Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Fantastical Friday! #30
Good morning and Happy Friday everyone! It is that time of the week again when people are happy that it is that time of the week again. I think that made sense, even if it doesn’t sound like it. But it is true. Anyway, it is not so cold this morning as it was yesterday, 15F (-9C), with a strong wind again. But it feels much better anyway. The small birds, such as the chickadees and nuthatches, are plentiful as usual which is always nice to see.
There is not many evening grosbeaks though, I’m not sure why they are not around, the rock doves have not been a problem today, or yesterday. But there is a few grosbeaks this morning anyway. A small flock of red crossbills flew overhead, probably a dozen or so. It would be nice to get them down to the feeder. Only once have I had them at my feeder, since I began feeding birds years ago. They do like sunflower seeds, just like all the other birds.
They are an interesting bird, small, not much different in size to the chickadees, just a little larger. And they have unique bills that cross over each other. I would love to get a picture of them too. Some evening grosbeaks have returned I see, they are fun, lively birds to have around. Late yesterday afternoon I decided to go out and spend some time with the chickadees and nuthatches before they went off to bed. And I wanted to see if any would come to my hand. It was a bit colder yesterday, but not bad for winter, the temp at the time was 10F (-12C), and not much of a breeze.
So there I was, my bare hand full of sunflower seeds as I waited for some birds to come along. There were a lot of them and after about 10 minutes they started landing on my hand. Soon there was a steady group of them landing on my hand, one at a time, taking their seed and off they go to their favorite branch to open it. Yes, they do each have their favorite branch to use, though they will go to other branches too. Then a couple of red-breasted nuthatches joined the chickadees coming to my hand. At one point because a chickadee was already on my hand, two red-breasted nuthatches landed on my head to wait their turn.
I was wearing a toque at the time, so it was probably warm for their little feet. I just wish I could get a picture when things like that happen. I guess I could have used my phone, but my hands were so cold by that time I doubt I would have been able to hold the phone, and still take a picture. But I will give it a try next time. I did nearly freeze my fingers though. But it was so much fun! I don’t know how many birds were actually coming to my hand, but there was both male and female in chickadees and nuthatches. It was a beautiful time and I am always thankful for these little bundles of joy. Have a fantastical Friday everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin. (two more of my favorite pics today from the last 3 years)
©2021 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 
that musat have been quite the sight to see with all those birds landing on your hand and your head! learned a new word – toque…
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Yes, it’s so enjoyable with those little birds!
Toque is a more northern term I guess, I think down there stocking hat is the term, though I’m not quite sure if it’s the same.
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the web site I went to did seem to suggest it was a Canadian term…
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Yep, I think so, possibly a mix of an indigenous word and French. I know I read about it one time but can’t quite remember.
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You are a very inviting bird feeder!! Be careful those bears don’t come by and mistake you for Steve when you’re feeding the birds as a feeder. Oh yeah!!! Be sure to bring yourself in before dark!!🤭🤭
Happy Friday Steve!!😉😁😊
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That is a good thought, I will write that on the calendar, come in before dark. Or at least once the birds are gone.😂😂😹😹
Happy Friday!😁
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And happy Friday to you
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I think you said that already, but happy Friday again anyway again!😁
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Saying it again just makes it a better day!!😁😉
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You don’t say!😂
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Yes I do!!😁 Woooo Hoooo!!
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Wise as an owl!🦉
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Who? Who? 🤭🤭🤭🤭
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The man who flew!😂😂🛫🛸
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That’s right😂😂😂😂😂
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Except he left!😂😂🤣🤣
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🤣🤣🤣
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You are a bird magnet ! Good pics ! Have a great day both of you ! ☕️☕️🙂😻☕️☕️
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Thanks so much Sharon! Enjoy the afternoon!😃😻🌞☕☕
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What a fantastical image, Steve all the little birds on you! 😊🖐😻😻🕊
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Thanks Nina, just wish I could have gotten a pic of it! Have a most wonderful day!😃🖐😻😻🌞☕☕
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You da man! 17F and you’re out feeding birds! The rest of us begin to hibernate at anything below 32F! 😉
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Lots of people do anyway. I could wear gloves, but then I can’t feel their little feet, which for a guy like me that’s an important part of hand feeding! I did get some frostbite one winter though, I was doing that at -20F, which probably wasn’t too smart.🙄😂 I did get pictures that time though. Have a great weekend!😁😺
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Very beautifully written this article , so inspiring and grace that the birds coming and
eating food from your hand 👌🙏♥️ the birds photos so stunning , and very innocent
birds , so happy to see them 😍👍🏻lots of mist dropped outside your home ❄️can see
in photo 😊 have a great weekend to you and Muffin 🙏(nowadays cannot see muffin )
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Thank you very much for such kind words today! It is so much fun having the birds come to my hand for their food!
I think Muffin has decided to sleep all winter, except when it’s meal time. It doesn’t matter where she is sleeping, she always hears me go into the kitchen and she comes right behind me!
Have a wonderful weekend!😁😻🌙☕☕❄❄❄🍁🌹
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Thank you so much for this beautiful reply 🙏🌷 cute Muffin nicely relaxing this winter 😀
Good night 🙂
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Yep, time for me to get to bed.
Good night.😁😺😴😴
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I posted Sunrise today 🌄 free time can view 🙏😀
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