Birds on the Balcony

I like watching birds - always did for as long as I can remember. We had so many different birds in our Midwest backyard, but we had birdbaths, flowers and baskets, and feeders to attract them. Even in our Capitol Hill home we had a small garden patio with a birdbath and garden that attracted a lot of critters. The bird bath was a big hit! Having cardinals stop by was always a treat. When we moved to northern Virginia three years ago we now just have a small balcony in our condo. On the back of the chairs we hung three hanging baskets that have liriope, ivy and some left over winter pansies. I haven’t felt like setting annuals just yet to refresh the dull contents. But the baskets are enough to attract the crows who love to hide things in them and have face offs with us. Whenever they show up it feels weird. A mockingbird stopped by yesterday and sat on the rail for a long time having taken nest materials from the coco liners. A group of sparrows also popped by last week. And of course there were the morning doves that I don’t particularly like. We are on the fourth floor so it’s odd to get the occasional visitor, but I’m glad they stop by. We saw a bluebird in the park the other day and of course I love watching the ducks on the national mall. They are everywhere there. Sometimes we have rice to throw at the birds when we think of it. Feathered friends are nice to know. It’s the small things that count. 

Robins, Ducks, Sparrows and All Things Birds

I have always liked birds. When I was young we had four parakeets - Snowball, Bluey, Greeny, and Ringo. Ringo was brilliant - he said his name, flew to me on command, drove around on Barbie’s car, and was very entertaining. Yesterday we set up our little solar birdbath in our patio garden in anticipation of the spring and summer gatherings. There’s nothing worse than to see a thirsty bird come to visit and there is no water to be had. And as the spring temperatures are finally starting to rise, the bird activity intensifies. So on our morning walk we looked around to see what would come across our path. In the gardens were doves and blackbirds; on the rooftop of the air and space museum were pigeons; we caught a red winged blackbird in the American Indian pond along with a couple of male mallards; a bluejay was hiding in the weeds; more doves were hanging around the Smithsonian gardens; the seagulls were in the distance; the robins turned their backs on us! And the sparrows were hanging around the popcorn wagon. I could hear the cardinals but didn’t see them, and I know a lot more of them are stealing glimpses of us from their hiding places. Soon the ducklings will be all over the place. But beware of the hawks that frequent all of these places. So now I’m waiting for the first official visitor to our house. I know they like to watch us as much as we like to watch them but I have a feeling I like it a lot more. 

A Bird's Eye View on the Mall

They are always there, but for whatever reason, they stood out more today.  Maybe it was because it was cloudy, or maybe because the leaves have fallen from the trees. Maybe I just like birds and creatures of all kinds. I'm not sure exactly how they decide where they will perch, and on this day they were more on the south side than the north. Atop the Smithsonian American Indian Museum and the Air and Space Museum they watched the action down below. A few more liked the Museum of African Art. Way up in the branches a bunch of them clustered about...with a clear view of the Washington Monument in the distance. Along the fence that has been erected for the grass restoration project in front of the castle, the sparrows were standing in a line and looking toward the Art Gallery. They didn't move a bit even with all the passers by, until one of them decided he had had enough. And in the US Botanical Garden amidst the beautiful fall foliage was a single feathered friend facing the scaffolded Capitol dome. For whatever reason the Air and Space Museum had the most of them today. Wonder what the attraction was?

Pennsylvania Avenue on a Snowy Day

Yesterday we had a two hour snow delay and today we got a snow day! So I slept in a little longer. We decided it might be a good idea to stretch our legs and get a walk in, and breakfast at the Tune Inn on Pennsylvania Avenue. We called our friend to join us.  Along the way we heard the quiet of the snow falling, and saw the sights of the season. Someone in the neighborhood has taken responsibility for feeding all the sparrows, and they were deliriously feeding and waiting their turn to join in the feast. I am certain there must be a pecking order amidst the chaos. Once we hit the Avenue, the Coldwell Banker window was getting a lot of attention. The shop owners along the way each had their own take on their Christmas tree versions. But the best one was the real Macoy being carried by three energetic young ladies making their way from Eastern Market towards us. It was a classic Christmas scene. We met our friend at the half way point and headed for Tune Inn, where there was a fundraising going on for an injured firefighter and his family. The place was crowded and as loud as on a weekend, but all for a very worthy cause. And to think I would have missed it all if I had to go to work!