Birders' Nest

[Elgarian Redux]

And then there was this fellow, with a red forehead only recently acquired I think. He was only too keen to pose.

[owlice]

This is a fine time to be reminded I'm giving a presentation tomorrow that I'd completely forgotten about. A fine time, indeed; much better than being reminded tomorrow at this time.
I'm supposed to be retired! Apparently I can't remember that, either.

[owlice]

Chestnuuuuts!

Let 'em drop, pick 'em up,
Peel 'em off, chop 'em up,
Mash 'em up, freeze 'em out,
Chestnuuuuts!

Where's Clint Eastwood when you want him?

hahahahaha!! Indeed!!
I was a little surprised you caught the reference, but in thinking about it, why should I be?! How silly of me!
I never want Eastwood; Eric Fleming, on the other hand...

My chestnut harvesting has come to an end. All chestnuts found from yestereve on go to whichever kid(s) get(s) them.

Thread service

Chestnut Munia (Hawaii -- introduced)
Estrildid finch of Asia

[owlice]

The weather here is terrible. Very windy, with rain that varies between heavy to buckets being thrown at you. No chance of a walk anywhere, but in a brief interval of dryness, we experienced a cascade of goldfinches such as to warm the cockles of the heart. The bird feeders were covered with goldfinches, and although there's a risk of my becoming a goldfinch bore, I'm going to post some photos. First, a setting of the scene. Goldfinches wherever you look.

The little juvenile on his own is, I am almost certain, the same little chap as flew into the window and knocked himself out a few days ago (he's a bit smaller than the other juvs). All very heartening.

[More to follow...]

Awful about the weather, but how fortunate to get goldfinches everywhere!! And to get such fabulous photos of them, too!! The yellow on the juvie really glows, and catches the eye. He really stands out!

And the first photo -- birds looking left and right and directly at you, birds in front and in back... wow!! They really are everywhere they could be!!

[owlice]

And then there was this fellow, with a red forehead only recently acquired I think. He was only too keen to pose.

Don't just stand there, let's get to it
Strike a pose, there's nothing to it

And he did just that, with profile and classic vogue glance over the left shoulder poses. The bird's a pro! Soon to be on runways (er, flyways?) everywhere!! And kudos to the photographer for capturing the magic!

[Elgarian Redux]

This is a fine time to be reminded I'm giving a presentation tomorrow that I'd completely forgotten about. A fine time, indeed; much better than being reminded tomorrow at this time.
I'm supposed to be retired! Apparently I can't remember that, either.

Being retired isn't for wimps (which I frequently quote from the movie Quartet). I took on the editorship of an academic journal for 10 years when I retired - for (serious) fun, just as you're doing, purely for the love of it, and the knowledge of its intrinsic value. And then the psychological impact is entirely different, isn't it? I salute you, Owl, and your presentation (for which, good wishes).

[Iota]

Sorry, another flying visit (though perhaps that's the only truly appropriate way to visit this thread ... ), but as usual it's peppered with gorgeous images from both of you, and accompanied by your trademark entertaining commentary, almost as colourful as the plumages.

But I'll single out a couple of photos that really stopped me in my tracks. First this which though non-bird is just a marvellous image.

And this which is extraordinary.

Common Grackle, Halloween edition (Florida)

And Elgarian, this was such a splendid moment in the history of GMG humour, bravo! Laughed like a Kookaburra I did!

The pitter-patter of little feet and some thumping coming from the roof. Gee, I wonder what that could be... ?

A mix of small and large children falling out of chestnut trees?

I will also just add that those chestnuts photographed earlier, are beautiful things, both in and out of their cases. I still practically swoon at the sight of horse chestnuts of which we get many here, and I have done ever since I was a very small boy. The way they emerge so burnished and gleaming is one of nature's hypnotically lovely tricks that never gets old for me.

[Elgarian Redux]

hahahahaha!! Indeed!!
I was a little surprised you caught the reference, but in thinking about it, why should I be?! How silly of me!

Rawhide was essential family teatime TV for a schoolboy in the early 1960s, and we all sang along with Frankie Laine.

I never want Eastwood; Eric Fleming, on the other hand...

Rowdy Yates was the schoolboy's choice. Perhaps I never outgrew that?

My chestnut harvesting has come to an end. All chestnuts found from yestereve on go to whichever kid(s) get(s) them.

It has been memorable!

Thread service

Chestnut Munia (Hawaii -- introduced)
Estrildid finch of Asia

Lovely shot of the bird in its habitat, but what strikes me so forcefully about the picture as a whole is the fantastic contrast between the pure green-ness of the grass and the pure brown-ness of the bird. Glorious.

[Elgarian Redux]

Awful about the weather, but how fortunate to get goldfinches everywhere!! And to get such fabulous photos of them, too!! The yellow on the juvie really glows, and catches the eye. He really stands out!

And the first photo -- birds looking left and right and directly at you, birds in front and in back... wow!! They really are everywhere they could be!!

I think you'd be amused to see us when it happens - when they all arrive. No warning: suddenly there they are. They take over the joint, and we want to jump up and down with glee - but we mustn't because they'd fly off if we did! Sheer joy, Owl.

[Elgarian Redux]

Sorry, another flying visit (though perhaps that's the only truly appropriate way to visit this thread ... ), but as usual it's peppered with gorgeous images from both of you, and accompanied by your trademark entertaining commentary, almost as colourful as the plumages.

But I'll single out a couple of photos that really stopped in my tracks. First this which though non-bird is just a marvellous image.

And this which is extraordinary.

And Elgarian, this was such a splendid moment in the history of GMG humour, bravo! Laughed like a Kookaburra I did!


I will also just add that those chestnuts photographed earlier, are beautiful things, both in and out of their cases. I still practically swoon at the sight of horse chestnuts of which we get many here, and I have done ever since I was a very small boy. The way they emerge so burnished and gleaming is one of nature's hypnotically lovely tricks that never gets old for me.

It's an honour (I mean that - I really do feel honoured) to know that our scribblings and pictures are being so enjoyed.
Thank you.
Thank you.

[Elgarian Redux]

Don't just stand there, let's get to it
Strike a pose, there's nothing to it

And he did just that, with profile and classic vogue glance over the left shoulder poses. The bird's a pro! Soon to be on runways (er, flyways?) everywhere!! And kudos to the photographer for capturing the magic!

Yes, he did all the work. The photographer just clicked in hope.

Here's what I told him when he landed:
"Come now, pull yourself together!
That's right, Goldie, you're a natural!
Give it to me! Flaunt that feather!"

[Iota]

Yes, he did all the work. The photographer just clicked in hope.

Here's what I told him when he landed:
"Come now, pull yourself together!
That's right, Goldie, you're a natural!
Give it to me! Flaunt that feather!"

Haha, yes what I particularly liked about that photo was the way his left leg was at the top of the twig and his right at the bottom. I didn't even really know they were that flexible, and found it very characterful, he looks like he's putting the handbrake on!

[Elgarian Redux]

Haha, yes what I particularly liked about that photo was the way his left leg was at the top of the twig and his right at the bottom. I didn't even really know they were that flexible, and found it very characterful, he looks like he's putting the handbrake on!

Perhaps I didn't mention that I've spent the last 4 weeks training him to do that? (He was anxious to try because I'd told him it would please you.)

[owlice]

I will also just add that those chestnuts photographed earlier, are beautiful things, both in and out of their cases. I still practically swoon at the sight of horse chestnuts of which we get many here, and I have done ever since I was a very small boy. The way they emerge so burnished and gleaming is one of nature's hypnotically lovely tricks that never gets old for me.

Iota, thank you so very much!

I haven't much time at the moment, but want to comment on this now lest I forget. I agree with you about the beauty of chestnuts; they are a lovely color. They also have a lovely feel, smooth and (seemingly) polished, and oh, to find one just after it falls to the ground, when it is cool and with just a hint of wet on it! To pick it up, rub it, and slip it into a pocket! Or come across one that has been sitting the grass, perhaps hidden and found only by foot, extract it from the lawn, and feel how hot it is from the sun's radiant energy! Warm or cold, the tactile sensation is also beautiful.

One of the children most interested in helping with (and eating!) chestnuts complimented me one day on the "pretty color" of my eyes (blue); she also expressed dissatisfaction with her own eye color (brown), and clearly did not think much of my assurances that brown eyes are warm and friendly and that hers are beautiful.

A few days later, we were sitting on the porch steps extracting chestnuts from their burrs. I held up a just-freed chestnut and said, "Look at this! Isn't this beautiful? What a beautiful rich color it is!" She agreed; they are beautiful! Then I told her, "This is the color of your eyes. They are chestnut brown; you have chestnut eyes! A warm, rich, beautiful color." She looked almost surprised. I told her that "chestnut brown" is an actual color, that that color really is called that, and the name comes from the nut. (Her best friend, who was with us, immediately said, "I'm going to look that up!"  I hope she did!)

[owlice]

Birds are so weird sometimes.


Check out his toes!


African Openbill (Botswana)

[Elgarian Redux]

Iota, thank you so very much!

I haven't much time at the moment, but want to comment on this now lest I forget. I agree with you about the beauty of chestnuts; they are a lovely color. They also have a lovely feel, smooth and (seemingly) polished, and oh, to find one just after it falls to the ground, when it is cool and with just a hint of wet on it! To pick it up, rub it, and slip it into a pocket! Or come across one that has been sitting the grass, perhaps hidden and found only by foot, extract it from the lawn, and feel how hot it is from the sun's radiant energy! Warm or cold, the tactile sensation is also beautiful.

One of the children most interested in helping with (and eating!) chestnuts complimented me one day on the "pretty color" of my eyes (blue); she also expressed dissatisfaction with her own eye color (brown), and clearly did not think much of my assurances that brown eyes are warm and friendly and that hers are beautiful.

A few days later, we were sitting on the porch steps extracting chestnuts from their burrs. I held up a just-freed chestnut and said, "Look at this! Isn't this beautiful? What a beautiful rich color it is!" She agreed; they are beautiful! Then I told her, "This is the color of your eyes. They are chestnut brown; you have chestnut eyes! A warm, rich, beautiful color." She looked almost surprised. I told her that "chestnut brown" is an actual color, that that color really is called that, and the name comes from the nut. (Her best friend, who was with us, immediately said, "I'm going to look that up!"  I hope she did!)

Wonderful story about the girl, and a perfect illustration of the importance of perception. Three cheers for the girl with the beautiful chestnut eyes.

I remember once, many years ago, becoming fascinated by tree roots - specifically the region at the base of a tree trunk where it meets the ground. (It could've been chestnuts, or pine cones, but it happened to be tree roots.) I started drawing them (not to produce a picture, as such, but to help me to look), choosing a new tree trunk every day, and using the drawing process as a way of getting to know each tree. After about a week of this, I felt as if I'd established some quite new relationship between myself and the trees, and their connection to the ground. And it's lasted ever since.

[Elgarian Redux]

Birds are so weird sometimes.


Check out his toes!

They're not toes. They're roots!

African Openbill (Botswana)

"And the fish that got away was this big!"

[Iota]

Perhaps I didn't mention that I've spent the last 4 weeks training him to do that? (He was anxious to try because I'd told him it would please you.)

Haha, well please assure him that his gymnastic prowess was a revelation to this know-nothing member of his audience!

Iota, thank you so very much!

I haven't much time at the moment, but want to comment on this now lest I forget. I agree with you about the beauty of chestnuts; they are a lovely color. They also have a lovely feel, smooth and (seemingly) polished, and oh, to find one just after it falls to the ground, when it is cool and with just a hint of wet on it! To pick it up, rub it, and slip it into a pocket! Or come across one that has been sitting the grass, perhaps hidden and found only by foot, extract it from the lawn, and feel how hot it is from the sun's radiant energy! Warm or cold, the tactile sensation is also beautiful.

That's a lovely description, you are clearly have very strong connection to the earth as well as to its fauna. I'll just add that for me they also always seemed like precious jewels spilling from their casings when they fell, priceless and ineffably beautiful. And there's also a very strong nostalgic, I might almost say mesmeric, power in them to transport me to my childhood, which becomes more precious the older I get.

One of the children most interested in helping with (and eating!) chestnuts complimented me one day on the "pretty color" of my eyes (blue); she also expressed dissatisfaction with her own eye color (brown), and clearly did not think much of my assurances that brown eyes are warm and friendly and that hers are beautiful.

A few days later, we were sitting on the porch steps extracting chestnuts from their burrs. I held up a just-freed chestnut and said, "Look at this! Isn't this beautiful? What a beautiful rich color it is!" She agreed; they are beautiful! Then I told her, "This is the color of your eyes. They are chestnut brown; you have chestnut eyes! A warm, rich, beautiful color." She looked almost surprised. I told her that "chestnut brown" is an actual color, that that color really is called that, and the name comes from the nut. (Her best friend, who was with us, immediately said, "I'm going to look that up!"  I hope she did!)

A lovely story, and chestnuts are of course very eyeball like in many ways. I can well imagine your conversation staying with her for the rest of her life, resting in her memory surrounded by an owlice-administered warm brown glow.

Birds are so weird sometimes.

African Openbill (Botswana)

That is just all kinds of extraordinary! Never seen a photo like it!

[Iota]

Wonderful story about the girl, and a perfect illustration of the importance of perception. Three cheers for the girl with the beautiful chestnut eyes.

I remember once, many years ago, becoming fascinated by tree roots - specifically the region at the base of a tree trunk where it meets the ground. (It could've been chestnuts, or pine cones, but it happened to be tree roots.) I started drawing them (not to produce a picture, as such, but to help me to look), choosing a new tree trunk every day, and using the drawing process as a way of getting to know each tree. After about a week of this, I felt as if I'd established some quite new relationship between myself and the trees, and their connection to the ground. And it's lasted ever since.

Those are lovely sketches, Elgarian! What a broad panoply of talents you have!

[Elgarian Redux]

At last the rain stopped, and this morning we were able to get up into the hills again, walking as far as the fake stone circle - admiring a sheep on the spooky hill, and the breathtaking view out across the valley. There was a bit of sun striking through in places, but mostly leaden sky. Near here is a robin, always on the same post, always inviting a photograph.

More to follow ...