February 09, 2012

Birdwatching.

I have been endlessly mesmerized by the photographs that so many of you capture and share - the images of birds.
It has been - and still is - a rare privilege in my own world to encounter birds up close and personal. At times I can spot them perched on a branch in my view, yet they are far away and too timid to approach.
My new Canon has enabled me to snap a shot or two from distance, using its superb zoom. Nevertheless, the occasions I have been lucky enough to capture even such images can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Last weekend though I got to experience birdwatching of quite a different kind, when we visited the father of my man. He is an avid gardener and his garden is during the summer season beautifully lush and alive; not just with plant life, but animal life as well. Yet even now, as arctic conditions has swept over the country in recent weeks, while everything is seemingly silent and dormant, watching birds in their feeding frenzy outside his windows instigates life.

Their delicate looks and gentle appearance is so very deceiving, as nothing is more resilient than sedentary birds, withstanding months of cold and famine.
With some help and kindness from us they fight the elements, getting through the hardships of winter to reward us with a beautiful song at the onset of spring.





32 comments:

lilybets said...

I can imagine that is too cold for them there,they are so nice!Here sometimes when it's cold a cat comes with a bird...she catch him and brings to my home to show me how she is able!I was so sad...I tried to save them, but nothing.But animals are animals,we can't judge them,it's their nature.

Rahul Bhatia said...

Such cute little birds! Really loved the pictures:)

Elisabeth said...

You've done well 'capturing' these birds, Zuzanna. Let's hope they make it through to spring.

Becky said...

I must say Im like you. Many photos people have been posting about birds they see just capture my eyes right away.I have a canon too but Im thinking about getting a new one for summertime,to catch such gorgeous photos such as these.

Have a lovely rest of your week Zuzana.

Ash said...

Lovely little birds, Zuz!!

Brian Miller said...

you did a great job...these are wonderful shots...it can def be much fun as well to watch their mannerisms...cute pics zuzana

Anonymous said...

Your photos are beautiful Zuzana and your words so lovely, it is so nice to stop and witness birds habits. This gives me ideas for the week-end!
Stay well

Sandi McBride said...

Wonderful photos!!! Love them all. Thank you for sharing
Sandi

Kath said...

Fabulous photos, I have so many feathered visitors to our garden, I wish I could get such lovely pics.

Ruby said...

These birds look warm, cuddly and very cute. Happy bird watching!

Anonymous said...

What lovely pictures! I do find it hard to get good bird pictures.

A Lady's Life said...

I love birds
I leave the leaves on the grass in winter cause it makes for a lot of worms and the birds come and eat the worms.Especially RObins are attracted to the worms.
But I love chickadees as well.

bright star said...

Great photos Zuzana,we have a lot of visitors of the bird kind to our garden! I love watching them and we need to put out food this cold weather. lol Angela

Birdie said...

I love bird watching. Thank you so much for posting these pictures!

Leanne said...

lovely photos! having 6 cats I dont encourage the birds in to a birdtable in my garden for their own safety. I do live to see them though, and do worry about them in the cold weather. Leanne x

Margie said...

Yay! Nice captures Z! Hoping to get some in the spring myself.

Mimi said...

In my book, birds (and all wildlife) are far more entertaining than many TV programmes!
You've got some lovely pics here Zuzana, i especially love the cute on of the black bird.

Myrna R. said...

These pictures are so cute. You captured them so well. Now, I'm going to watch birds more closely, maybe take pictures too.

Hope you had a nice time with the your man's father.

A Plain Observer said...

I love to watch birds.
When I was little my grandfather would take me to a park and I'd chase these little brown birds like the ones in your picture. I wanted so much to own one. I still would want to...

Betsy Brock said...

Wonderful! You got some great shots there! All of those birds look different, yet similar, to ones we have here. Just lovely! I'm sure they appreciate the feeder!

Sumandebray said...

Great Post and nice photographs.
Did you ever believe in the superstition that seeing a single bird in the morning would bring sorrow.. It went like one for sorrow, two for joy, three for letters and four for toys ...
have a great day

Rajesh said...

Wonderful shots of birds. Very delightful experience.

Ines said...

Good Morning Dear-

I was really happy about your comment!

I tried it a lot here yesterday- but no comment appeared- so, once again.

I also love it to watch those little cuties out of my kitchen window. And when they leave little footsteps in the snow :-)

You are such a great photographer!

Enjoy your weekend- we have snow here and I don´t like that.

A big hug- Ines♥

Rowan said...

Nice photos - birds are incredible, they look so fragile and yet they survive through harsh winter weather. I get a lot of birds in my garden and they are close to the house but although I see them I'm no good at photographing them.

Velvet Over Steel said...

Gorgeous photos, Zuzana!! Canon zoom cameras are one of the best!!

Have a beautiful weekend!!
Hugs,
Coreen xo

sprinkles said...

My dad used to feed the birds. He liked to see how many different ones would come to the feeder.

My mom has a hummingbird feeder on her back deck. Even if she sits out there, they'll come right up to it.

adrielleroyale said...

Great shots! That is another one of those things on my goal list, to capture beautiful picture of a bird in flight :)

Laura said...

Zuzana, these are lovely. Such gentle eyes.

SandyCarlson said...

I love these!

What kind of Canon do you have!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Love that little guy looking right at you through the window.
Have a great week, xo jj

Unknown said...

What a beautiful topic to focus on, Zuzana! I enjoyed this very much!! lol to you!!! :)

Sandy said...

Your birds are adorable! I have a birdbath on my deck that is heated so birds come all year to drink and bathe. I love to watch them coming and going. We even had some robins already this winter usually we don't see them until the first signs of spring. Only four more days and we head south to Florida and hopefully sunshine.