What a marvelous creation!  So tiny and yet so agile. One of the special joys of my life are my close encounters with Hummers.  One hovering eye to eye with me, several feeding from nectar in my hand, the amazing sound and feel of the little birds hovering right next to my head. What a privilege God granted to me in these encounters with this one of his smallest creation.