Every morning when I wake up I thank my lucky stars!
When we moved to Portland almost 16 years ago I wasn’t sure I’d like it.
But sometimes we don’t have a choice where life takes us.
In the end it turned out to be a good move for us.
Here, we have a beautiful garden and lots of visiting birds and other critters.
Every year during late spring we wonder when the Black-headed Grosbeaks will appear.
Then suddenly we can hear them sing in the forest behind us.
This male adult grosbeak is checking out the bird feeder below.
When they crack open the sunflower seeds with their powerful beaks
you can hear it clear across the yard!
🙂
in cahoots with muddy boots 
What a beautiful bird! So much fun to wait for birds to return. We have seen some golden crowned sparrows, consistently hopping around my potting table and I think they might have a nest in the kiwis, and also I’m pretty sure a Bluebird couple is nesting in our BB box we put up last fall. keeping my fingers crossed! Happy bird watching!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birdwatching to you too, Christine! The last time I saw bluebirds was when we were at Taylor Mountain a few years back. I’ve been thinking about your garden and imagine that it’s looking delightful! 🙂
LikeLike
You’ve introduced me to another kind of bird, Sabine! He’s a beauty. I’m glad you moved to Portland, too. You have such a lovely yard and all those parks. I so appreciate you sharing your environs with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Being able to share a bit of my world and other bloggers sharing parts of theirs is what I like most about having a blog. Once you do it for a while you realize that we’re not all that different, regardless of what city and country each of us calls home. Thanks for always reading, LuAnne! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s gorgeous! We’ve been watching a pair of Robins collecting bits and pieces and then flying to the neighbor’s tree. I suspect there will be a nest soon. Have a great rest of your week, Sabine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robins are great! We get the same one every year. She too builds a nest nearby and will bring her brood once they learn to fly. I watched a mother hummingbird show a fledgling this morning how to drink from my feeder!! How exciting! Have a great rest of the week Missy and stay safe. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is exciting! The hummers are fascinating little birds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes they are!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very beautiful bird indeed! Lovely portrait.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beauty this bird is Sabine. I’ve not seen one of these before and I Googled to hear the sound that you identify them by – it sounded sweet and cheery like a Robin. How peaceful to sit in your yard and see and hear all the birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Linda, I don’t think that black-headed grosbeaks live in your area. There might be other grosbeaks in Michigan. The garden is a peaceful place except when neighbors turn on the blowers and mowers! 😉
LikeLike
Okay … I know we have the Rose-breasted Grosbeak here in Michigan. I follow Wild Birds Unlimited on Facebook to see what is happening in the bird world. The Orioles are back here (I don’t have an Oriole feeder) and the hummingbirds are not yet here. We had freezing temps this morning, so good thing they aren’t here. Yes, we have a neighbor on the corner – a double lot and every Summer, it takes him hours to fiddle with yard work, between the mower, the edger, the blower and his Doberman is barking the entire time nonstop and he does not put it in the house. That was today, so glad I didn’t get home until later and tomorrow will be his annual Cinco de Mayo gathering, so they tie the dog up all day long. There goes the peace and quiet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps you’ll get an oriole visit at your hummingbird feeder one day. I check in with a hummingbird cam in Southern California where I’ve occasionally noticed orioles stopping by for a snack. Yes, the power tools are deafening! I can’t imagine having a big dog bark along.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I watched a Detroit Audubon seminar on hummingbirds a few weeks ago and the woman who did the talk showed a photo of an Oriole at her hummingbird feeder. I was surprised to see that. The noise around here is too much sometimes … I am glad I don’t have commotion in the house, just listening to the news every few hours. I don’t even put the radio on for music most of the time anymore,
LikeLike
Pingback: Up Close & Personal … The Female Black-Headed Grosbeak | in cahoots with muddy boots