The Beauty of Birding

Since I was a little girl I have been in love with birds. Growing up we always had bird feeders and bird baths in the backyard. In fact, my parents carefully chose each shrub and tree in their landscaping to help attract birds and butterflys of different sorts. Now that I am grown, I carry the tradition of feeding the birds. Ryan and I have several bird feeders; hummingbird feeders, millet feeders, seed feeders, and finch feeders like the one below. Even on a windy, cold day we can look out our back windows and see the birds swoop in and eat their breakfast.

For under $20 you can purchase a bird feeder, bird seed, and enjoy the birds like we do. On Saturday I took this picture of my favorite bird which visits our backyard, the American Goldfinch. They feed specifically on niger thistle seed. This feeder is directly out our kitchen sink window, for our viewing pleasure. My picture doesn't do their bright yellow coloring justice, but this is as close as they'll let me get!

The Sparrow

Author Unknown

Glad to see you, little bird;
'Twas your little chirp I heard:
What did you intend to say?
"Give me something this cold day"?

That I will, and plenty, too;
All the crumbs I saved for you.
Don't be frightened--here's a treat:
I will wait and see you eat.

Shocking tales I hear of you;
Chirp, and tell me, are they true?
Robbing all the summer long;
Don't you think it very wrong?

Thomas says you steal his wheat;
John complains, his plums you eat--
Choose the ripest for your share,
Never asking whose they are.

But I will not try to know
What you did so long ago:
There's your breakfast, eat away;
Come to see me every day.