Selep Imaging Blog: February 2021

Bluebird of Happiness

The phrase "bluebird of happiness" refers to the idea that seeing a bluebird is an omen of good luck, joy or happiness. This concept has existed for centuries in European, Chinese, Russian, Native American and other cultures. I'm hoping this idea is true, because recently I have been seeing a whole lot of bluebirds.

In summer 2020, I put up a bird feeder to add activity outside my dining room window. As summer progressed the feeding birds were fun to watch. They were mostly LBB's as my sister calls them, Little Brown Birds.

Eastern Bluebird at my heated Birdbath

Fall came, and I put up more feeders. When winter came I figured out how to supply electricity to the heated birdbath I had owned for over a decade. (i.e., I purchased a really long outdoor power cord.) Wow, that made a difference once the snow began to fall. Apparently birds like seeing open water.

Bluebird at my birdbath

I now have a large variety of birds in my backyard. Most are still LBB's (little brown birds). But the most exciting sight is a small flock of bluebirds that regularly visit the birdbath.

Bluebird Hot-tub Party

In decades of life in Wisconsin, I've almost never seen a real bluebird, and now 3-5 can show up for a daily hot-tub party.

Bluebirds are Flighty!

But they move fast and are SO flighty! (No wonder they are considered hard to see!) So I used wrapping paper to make a blind on part of my window, put my camera on a tripod, and here are some of the results. (The birdbath is about 6 feet from the window).

Two Male Eastern Bluebirds

My first photos (not shown) highlighted how dirty the birdbath was, so I had to go out in the snow and scrub the birdbath down for better photos. (I had to "style" the birdbath). And I need to add water almost every day when it's zero degrees Fahrenheit out, but the birds make the effort worthwhile.

Female Eastern Bluebird

Despite the blind, the birds seem aware that I am there. The ability to actually stare at my photos (since the actual birds move so fast) makes me feel happy - my bluebirds are looking at me! I want to protect these tiny creatures who can handle -5 degrees Fahrenheit, in a world where the climate is changing faster than we can comprehend.

Bluebird drinking and Reflection

I love how the little bluebird above has a drop of water on his beak. The reflection and spreading water droplet turned out well. He is a male Eastern bluebird. Western bluebirds have blue all the way around the neck.
(I found this site great for bluebird identification and maps, bird song recordings and bluebird information.)

Bluebird head Closeup

Since my post is about bluebirds, I thought I would share two vintage postcards featuring bluebirds that I have in a collection of vintage cards.

Vintage postcard 1 - with Bluebirds and nest

I like the sweet graphics and cute sentiments found on the old cards. One is postmarked 1922, the other says 1920(?).

Vintage postcard 2 - with Bluebirds postmarked 1922

I'm also sharing two vintage porcelain birds I've had for quite some time. I used to think the shape was exaggerated, but now I see what the artist saw.

Vintage ceramic bluebird figurines

My photographs show round fluffed out little birds that seem to match the shape of the sculpted figures.

Eastern Bluebird

I hope sharing my photos of these "bluebirds of happiness" will bring you good luck and joy. After all, you are now seeing them too.

Maybe this is a sign that the pandemic will pass soon? We can only hope... Until then, stay safe and warm!

If you want to see more snow, (yeah, right - who wants to see more snow?!?) check out my Winter Garden.)

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

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Mosaic Birdhouse: View 1

A narrow table on my stair's landing adds a little bit of Holiday into my foyer.

Winter Valentine Vignette

I decorate the table top seasonally, and the decorations for a specific holiday or season change every year. I arranged this Valentine/winter vignette last year.

Hearts made from Repurposed Books

If your returning to my blog you might guess I made the mosaic bird house. You would be right. (I've made many mosaic projects.)

Mosaic Birdhouse: View 1

I created this to be a actual outside bird house for birds. But then it ended up looking like a snowy chalet, and I decided to use it inside as a decoration. Besides, I thought the golden roof tiles might not last well outside.

Mosaic Birdhouse: View 2 showing roof

Its funny how my project results are often unpredictable. A "Valentine" ball I made using hearts and words like "love" and found objects ended up looking spooky and Goth like. The "striking" red and black ball I intended to make became a Valentine ball. And my "summery" birdhouse resembles a snowy chalet. Go with the flow I guess. Creation is an unpredictable process.

Mosaic Birdhouse: Front View

Miscellaneous notes: I found the red hearts (made from repurposed books) at an artsy vintage store. (Support these creative retail stores!) I've been collecting the glass trees from rummage/estate sales when I see them at a low price. The birdhouse rests on a vintage cake stand. The marble topped table was a cherished vintage find because it fit so well in the landing.

Mosaic Birdhouse: View 3

The picture below shows the full view of the table on the landing. (Help me out - would this piece of furniture really called a table? Otherwise, what is it?). Sometimes I arrange the oversized books I display in the base for the time of year, but not in this photo. (I would have for the photo if I had noticed it in time. In this view it has oversized books I had recently referenced.)

Table on my stair's landing

I'll show you my Christmas arrangement using many of the same elements from the Valentine vignette above. I thought a simple arrangement would showcase the three button trees a friend made and gave me as a gift. (She has an astounding button collection.)

Mosaic Birdhouse in a Christmas Vignette

The sign on the table is a stone engraved souvenir (I paid full price!) that I bought in San Diego. The sentiment has been a favorite for years, but now it has a darker irony(?) when you think about the pandemic.

"Life
is not measured by the
number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that
take our breath away."