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Health & Fitness

Colorful Twitterers That Fill Our World With Song

This gang is bursting with Life!

Today, it’s all about fishes, vernal equinox and Pisces; as just before dawn the sun explodes through this constellation.

And it’s probably no surprise that Easter/Passover are so close to this time of rebirth (the very next full moon following the equinox); as the days become longer than the night, in the N. Hemi. “Hey, that thing gotta Hemi?”

But in a few months, Taurus, The Bull, represents the month of April and May. I’m bullishly eager on getting things accomplished and especially listening carefully to hear the music of springtime‘s laughter—where the birds rule.

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James Audubon, ornithologist [ornithos = Greek for Bird; logos = Greek for rationale], and painter of birdlife birth date falls late April. Since I live with so many birds here and because it is almost a mortal sin not to have a great love of birds, in my family, I’m bullish about hurrying on remembering Audubon; not to be confused with the German Autobahn.

Ostra or Eostre is the goddess of spring.  The English named her [but Hans Grimm got in the mix and claimed her for the Germans as well — and now he‘s got a TV show for his efforts].  April usually brings more changes than any other month.  Grass turns green, buds of trees, shrubs and flowers begin to open. Many believe April comes from the Latin word meaning “to open”.   Animals are up and about and birds’ beaks are open.  They are singing and building nests.

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Born in Les Cayes, Santo Domingo (now Haiti), Audubon came to the United States in 1803.  As a teenager he began extensive observations of birds.

His life was filled with romance, hardship, idealism, persistence and an unusual strong sense of purpose.  He loved North American birds.  He studied in the Caribbean, France, England and most of all, America.

I think of Audubon at times…on the coastal area where we are located—it offers an abundant supply of food for shorebirds.  I’m fascinated by the crew of hard-working birds that cajole and glide about.  I can get lost in watching the business of their work.  Then, they will rest and sit and ponder their bird’s life, it seems, and I leave them be.  Often we are the only ones on the shores of the mighty Atlantic.  I work hard to get close and be best buddies.

Some little guys walk so quickly to and fro,  I often ask them, “Why don’t you fly, you may be quicker?” 

I’m no biology brainiacothologist…  but I sure have enjoyed seeing hummingbirds in MN, the swallows nesting in my father’s shed in Ireland, in from Africa in April & and pelicans skimming the ocean here in PR. 

Audubon’s life story show us huge lessons in being determined, challenged, passionate, the difficult journey and financial burdens… he believed it all made his achievements more rewarding and permanent.

The painting of Audubon are so pleasing to the eye.  He; along with his young protégé, Joseph Mason, captured the natural world in their paintings.  The floral backgrounds and birds they colored, shows vitality and beauty. 

All Audubon had to achieve this were only his legs & a gun to hunt, and hands / eyes to paint.  He would shoot, dissect and draw birdie features.  He realized that drawing birds from stuffed specimens produced stiff paintings, lifeless and dull.  His own process enabled him to add drama, life and vigor to his pictures.  During trips he would also study the habitat and vegetation in order to include text with his drawings.

Birds are back North again to breed, lay eggs and nest—make a date with nature, become a bird watcher.  Can't think of anything more pleasing that watching the crested head on a Cardinal donning his Cardinal vestments.  The faithfulness of this bird to MN.

Bird things we can do: Invite your guests  and prepare the menu.

Work out who likes what, and prepare the best menu for all your guests. Mealworms, birdcake or seeds might not appeal to you, but your feathered friends will love them! You can ‘sit’ your guests at a table you’ve prepared with food, or attract insects, birds and other wildlife to your garden by planting wildlife-friendly plants which give nectar, seeds and fruit.

Get the place ready

Just as you’d spruce up your house for visitors, it’s a good idea to give feeders a good clean. Cleanliness is very important. On the other hand, don’t be too tidy in the garden – leaving seed heads on herbaceous plants through the winter & leave some out for spring can make a huge difference for birds like goldfinches, and allowing dead wood to rot in a shady spot will be a tremendous help to insects and amphibians. The birds will be grateful too.

Drink is as important as food

You wouldn’t have a dinner party without a sparkling glass of something next to the plate. Birds are just the same – but their favorite tipple is cheap and easy. Water every time! And unlike human dinner guests, they might also have a bath in it!

A welcoming atmosphere

Birds and other wildlife don’t need comfy sofas or flickering candles, but there are many things you can do to make them feel welcome, from bird and bat boxes to frog and squirrel hideaways.  And dense shrubs will make them feel at home, as they give shelter and nesting sites.

On the wings of a bird

Then, you take out Alfred Hitchcock’s, The Birds movie.  By week’s end play the Byrd’s, Mr. Tambourine Man to wrap up a nice appreciation of a good, bird week.

See kingfishers diving
or coots in a nest,
watch two ospreys fishing,
or barn owls at rest.
Take the kids out,
on a family walk,
Enjoy a hot cuppa,
Or hear a great talk.
Try something new
Like watching red deer,
Go on a night walk
and see bats appear!
Get fit and go cycling
Beside a huge lake,
Climb up to a viewpoint
and finish with cake!

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