Nature Within - Cherish The Moment

Wisconsin's Winter Wonderland

Red Cardinal Waits His Turn At The Feeder

A winter wonderland greeted us as we wiped the sleepy seeds from our eyes, looking out the windows as we pulled up the shades discovering the Art Work Of Our Great Creator and God! Oh What A Day This Was!
Each view our eyes beheld, warm smiles were brought to our lips.

Looking out at our back land, each and every little twig covered with the brush
of light pure white snow!

Another window, peering down on our horse barn and gardens outlined the fanciful items we have collected over the years and placed into each special place.
The very tall 5 ft. x 5 ft. beam from an old barn that was taken down at a neighboring farm holds a large birdhouse topped with a roof of snow. Evergreens magically have turned into frosting covered show piece. The weather vane is pointing direct North. It being placed on the butterfly arbor holding the metal art gate that my husband Dick made.
The metal art fencing next to it are also Dick's metal art. The setting encircles my new Birdhouse Garden which is now dormant under the covering of snow.
Just a few months away and we shall see it popping up with buds of all sorts of flowers and plants.

Chicken Coop is just South of the Birdhouse Garden.
Our front woods which holds a Babbling Brook is still open and singing its song. The deer passing through, Turkeys, Birds of all kinds are the only ones listening to is lovely song notes because of the deep snow for walking down there.

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Bird Station.

Different feeders for different
seeds. The Large feeder holds Sunflower seeds and the two smaller feeders hold Thistle in the our glass shaped one. Sunflowers in the long red one hanging next to it.

A Cardinal flies in to land on the large Sunflower feeder.
They usually come a little
later after the other birds have their fill of seeds.

Wild Turkeys trying to hang on to the many thin twigs holding the Crab-apples.

Wild turkeys have been coming
and up until today were content to eat off the ground.
Seeds that other smaller
birds dropped as they ate. One or two I did not mind but the other day a whole flock of 20 turkeys marched down our huge hill taking possession of the whole area around here.
I decided this was getting to be too risky to have them here everyday. The smaller birds and squirrels quit coming. I also thought of my many perennial and shrub gardens they would probably demolish next Spring. So have been scaring them away. The first day I started to chase them away they flew down to the row of crab-apple trees down by the chicken coop. Staying there and feasting on what would have been the Spring food for migrating birds. The chicken fence is behind where they were swaying back and forth trying to hold on while they devoured the fruit. The chicken fence is open on top and thought this would be the next thing they decide to take over and eat their food. Although I hate to eliminate this food source for the turkeys, I decided it was time to make them very uncomfortable when they show up. There is plenty of wild food out back in the wooded and swamp areas. The turkeys were always very shy birds that never went beyond the edge of the fields and woods during the summer months until this winter. Now they have taken over what use to be peaceful and serine for most all other birds.

A chickadee on the feeder with a rose finch female in above picture.

The flight of the Chickadee to or from the feeder in next picture.

Did you ever watch a Chickadee?

He is a marvelous little bird. I think happy if a bird can be happy. He is quick and so beautiful in his feathers of being a Chickadee.
When Dick fills the feeders he almost alights on his hand. There seems to be no fear in him.
If I could be a bird, I would be him. Dick actually calls me His Chickadee. I have never asked why just enjoyed it over the years.
I wish I had more of the Chickadee's traits. I am too careful, not easily taking a risk. Is that foolishness or smart? I think in nature they have instinct in their lives. Knowing when to be safe and to be flamboyant.