Thursday, July 19, 2012

Firecrackers and Bird Babies

Design - "Pop"
Chart - "Yankee Doodles"
Designer - Lizzie Kate
Fabric - 28 count Lambswool Jobelan
Fibers - GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 14 July 2012
Completed 17 July 2012 

Oh, I do like this!  As I mentioned earlier the colors are great - just four used - Blue Jay, Midnight, Cherry Wine, and Oatmeal.  I am missing the Mill Hill Beads needed to make the 'pop' atop the firecrackers.  I'll post another photo when I've attached the beads.

I've been watching this swallow house and for the past week the poor parents have been attempting to get their babies to fly.  That is a baby outside the house...

...but the poor parents didn't manage to get the babies out until Wednesday morning.

Nature isn't all beauty.  Earlier this week my Mom and I noticed that one of our quail families had only one parent - the father.

I can only imagine what happened to Mama Quail - nothing good that's for sure.  Papa Quail is now solely responsible for something like 15 baby quail. 

He is doing a wonderful job watching over everyone.

I have started calling him Atticus Quail - the most honorable widower / single parent I know of.

I realized that the House Finches were making a ruckus...

...that's because their babies have fledged too.

They are stilling following Dad around...

... and like most babies, they are still begging for food.

Every day I think I've seen the last of the Evening Grosbeaks, but they surprise me and show up once again the next morning.

9 comments:

Margaret said...

So many babies!! Soooo cute!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh, that is so sad about Papa Quail, but a good job he is doing...I bet his head is spinning! And look at those House finches...making their Papa's head swirl :)
Fine examples of male role models you have going on in your animal kingdom!

Carol said...

I'm so glad Papa Quail stepped up and took over the raising of the chicks! They are certainly adorable...

I had planned on stitching this one for my July bowl, too, Beth--just not sure if I'll get around to it. Oh, well, there is always next year...Your finish is so cute!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Oh Mother Nature can be cruel Beth, at least the babies have their dad to watch out for them. I hope they continue to do okay. The baby birds don't have it easy with so many predators around.

Melanie said...

Very cute!!!! I have that pattern in my stash and, sadly, just haven't gotten to it yet.

Linda said...

Oh poor Papa quail...he's doing a great job though...we have a bunch of babies here too...the baby hawk and Mourning Doves are my favorites so far...although I do love them all! The grosbeaks come here in the Spring on their way up to you...the Orioles are gone...so sad...great pictures of all your babies...love the POP too!!

Bianca said...

"Pop" is so cute. I can't wait to see it with the beads! I loved Atticus too :)

Barb said...

Beth I do love all your patriotic stitches!! The baby birds are so cute!! Glad to see Papa quail step up to the plate!

Pam in IL said...

I love seeing your birds and am glad that Atticus Quail is being such a good dad.

Can't wait to see the beads added to your firecrackers.