Saturday, February 6, 2016

quiet, drifting




 After eleven feet of snow last winter, I've been happy to have a mild winter, although it didn't feel quite right. There wasn't the invigorating briskness of autumn or the freshness of spring, just something that felt in-between and kind of blah. Yesterday we had the perfect storm--about eight inches of snow, heavy and wet, so it stuck to the trees creating a Dr. Zhivago/winter wonderland effect.



 I put seed out under the eves close to the house and eventually birds found it. I sat for a long time, quietly watching them, and realized that sitting and watching is probably what serious bird watching is about. That's something I could get into. Wrens, juncos, titmice, sparrows and cardinals (spectacular against the snow) found their way to my deck while the cats and I observed. Nature is so lovely and complicated and poignant. Watching birds is surprisingly (to me) absorbing. It reminded me of what I've heard people say about fishing. It's mostly about being out on the boat, quiet, drifting.


18 comments:

  1. I love that birdie photo. Sitting and watching birds or the sunrise is so satisfying: especially with a cup of coffee!!!

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    1. It is. Easy for me not to have phone or computer, but then I put away books and it's just me and the birds and the cats and the coffee.

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  2. Ditto on the birdie photo. We got the same type of snow on Friday morning, it was breathtakingly beautiful, then the sun beat down on it and it was gone by afternoon from the trees. I agree with you on the mild winter, yes we needed a break from the last couple of years but it's weird.

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    1. I think we're getting more snow tomorrow and I'm glad. Though it can stop after that. :-)

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  3. Hello Jennifer, I do have to admit that your photos show winter at its best, and that I sometimes miss those few scenic days when the fresh snow has fallen, and no special business presses.
    --Jim

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    1. Weekend snow days are the best! (Unless you're a child.)

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  4. Thought you were a tea drinker! "Quiet, drifting" is evocative. May I borrow it sometime? A literary agent asked for the first 50 pp of my manuscript last week, so I'm waiting to hear if she wants to read the rest before sending it to you.

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    1. Always: one strong cup of coffee in the morning, one cup of caffeinated tea in the late afternoon. Sometimes: herbal teal in the evening. Those two words are yours to use however you want. Congrats on the agent reading! Fingers crossed.

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  5. It is so peaceful to watch the birds. I love seeing them in the snow.

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    1. Peaceful is the perfect word for bird watching, Michele!

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  6. I love to watch the birds ! Your birds in the snow look great !
    Greetings

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  7. It is absorbing for me too! Little sparrows use to come to my window boxes looking for some crumbs ;)

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  8. You've had a good time. It's wonderful to watch small lives moving in the silent white world.

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    1. "small lives moving in the silent white world" is a beautiful line...

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  9. I was drawn to your lovely blog by the beautiful photograph of the snow-laden branches. I am so envious, it has been such a mild winter in the west country in England, we've scarcely had a frost! I too love watching my garden birds, such a quiet pleasure.

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting. I would love to visit your part of the world one day!

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