Trio of Beauties

Trio of Beauties
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

Life is not always easy or peaceful in a bird's world. They are constantly on the lookout for their natural enemies and there are many predators in residence at Chatham Gardens. But sometimes you catch a feeder with such a depth of beauty that it makes you pause and wonder why it cannot always be this simple; a cardinal, a housefinch and a goldfinch enjoying a snack at the same time on a well stocked feeder.

As an aside it was also so sweet to see the changes in color of the goldfinch, from the drab winter feathers to the start of the yellow to gold beauty they will be in just a short while.

Picture taken with my first Nikon camera, the Coolpix P90.

Bluebird Visitor

Bluebird
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

I had given up hope of seeing any Bluebirds visiting Chatham Gardens this year. In 2008 they arrived in February and were gone by the first week in March.

But today, as I sat in my sunroom, looking out of an unfortunately dirty glass door, there he was, perched on one of the feeder posts next to a sweet little House Finch. Spring must be very near, don't you think?

It is a great time of year when the feeders are frequented constantly by many different types of birds, after a winter of relative inactivity. Surely spring must be very near. Last year at this time I had several bluebirds visiting Chatham Gardens and was hoping to see them return again this year, but I have not spotted a single one though I have read reports of bluebirds appearing the Harwich, a nearby town. Instead, I have a new sighting of a single bird that I have seen on three separate occasions. A yellow-rumped warbler has chosen the feeders of Chatham Gardens for his seed. I am surprised to see just a single bird and hope that there are companions nearby and that they will stay around for a while.