Leaves and Bushes

What with Christmas and the holiday rush, my current WIP has languished unattended for several weeks now.  I picked up "Fair Daffodil" once again, and was able to crank out several of the leaves.  Two or three more stitching sessions and this ought to be finished.

That takes care of the leaves, now on to the bushes...  

I had a FLOCK of new birds on Tuesday! 

As I returned to the house from my walk, I was so pleased to see a group of tiny Bushtits gathered near the Front Porch.

Eight of the small gray birds swarmed one of my suet feeders.

I moved this feeder to hang under the eves of the porch.  The area is a bit more protected, so perhaps they feel safe there.

A bit later in the afternoon the Bushtits decided to check out my new Bark Butter feeder.  

Ironically Bush Tits are more numerous in urban areas than rural pieces of property.  I've been quite envious of a friend in town who has a resident flock of Bushtits.  

The birds forage in flocks of up to 50! They eat insects, but will also eat seeds and berries...and visit suet feeders. 

They are only 4" long and a lot of that length is the tail.

Notice how their tiny feet (claws) are able to find hold on the smooth cedar feeder.  Welcome birds - I hope you come by often!

This image is a file from Wikipedia Commons.

I'd love to find a Bushtit nest. They are constructed using mosses, lichens, and spider webs.  The nests are up to a foot long with an entrance near the top.  They are hanging nests - usually less than 10 feet above the ground. As you can see, they are quite extraordinary. Goodness knows we certainly have all the nesting materials the birds need!