Just a few pretty shots I’ve taken lately. It’s so exquisite here, I walk around holding my breath. I’m not going to exhale until spring.
By the way, it looks like I have a new bird to care for. The above image is of the varied thrush I found in the forest today. He can’t fly and Penelope nearly chomped him. He seems to have a bite on his back, or a talon puncture, and his flight mechanism is broken. He is sizeable — much larger than Titus McFlightus was — and has a slightly gamey smell to him! His chirp is pure warmth and there is intelligence in his eyes. I hope he recovers in the next day or so. If not, I’ll have to keep him over the winter months and then bring him back to the Methow Valley to release him as my region of Idaho looks as though it isn’t a natural territory for him. In the future, I should stop to ponder on how practical it is for me to make little things like this my responsibility but my mind seems to work so much more slowly than my hands and heart. I just have to scoop these broken critters up and bring them home with me.
Also, I’ve been meaning to tell you of the Titus McFlightus encounter one of the smokejumpers had over at the base! About a month ago, JT was using a leaf blower behind the para-loft when a grouping of waxwings flew into a nearby tree. He kept on working and one of the waxwings flew over and landed on his hand while he was using the leaf blower! JT said this little waxwing was missing the yellow parts of his tail feathers (which Titus also was), and the two of them just strolled all over the base together until JT set Titus down on a tree and the little guy flew away! SUCCESS! I was so delighted to hear that Titus had been spotted and that he was flocked up with his own kind and living the good life. Doesn’t that just warm your heart like hot buttered rum?
:::EDIT:::
12:04AM I just lost the thrush. I’m so sad. He was such a beauty! Now I understand, even more, how miraculous the survival of Titus was! The first night we kept him, he was mostly dead in the morning (cold, stiff, unresponsive) and we brought him back to life. I guess I don’t get to save them all, do I?
Your beautiful stories and photos always warm my heart!
Your new “boarder” is so beautiful. I love his glazed-pecan coat. I wonder if we’ll be seeing more avian influence in your work…
GLAZED-pecan coat!!!!! LOVE THAT! I may get a little birdy sometime soon. We’ll just have to see about that. 🙂
Very pretty photos, friend.
And the tale of Titus! How marvelous! It does warm the heart.
I hope you are well, good luck with your impending move.
Thanks toots!
O goodness! Titus! My heart swelled when I saw his name on your blog again. And to think that you rescued him — a different, and sadder, ending might have come to pass if not for your care.
The varied thrush seems very wise.
xo
That Titus. What a corker…
The varied thrush DID seem very wise! Scholarly. Master of the forest!
So happy that little one found his own! That’s just soooo uplifting to hear. And I hope the best for your new friends.
<3 Much love, Plumey.
Isn’t it though? That’s how I felt when JT told me about it — uplifted.
That was a pretty cool letter praising the jumpers and their help with the hiker who broke the leg. Makes us all proud of the work these jumpers do. It’s great to be acknowledged. A big atta boy to Robert and his mates.
It sure was! And so deserved too… 🙂
you know what warms MY heart? the fact that YOUR heart works faster than does your mind.
xxxx
Dang it. I sometimes wish it wouldn’t.
Penelope needs a little red cape? She is too adorable! And it does warm my heart that your feathered babe was sighted. : )
She could use a cape and a basket of goodies to take to grandma! HEE HEE!
Aww, that’s just utter sweetness. all of it.
Her eye is on the sparrow.. and the waxwing.. and the thrush. You beauty.
xx
mel
needle and nest design
Aw. 🙂 xx
I’m so happy to hear that about Titus. I got a little teary. Of all of God’s animals, there is something miraculous, impossible, about birds.
Thank you, thank you for the update.
It’s so true! There is something impossible about birds…I am so glad to be able to report about Titus. So glad.
Sad I never got to see your face in person but screamed HELLLO out of the window as I drove through that part of the state. SO happy to hear abut Tits and nice to make this new guys acquaintance…glad to know he is in good, healing hands. xoxo
I probably screamed back! Right at the same time! Or at least took a sip of tea and let out a little cheer! These healing hands tried their very best — 🙂 XX
oh the joy that your writing gives me!! like a bird fluttering in my heart. 🙂
Well heck! Victoria! You’re a sweetie!
Incredible that any ‘wild’ animal would approach a noisy leaf blower!!!! So glad to hear the Titus update: success!
I totally agree.
So sorry to hear your new little guy was lost. I suffered a similar experience with a fledgling mockingbird who had no eyes. I should have known better than to try to interfere with nature, though. He had no chance of release and would have had to spend his entire existence, lengthened by my want to help, in the dark. Your success with TMcF is heart-warming and hope-inspiring. Sometimes you do your best, but there are other plans in the works.
I think it’s always good to try to save a bird! Or any hurt creature, for that matter. I think it’s easier to save chicks or little ones that haven’t fledged yet (and even THAT is tremendously hard work). This little thrush would have died, out in the wild, it couldn’t fly. But I know what you mean, sometimes we try to save the un-save-able, instead of simply letting things pass.
I’m happy to hear Titus is doing well! You should be proud – it’s a hard job raising a baby bird!
In my experience with injured birds, they just don’t survive injuries that you described. It is very sad (and gut wrenching), but at least you tried; and how special to be able hold and closely observe a Varied Thrush. I miss them!
I’m happy he is well, or that at least, he was well for a while. I knew he wouldn’t live forever whether it was with me, or free!
I think I knew that little thrush wasn’t going to make it, even as I picked him up off the forest floor. I still managed to get a bit attached though, in the trying…
He was such a beauty! I wish I’d have taken more photos of him!
that’s the most ghostly picture of pie i’ve ever seen. it’s unnerving and beautiful. also: i love your love for all things living. it’s one of my favorite parts of you.
Phantom weenie. 🙂 Knew you would love that one…
Joy and sadness all at once. So thrilled hear about Titus’ visit! The thrush,,, oh, dang! So sorry he didn’t make it. Internal injury was too much perhaps.
Sounds just like *normal* life, doesn’t it???!!! Joy and sadness all at once… 🙂
We can only try…
True enough!!!
I’m so sorry Plume… this is the first thing I read this morning. I thought about how wonderful you were at picking up these beings and attempting to care for them, the edit broke my heart. Sending love your way and this quote from “Life of Pi” that has been stuck with me recently.
“Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs at what it can. But life leaps over oblivion lightly, losing only a thing or two of no importance, and gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud…”
🙂
You kind little beauty.
XX
Wow, Snail, this quote really uplifted me today. Thank you for that. 🙂
the images are gorgeous
oh the beautiful thrush…no friend you can’t save them all
at least his last hours was in the warmth of your loving care…
beautiful day to you beautiful heart
love and light
Beautiful day to you too, lovely lady!
Poor baby birdie. Yes. A real beauty!
Your photos are amazing. Infused with the beauty of colouring and minute detail.
Yippee-yippee mr.titus ! Way to go!!! So happy about this sweet rescue- my favourite kind of story!!!
Mash! Love your energy today! XX
How can I call myself a northerner without one of those parka-skirts?
True enough. A friend sent this one to me and it makes a WORLD of difference when I layer it over whatever I happen to be wearing. LOVE IT. You need one.
Bah. I didn’t see the edit. I’m so sorry Jillian. Taking Simpkin in has put these things in a whole new light for me–losing that bird must be heartbreaking.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your thrush friend. Your big heart brought him in to give him a chance- which is all anyone can do. xoxo
I’m so sorry about the sweet Thrush, but oh..oh how the story of Titus has warmed my heart!