Sunday, December 7, 2008

First Snow



Well kind of sort of. I suppose most would consider it a dusting, but it was enough to make everything look pretty. I woke up early just to get out there and take some pictures. The first picture is of the Blackstone River near the cemetery I frequent.


Here is Squiggy on the roof of my gazebo. He does this to look for food and make sure there are no other squirrels on his territory. When he sees me, he curses me for disturbing his peace and runs off.


Holly I planted this summer. It is still rather small but the berries are so pretty. I am hoping they will make a nice snack for some birds this winter. My goal is to plant other berry producing shrubs for the various wild life in my yard.

This one is for Steve. HA!! The seagulls come to my yard every morning now expecting me to bring them some bread. They got pizza crust this morning instead.


Check it out all!!! I believe this is a golden crowned kinglet (can someone confirm please). You have no idea how long it took me to get this shot. I went to the cemetery and it was lovely there. No one else had arrived yet and all you could hear was the snow falling gently amongst the leaves and the sound of bird chatter. I used my newly trained ears as a guide to find the bird I was looking for which was him. I took about 10 photos and chased him with my camera. Wherever he flew, my camera went. My hands were frozen and I couldn't feel them, but I didn't care. The only thing I wanted was this shot.

There is something so serene about the snow. As I sat there, alone in the cemetery, I had what one could call a spiritual moment. Yes there is war in this world and people are dying of hunger and disease, but there is also beauty. You can't get this beauty from an expensive face cream, or a trendy new paint color, you can find it right outside your door and it costs you nothing. It took me 40 years to discover this, but I found it just the same.

14 comments:

RuthieJ said...

Golden Crowned Kinglet for sure (and I'm thinking probably a female). Aren't they cute? I always felt fortunate to be able to snap a picture in the nanosecond they weren't moving too.
Enjoy your snow!

Beth said...

That is amazing! Those little kinglets are so hard to photograph--and you think you have trouble taking bird pictures. Congratulations. The holly berries in the snow are beautiful too as is the whimsical heart--I hope you still feel as happy with the 20th snow!

Rich said...

Because of this site, I am starting to pay attention to the small birds. Snow: White snow makes things look and feel great - even at 30 below zero.

Enjoy the snow. Have a good day!

Kim said...

Thanks for confirming Ruth, and thanks for telling me the gender. I would never have guessed that one.

Beth, thanks for your kind words. I am getting better with the camera. One thing it has taught me is patience which is something I lack.

Rich, I am so happy to hear you are getting interested in the smaller birds. I bet you get some really nice ones in Alaska. Ones I have probably never seen before. They are fun to photograph if you have the patience for it and based on the photos on your blog, I bet you would be really good at it!

A New England Life said...

It's been several days since I've been to your blog but my gosh you have grown by leaps and bounds! Your photo's look wonderful! You should be proud of how far you've come, and I know you'll go a lot farther.

The snow was so nice today, wasn't it. My husband said he loves to run when it's snowing because it's so peaceful.

Nice shot on the Kinglet. Can't say that I've seen one before.

Dawn Fine said...

Yes looks like you got your little golden crowned kinglet. I love that little birdie.
You are so right about the best things in life are free...just go for a walk and enjoy the peace and beauty all around..
very well said...
thanks..

Kim said...

Sharon, thanks for stopping by. I was wondering how you were doing, so I am glad to hear from you. Yes, I have been practicing since the last time we were in contact. I am sitting here sore in the shoulders though. I was holding the camera up high for so long trying to get kinglet pictures the past couple of days that I have lactic acid soreness in my arms. LOL! Who knew taking photos could be so rough on the body. ;o)

Dawn, I thought of you after I took the picture. Honestly, I took the photo and it was so small that when I went to review it, I thought it was a photo of his rear end!! I was stoked when I realized it wasn't his butt but his face. HA!

Deborah Godin said...

Nice little Kinglet, could be female, but hard to say for certain w/o seeing the "crest" raised. Maybe if you get the squirrel to cuss at, that might do it! And I was very moved by your wonderful observation about beauty. I love the peaceful contemplative feeling in cemetaries (the older the better) too.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hey Lefty Friend!!!!! Shall we start a Lefties Club????? ha.... Beautiful pictures of your snow and critters/birds. I have never seen a Golden Crowned Kinglet before. Beautiful bird!!!

Shelley said...

A lovely post today on your first snow! I know those birds will love your holly! Laughed about the squirrel cursing you - I have one that does that to me and my kitty marvin. Even when I'm throwing him some treats out the window!

Kim said...

Hellow there Betsy (fellow lefty), yes we have to stick together! ;o).
I saw my first golden crowned last weekend and have been obsessed with getting a picture of one. Seriously these little birds have captured my heart the moment I saw them. They are a little bigger than a hummingbird and have some of their fluttering tendencies. They are also not too afraid of humans and the one I got the photo of almost landed on my shoulder. I was beside myself and couldn't breath. I love these little guys!!

Shelley, squirrels can be such little stinkers. I spend about $5.00 a week on peanuts for the little creeps and they swear at me when I am going out there to feed them. Sheesh, they should be bowing at my feet, not hollaring at me. I can't help it though. If I don't feed them, they will raid and ruin my feeders, plus, I have developed a special fondness for Squiggy. I think he lost his family somehow and he is all by himself. The others come in pairs but not Squiggy, he is a loner.

Mary said...

Kallen,

Kinglets! I can't get close to a female Ruby here. Pffft. Great job!

Would you share some snow with us southern folks? I'm hoping for more than a dusting this year. That's all we can count on.

Mary

Jayne said...

Awwww.... first snow heart! Sweeeet! We get so little here, it's fun to see it elsewhere. I've never seen or photographed a kinglet either, so great catch Kallen!

Rambling Woods said...

Oh boy...I haven't seen a kinglet in person. Nice catch..I can relate to chasing things around to get a photo. Twice in one day, I chased this monarch around the pond trying to get a photo. The first time I caught up, my batteries died. The second time the new batteries I had were dead. I never did get it, but at least it wasn't in the snow...

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