The Process

American Robin

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

Two days ago it was a blanket of snow....yesterday it was 3/4" of rain...its a process, this season called Spring.

The Herons are back in the rookery across the valley...we're not sure how many more are to arrive, or how many here now will move on.  It depends on the season called Spring.  Some Springs can be brutal and some storybook pleasant.  I like a good story, maybe this will be a nice one.

Dark-eyed junco - male

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

 Many birds have returned to the acreage, like the Robins and the Red-winged blackbirds and Grackles.  Some are gathering to leave for north destinations, like the Dark-eyed juncos and Tree sparrows. 

Black-capped Chickadee

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

Our Chickadees are still with us...most Springs they gravitate back to the woodlands down the valley. But many more "visitors" stop by for a few short weeks to visit and we expect them soon!  

Its all a part of Spring...its a process you know! 

 

Migration and Transition

 Fox Sparrow

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

Yes, I am still here, alive and kicking!  It has been a very busy fall so far here at the studio, and instead of being able to stop and reflect on what is transpiring around here, I've been just framing work for customers, printing to replace inventory and working on commissions for clients.  I'm afraid all work and no play "does" make Bruce a dull boy :(

 

 Harris' Sparrow (male)

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

But it is definitely not dull outside the walls of this place!  As I work inside I'm always looking out the windows at the birds busily working about the yard and around the studio's bird feeders.  We are in the middle of the autumn migration and this seasonal transition does keep life interesting around here! 

 Blue Jay

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

 

Birds are "eye candy" for me; and they are likely more responsible for my turning to painting and photography than any other influence.  And it was my early experiences with birds that drew me into the natural world - opening that window to everything else out there; the landscape, and all the flora and fauna in that landscape.

 

 Dark-eyed Junco (male)

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

 

I enjoy seeing familiar faces return each fall and spring!  Like little friends that cheer you with just their demeanor.  Some can be seen here all year long, like the Red-bellied Woodpecker seen below or the Blue Jay a couple spots above, but their activities and numbers become more prevalent and (in the Blue Jay's case) they can become quite boisterous!  Yesterday was a case in point when we were outside with family and a Blue Jay was doing a very good Red-tail Hawk rendition...you always have to do a double take around here with the Blue Jays.  Last winter one even pulled the wool over my eyes with an amazingly good Bald Eagle imitation!  It had me walking all over the yard watching it call so I didn't think I was losing my mind. (I was convinced I was hearing things!)

 

 Red-bellied Woodpecker (female)

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

The Fox Sparrows at the top of the post are nearly gone now, passing through to the south, but the Harris' Sparrows and the Juncos are still here in good numbers; some seasons these two species stay all winter...I hope we'll get lucky again this year.

Others have "just" shown up; we had our first Pine Siskin of the fall yesterday and the Tree Sparrows were just outside the studio deck this morning eating the seeds off of the Big bluestem grasses we planted there...I imagine they're enjoying the bounty of grass and forb seeds in our prairie pasture as I type.  The Tree Sparrows will stay all winter long and be with us until March...I'll have to work on getting a nice photograph of one this winter...in between my puttering about with my daily chores inside.

Transitions are perpetual, change is inevitable...I the case of migration - I keep looking forward to it each season!

 

See Ya Later Friend

Dark-eyed Junco (male)

Photo © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

Easter Sunday our friends left us for Minnesota...eventually Canada.  I miss them already; they have a sweet spring voice that is pleasant to listen to each year before spring really takes hold here.  But they'll be back next fall!  Sometimes they stay through the winter in large numbers...sometimes only a few...each year is different.  This year they were scarce in the yard through winter, until early in March when they were back in hoards!   Everyone recognizes Juncos right!?

Dark-eyed Juncos are the bird feeder staple...they usually spend their feeding time on the ground under the feeders though...this male was singing outside my studio window last week when I took a quick photo of him.  He's a good example of male Junco plumage!  Has that nice dark gray hood, and dark eye.  The ladies are only duller but you can still discern the hood feature.

It's been a different spring here this year...not to most people's liking!  But different with the yard birds too...the Juncos stayed long and now that they're gone, the usual "new" visitors have been slow and scarce in returning.  We've had one or two White-throated Sparrows but then they're gone...not normal here as they stay and seranade for a few weeks too.  

But goodbye Juncos, see ya later friend...have a nice summer up north!