Green Healing ~ The Feeder

I think I’ve said this before in my blog, but I can’t believe the beauty that one bird feeder has brought into my daily life!  It is a blessing, for sure.

Life has been hard lately.  Pain has been nearly constant and my level of fatigue has been off the scales.  I am truly, exhausted. 

Honestly, I don’t feel much like talking (or writing) about my level of pain these days.  It is rather depressing, but when things get better, I look forward to saying, I made it! 

Now, about the feeder and the beautiful wild fliers that have come to visit.  (See the photo gallery at the end of this post).

I’ve started to recognize the sounds of a few birds, particularly the Red-bellied Woodpecker.  I love seeing that bird!  I think I may have seen some little ones today and they were mighty cute little birds, but I’m too exhausted to identify my beautiful feathered friends.

The finches are easily recognized and lots of fun.  They are the least afraid and let me get pretty close to take photos.  They look at me too, which is pretty cool. 

The one bird I can’t get a good photo of is the Cardinal.  They fly away as soon as my hand goes for the camera.  There are two males having much fun chasing two females.  Their red wings are magical when they swiftly breeze by into the wooded areas.

There are so many birds around here that I can’t begin to name each one.  I’ve practiced watching them, without trying to get a photo.  This was hard at first, because of their beauty and my wish to share it with the world, but there is something to be said for the act of being still and observing.

The Mourning Doves are also not hip on me and my little Canon.  They’re also always the same color of nature, which makes getting a sharp photo a challenge.  I love to hear their soft call and the two of them are quite the pair.  One is always looking out for the other.

Aside from watching the pretty birds in my yard, being outside more often means spending more time with my sweet dog, Ruthie.  She is very happy about this.  She’s had some sad days since our Tiny boy passed on, but today she was happy. 

I took her to the dog food store recently.  She met a boy dog she liked, got a true dogkiss, and moved on to choose a Bully stick to chew on.  The store obviously puts them on the low shelves so the dogs can smell around, choosing the one they want.  I love letting her choose a chew.

She smiled so big at the excitement, which of course included a pet from a few humans.  Oh, I was glad to see her happy, but in a way, I also felt sad because I realized that she hadn’t been smiling much lately. 

Ruthie knows I’ve been sick, and my son has struggled too, so of course, being such a sensitive dog, she has also felt the pain.

Ruthie is like an angel.  She helps people.  She knows when people are in pain or sad and she goes right to those people.  She wants to help.  It is simply her nature.  Ruthie is a blessing, which I’ve also probably said before.

Sitting on my favorite bench, surrounded by trees and bright green moss, watching the beautiful birds, listening to their warm weather excitement and seeing sweet Ruthie smile, all made for a good Easter holiday and, a Green Healing experience. 

I’d like to share a few photos of my backyard beauties!  I hope you enjoy the virtual view.

Morningtime ’round the Feeder

Yes, I am Beautiful!

Darling Downy

Yellow for Easter

The Feeder

Fine Feathers

Ruthie gets a hug!

The Dove’s Light

The Dove’s Rocks

The Feeder and a morning Visitor

Pretty in Red

Sweet Spring with Wings

Thank you for visiting DogKisses!  Please feel free to leave a comment.

Peace and Blessings.

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Winter Birds ~ Residents in Flight

Observing a Rhythm in Nature

I love it when the simple things in life bring me joy and our new bird feeder is doing just that!

My adult son is responsible for keeping the feeders clean and full.  The look on his face when he watches the many colorful birds eating the seeds is most delightful.

I think we both benefit from the birds and our cool squirrel-busting feeder in several ways.  Being still and observing the natural world has an immediate calming effect on my mind and body.

I’ve become familiar with the feathered Winter regulars in our wooded yard.  We have a full-time resident Robin and a gorgeous Red-bellied Woodpecker, both of which have terrific personalities and are challenging to photograph.

Interacting with nature is a fine way to pass time.

Sometimes, I am sure that without a spirit-renewing connection in nature, my personal survival would be threatened.  I wouldn’t be able to take all the pain or sadness. 

Like the resident Robin and the bright-eyed pretty little Towhees, a heavy heart has been a regular Winter visitor of mine.  Spring will bring different birds and hopefully, my heart will be a little lighter.

Life is challenging.  I need ways to get away from sadness and grief.  I need to feel other emotions and think about things like what the Robin is doing or ‘who’ is nesting on the ground under a very neat and Hobbit-like house made from leaves, sticks and twigs.

Nature is amazing.  An early morning sunlight shines brightly on the bark of the bare trees.  I am aware that each one will soon grow green leaves again.  Morning songbirds eat Sunflower seeds and the Crows come calling like they own the place. 

There’s a rhythm to it all.  It makes sense. 

Checking High

Pecking ’round…

Like a Spring Day!

A True Winter Bird!

Like my Colors?

Pecking Business

Yummy Sunflower Seeds!

Thanks for your visit to DogKisses!

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