A New Bird

Design - "Snow Gazer" (kit)

Designer - Heart in Hand

Fabric - 32 count Clay Belfast linen

Fibers - GAST & WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 21 December 2010

Completed - 24 December 2010 

I certainly have been gazing out on snow for the past several days.  A very different kind of winter than we normally have in western Oregon.

On Friday (between storms) I ventured outside for a walk.

As I strode past this fallen tree, I realized that I could hear a couple of birds. 

So I decided to take my chances and venture closer.

And here was my reward!  A tiny Pacific Wren (3") working in the mosses looking for insects.

A tough little bird to photograph.

Here's a close-up - see the stripes on the wings?

Pacific Wrens like the understory of old growth evergreen forests.

The Wrens forage and build nests near fallen logs, upturned tree roots, dead trees, and thick understory cover of mosses and ferns, often near water. 

This downed tree is quite near our Big Creek at the edge of the thicket that lines the creek - perfect wren habitat. 

Something about that tiny little foot delights my heart! The Pacific Wren has a song much larger than themselves. One researcher deemed them a “pinnacle of song complexity.” This tinkling, bubbly songster builds several nests in advance and then shows them off to a perspective female who chose the one she like best!