A Bird in the Hand...

Baltimore Oriole Taking flight
Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird taking off...
Cheeky Baltimore Orioles
I am astounded at the speed of the season..I just can't keep up! On the lucky days that I get to work at home,I leave the door open to the garden more often than not. Yes, bugs may get in at times, but especially in the spring, there's no need to worry very much. I've always loved birds, even as a little one, my first word was "dicky bird", a kind of sparrow in Scotland where we lived when I was a toddler. I've had exotic finches(Lady Gouldians), Grass Parakeets,Canaries, and of course Chickens. A few years ago, I even talked an African Gray parrot out of a tree one cold February day-St Valentines day,'04!

One day last Spring, I saw a flash of orange dart deftly into my house- I'm lucky to have quite the avian paradise here at the farm, and Orioles are one of the most brilliant. When I realized that the oriole was not coming out, I ran in to help it. I scooped him up in my hand and headed outside to let him go and terrorize the humming bird feeder. I grabbed the camera and snapped a few shots as he flew away.

This year, I ran upstairs at my house to get something, and I heard the excited squeeks of a male Ruby throated hummingbird, confused by the blooming plants in the house, and the glass windows in front of him. I tried to shoo him out, but he would have none of it! I gently caught him and let him go with excited chirps. What does a humming bird feel like in your hand? like a tiny dinamo,almost weightless...so amazing. As I was wrighting this, I was reminded of when I was selling my former home. It was Christmas time, the worst time to try to put your home on the market. I had found the farm, and the only way to get it was to sell my house as fast as possible. So, being a florist and designer, I put my skills to the test by decking the house with lush fresh greenery and winterberry. I used a door basket packed with the fresh red Winterberries, beautiful... I had come home from work to get some paper work, and when I ran in the house, a splendid Nightingale that made my garden it's home, had decided that this stuff was his!! As I came around the corner and saw him, he flew to the staircase instead of going outside. He contentedly ate berries while I finnished my errand...working his way upstairs. I had to leave, and caught him in the window on the third floor! I have to say, I felt like it was a good omen, I was leaving the property in a week or so, and I wanted to take the Mockingird with me! I did consider letting him go at the farm, but my better judgement ruled and I opened the window and watched him sail to his customery spot at the top of the ancient cedar.