Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Sunday, February 15, 2009

A Garden Visitor and Awards



The recent snow and low temperatures have brought several unusual visitors to my garden including this fieldfare who was kind enough to pose for me a couple of times in return for a regular supply of apples.


Before his arrival there were seven or eight blackbirds enjoying both apples and seeds but they really spent far too much time fighting each other over the apples - this all ended with the arrival of the fieldfare who saw the lot of them off and successfully defended 'his' apples against allcomers!

I have been fortunate enough to be given two awards recently - nita at Kentish Lass and Tricia at Tarragon and Thyme have been generous enough to give me the Lemonade Award for being a blog that shows great attitude and/or gratitude. nita has also given me the Proximidade award for a blog that is 'exceedingly charming'. Thank you both, I'm delighted to think that anyone would apply these labels to my blogging efforts.

7 comments:

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What a special bird. I was just working on my bird list, adding the new birds we've seen this week and so far this year I have 22 birds on my list. A little ahead of most years.

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Gorgeous Fieldfare! Our Blackbirds enjoy apples - They weren't too sure about Kiwi Fruit though!

Anonymous said...

Hi exceedingly charming Blogger. {:)
This must be the Fieldfare you mentioned previously Rowan. They certainly like apples and they are always a colourful bird to photograph.

PAT said...

Congratulations on your well deserved awards, Rowan.

Beautiful Fieldfare!

We saw two Robins as we were leaving for the lake yesterday. That was encouraging!

Thimbleanna said...

Kentish Lass and Tarragon and Thyme obviously have excellent taste! And I've never heard of a fieldfare. We either don't have them or call them something else???

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures Rowan - how wonderful to have a Fieldfare visit your garden. I've never thought of putting apples out for the birds before - must give it a try! Congratulations on your awards - I love reading your blog and feel that they're very well-deserved!

hippymummy said...

I'd give you another award if i had one to give, for introducing me to Mr fieldfare. I have never seen one before so thankyou for that! Your blog is lovely and calming, it makes me think of warm kitchens with a range fire, scones and a rocking chair. *smiles*. Lovely xXx