Monday, April 25, 2016

Going Out on a Limb - Part One

Design - "Bird Songs!"
Designer - Sam Sarah Design Studio
Fabric - 32 count Ice Blue Belfast linen
Fibers - Crescent Colours - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 21 April 2016
Completed - 21 April 2016

I changed the fabric from natural linen to Ice Blue as I thought that worked better for a spring scene.  I changed the bird button from a cardinal to this brown/gray guy as I do not have cardinals here. I also changed the color of the veins of the leaves. I do like how the brown long stitches detail the small nest.

Other than the swallows, I've not observed anyone nest building.  The birds have been going out on a limb to sing and defend territory.  

An American Robin. 

Closer still.

Golden-crowned Sparrow.

If you look closely, you'll see that there are two Scrub Jays.  The one in front is looking straight at us, the one behind is looking to the left.

More typical to see one Scrub Jay.

A big old Band-tailed Pigeon.

Two Band-tailed Pigeons.

A male Orange-shafted Flicker.

A male American Goldfinch.  He looks a bit ragged as he is still going through his molt to his pretty spring / summer colors.

This American Goldfinch is in molt too, but looks better than his neighbor.

A Steller's Jay.  This guy is having a Bad Hair Day!

A male House Finch.

I'll end today's post with one more Robin photo.
For many people around the USA, this bird is the harbinger of spring.

7 comments:

Cathy said...

Great pictures. You do have a lot of interesting bird visitors! I've noticed a lot more goldfinches here this year and that's a happy thing!

Cathy

Amy said...

That's a sweet little stitch!

I didn't know you don't have Cardinals there. They're all over the place here. But you have so many other birds we don't, like the Steller's Jay and his sassy up-do! 😀

Love your photos as always.

Amy said...

That's a sweet little stitch!

I didn't know you don't have Cardinals there. They're all over the place here. But you have so many other birds we don't, like the Steller's Jay and his sassy up-do! 😀

Love your photos as always.

Vickie said...

I like your changes very much Beth.

Wanda said...

This post just makes me smile Beth! I love birds all year round but look forward to the end of winter and seeing the ones that mean spring is coming soon. The only one I would add that also means spring for me is the red winged blackbirds.
Cute cross stitch.

Barb said...

Bird songs turned out so pretty. I do like the changes you made.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Very sweet finish! Great bird pics. I never see that many varieties in my neck of the woods. Or, I'm not nearly as aware as I should be.