That's Entertainment!

I'm talking about the beautiful birds visiting our feeders.  This has to be the best spring yet for color fluttering around the lawn.  Lucky for me from "Central Command" I have the Crab Apple Tree to look at.  A Robin has been building a nest along with a little English Sparrow.  At various times the brilliant red of two male cardinals and the sunshine yellow of a flock of gold finches brighten the branches.  This makes the tree look like a painting with all the birds in it.  I can't remember seeing so many beautiful birds at one time.  I'll take the cool spring temperatures if that is the reason for so many feathered visitors.  My niece called Tuesday to give me the heads up the Hummingbirds are back.  A few days earlier than last year.  Thursday was the first we noticed the familiar humming sound, sure enough they have arrived at Cook'n by the Creek.  Another free entertainment out the kitchen window.  I'm sure they go by daylight hours rather than the date when the birds and geese decide to head north to start a family, either way we are happy to start feeding them.  I wonder if Mr. King of the feeder will be back, he ran the show last year!   Dick was happy to report the other day he watched two pair of bluebirds building nests in the bluebird boxes he built and hung last fall. The Indigo Buntings and Scarlet Tanagers are also accounted for.  They are more evasive when showing their beautiful colors and only allow quick glimpses.  The beautiful bright colors are easy to see if only for a few seconds.   It looks like most of the spring arrivals are here and ready to entertain us for the summer. Now to keep an eye out for the neighbor's cats that roam freely.   I am not in favor of cats out and about.  They rob nests of baby birds and kill baby bunnies.  Not to mention leaving paw prints on cars!

Indigo Bunting

Scarlet Tanager

The next nature event will be starting around Memorial Day, the doe will be dropping their young.  It is funny to watch the young fawns, it looks like the are playing tag.  They run and chase each other in and out of the woods into the field.  Natures way of building strong bodies and quick movement for the  predators they will face daily for the rest of their lives.  Shortly after this the hen turkey will start parading their brood into the field.  They look like vacuum cleaners going back and forth in line searching for bugs.  Last summer we had two flocks entertaining us daily.  It was the first time for me to see them go to roost.  How funny, the little ones would fly up to the branch and knock another down!  This went on for quite a while until they were all lined up ready to sleep.  I bet mama hen thinks the same as we did when our kids took forever to settle down for bed!  This show went on for about a week in the same tree on the edge of our field, then they moved on to their next destination.

Wednesday and Thursday I was stuck in the house, Dick was subbing at Vo Tech.   My days were long and boring, even I can only knit, crochet, quilt and read so much before I get antsy.  I temporarily lost my inspiration to remember what motivates me to think, talk and express it all.  I wasn't feeling sorry for myself because I don't, way too much to be happy and thankful for.  I guess if I was walking on two feet you could say I lost the pep-in-my-step.  I am happy to report I found it and it feels darn good.  What brought it back?  My lawnmower and the great outdoors.  I knew it would and was so happy to feel the wind on my face, smell the fresh cut grass and just enjoy all of what I love to do and look at.  Actually as I mowed the barnyard I asked myself, just who are you Cheryl Bryant?  Kinda laughing as I answered the question because really I am just the one that would rather be outside mowing, seeing fresh ground tilled and ready to plant, getting dirty and not caring who sees me that way.  Watching the hens peck in the soil and grass for bugs and the roosters strut their handsome selves around is wonderful.  Horses enjoying the green grass with their tail and mane blowing in the wind was all part of the calming affect today.  I was also thinkng about my kids and husband that were not brought up on a farm like me but all love the outdoors, gardening and animals.   It all brings me an inner peace that takes my breath away.  Times like today are a reminder to thank the Lord for the moment.