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January 25, 2008

Friday Feathers

The male House Finch (below) is a huge disappointment for me. It's not about the photo, which I think is fine. It's the fact that I misidentified this bird. I really thought it was a Purple Finch but no such luck. After posting this photo in a forum, the birding experts confirmed its identification and told me, "You'll know a Purple Finch when you see one...

It may not be a Purple Finch but at least the shot is a good one! :-)

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January 23, 2008

Why is it...

... that when I'm home sick I suddenly acquire a pet?

I recall the time I had the flu and I heard a rustling coming from my fireplace. The rustle eventually became louder and louder and resulted in a bird flitting and fluttering in the base of the fireplace. I spent hours trying to get that bird out of my apartment. One does not need to be chasing after a bird when one is ill.

Then there was the time I was home with some other sort of ailment and I noticed a dark shadow by my feet. When I locked my eyes onto it the realization that it was a mouse sent me fleeing from my chair.

The same thing happened yesterday.

If I wanted a pet I'd get a dog. If I wanted to keep the rodentia away, I'd be better off with a cat. *sigh* I want my uninvited guest that is busy hiding somewhere around here GONE.

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January 18, 2008

Friday Feathers

Each time I see this week's feathered one, it's scaling a tree, or hanging upside down from a feeder or pulling itself up on the metal pole the feeder hangs from, only to slide down again and repeat the entire process until it realizes that flying is the quickest way to get there. :-)

The Downy Woodpecker was previously featured here, (how to tell the difference between the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers,) and here in a photo from 2006.

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January 11, 2008

Friday Feathers

I'm beginning to ponder the idea that this blog should have a different name, like The Feathered Ones instead of Dusting My Brain. I've not been at a loss for words but I suppose I've been at a loss for blog posting. But enough about that. Let's just move on to this week's featured feathered one.

The Dark-eyed Junco is a bird I've featured previously in this space. The difference is that I've not published this particular photo, which isn't a WOW! but more of a yeah, I like the colors and the fact that the bird is looking at me image.

By the way, most of the photos in Friday Feathers can be easily accessed via the Friday Feathers archives. In addition to that, I've set up a single page photo collection from the 2006 (when I started doing this feature) and 2007 posts (photos only.) If you're so inclined, I'm interested in getting your feedback. Which feathered photo is your favorite and why? :-)

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January 4, 2008

Friday Feathers

Here we are at the beginning of a new year and not a new bird in sight! Like I said in my last entry, January is typically a slow month for me when it comes to new bird photos. That doesn't mean there aren't any photos to post because I have many; it just means that I'll be digging through my photo archives for previously unpublished feathers.

I like to begin new years with the Blue Jay. There's something about this particular bird that intrigue me in a weird sort of way. They're beautiful, yet they squawk and squeal like nobody's business. I suppose that's why it's referred to as the alarm of the forest; it screams at intruders in the woods.

I'll bet these birds feign danger just so all the other birds fly away from the feeders. :-)

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January 1, 2008

Beginning a New Year with Tradition

Now make sure y'all clap along to the music!

Strauss - Radetsky March

I was the blue-haired lady in the first row. *wink wink* Also, if you haven't been playing along all these years, this particular piece is my FAVORITE from the Vienna Philharmonic's annual New Year's Day Concert in (duh) Vienna, Austria. This one was from last year... hopefully I can update it to the 2008 version if and when it becomes available online.

p.s. Wishing you nothing but the very best for this New Year --good health, happiness and prosperity!

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