Recent Posts
Vickie Henderson Art
Return To Blog Listing
I am an artist, writer and photographer inspired by the natural world. My blog focuses on my experiences in nature and the creative journey that keeps me coming back for more.
Recent Posts Tagged With 'backyard birds'
A Cup, A Bird, A Ritual is Born
I didn't realize until yesterday, I've developed a pattern, a kind of ritual that separates the office work week from the days I pursue art and writing. And birds are an integral part of that ritual. In fact, they created it. (click images to enlarge...
Tufted Titmouse--Singing in the Rain
If someone were to ask me, why do you love birds so much? I might have to answer, have you ever met a Tufted Titmouse?Today is a cold, rainy November day, the kind of day we expect to have this time of year in east Tennessee. But after yesterday's br...
Don\'t Miss Those Beautiful Faces
Today it happens to be the Carolina Wren family I'm speaking of, though I've said that about other birds recently, too. Birds do have such compelling faces. Sometimes they catch my attention because I happen to be at the banding station, seeing the b...
A Real Cardinal Juvenile Meets His Neighbors
I use the term "real" in reference to my first experience with watching papa cardinal feed a juvenile. The fledgling turned out to be not a cardinal at all, but a hungry cowbird juvenile.Northern cardinals are one of 44 species in our area that are k...
Tufted Titmouse Fun
It is comforting to know that nature is everywhere, that we can enjoy it where ever we are, both the unusual and the 'ordinary'. When you spend time with whatever is plentiful around you, your enjoyment naturally becomes richer and deeper and nothing...
Homecoming
Getting away is a much needed way to revive, change perspectives and venture out of what pulls at you on a daily basis. But its always good to get back home. Especially when you have such an eager community of birds to welcome you.When I put the suet...
An American Robin Nestling and His Pop
I refer to the male Robin as Pop because he seemed to be the most vigilant about the youngster. The female was nearby also, but perhaps her efforts were focused on young still in the nest. Pop was busy gathering food for this nestling and when I saw ...
American Robin Nestling
I have to celebrate the American Robin today. This beautiful male just popped up in front of me while I was looking for another bird. He was alert and occasionally let out a sharp chirp. And here's what came toddling after him, a nestling that should...
A Suet-Loving Mockingbird
Sometimes looking through the window at the feeders has a dream-like quality. The light reflections soften the edges and create a glowing quality.The first time I saw this mockingbird fly from his perch to the suet feeder not more than six feet from ...
Struck on Purple Finches
I had not planned to write another purple finch post right away but I had to after the way I encountered them today. And that would be every way--in the trees, on the feeders, on the bird bath.What I enjoyed the most was discovering them sitting quie...
How Many Purple Finches?
I posted a photo of a female purple finch who happened to land right in front of me one morning when I was standing near the feeders. She helped me discover that there were purple finches around. But as I commented previously, it was only after looki...
Zick Dough-- Romance, Laughter, Intrigue
Sound like your favorite novel? Feeding the dough-y bird suet best known as, 'Zick Dough', is every bit of that and more.For those of you who may be unfamiliar with it, the suet nickname refers to infamous blogger, NPR commentator, author, artist, na...
A Yellow Hint of Spring
I looked out the window yesterday morning and found evidence of progress toward spring. This male American goldfinch was feasting on sunflower seeds at my feeder and showing off brighter colors. The black on his wings and tail was richer and darker a...
That Special Quality of Morning
Its nice to look out and see the sun rising in the morning while I'm having my first cup of coffee.Soon after it peeks over the horizon, the mountains in the distance take on a bluish hue and a soft fog rises briefly in the valley below. My first vis...
Snow Birds
This winter settled in and pelted much of the US over the past month with cold temps, snow and ice, even in areas where it isn't generally expected. But we've had no snow to speak of in the Tennessee Valley for the past several years, so even though ...
Funny Pine Siskins
It has been such a treat to watch the birds at the bird bath and to occasionally step outside with a camera. Opportunities for fun observations happen when you least expect it.I can count on the pine siskins to announce their presence with high pitch...
Bird Gratitude
I'm speaking of bird behavior that clearly says our feathered friends appreciate water and food on these bone-chilling subfreezing winter days.Today was the first leisurely day I've had at home in a while. I could add water frequently to the frozen b...
Personality Plus--Wren Style
Can you tell who this is?I laughed when I saw this photo. Is this attitude or what? A puff-ball with a scowl! This was one of a pair of Carolina wrens that I spotted hanging out in trees near the feeder at the corner of the house a few days ago.Corne...
A Robin's Cap
Looking through the lens makes everything stand still, brings nature up close so you can see more. I love a beautiful photo, something clear, sharp, colorful, expressive.But what I enjoy even more are the photos that tell me more about the bird than ...
