Trimming the Oaks

I love my birds!

Isn't he beautiful !!! Most of the birds in our tree are tiny, twittering little things such as the titmice and assorted migrating warblers. This one that was so striking is a Yellow Throated Warbler.

We have MANY mourning doves in the area. In spring we see flocks in the back part of the property, no doubt harvesting some of the unwanted insects in our lawn! I love how the sun picks up all the different colors in her feathers as she warmed up.

There is an assortment of woodpecks - a pileated woodpecker who somehow finds something interesting in the telephone pole at the end of the driveway every few days. This one is a little downy woodpecker - so similar to the hairy woodpecker. The Downy has a shorted bill, slightly smaller body and seems to have a lot more spots for markings on its side.

This male hairy woodpecker spends a lot of time in this particular tree. The picture isn't great, but I loved how he was balancing himself on the trunk with one wing.

This last little bird is a BlueGray Gnatcatcher. Sweet song and hardly ever still. It seems to be in the company of the black and white warblers - no pictures yet - nuthatches, wrens and some un-named warblers.

November 25, 2007
On August 3rd we hired some tree trimmers to thin out our 3 big oak trees. His wife was sick and so they left early promising to return and finish the next day. While they were there, Kim and I had a wonderful time sharing and seeing how many things we had in common, mainly our passion for the things of God.

When they did return, friends said they were long gone because we paid them at the time. In my heart I would look to God and trust that He would get those trees finished.

Yesterday they came back. I was overjoyed to see them again, not only because we had to have the trees finished before we put on a new roof, but also to know that I hadn't believed in them in vain. It felt like a gift from God to have them come back on their own. Trees are now well trimmed and now to start the roof. All I could think of was my grandmother telling us "good things come to those who wait" I think she forgot to add "expectantly". Several crisis had arisen in thier family and they were needed in Georgia until the time of his father's death 3 weeks ago. They had left instructions for someone else to finish the work, but apparently instructions weren't clear, because he never came.

If I had my choices, I would not thin out trees, "limb them up": - We have too many high wind storms and my husband was concerned about a hurricane rocking a tree onto the house. I love the shelter under the low hanging limbs of the old oaks. I don't care for those crazy little spiders that hang down waiting to scare you as you walk by. I told my husband as I looked at the loss of shade gardens... perhaps I'd just been waiting for more spaces for bright sun loving flowers.

This is the Spiny Orb Weaving Spider. - only as large as your small fingernails. It is said to incorporate tiny bits of silk into its webbing so that birds don't fly into it. I'm thankful, also. HATE running into spider webs hanging down!

I think I've used the tree trimming as an excuse not to garden more. I didn't want to put in plants that might be harmed by limbs coming down, or men dragging tree parts... and now there is no excuse. I find myself totally exposed now. No more low hanging branches for hiding. LOL. Probably a great thing for me as I tend to be one of those birds who stays out of sight. LOL.

I'll be able to see more of the migrating little flocks of birds that are a source of endless song during the fall, winter and spring here. These are just a few of the ones in the oak over our side porch. No doubt as I learn to use my camera I'll find lots more.