Wild Bird Wednesday

.... and, ........I don't have anything exotic or unusual this week.  Nope.  Just some run-of-the-mill, everyday, house sparrows.

But....I have to say...they are a pretty interesting and cute bunch of guys ...and gals too I guess.  I love their antics.

Seeing as I am not a bird watching connoisseur ....I haven't a clue really about gender, etc..  But, there are various colourations, and maybe even a few different types... who knows?  Not me... but, you might.... so, let me know if you have specific information.

Meantime... to see them larger ..."biggify" by clicking on the pics....

Checking for danger before having a bath......

Oooooh ....it's cold....... and, ....kinda deep...........it's already up to my feathers..... !!

Alright then... perhaps a face wash at the very least......


Hey!  who's that interrupting my fun? ......

What the? .... where did THEY all come from?........

Brother........

If you want to see all sorts of exotic and beautiful birds ...and some absolutely amazing photography .... head on over to Wild Bird Wednesday.... just click on the badge below...

Emu feathers? ...

I wonder if some little birdie used some of "That Emu's" feathers to line a downy nest in this little birdie box?

It is on a tree in his enclosure ... and, it sort of looks like they could be his..... yup, I think they are some of his plumage.... or, were......

Anyway...I think it's a nice photo and just wanted to post a fun thing for you to see on this Monday....

"That Emu" ... near the same tree....

Click on the pics to enlarge for a better look......

Wild Bird Wednesday

... wherein I show you a bird not indigenous to Canada (where I live) and tell you a little story about "That Emu" .....

My sister lives in the neighbouring province... I go there from time to time... and, once we drove past a field in which I spied a huge bird. An emu!  What??!!  I couldn't believe my eyes and, of course, wanted to stop right away and take pictures.  But, we were already past him and continued on to her place.

Later, I mentioned that we should go to take a picture of the emu but she somehow was thinking I meant getting a picture of some llamas in the neighourhood.... and, in her head was thinking where would be the best place to find some llamas to photograph.  Anyway... time passed, we didn't go, and next time we spoke of it ...probably even in my next visit a year later.... she said .."oh that emu!" ..   We laughed our heads off after we figured out the mental mix up ... Vikki may even have had pink cheeks, ....and now, it will be forever referred to as "That Emu" in any conversation we have about it ... likely til the end of time... because we do enjoy our little foibles...

And, so it is with much ado about one little guy...or girl, because I have no clue which it might be.... that I give you....

 "That Emu"

and, don't forget ...to biggify any pic, just click on it.... get up close and personal to an emu.  Not just any old emu either ..... but, "That Emu"

I don't know the story behind how this one came to Canada, and I can't imagine how he survives in the -30C days in winter, even though they say they are very able to withstand variances in temperatures because they have a great cooling and heating system.  They only mention temps. as low as -5C...  My sister does know the lady who is a neighbour to it and eventually we may find out all the details.  Stay tuned.   She gave us permission to go in her yard to get a photo and that was good enough for us this time around.

They are a bird native to Australia.  Wiki says they grow to as tall as 6 foot 6 ... so he isn't actually a little guy at all ... I don't know exactly how tall this one is ..but, he was well above the 4.5 foot fence around him and has been there for years so is fully grown.

He came up close to us after a bit when he was sure we were harmless ... which I guess I didn't think he would.... so, wouldn't you know it.. ....I had on my zoom lens and the other was in the car and I didn't have time to change it so had to keep backing up to get him in focus.  Well, that and I wasn't sure if he would perhaps be "peckish"  so didn't stand too close to the wire.  Darn it I so wanted a close up of his face.  Closer than this.
I need two camera bodies ... with different lenses on each.  Maybe some day....

He even sat down, and, with his huge clawed feet, inched right up to the wire ...  even got his feet right inside it.  I wasn't sure if that was so he could get his head closer to the fence or if that is what he does for treats or what... either way... we didn't feel brave enough to take chances and besides that ..we were getting concerned in case he got hung up in the fencing wires...so we stood further away and then he ambled off ..... over near his favourite tree.  We should have asked the lady if we could take him treats ... and, what he likes.... perhaps carrots or apples or other fruits from what I've seen on another blog about emus.... next time.... and maybe next time I will try to stroke that soft curly hair if we find out he is used to being petted.

The area he was in was mostly tall grasses with a few trees in it... it was a fairly large area.  I wondered if he was lonely....

Look at the size of those legs...like fence posts.... and, how I wish I had a pic of those huge claws and feet.... !!   I read in Wiki that they are "powerful enough to tear down metal wire fences" ... .... honestly..it said that!  But, he did seem pretty tame .... so we didn't think he would do that.

Well, there you have it.  My wild bird guy for Wild Bird Wednesday... and now I'm off over to see what other birds have been photographed for today.....

Click on the badge below if you'd like to check them out too ...

Wild Bird Wednesday

We call him Mr. Chirpy.  His real name is House Finch.

He has some wonderful chirpy songs.... .... and, is pretty camera shy.  Yes, I know it looks like he is just a show off...but, I only managed to capture these pics through a window with a venetian blind in it.  And, I had to move stealthily because he flew off the second he noticed any movement.  I hardly ever manage to outwit them when I am outside...they check on me from a tall tree across the street... sing at the top of their little lungs and wait til I go in the house....arrrghhhhh!!

((Remember to click on any of the photos to "biggify" them...))

However, I managed to adjust the blind just so for the angle I needed to the birdie bath ....and, after the first few blurry photos and him leaving and then coming back later (of course, I don't know for sure it was the same guy...but, I'm pretending it was) .... I managed to get him having some fun in the birdie bath.

This may not be the same guy...and, was probably several days before the rest of the shots...  ...but, had to show you how cool and collected a "Chirpy' can look... . ..  
                                                               

.... before it becomes this..!!

 Woooohooooo!!

... and, he ends up totally bedraggled and spiky.... ..

If you would like to see more fun and interesting birds...head on over to
Wild Bird Wednesday by clicking on the photo below...

Wild Bird Wednesday

This cute little guy (although, from the lighter coloration I think it may be a little girl) ...  came to my birdie bath...a couple of weeks ago now...but, I didn't want to miss out on the Wednesday fun...even though it is already Thursday.

A baby sparrow...well, not really a baby, but still quite a young tyke; not much of a tail to speak of and so cute.

Don't forget... click on the picture to "biggify" ...you can sneak up a bit closer that way....

Eventually a young robin showed up as well.... and they shared.  Something most adult sparrows and robins don't seem to do .... funny how they get all territorial later in life.... hmmmm......

Now, I'm off to check out some birds on Wild Bird Wednesday.

Click on the pic below if you'd like to see some too....

City mouse or country mouse..

We live in a fairly big city...but, you'd never guess it by the wildlife that is close by.

We also live close to a city golf course that has a big culvert that runs under a highway to a big park area ... where people walk dogs, but where some deer always manage to survive as well.  I'm sure several don't make it but, I'm not even going to think about that part of life.  I like to think they all get big, strong and find somebody to love.

Like this little guy.  Look at those cute little velvety antlers... awww..

Somehow he got over or around some fencing and was in our cul de sac last week.   ...   I've seen him twice since and his little footy prints are on my lawn in the mornings and, in my garden....I must get up earlier so I can photograph him directly outside my window!  .. Well, maybe he comes in the night ... not the early a.m.... who knows... ....

Anyway... here are some fun shots of him that Mr. BV got while I got dressed ..I was still in my 'jammies.... and, then...a few more I got of him as I followed him from yard to yard ...til he got too far down the block...and, I felt a bit guilty playing paparazzi ... poor little guy...

Two days before that I had seen the same little guy on the 12th tee box on the golf course... hiding (sort of) and nibbling bushes there as well... he was doing the hiding and nibbling..not me.

Click on the pics to "biggify" ....

Good Fences

In Portugal once again.... where we holidayed a couple years ago.

This is the Quinta do Seixo...  in the Douro region of Portugal.  A very modern visitor centre for Sandeman port.  Even though it was not open for the season, there was staff there, and, they did open just for us..... we had our tour and then we tasted some port.  Several varieties of port....  and, of course, we bought a few bottles to take home.

This is their trademark motif...

I love this photo because it looks like two people dressed like the "Don" as they call him... they look like they are whispering to each other...

It is so weird how this photo turned out... it is actually the door handle (inside and out) on a clear glass door leading out onto the front area of the visitor centre...

... and, even though I stray a bit...there is a fence in the background...

Here is the story of "The Don" ..   taken from the Sandeman site.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In 1928 George Massiot Brown was an artist working for the Lochend Printing company, who approached Sandeman for business.  Sandeman requested some designs for posters, and the remarkable silhouette of the Don was born.

Dressed like the Spanish caballeros de Jerez in a Portuguese student's cape and wide brimmed hat, the Don cuts a dark, dramatic figure within glass of ruby coloured Porto.

George Massiot Brown was well aware that French poster artists were very much in vogue, so signed his artwork as G. Massiot to hide his Scottish origins.

Little did he know that The Don would be the very first iconic logo for a wine.  Recognized throughout the world, The Don represents the mystery and sensuality that communicates the Sandeman brand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

............ and, here are a few more fences ..although the fences were barely there.. some fine wire and posts ...

A short wall that surrounds the visitor centre... just below steps from which you look down upon the river Douro and terraced hillsides of grapes..

View from the other side of the centre..

... another cement wall...

and, a stop on the way out to get a better shot of the entrance to the centre...stone and cement ...

If you want to check out some other great fences, click on the button below and it will take you to Tex's site... the Run-a-Round Ranch

Wild Bird Wednesday

Made it!  And, I better hurry up... got a golf time in an hour or so...okay... maybe it won't upload to blogger before I leave....sigh...it is still sitting here with an error message saying nothing "published"..arrghhhhh!!!

The other week I was thinking about which bird I could capture next and even though I don't have a huge list to choose from here .... I did think about sneaking up closer on a Flicker.  They keep swooping down onto my neighbour's front yard. He has a big infestation of ants...in his lawn.  Actually...those Flickers were enjoying it all over his front yard, not just at the edge of the sidewalk where they usually dig a lot.

But, then... I noticed some movement just outside my front window the next day...oooh... quick, the camera!!  I got it and crawled closer to the window on my knees... and, both of us stopped dead... he looked at me....I looked at him.... and, snapped this one!

So cute.

He was looking right at me!  A male Northern Flicker...probably still a youngish one... that throat patch doesn't look quite coloured in yet...

After he checked me out and I didn't budge an inch.... he must have figured I was a figment of his imagination and... he continued on with his investigation of my sidewalk area... picking in the crevices and having a great time.

I had to snap about 20 shots to get one of him with his head lifted.  He was so quick...up..down...peck, peck, peck....up, look... down!   Man... my finger got a workout...but, finally got one of him upright... whew.....
Thanks little guy....

Head over to Wild Bird Wednesday to see some amazing birds.  I am always wowed by the colourful ones that inhabit warmer climates.... wish I could see some of those in real life...

Good Fences

Totally missed Wild Bird Wednesday.... and, Thursday's Good Fences has disappeared too.... hmmmm....it's Friday already!!

My excuse is the same...   there is just too much going on...most of it not all that much fun.

But, I want to put in my two cents worth of fencing ... cuz I do love me a good fence, or "stuff" going on around one!

I'm taking you on holiday with me this time.  C'mon....

To Portugal.  This is a desert type flower that we saw growing in sand at the tops of cliffs near the ocean in various areas we visited.  It had bright yellows and lovely pinks for flowers.
This is a little beach town close to Nazare...oh, I hope Maria shows up to remind me of the name of the town...

UPDATE:: okay...got it!  Maria wrote to say ....it is  'Vale das Paredes'.  It is between Nazaré and S. Pedro de Moel.

Thanks Maria...

... and, when you get to the bottom of all those steps... this is where you are...

What area we waiting for??  Let's all go !!! .....

I'm linking up to Run-a-round Ranch for Good Fences... check 'em out sometime!~  lots of great fences and traveling and fun stuff.
Just click on this and go directly there......