Bird Song

Without many large, mature trees around my current home, I don't have the variety or number of birds that I'd like, but every year as the smaller trees grow, the bird counts are slowly increasing as they've come to rely on more shelter, along with my feeders and bird baths being available to them. 

At my previous residence, the house was literally in the middle of a farmer's field that had once been home to a grazing herd of cattle. Thus, only 1 large Hickory tree was on the property at the time of its purchase. I had immediately set to work planting quick growing trees and shrubs, and within a few years, the birds were finally starting to feel safe enough to venture into my yard. I was thrilled, to say the least!

Since our weather has gotten a bit warmer, the Robins have been very busy around the neighborhood. I've spotted them here and there, even perched atop my patio fence a time or two. By now, a "home site" has been chosen, their nests have been built and eggs have been laid. And I'm happy to report that I'm sure a nesting site has been chosen somewhere fairly close, because this morning what did I awaken to?

The glorious song of a Robin who was perched somewhere nearby my slightly opened window! Oh, how I love to slowly come awake from a deep sleep to the beautiful melody of a Robin's song! As it registered in my mind, the corners of my mouth turned up into a smile, and my heart felt happy for the experience of this very simple pleasure.

I've come to realize that sometimes what we cherish most in life is simply being able to enjoy quite ordinary things, in a most extraordinary way!

To The First Robin
by Louisa May Alcott, age 8
(1840)

Welcome, welcome, little stranger,
Fear no harm, and fear no danger;
We are glad to see you here,
For you sing "Sweet Spring is near."
Now the white snow melts away;
Now the flowers blossom gay:
Come dear bird and build your nest,
For we love our robin best.

Song Of The Cicada

It's that time of summer when the male Cicadas have begun what is technically known as their "love song" from the sunny branches near the tops of trees. This is one of a few interesting facts about the Cicada I'm surprised I don't ever recall having learned until just recently! And while from my childhood the sound of Cicadas was always bittersweet - so soothing to my ears, yet coming near the end of a summer I hated to see go - for the Cicada it's the beginning of only something wonderful; the courtship of a female who finds him attractive. 

Apparently this is not a face that only a mother could love!

The female will respond to her handsome male's call by doing a maneuver called the "wing-flick". When the male sees and hears her wing flicks, he replies again with a song making a lovely, ongoing exchange between the two. Now honestly, how many of you actually knew this as the reason behind that sound from the Cicadas? I feel like a kid who has just learned something new and thinks nobody else has ever known it before me! Ha, ha! But yes, I'm sure there are some of you that have. ☺

Here's a cute kids coloring page I found that shares some other interesting facts about the 

Cicada that you truly may not have known.

source

I could sit under a tree and listen to the chorus of Cicadas for hours. There's just something about it that's peaceful to me.

~ ♥ ~

But what about you ~ do you find the sound of Cicadas enjoyable or just plain annoying? (I must admit, I've never heard them loud enough to drown out the sound of a lawn mower, though!)

The World Is In His Hands

He’s got the whole world in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands

 
He’s got the wind and the rain in His hands He’s got the wind and the rain in His hands He’s got the wind and the rain in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands

 
He’s got the whole world in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands

 
He’s got the little bitty baby in His hands  He’s got the little bitty baby in His hands He’s got the little bitty baby in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands

 
He’s got you and me, brother, in His hands He’s got you and me, brother, in His hands He’s got you and me, brother, in his hands He’s got the whole world in His hands

 
He’s got the whole world in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands He’s got the whole world in His hands

[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/hes-got-the-whole-world-in-his-hands-lyrics-randy-travis.html ]

The Song Sparrow

all about birds

Despite it's rather plain appearance, this sparrow has a beautifully sweet, simple song. I relished hearing my first one the other day while I was enjoying the outdoors, and today my daughter remarked as she heard another through the open window. 

How lovely!