Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Mulling Over March's Motif

I've been dithering over a stitching theme for March to no avail.  Then I hit upon a semi-brilliant idea.  I've stitched most of the BOAF Animal Sayings, but a quick riffling through my stash unearthed the fox, goose, and the lamb.  So that's what I'll have on my plate for this month. (I also have the virtue charts, "Patience", Loyalty" and "Love" - but that is on hold for the moment.  The R & R recommended fabric (3 different ones) the the animals are no longer in production, so that will be my challenge - to find acceptable replacements.  More dithering will ensue!

When I get it figured out, I think I'll begin the the fox.

On a winter's day, even a warm one, a spot of sunshine is all that is needed for a comfortable catnap.  Padma is the King of Capturing Sun-tangles. 

Warning - this is an extremely Flicker-heavy post!   

Most of the USA is home ground for the Northern Flicker. 

They don't seem to mind human interaction.

One of our early signs of spring this the loud reverberating drumming of our Flickers on the metal ducts on our roof - "Calling all ladies!"  It is our spring morning wake up call.

I was taught that west of the Rockies we have Orange-shafted Flickers, and east of the Rockies, the Flickers are Yellow-shafted. While sometimes it is hard to see the orange wing and tail feathers...

...at other times such is in flight, the orange feathers are readily apparent.

The Flickers like the suet feeders, but are also content looking for insects on the ground.

I've not had two birds at a feeder - they wait their turn. 

It's nice as they don't seem to mind me clicking away.

I have quite the Flicker Portfolio!

Here's a female - again a good example of the 'missing' orange shaft feathers.

And a male with the littlest bit of orange showing on the tail feathers.

So what's the point of all of this you might well be forgiven for asking by now?

It's that every little once in a while a Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker shows up in my yard!  And that is cause for a big YAHOO! (Cuz I'm a weird semi-obsessed birder). While I never got a good head shot, I think it is a female - I will be on the lookout to see if the bird is a 'regular.'

Several folks asked about my camera - I'll talk about that in a later post this week.  Promise!






12 comments:

cucki said...

Great stitching theme..
Love
Y photos of birds
Happy stitching x

StitchinByTheLake said...

My mother was a great bird lover - wish she were still here to see your pictures because she would have loved them. I'm headed for the cross stitch shop this morning and the virtue charts are on my list to search for. I haven't seen the animals charts....I bet they are adorable. blessings, marlene

Frances said...

The Flickers are so beautiful! I hadn't noticed the "bright cheeks" until today!!!
So glad the one with yellow feathers made the journey to your house!!!

Margaret said...

Love what you have up next for stitching! Great Flicker pics too. I love that action shot.

Kristen said...

I love Flickers! I don't think I've ever seen one in person (to my knowledge; I've learned of them here on your blog), but they have jaunty little "outfits."

:)

Barb said...

Good luck planning your new theme. You just can't beat the flicker for being a beautiful colored bird. I love seeing them at the feeder.

Joy said...

Awesome photos of the flicker!

Barbi said...

Beautiful pictures. Love the new header.

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Such a lovely bird Beth, as you know it's one of my favourites. I like your new stitch choices.

Melody said...

Your new stitching choices look like great fun. It will be great to see them develop. The flickers are really pretty. I didn't realize they were so widespread. I haven't seen one in our area.

Carol said...

Those look like such fun pieces, Beth--I look forward to watching your progress :) The markings of the Flickers are so impressive--have never seen one here...

Maggee said...

Can't wait to see the final three stitched from that series! And I also can't wait till I see my first Flicker!