For the Birds

Tree trunk sculpture in Niwot (in process)

Birds commence vocal exercise around 4 a.m., letting you know you better snuggle up to your honey because it will be dawn in a few short hours.
 

The neighborhood is home to black squirrels, yes, all black, gorgeous.  According to the City, the black squirrels are only found within a four block radius of our home.  Sadie, our black lab/border collie, does not discriminate--she hates all squirrels and tears after them with the same ferocity.  Birds, on the other hand, she lets live in peace, unless they happen to be pigeons, which rarely make an appearance.  A wary gang of crows gathers high in the tree across the street,  loudly alerting one another when Sadie enters the yard.

 


 We have an ample bird bath frequented mostly by chickadees, robins and honey bees.   On occasion flashier birds drop by, blue or yellow with back caps, the occasional blue jay or cardinal.  Last summer a migrating hawk terrorized the bird house tenants and their chicks before moving on.  Jesse observed mother birds dipping dried grasses into the birdbath as a way of carrying water to their babies.

We picked up our neighbors Marcia and Martha last Friday to take in the Friends of the Longmont Museum reception for the exhibit of John Audubon watercolors.  They proclaimed Audubon as the premier talent in depicting nature.  Seeing his work up close, both the watercolors and the hand colored etchings, was enough to make me a believer.  He had a rough start, came to America and pursued his passion.  He followed the rivers into unmapped areas of the continent.  Luckily he married a wealthy wife who also taught school to support him. 

Openings are fun, though I hope to go back for a more leisurely walk through the gallery and a closer look.  I will have to avoid the museum store, however, as too many bird-themed grandson-destined items already have called my name and followed me home.