This morning as I sit at my computer to begin this article, I realize that it’s already the second day into our New Year! The weather has drastically changed again since I wrote last week’s article. Snow last week and shorts weather today at 71 degrees! I’m sure that the fluctuation of temps will cause a new round of sniffles to many!
I would love to be able to work outside all day - picking up sticks and trimming back plants that winter snow caused to die out. I don’t know a lot about correct times to trim and times to wait, so I often listen to YouTube videos of people that know more than me. I was glad that I watched a video yesterday that said it was too early to trim back the frostbitten plants. This Master Gardener said that the frozen dead plants would actually protect the tender new plant growth in the months ahead when they begin to sprout. So leave them alone and even though they are pretty unsightly in our yards, they are doing us good! (smile)
On Saturday, I went outside and picked up limbs in my backyard. The winter weather has been busy pruning away dead limbs and my yard is covered. I made three stacks of dead limbs and as the day went on, I watched little birds run for cover under these stacks. As I have written before, the bare branches on the trees don't leave anywhere for the birdies to hide. I have noticed that the cloudy days make the feathers less likely to attract attention. Light reflects on their feathers to show the colors that are on them, but with low light, no reflection takes place and so many birds look the same brown as the tree branches.
I feel certain this is another example of God’s wisdom and how He takes care of the birds without them having a clue that this loving care is taking place. He does the same thing with us people and we, too, have no clue of the many times that He has protected us from danger. “The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over ALL His works.” Psalm 145.
I have a raised box in my backyard. In that box, I planted red blooming Canas and the hummingbirds, butterflies and dragonflies love to drink their nectar. I put them in the box because Canas will take over your whole yard if you let them. As they creep out of the box, I either dig up the bulbs and plant them in other spots in my yard to feed the hummingbirds or I give them away to people who enjoy seeing hummingbirds come.
When last fall came they stayed perky for quite a while, but gradually they began to look like dried-up corn stalks during the drought months that we had. They looked awful! A friend of mine came over and was watching the birds out my kitchen window. Since she keeps her yard so beautifully groomed, my thoughts went to how awful they must look to her. But, as she watched she saw how the little birds flew into these stalks to hide from predators. They would dart out, land on the feeders, grab a seed and then fly to the stalks for cover.
Jim and Nancy Carpenter, founders and owners of the franchise Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. say “Feeding and caring for wild birds can be as simple as hanging a small feeder or...creating a comprehensive backyard habitat. Once you get started, you’ll soon find yourself peeking out your windows every time you pass them, just to see what new visitors have ventured into your backyard.” I started with one suet feeder cage and was hooked!
As I “Look at the birds of the air...” Matthew 6:26, I have learned things about nature that I wouldn’t have ever known without this advice. Perhaps in 2023 you will begin your birding experiences!
My photos are on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest - “Birdie of Mississippi” E-mail:birdieofmississippi@gmail.com My Blog: http://www.birdieofmississippi.blogspot.com
