Tuesday, November 25, 2014

"Youthful Enthusiasm"


Youthful Enthusiasm

Virginia Nightingale flashes cardinal red
amongst elderberry and beech,
flutters about, orange beak tilted over wing and tail.

Upon woodland path two feet still, finger points,
a first entry upon his list, checked.
Sketches Daughter of the Sun, flips page and says,

"Now for a Bald Eagle!"

by Margaret Bednar, November 25, 2014

He has quite the "birding" hat, doesn't he?
My youngest and I are beginning a new hobby - birding.  My youngest daughter made the comment it was for "old people" but I know my 7 year old son surely enjoyed it.   We stilled ourselves and waited for the forest activity to resume.  And boy did it!  A squirrel almost dashed into us and we saw two types of woodpeckers as well.  I will post photos and a poem I'm sure soon.

My son said he thought he saw an Eagle !!!!  and then said "Nevermind.  It's a plane."   I might have to get him better quality binoculars.

"Daughter of the Sun" is a Cherokee name for the cardinal and another name is "Virginia Nightingale".

And so… I've started a birding journal blog "(not merely) Ornamental" click or find it on my sidebar.

This poem is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Open Link Monday"
at

17 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlNovember 25, 2014 at 4:50 PM

    so very cute. :) laughed at the bald eagle - i'm still looking for my first in the wild, too. :)

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  2. Brian MillerNovember 25, 2014 at 7:45 PM

    smiles...cool that you two can share that...its pretty cool....my youngest was home sick today...well he has been all week so far but i got to stay home and just buddy around with him all day...smiles.

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  3. FireblossomNovember 27, 2014 at 6:19 PM

    Keep spotting those rare birds!

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  4. colleenDecember 1, 2014 at 3:44 PM

    Nicely painted scene.

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  5. LolamouseDecember 1, 2014 at 7:25 PM

    What a great activity to share with your kids! I keep a bird identification guide by my kitchen window but am terrible at actually identifying anything!

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  6. kaykualaDecember 1, 2014 at 9:38 PM

    Right thinking Marge! One clear way of passing on the baton!

    Hank

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  7. AnonymousDecember 1, 2014 at 9:54 PM

    Ah, so sweet. Birders get really obsessive like that! Very charming! And great that you can keep him company. Thanks, Margaret. k.

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  8. Magaly GuerreroDecember 1, 2014 at 11:57 PM

    A Bald Eagle sounds like a magnificent undertaking!

    Children always make things magical.

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  9. JimDecember 2, 2014 at 3:07 AM

    I'll go see your 'journal', Margaret. I liked your cardinal, I hope she visits us when she comes south. We have friends, a couple, who bird. The now live in Mississippi but came hear and down to Matagorda for some Texas migratory bird sightings.
    I hope your your youngest keeps on liking the new hobby.
    ..

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  10. MarianDecember 2, 2014 at 6:04 AM

    love it, Margaret! my daughter (who is 8) has really developed as a birder over the past couple years. it's so much fun to share the excitement with her... and to watch her learn.
    we got turned on to bird cams, too. there are so many, from so many parts of the world! we started with a local peregrine falcon nest (which we feel really lucky to be able to observe and follow) but then discovered that you can find a treasure trove online.
    we will be checking out your birding blog!
    love this poem, too. it seems like it could be a form... the name of which i forget. but you haven't mentioned that so maybe it isn't. :)

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  11. Grandmother MaryDecember 2, 2014 at 6:41 AM

    First of all I think it's wonderful to have a hobby to share with your son. My son-in-law is one of the foremost birders in Trinidad and they live in the rain forest there. Check out the link on my blog to their village and see some birds there. My granddaughter is 8 and loves to connect with other kids via iPad's Skype. She could show him birds there. Have her tell him of fostering a hawk. Birding is a great way to become aware of nature.

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  12. Kerry O'ConnorDecember 2, 2014 at 10:55 AM

    Reading the blogs of my American friends during this time of year makes me very envious.. blackberry picking and now a red cardinal! We have a red bishop in our parts but he is not nearly as spectacular.

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  13. brudbergDecember 2, 2014 at 4:14 PM

    I love the name of Virginia Nightingale --cardinals are a true delight.. sharing birding sounds wonderful

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  14. GraceDecember 2, 2014 at 4:51 PM

    That's a lovely bird sighting ~

    Good for your and your son to take up this hobby ~ There's been a hawk flying our area here and the sight is spectacular ~

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  15. UnknownDecember 2, 2014 at 5:45 PM

    I beautiful lady - dropped by to wish you a belated Happy Thanksgiving.
    I hope you are well. Birding what a fun hobby to share.
    Have Blessed Christmas

    Love Leslie

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  16. Kay L. DaviesDecember 3, 2014 at 11:16 PM

    Bald eagles are becoming somewhat passé where I come from (in British Columbia) but I've never seen a cardinal by that or any other name. How wonderful that your son is enjoying birding.
    K

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  17. hedgewitchDecember 4, 2014 at 7:55 AM

    One of the things I like about our winters down here are all the birds that come to the feeders. It truly is fascinating to watch, and I love it that you are doing it with your seven year old. Also, I am finally making the rounds today to thank those like yourself, Margaret, who have supported my writing and been there so often to let me know how you felt about it--sincere thanks and best of the season to you and yours.

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