The Battenkill flows again. Just days ago it was frozen over and only a handful of months ago it had all but dried up in the drought that followed many weeks of Spring rain.
Ebbs and flows.
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Returning from Greenwich, we stopped at the lower weir to take a look.
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Looking up, I caught sight of sycamore pods.
They made a nice design against the sky.
As previously mentioned, there are certain quite ordinary things I am uncomfortable looking at. But there are many more I enjoy and this is one of those.
The likes are just as hard to account for as the dislikes, I think.
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The snow may be gone (for now) but Nature has many delights to offer.
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Pretty clouds drew me outside where I enjoyed mild Spring air.
And the dawn chorus of newly returned birds.
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Red-winged blackbirds, grackles and bronze-headed cowbirds.
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I can see there will be a complaint from Master Sparrow.
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Starlings swoop in like a plague of locusts, noisily scooping up everything in sight.
But how beautiful they are.
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So, too, are grackles. They appear black until their iridescent feathers catch the light.
Their big yellow eyes make them always appear startled.
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Mr Cowbird is also handsome.
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Mrs Cowbird is more demure. She lays her eggs in the nests of other birds.
Which is why, I decided two years ago, that the lone female cowbird that stayed behind for winter had believed that she was a sparrow, thus taking up residence with them.
Hence: Notso (Not so much a sparrow) We grew very fond of her, but eventually her flock came by to collect her. Or so I chose to believe.
In my view, all birds are beautiful.
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Without having to know about birds in depth, or being able to identify every species, I love them all. Birds are so wonderful to watch, constantly busy, feeding and creating. Bird nests are works of art.
Bird chatter is such a happy sound.
Birds are so smart!
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According to AI:
Bird symbolism has been around since ancient times, steeped in magic, folklore, and mythology. Many cultures believed the bird represented many gods and goddesses. This feathered creature is often revered as a spirit creature, with a range of powers while also being the messenger for many deities.
Birds are certainly special to me.
Any animal’s death upsets me, but birds particularly so, as if something very precious is lost.
Butterflies affect me the same way. Perhaps it has to do with fragility.
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Birds fascinate me also. The fact that they can build a sturdy nest with only a beak is amazing.
Lovely pictures!
Thank you, Carolyn, for the wonderful pictures of the sky and clouds. I love all the birds, too, and over the years have had many friends who would fly or walk around the house.
Joanna