Mar. 17, 2009

We have Bluebird Tenants!

Posted in Birding

Really, it's quite ridiculous how excited we've been today...oh joyful day!!  I think the kids and I are as excited today as we were when we bought our own home.  We have bluebirds in our new nestbox!!!  I wasn't sure if it would actually happen this year or not, many times it takes a couple of years to get them.  We just put the nestbox up on March 2nd, and we already have "takers".  A female and male Eastern Bluebird have been working today bringing nesting materials to their new residence.  Almost everytime I look out towards our backyard I see a flitter of neon blue fly across my view.  They are truly beautiful birds.  I've taken some photos, but of course I had to max the zoom on my camera so they aren't of the greatest quality.

 

This is the male peering inside the nest box entry hole. 

Photobucket

 

In this one you can see the male and female; one is at the entrance, and one is on the branch above it. 

Photobucket

 

"Everyone loves the bluebird.  It is because he is so gentle, modest, brave, and useful. He is called the color-bearer of the spring songsters, the banner-bearer of Birdland, the minstrel of April, and Mabel Osgood Wright says he is a model citizen."

- from Type Lessons for Primary Teachers by Anna E. McGovern

 

The Blue Bird

Listen a moment, I pray you; what was that sound that I heard?

Wind in the budding branches, the ripple of brooks, or a bird?

Hear it again above us, and see a flutter of wings!

The blue bird knows it is April, and soars toward the sun and sings.



Never the song of the robin could make my heart so glad;

When I hear the blue bird singing in spring, I forget to be sad.

Hear it, a ripple of music, sunshine changed into song!

It sets me thinking of summer when the days and their dreams are long.



Winged lute that we call a blue bird, you blend in a silver strain,

The sound of the laughing water, the patter of spring's sweet rain.

The voice of the winds, the sunshine, and fragrance of blossoming things,

Ah! You are an April poem, that God has dowered with wings!

 

                                                    - Eben Eugene Rexford

 

Post A Comment! Send to a Friend!

Comments

Mar. 17, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
So glad to hear about your birds! We've seen a couple pairs of bluebirds around our boxes, but nobody has moved in yet. I sure hope they do.
sarah in the woods @ the forestroom.blogspot.com
Permanent Link

Mar. 17, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by OldSchoolMarm
Congratulations! You'll have to take a peek inside after the female has laid the eggs, they're such a beautiful blue. After they've hatched you will see a whole new side to Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird...these birds can be quite aggressive! Have fun and I'm so happy you have new boarders :-).
Blessings, Julie
Permanent Link

Mar. 18, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by toodlebugz
Yay! I just told my hubby this morning it was time to take care of the birds.Don't you just love going out and hearing them in the morning.Spring is coming!;o)
Permanent Link

Mar. 18, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Theresa
How fun!!! Enjoy your new residents and congrats on the new unit studies. I look forward to hearing more about them.

Blessings,
Theresa
Permanent Link

Mar. 18, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by franbles99
How wonderful! Sadly our small garden is a cat highway and much as I'd like a bird box we can't find anywhere safe to put one. I'll enjoy your photos instead!
Sarah
Permanent Link

Mar. 18, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jiffy11
Oh, I'm jealous!!! You'll have to post pictures if you are able to capture the babes on film later.
Jennifer
Permanent Link

Mar. 22, 2009 - How wonderful

Posted by basketflat
Oh, how wonderfully exciting! Did you see the bluebirds there before you put up the bird boxes?? Or did they attract them?? I'd love to know. I've never seen bluebirds here, but they are supposed to live here (the Western ones).
Permanent Link

About Me

Photobucket

My name is Melissa and I am a homeschool mom of three beautiful blessings ages 12, 10, and 4; and blessed wife to my husband for 16 years. We use Charlotte Mason's educational philosophies of learning the natural, everyday hands-on life way. We especially enjoy learning and growing together beyond the classroom doors in God's amazing creation in nature.

Photobucket

"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God." ~Psalm 84:3-4



Photobucket
Email Me

NaturExplorers Unit Studies!



Photobucket


Subscribe to My Blog


Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Subscribe in a reader


Subscribe in Bloglines


Photobucket


Recent Posts

Our First Snowfall!!
Keeping a Nature Calendar
Sandhill Crane Migration
Happy Thanksgiving!
Finding Color

General Links

Home
View my profile
Archives
My Blog's RSS
Crosswalk Homeschool Site
My Daughter's Blog

Downloadable Files to Share


General Files

Weekly Chore Checklist-Updated 3/08 (Word)
Weekly Dinner Menu Planner-Updated 3/08 (Excel)
Daily Schedule-Updated 4/08 (Word)
Kid's Chore Cards-Updated 3/08 (Word)
Food Journal (Excel)
Education Journal - Blank (Excel)


Nature Study Files

Taking Note of Birds List (Excel)
Birds Notebook Page - UPDATED(Word)
Northern Cardinal Study Guide (Word)
Plant Journal (Excel)
Science Journal (Excel)
Cloud Identification Sheet (Excel)
Fire! The Renewal of a Forest - Unit Study (Word)


Photobucket

Nature Links

Cornell Lab of Ornithology ~ Bird Guide
What Bird? ~ Bird Guide
ENature
National Geographic - Creature Features
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Migration Map
Great Backyard Bird Count - Feb. 2009
Great American Backyard Campout - June 2009
ebird - Report Bird Sightings Anytime
Round Robin - Blog From Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Help Identifying Tricky Birds, and Lots More!

Nature Identification Posts

Nature Identification How-To's
Wildflower Walks, Identification, and Notebooking
Take a Wildflower Walk


Kentucky Nature Identification Websites

Common Mammals of Kentucky
Wildflowers of Kentucky
Trees of Kentucky
Common Butterflies of Kentucky
Birds of Kentucky
Insects and Spiders of Kentucky-under KY Critter Files
Snakes of Kentucky
Reptiles of Kentucky
Frogs and Toads of Kentucky
Amphibians of Kentucky
Kentucky's Flora and Fauna

Photobucket

Nature Projects We've Done

Homemade Hummingbird Nectar
Homemade Suet
Bagel Bird Feeders
Nature Walk: 3-D Nature Scenes
Nature Prints in Clay
Nesting Materials Bag
Nature Walk: Poster Collage
Rock Painting
Our Nature Table
Mushroom Spore Prints
Woodland Fairy House
Nature Art ~ Blueberry Painting
Nature Craft ~ Wind Wands
Nature Art ~ Leaf Bursts

Photobucket

Nature Studies

Clouds Unit Study
Dandy Dandelions Study
Mushroom Study
From Eggs, to Tadpoles, to Toads
Forest Fires Unit Study
Gardening
Teaching with Nature ~ Math
Science Experiments
Outdoor Hour Challenges
Wind Study
A Full Moon Walk
Snow Study
Bird Study
Nuts About Nature Class
Creek Fun

Photobucket

Simple Backyard Nature Ideas

We Love Mud
Turn it Over
Animal Habitats
Let It Grow
Can You Hear It?
Imagination Play

Photobucket

Art and Music

Picture Study - Creative Writing Activity
Nature Walk, 5 Elements of Shape, Vivaldi
Monet Impressionism ~ Vivaldi
Watercolor Project ~ Vivaldi
Mary Cassatt ~ Tempera Monoprint
Nature's Paintbox: Autumn Tempera Paints
~ Poetry and Vivaldi

Nature's Paintbox: Summer Watercolors
~ O'Keeffe and Vivaldi

Nature's Painbox: Spring Pastels ~ Stravinsky
Henri Matisse ~ Cut Paper Art

Photobucket

Our Educational Philosophy

"Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life."
~ Charlotte Mason


Who Was Charlotte Mason?
Summaries of "The Original Homeschooling Series"
Why Homeschoolers are Turning to a Charlotte Mason Education
Simply Charlotte Mason

Nature Study is Education!

Precious Moments in God's Creation
Can Nature Teach?
Finally, the Elusive Pileated Woodpecker
Carving Out Time for Nature Study
Teaching with Nature ~ Math

Charlotte Mason Quotable
"It would be well if we all persons in authority, parents and all who act for parents, could make up our minds that there is no sort of knowledge to be got in these early years so valuable to children as that which they get for themselves of the world they live in. Let them once get touch with Nature, and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight through life. We were all meant to be naturalists, each in his degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things." --Charlotte Mason, Vol.1, p. 61

Photobucket

Textbook Curriculum We Currently Use

Teaching Textbooks Math
Primary Language Lessons"
Intermediate Language Lessons
The Write Stuff Adventure
Mystery of History

Categories

Amphibian Study
Art and Music
Awards
Bible
Birding
Butterflies and Moths
Charlotte Mason
Cloud Study
Dictation
Events
Family
Field Trips
Gardening
Hands On Learning
Healthy Living
History
Holidays
Home
Household and School Planning
Just For Fun
Language Arts
Math
My Blog
Natural Learning
Nature in Autumn
Nature in Spring
Nature in Summer
Nature in Winter
Nature Crafts
Nature Journaling
Nature Study
Organization
Our Homeschool
Outdoor Hour Challenges
Poetry
Recipes
School Group
Science
Seasons
Simple Backyard Nature
Snow Study
Unit Studies
Wildflowers
Wind Study

Other Blogs I Visit

Our Journey Westward
By Sun and Candlelight
There's No Place Like Home
Handbook of Nature Study
Dawn in the Home
Higher Up and Further In
Rose Cottage
His Mercy is New
Toodlebugz
Heritage Schoolhouse
Once Upon a Muffin
School for Us
Living Life Between the Trees
Homeschooling. Oregon Style.
Raising Little Shoots
Science of Relations
Song of My Heart
Heritage Schoolhouse
Crafty Crow

Homeschoolblogger Friends

LaMereAcademy

blessed2bamommy
FaithfulGrace
Pattycake
msack
momanna98
seekingHim
MusingMom
OhioSarah
mamasmurf
5atkins
kaysmarmey
ApplesofGold
ctnjm324
Keri
Sandpiper

briarwren
jenn4him
jiffy11
ReviewsbyHeidi
Lightbearer
nikkisimcox
Ksudoc93
nancysnook
H0MEFree
pottershand
CherylinMA
gracelikerain
joyfulmomy
mamaof3
rreitsma
happycamper
MamaM
naturalpaths
blessedwith2angels
peaksandvalleys1991
tulipmama
mountainsong
Bigsis10
Dot
SchoolinRhome
boysrus
blessinghill
psalms16vs2
lilywhite
kimalita
kkzemadamson
Jilann
franbles99
flysister
Patiecake
basketflat
homeschoolingmy2


TreasureHeart
buzymommy

homeschoolnomad
homeschoolingKatt
loobylou1971
GailBardsley
prayingmother
OldSchoolMarm
covemom
pinkieballet
4realBella102
pakbak4evr
garboodles
dawnrising

Photobucket


hslaunch.com's list of top education blogs











Photobucket



Green Hour - Discover the Wonder of Nature



CURRENT MOON

Entry 72 of 383
Last Page | Next Page