Tiny day brighteners
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Kinglet Sunday
I think I will always refer to today as "Kinglet Sunday" in my mind. I wanted to go for a walk on this decidedly fall-feeling day, so I put on my runners, grabbed my camera and started out. I wasn’t ten feet from the door when the snow started falling – definitely flurries. Hard to believe it’s only mid-October!
I went back inside for a bag to protect my camera and started out again. I was heading down the road when out of the corner of my eye I spotted a little motion in some low shrubs and kept hearing this thready little “tsee” sound. At first I thought maybe it was a chickadee, but then I saw the flash of a tiny golden head – the Golden-crowned Kinglet! And not just one! This was pretty exciting since my fall birdwatching to date has been mainly from the living room. I was pretty sure I missed the warbler migration all together.
Kinglets are the cutest little bird. They are super tiny (although not quite as small as a Ruby-throated Hummingbird) and super fast, and frankly, a real challenge to photograph! The snow flurries were not helping in the slightest… After attempting to chase down the kinglets for several metres, I finally gave up and decided to continue walking. The snow continued falling.
Around the other side of the lake, I happened to look up and spotted a Blue Heron flying overhead through the snow. That was not expected today. They are such a magnificent bird and that wingspan is pretty amazing!
I continued walking and heard that little “tsee” call again. Sure enough, there were more Golden-Crowned Kinglets! One stayed out in the open for a couple of minutes, but sadly, my angle from across the road was not the clearest. Please forgive these less than stellar photographs. I thought these little guys were just too cute not to share.
I walked further and then the ice pellets began. I was very thankful to have a bag to protect my camera. Personally, I was getting kind of wet… The fall colours were beautiful, though, and I tried to listen for any bird calls, although that was proving difficult with my hood on and the ice pellets hitting my coat.
I walked quite a way before I heard that call again. By now I had figured out that the Golden-crowned Kinglets seemed to favour cedar trees or pine forest, and although they could definitely be seen in the tree tops, they also spent some time on the ground… Sadly, always just beyond that perfect clear shot.
I spent a long time stalking them in that pine forest. My efforts yielded some Black-capped Chickadees, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, a White-breasted Nuthatch, a Bald Eagle overhead, a Downy Woodpecker and what I believe was a Brown Creeper! Sadly very few of these sightings resulted in any usable photographs. I was really surprised that I saw any birds at all, given the snow flurries, ice pellets and subsequent rain.
This wee guy teased me from behind a branch. I think if I'd focussed just a little while longer I might have gotten off a good shot, but I found myself distracted by this little Downy Woodpecker. And shortly after that I spotted the Brown Creeper.
Finally, I gave in to my wet, cold feet and headed home. Just before our driveway I heard another “tsee” call, or so I thought. Something flew in front of me and landed on a nearby cedar. “Success!” I thought. “Another Kinglet!” But no… Something equally happy, though – this time definitely a Brown Creeper. He was far less shy and I managed a few shots. He is a funny little guy. He certainly blends in amazingly well with tree bark and he has a very sharp-looking curved beak.
According to my Sibley Guide to Birds, the Brown Creeper is usually a bit of a loner, but he will hang out with other small songbirds like kinglets and chickadees. What a happy coincidence.
Sometimes I go longer than I want to without really getting outside for much time. And I forget just how soul-reviving that is… There is such a peace in nature, a sort of rejuvenation happens, and I am reminded of just how blessed I really am, especially to live surrounded by such amazing creation.
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