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Thursday, January 3, 2013

The Chickadee

When I was visiting my sister-in-law, Barb at her acreage outside Edmonton, AB we were able to hand feed the chickadees.  Here are some pictures and a poem about the sweet little birds.

 
 
 
 


 

Just out of doors, beyond the pane,


He flits from twig to twig, his air


A jaunty grace, yet, apt to deign


A visit of the morning fair,


He calls to me,

Chick-a-dee-dee-dee !
 
And blithe all wintry days is he.


 



His garb is plain, his sable cap


Fits to his skull, and all his mien


Bespeaks his mind that scorns the lap


Of plenty, while full oft, I ween,


He laughs at me,

Chick-a-dee-dee-dee !

He loves life's care to spurn and flee.



 



Light little vagrant of the sky,


He fears not want nor heeds the cold,


Yet through his pranks he casts an eye


Within betimes — so slight yet bold —


And chirps to me,

Chick-a-dee- dee- dee !

Please, sir, a crumb! and wins his plea.

 
 
by C. C. Lord


 

4 comments:

  1. What a beautiful bird, and how lovely to be able to hand feed them :) x

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  2. I agree. They are so cute and cheerful. They are so light you can only tell they are in your hand because you feel their tiny toe nails.

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  3. Black-capped chickadees are one of my favorite feeder visitors. Your photos are awesome, Joan! Were you able to take them yourself one-handed? My favorites are the two where their wings are spread.

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    1. I did the pics on two separate days. The second day I was alone and able to shoot the pics while feeding them. They are so tame! When Don, my brother-in-law goes out to feed them, they hang onto his coat and sit on his shoulders. I would have liked to get some of those pics too.

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