About a year ago I slowly beckoned little birds to come to my hand for seed. This spring nesting season arrived & they took to the trees to nest and feast on insects, (all but three birds that is). Now that nesting season is over my little flock is slowly growing.
I think this sweet little female nuthatch was
born this year, her feathers are all in place, where as some of the
older birds have been molting for a month and look like they need their
feathers combed ;-).
This one fluttered about me for two weeks before she landed, before she felt safe. Now she flies to me more than all the rest.
They
take a seed and fly off to eat it, or more often they hide it in the
bark of a tree for later. Yesterday I saw her tuck a seed under bark and
break off a tiny bit of bark to cover it. I had never seen that done
before, clever.
They are so cute hanging upside down in trees or
my roof, short little tail, long beak, fast as can be, top of the
pecking order, i am guessing because their beaks are twice as long as
the others. Meaning the chickadees usually let the nuthatches get a seed
first and the nuthatches make sure of that by chasing them off.
Female
because her crown is gray, the males crown is black. There is a male
that comes to me. He is still cautious about taking a seed. Interesting
to find that he is above her on the pecking order and she waits and
quivers until he finally takes a seed.
I love learning about them up close. Things i would never know from watching them in the trees or even at a feeder.
I
have experienced that going outside, whether on my porch, lawn or
forest, many times a day, standing like a tree, arm and hand
outstretched, waiting for the little birds to take seed, brings
alignment to the energy in my body with a mix of peace and joy.
~
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I am in awe. How you have mastered this is quite beyond me. I think it is more than standing still but also you know how to "be" still and focus. I think they understand your presence is benign and indeed, safe and good. Thank you for sharing your method. Maybe I can learn how to practice this.
ReplyDeleteIt has taken hours and hours to develop a relationship with them. Being dedicated just as one is with a pet. Last year it was faster. Do know it is about the food as well as feeling safe. If there was no sunflower seeds, i don't think they would be coming to me. It is a sweet thing to do.
DeleteCool, great job Tammie ! Never heard of nuthatch doing this, but bluetit (Cyanistes caeruleus) and Parus major (talgoxe in Swedish) have I seen and experienced !
ReplyDeleteThese encounters are so magical -- they take my breath away. Takes a beautiful soul and a heart full of pure intentions to get here, I suspect. Thanks for inspiring us!
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful and amazing, Tammie! I can't even begin to imagine how much patience and calm it took to befriend them and the reward is priceless. I specially loved reading about hiding the seed with a little piece of bark.
ReplyDelete-Soma
What a wonderful experience to have these sweet little birds gain confidence and visit you to collect seeds from your hand. Lovely photography of your connection with them! So interesting for me to see them close-up and learn more about their habits!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful photos of your bird!
ReplyDeleteVery sweet, Tammie.
Have a lovely day.
Wow! What unbelievable cloud color in your last two posts! I was surprised to see shots that look like the American west. Mountains are my choice of a good place to vacation. Have a wonderful September.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I must try that. The Nuthatch has slowly been extending its range northwards in the UK and it is now not uncommon to see them here in Southern Scotland. We have them regularly in our garden here, as we live in the middle of woodland. I have noticed that they are among the tamer birds that we get here.
ReplyDeleteWow, awesome photos! The birds feel safe around you, Tammie Lee. And they are fortunate to get food from their thoughtful friend. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri