Like An Eagle-Soar

“Clouds of insects danced and buzzed in the golden autumn light, and the air was full of the piping of the song-birds. Long, glinting dragonflies shot across the path, or hung tremulous with gauzy wings and gleaming bodies”. by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

OK, so I have been missing in action for a couple of days.  Autumn is my favorite time of year, and the weather has been unbelievable and I just had to play hooky.  I experienced the clouds of insects dancing in the golden light of autumn.  There were so many of them, they did look like a cloud!

Yesterday, I took a walk at dawn and got to revel in the sounds of the morning dusk, the final crickets chirping off and the tree frogs croaking down, and the glorious sound of the birds waking up and filling the air with their piping and melodious songs.  I literally stopped in my tracks and took it all in, and was suddenly overwhelmed with nature and the beauty of the sunrise and sights and sounds of the day coming alive.

I am grateful for the time I gave myself!!  Have you taken a moment for you lately?

As the news headlines remain focused on the economy, even the lack thereof, it is so easy for all of us to lose sight of some the promises that have been made to us.  Yesterday, when it all seemed to be caving in on me, and I needed the solace of His Word, I received this passage in an email.  It was if it dropped in on the wings of an eagle:

“So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life– whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing?  Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are.  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  Of course not. And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing.  Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”   Matthew 6:25-33

There is only one way to get started, and that is just DO IT! Last spring I watched a mother bird teach her young to fly less than 3 days after their birth – I saw a few ruffled feathers too. The amazing thing was that those baby birds had no clue what they were doing, but by the end of the day they were flying!  Oh how obvious their determination was to me.

You and I don’t have to be any different – they spread their wings and after falling and bumping into things a few times, off they went.

I don’t know why, but I am the queen of procrastination at times. This little blog may become just the beginning of bigger things to come in the near future, and the point is……………..I just jumped right in and did it.  Finally, after how long?  After writing and storing the little tips and articles.  I started feeling like I was rich with material that no one was going to read.  Glad I finally got to it – hope you will be to.

When it comes to birds, there many ways to show you how I feel about these amazing creatures.  I came across this video that I would like to share with you.  “Where Eagles Fly”  by Warrior Panther.  It is a fantastic song and the graphics are amazing.

While your choice of feeders will depend largely on who and what you are feeding, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Durability: A well built feeder, made of quality materials will look better longer.
• Easy To Clean: The health of the birds and life of your feeder will be improved if you maintain your feeders regularly.
• Dry Seeds: Wet or damp seeds will spoil. Look for drainage holes in the floor or tray and a roof that overhangs the feeding area. A squirrel dome will help protect a tube or other style feeder.
• Capacity: The bigger the better, right? We have found the small and medium size feeders are easier to clean and help to ensure fresh seed. Two medium feeders with different seed will attract a wider variety of birds.

If you are looking for a general all purpose feeder, we recommend a house or hopper type feeder, or a tube feeder with a large tray attached, filled with Black oil sunflower seed or a seed mix.
The most effective way to attract a wide assortment of birds is to offer a variety of foods in different feeders. A collection of feeders for your yard might include:

• A house or hopper type feeder for sunflower seeds
• A tube style Thistle feeder
• A suet feeder
• A wire mesh peanut feeder
• A nectar feeder
• A fruit or jelly feeder
• A platform or tray feeder for millet

Backyard bird feeding is an easy way to enjoy Mother Nature. By inviting the wild birds into our yard we are able to enjoy the ebb and flow of the seasons.

You’ll chuckle at the antics of a male bird as he tries to entice a mate in spring. The whole family will gather at the window when the proud parents bring their young to the bird feeder for the first time.

It’s amazing how watching a couple of birds frolic in the bird bath can make a hot summer day seem a little cooler, or how a few Chickadees flirting from branch to branch can make the back yard seem a little warmer on a cold January day.

So go ahead and hang that one little feeder and before you know it you’ll be like the rest of us, with four or five bird feeders outside your windows, a field book and pair of binoculars within easy reach on the inside.

Where to Place the Feeders (more…)