Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Channeling the Bird Lady from Mary Poppins

This is a woodsy post. If you have an aversion to such nonsense—leave now.







I have become a bird watcher.













I used to mock bird watchers.













I swear my mocking never, EVER, fails to come back and bite me in the butt.













But in my defense—I do not own a wool blazer or participate in any annual bird round up thingie.












I am strictly a watcher.



















Wow-that doesn’t sound the least bit creepy.













Anyhoo—I have discovered that bird watching soothes my soul. I can’t claim any Mother Nature/Cinderella type moments but it is great therapy. But if you’ve ever tried to bird watch—you know that you have to be still—and I do not spend nearly enough time being still. Somehow, when I am still enough to watch this--






---I am still enough to sort through all the noise in my head and find the One voice I am always “saying” I want to hear. I had almost forgotten what it is like to just “be”.




Now granted—my children are all old enough to be left unattended without fear of any bloodshed or make up on my bedspread or crayons pictures on the wall—for a little while anyways. So a few years back –this wouldn’t have even been an option—(to be still, alone in my room-all at the same time)I get that. But in THIS season of my life---it has been a wonderful.



We collect pine cones and smear them with peanut butter and roll them in birdseed and some chopped up fruit and then hang them from wires outside my bedroom window. We also smear peanut butter and birdseed on a pine tree a few yards from the house for some of the bigger birds that can’t quite figure out how to land on the pine cones. (giggle)


So I am sitting there, in the cold, patiently waiting for the birds to pose for me--- (yes dear, I know that Crocs are EXTREMELY unfashionable and plaid nightgowns in the middle of the day are so OUT—but—oh yeah-don’t care)


--and for awhile the birds do some of their best moves for the camera—then—nothing—no birds, no chirping, no nothing. Then this comes into my viewfinder—





Hmmmmm—do you suppose there’s a connection???!

And just for you cat lovers—this is their favorite place during the day—sadly they are not much brighter than the birds when it comes to realizing there is a window there.





Glad I got that post out of my system.

12 comments:

Jan said...

What a fun post Lisa Loo. I love your pictures. And I love the birdies so much. And I love the feed things too. And I love the cats. And I love the plaid pants. And I love the crocs.

Okay, so I love this all.

cookingsherri said...

I think flannel and crocs make a good grocery shopping outfit personally. I have recently become bird watcher myself. Morning doves are a favorite. Isn't spring great!

Pancake said...

I think I would enjoy bird/cat watching. It moves a little faster!

imbeingheldhostage said...

I have those pajamas!! So anyway, you spooky bird watcher you, the timing of this post is pretty strange for me. Just yesterday while walking up to fetch my kids from the bus, I heard birds singing-- like I do every day-- but this time I stopped and just stared up into the trees to see who was making which sound. I am not a bird watcher, but I think I've just discovered what a red-breasted robin sounds like. It's hard to explain the sensation. It almost felt like a religious experience to just be so aware... did that make sense?

onlymehere said...

I've had many foot surgeries and Crocs are the only thing I can wear anymore. Guess my secret is out, I'm not fashionable. It can be so very good for the soul to just be still and watch. I forgot this until we had Savannah. Now I can sit still and watch her and time just flies by! Bz of this I totally understand why you do this! Cindy

!*bonemaker*! said...

You forgot to say that not only do the cats watch at the window, but they get so excited that they forget that the window is there and then attempt to catch the bird and crash into the window!! It really is quite entertaining to watch!!! lol I love my kitties!!

Lori said...

So, you have brought me out of the closet. I, too, am a bird watcher just like you. Amazing little creatures aren't they?

nikkicrumpet said...

HAH I'm a geeky bird lady too! I set up several feeders out by our pond and spend hours out there watching the pretty birdy visitors. I even bought binoculars and a bird book so I could be sure to tell who each of them were...how nerdy is that!!!

annie said...

I think the crocs picture is my favorite as I'm not yet in the bird watching stage of life yet!! :o) Plus, we hardly get to see pictures of you so it's nice to know you have feet. :o)

Carla said...

confessions are good for the soul (love you kitty bird watchers!), what great shots, Thanks for sharing the joy, the still, and just being!
(WHAT!?!?! Crocs and flannel don't go together????)

Susan Anderson said...

I LOVE crocs...and flannel sleepwear, too. I even like birds, but the cats in our neighborhood have made the little birdies a little more scarce than they used to be around here. Kinda sad.

On a happier note, congratulations on being a winner in my blog giveaway! I will be mailing the book on Monday, so when you get a chance, hop on over to my blog and get the email from my profile so you can send me your address.

Thanks for being such a faithful reader! You're the best.

=)

DesertHen said...

I love bird watching. I don't count, etc...just like to watch. Unless they are stealing all of the chicken food from the coop, then I yell at them and bang on the window! The starlings are the worst for stealing from the chickens!

Love the cats in the window! That seems to be the classic indoor cat pose.