thomas--bombadil - Tumblr blog

[thomas--bombadil]

The very breath of spring is here!!

The famed bluebird is back!!

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Starlings are appearing in greater numbers every day.  

Here, a starling is just coming into mating plumage, which looks a bit like a rainbow on an oil slick. 

Though, the spotted black-and-white plumage never totally goes away, as can be seen once he flies away.  

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Robins appear in greater numbers now. 

They are some of the most common arrivals, but a joy to see; as springtime is surely just around the corner.   

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As the sun disappears behind a cityscape, doves look for a good place to roost.  

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The first sighting of a Yellow-Rumped warbler shows that spring is coming quickly to the Midwest.

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A sparrow slogs through the snow with the rest of us....

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The Tufted Titmouse has an unusual name, to be sure. 

Why such an awkward name?

It comes from an arcane form of English.

"Tit" used to mean “small” (think of modern words like “tad” or “tidbit”) 

“Mouse” is the modernized form of the very old German word “meise“, which just meant “generic small bird”.  

Perhaps this shy and gentle bird has had some of its dignity restored today :)

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Hooded Mergansers have come back. They are early and rare arrivals.  

Here, both males and females have their hoods “down”. When “up”, the entire shape of their heads change radically.

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A Mourning dove gets cozy, and settles in, to experience the sunset.

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A cardinal, mid-hop.  

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A woodpecker seems just fine, even in the driving snow.  

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All the world is covered in ice.  

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A House finch, slinks shyly through the forest, very early in the morning.  

His bright-red feathers on display, ready for the mating season.  

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A female cardinal rests and watches the endless snowfall. 

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Suddenly, our hens have come alive, and are already producing copious amounts of healthy, naturally-raised and naturally-colorful eggs. 

There will be a great bounty, this Easter.

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A House finch looks upon an endlessly snow-covered world. 

His tiny feet, unable to straddle even a narrow garden fence.

Despite the barrenness and coldness of this world, it finds a way to live.

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A nuthatch braves the snow with an iconic pose.