February 3 begins the official “Feed the Birds” month, (source National Today) and I enjoy posting about this each year while sharing my latest bird images.
“National Bird Feeding Month is a chance for bird feeders, watchers, and anyone else who is feeling in the spirit to extend a hand out to our flying friends.” ~ National Today
In the northern hemisphere, February is the last stretch of winter and wild birds need extra help when their winter stores start to run out. By February, seeds, grains, and other feed are buried under snow and mud or already eaten.
I keep two feeders stocked in our backyard, one for seed, the other for suet cakes. The Northern Flickers (a species of woodpecker) love the suet feeder.
“I don’t feed the birds because they need me; I feed the birds because I need them.”
― Kathi Hutton
Most of the winter birds found here in Eastern Washington tend to be ground feeders and scavenge seeds.
They especially like Black Oil Sunflower seeds which provide fat and help keep them warm.
I also try to keep our birdbath at least half full of water when the snow has all melted (like right now). Birds get thirsty in some climates that may be dry (like alpine and high desert) where we live.
The snow has melted for now, but we had a few inches of December snow.
“There is an unreasonable joy to be had from the observation of small birds going about their bright, oblivious business.” ― Grant Hutchison
Since we added to the deck, the birds get closer to capturing the seeds, and here the quail keep a sharp out for predators and hide under the deck.
I didn’t snap as many pics of birds while we were in Arizona, but as Marsha and I sat on the patio at a Scottsdale restaurant, this cute little Grackle hopped onto a nearby chair and batted her eyes at us.
Birding is our most democratic way to connect to nature, because birds are everywhere – from inner cities to the deepest wilderness.” ~ Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods
Blogging Has Taken the Wrong Flight Path with Anonymous Comments
While we visited Arizona in January, I used the Jetpack App on my phone almost exclusively except to publish new posts. During that time, I discovered to the nth degree that I struggled to comment on many bloggers’ posts whether read through e-mail notifications or directly through links posted for Sunday Stills.
Tell me, have you had trouble using the Jetpack App on your mobile? Many have, but when they’ve gotten through, their comment comes up as “someone” or “anonymous.” I was a “someone” myself on a few comments on others’ blogs. Many of these issues can be fixed in the settings.
I had a “someone” conversation with Carol from Light Words, luckily, I could see her link and knew who she was (I’m becoming a good guesser). I managed to grab a screenshot of our conversation and sent that off to the WordPress Engineers this week.
I also shared my issues with Hugh Roberts of Hugh’s Views and News, who has been instrumental in writing how-to posts these last couple of years as we bloggers struggle through so many changes and frustrations.
The fun of personal blogging is the engagement we enjoy when we comment on each others’ blogs.
Here is what Hugh e-mailed me this week: please read …
“I don’t want to change the settings on my blog so that everybody has to be logged into WordPress or leave their name and email details. I am going to ask those whose comments appear as anonymous the method they used to leave their comment. That way, I can build up a case to put to WordPress if it is that all anonymous comments are coming via the Jetpack app.”
“Could you do the same on your blog and ask ‘anonymous’ commentators what method they used to leave their comments?” ~ Hugh Roberts
We bloggers really need to take these glitches seriously, so we can continue with the serious leisure concept of blogging 😊 So please, if you are having issues leaving comments whether you are using Jetpack or a computer, make a note and let WordPress know.
As bloggers, we need to push for this flightiness to be resolved which can help feed our creativity!
Inspiring Photo Challenges This Week
Each week I find inspiration from my fellow bloggers’ photo challenges. I enjoy incorporating these into my Sunday Stills weekly themes.
- BushBoy’s Last on the Card: January (I cheated and used first on the card for January)
- Marsha’s Wednesday Quotes: Hobbies
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
The Sunday Stills weekly-themed photo challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post.
- Remember to title your blog post a little differently than mine.
- Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post.
- I also recommend adding your post’s URL to the comments.
This Week’s Featured Bloggers
Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers, poets, artists, and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below are this week’s links from bloggers who shared their photos of birds. I add these all week as new links are posted.
Hooray, I’m back at home and can add your links to my weekly round-up!
- YOUR BLOG’S NAME GOES HERE…
- Always Write
- Bay Photos by Donna
- Between the Lines
- Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
- Change is Hard
- The Dog Lady’s Den
- A Day in the Life
- Frost on the Moose Dung
- Geriatrix Fotogallery
- Graham’s Island
- In Primo Piano–Photos
- Light Words
- Live Laugh RV
- Loving Life
- Philosophy Through Photography
- Quaint Revival
- Stevie Turner
- This is Another Story
- Three Rs of Retirement
- Walkin’ Writin’ Wit and Whimsey
“Winter perches like a bird; wings tucked in, so the soul is heard.” ~ Angie Weiland-Crosby
If you enjoy birdwatching, setting the table for the birds each winter (or during any season) is a great way to see them up close. So, get your cameras ready and enjoy the show!
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