Friday, November 11, 2016

Unexpected Gifts

Design - "Humble Gratitude"
Designer - 4 My Boys
Fabric - 32 count Flax linen 
Fibers - WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 13 November 2010
Completed - 20 November 2010

As you can see I stitched this several years ago. I am trying to spend a moment each morning in quiet reflection. A theme of humble gratitude works well as a way of beginning the day grounded and centered.

And sometimes the day grants one an unexpected gift or two!

Here's my Unexpected Gift #1.

After a couple of weeks hiatus, I had a couple of American Goldfinches show up yesterday afternoon.

This may well be the last time I see them until April 2017.

And here's Unexpected Gift #2.
Can you see him?

It's a Hermit Thrush!  A new bird for me.
It looks very similar to a Swainson's Thrush so it was hard to ID for sure.

If that darned blackberry leaf was out of the way I could see the reddish tail feathers which would help tremendously.  

I think the reddish/rust color that I can see just to the left of the leaf helps to ID it as a Hermit Thrush. 

It's a member of the same bird family as the American Robin. It summers in the Rockies and in Canada, but winters along the Pacific coast, most of Mexico, and the southern US. it likes the edges or openings in forest understories which is where I saw it. An unassuming bird and a much appreciated gift!   

5 comments:

CathieJ said...

Pretty birds and a great little pillow. I really like all the cross-stitch in your header.

Margaret said...

How wonderful! I bet you are thrilled when you see a new bird!

Maggee said...

Love that Humble Gratitude piece! I remember when I saw my first Brown Thrasher... it was down on the ground in some brush at a neighborhood Natural Area... I heard it first, and followed the calls. It is exciting to see a new bird! Hugs!

Christina said...

I look forward to seeing your bird photos. I am relatively new to ornithology - I'm finding that I appreciate nature more as I get older! We mainly get goldfinches, sparrows, blue tits and green finches in our front garden (I am in the UK) but this morning we had a flock of long-tailed tits - my new favourite - and a willow tit - marvellous!

Barb said...

What nice gifts to see such pretty birds and a new one makes it even better. I like your idea of thinking about all the things to be grateful for, we all have many if we just take time to think about it.