Still, still, still I sit,
Feathers fluffed and light,
Chill, chill, chill is it,
Going to freeze tonight.
Save, save, save my strength,
Lest my legs do fold,
Brave, brave, brave at length,
Need to be so bold.
Eat, eat, eat the seeds,
For the night is long,
Meet, meet, meet my needs,
Hope I can be strong.
December 28, 2021 at 10:35 pm
Beautiful poem and photo! I hope the little Rufus makes out all right.
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December 28, 2021 at 10:43 pm
The towhees seem to do all right. They spend a lot of time under shrubs and seem to find more shelter (and bugs) there, and they eat seeds, too. Well diversified, I think.
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December 28, 2021 at 11:27 pm
Yesterday I saw about a 100 quail fly from under a dense cedar bush (not sure what spooked them). They must have been huddled in a group under there where they could share and conserve heat and be rather well sheltered. They’re such cute birds.
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December 29, 2021 at 12:19 am
How nice! We used to have them here too, but too many subdivisions built up the area and people with cats and dogs on the loose pretty much took care of the last of the quail around here.
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December 29, 2021 at 12:18 am
Rufus is just a very cute bird and he looks healthy and happy. They all will make it over this winter again since they are well fed. The poem and the photo are so pretty.
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December 29, 2021 at 12:20 am
Hi Ursula. Thanks for your comment. You’re right. These towhees are pretty tough.
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December 29, 2021 at 12:37 am
Beautiful photograph, as usual, Anneli. What a wonderful little chap!
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December 29, 2021 at 9:59 am
Thanks a lot, Jeff. Hope you’re keeping well. All the best for the new year.
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December 31, 2021 at 8:12 am
Thanks Anneli – the same to you. And while you and the birds over there sit and shiver, here in London UK we’re struggling with the most unseasonable New Year’s Eve since records began – 14C at the moment – which is about 57F for you guys! Doesn’t feel right, you know.
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December 31, 2021 at 9:51 am
That’s terrible! Especially terrible for costal weather. Where is global warming when you need it?
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December 29, 2021 at 2:28 am
Reblogged this on anitadawesauthor.com.
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December 29, 2021 at 9:58 am
Thanks a lot for the reblog.
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December 29, 2021 at 4:59 am
I love that chunky nugget!
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December 29, 2021 at 9:56 am
All fluffed up to keep warm.
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December 29, 2021 at 6:55 am
“Sing sing sing and hum”–that’s precious. The entire poem is.
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December 29, 2021 at 9:57 am
Thank you, Jacqui. I’m so glad you like it.
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December 29, 2021 at 7:15 am
Lovely photo and poem, Anneli! The bird is sooo cute! ❤️
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December 29, 2021 at 9:57 am
Thanks, John. He does look kind of nice with the snowy background.
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December 29, 2021 at 7:24 am
Lovely!
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December 29, 2021 at 9:56 am
Thanks, Jennie. They are pretty birds.
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December 30, 2021 at 6:44 am
🙂
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December 30, 2021 at 12:01 am
Beautiful!
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December 30, 2021 at 9:20 am
Tnx, DK.
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December 30, 2021 at 5:16 am
This is a delightful poem, Anneli and I hope little Rufus finds warmth this winter.
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December 30, 2021 at 9:20 am
Thanks, Carol. The towhees seem to be doing okay in the snow. I like how their colours show up so nicely in the snow.
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December 30, 2021 at 3:04 pm
Lovely little birdy, your poem turned into a song in my head, pretty and witty 😀
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December 30, 2021 at 6:42 pm
If I had the talent I’d set it to music. Or maybe you could do that. Just let us hear what’s going on in your head.
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December 31, 2021 at 3:07 pm
I usually have music on so I can’t hear whats going on in my head – the voices are mad in there 😉 Occasionally one comes up with a good idea 😀
Happy New Year 🥳
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December 31, 2021 at 9:13 pm
Well, I hope you find some soothing music.
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December 31, 2021 at 11:58 pm
I like to discover and listen to new music 🎶 I find it odd that most people get stuck on a certain decade and stop. Weird.
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December 31, 2021 at 1:14 am
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/check-out-the-ingenious-ways-people-are-freeze-proofing-their-hummingbird-feeders-during-b-c-s-cold-snap-1.6300723
Hi Anneli, I saw this article and thought of you and your hummingbird feeders. You might find something helpful. Cheers, Lynette
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December 31, 2021 at 9:46 am
Thanks, Lynette. A lot of great ideas there. I was using a pair of pin socks over the feeder, but I was still having trouble with the tiny spigots freezing. The lightbulb ideas would be good for solving that problem.
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December 31, 2021 at 1:19 pm
I love this one, Anneli. What a nice rhythm with the repeats… like bird song. The days are getting longer… just a couple more months…
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December 31, 2021 at 9:12 pm
I’ll be so glad when the snow goes and the birds’ lives get easier. Pretty as it is, winter is so harsh. Thanks for your kind words about the poem.
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January 1, 2022 at 8:24 am
So fluffed up! Probably envying the bears, asleep in their snug dens.
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January 1, 2022 at 10:40 am
Yes! That’s the place to be!
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January 1, 2022 at 6:31 pm
Thanks for sharing this and beautiful images.
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January 2, 2022 at 9:05 am
My pleasure, Anita.
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January 3, 2022 at 5:01 pm
I love the repetition in Rufus’ poem! Great photo, too!
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January 3, 2022 at 6:18 pm
Thanks a lot, Luanne.
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January 5, 2022 at 4:58 am
Do you have the store “Wildbirds Unlimited” near you? Another place to sell your magnificent book of bird poetry and photos. 🙂
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January 5, 2022 at 9:02 am
No, I haven’t heard of it. But now I’ll be on the lookout for it.
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January 5, 2022 at 2:14 pm
Well, hopefully that means you’ll start working on your book!! 🙂
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January 5, 2022 at 3:55 pm
M-a-y-b-e-e-e-e-e.
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January 6, 2022 at 2:29 pm
Ahhh, that’s hopeful!! YAY!!
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January 10, 2022 at 5:03 am
Anneli, thanks for sharing this hope-filled poem. When we witness nature’s grit, it fills our hearts with much needed perseverance.
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January 10, 2022 at 1:48 pm
Much-needed perseverance! Yes!
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