Friday Fun, With Country Pleasures! #20

Good morning and Happy Friday to all of you! It is a very cool and wet morning since it once again rained most of the night. It is very wet out there now, but some drying weather is on the way. Right now the sun is shining beautifully, such an amazing difference from 2 hours ago when it was still cloudy and with a light rain.

The leaves continue to grow bigger, grass is growing quickly and a few early flowers are beginning to bloom. The bright and cheery dandelion is out and turning lawns a beautiful yellow color. Not too many people agree with my assessment of dandelions. But I like them. And they are very beneficial to the environment.

White-throated Sparrow.

They are a major food source for our wild bees. Even hummingbirds rely a lot on them when they first return. Forget-me-nots have begun to bloom now as well, but their main time will be in a couple of weeks. I did see a couple of yellow violets blooming yesterday, maybe I can get a picture of them today when the sun shines on them. These are all country pleasures.

Harris’ Sparrow.

We need to stop and look and enjoy the beauty of nature around us. Even in the city, in parks and green spaces, beauty can be found. They are all country pleasures. I love to watch the little sparrows hopping around on the ground looking for seeds. There are so many different species of sparrows, and all beautiful in their own way. And some have beautiful songs as well. These are true country pleasures.

White-throated Sparrow, dusky variety.

The awesome call of the loon that I have mentioned before is another of my true country pleasures. The bold and beautiful Blue Jay coming to take peanuts or sunflower seeds. Or just sitting on the branches of various trees, both summer and winter. They are another true country pleasure.

Song Sparrow, it’s song is one of my favorite bird songs.

The little chickadees and nuthatches that come to my hand for seeds or peanut pieces, always with a cheerful little chirp or beep as they leave. I always think they are saying thank you. They are another true country pleasure. Really, there are so many birds that come around, it would be hard to list them all, but they are true country pleasures.

Clay-colored Sparrow.

Then there are the squirrels and chipmunks, filling up with peanuts to eat. The chipmunks taking as many as they can carry in one trip and scampering off home with their prize. Sometimes chasing each other around. The squirrels are especially good at chasing each other and most anything else, including the birds.

White-crowned Sparrow.

But they too are true country pleasures, especially as the chipmunks crawl all over me, dig in my pockets, sit on my shoulders and on my knees. Wonderful country pleasures. We need to slow down sometimes and enjoy the God given pleasures around us. This is only a partial list of my country pleasures, I will do another at some point. I hope you all have a most beautiful day and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2023 Steve McLeod.