Jeanne Selep's Selep Imaging Blog: bird nest

Showing posts with label bird nest. Show all posts

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Fantasy Spring Nest with Eggs

fantasy Spring Eggs in Nest flowers by Jeanne Selep siberian grass

Fantasy Spring Nest

Locations south of me are seeing signs of spring, but here in Wisconsin we had snow this weekend. To get in the Easter and Spring mindset, I decided to share a fantasy spring bird nest with eggs. The nest is real, the eggs and flowers are real, but the photo is entirely "styled". The photos where taken on April 2 in a previous year.

Fantasy Spring Eggs in Nest

When I find abandoned bird nests around my house, I place them outside on my window ledges. For this 'vignette', I used one of those nests, store bought quail eggs (that my kids wouldn't eat), and placed the nest in a blooming patch of early spring flowers.

Fantasy Spring Easter nest with eggs flowers

Fantasy Spring Nest

Enjoy!

Happy St Pat's Day,

and Happy Easter!

Notes: I planted the flowers, Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) long ago. Glory of the Snow blooms very early in spring with upward facing blue flowers, making it a lovely and welcome sign of spring here. The flowers spread easily (with encouragement). What does 'spreads easily (with encouragement)' mean? You place the tiny bulbs in the lawn, and over years the flowers will spread slowly, within a couple of square feet. If you want to have it spread over multiple areas you have to place the bulbs there. It seems to grow better in the shade, and the bulbs don't seem harmed by lawn weed chemicals.

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Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon 568 (m Entry 39 of 297.) I was featured here!
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Common Ground: All About Home Mon 6p (l Entry 69 of 153.)
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Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 11 of 20.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 7 of 60.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 382 (Entry 2 of 13.)
Across the Blvd: Beautifully Made 254 Tue 8a (Entry 4 of 22 gone)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home 38 Tue 9a (m Entry 7 of gone.)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 17r of 52r.)
Peabea: Pictorial Tuesday (Entry 3 of 14.)
Thistlekeylane: Tuesday Turn About 5p (s Entry 13r of 134r.)
Also My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 13r of 134r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 516 (l Entry 5 of 33.)
Karins Kottage: Centerpiece Wed (Entry 27 of 133.)
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My Thrift Store Addiction: Vintage Charm 380Wed (m Entry 16 of 56.)
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French Ethereal: Share Your Style 380 Wed 6p (Entry 12 of 57.)
Imparting grace: Grace at home 500! (Entry 66 of 166.)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10p (Entry 82 of gone.)
My Slices of Life: Hearts+Home Handmade Th 4p (Entry 47 of 68.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Thurs Favorite Things 600 Th 10a (Entry 87 of 201.)
Also KatherinesCorner: 600 Th 10a (Entry 87 of 201.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: 600 Th 10a (Entry 87 of 201.)
Life beyond Kitchen: Creatively Crafty 371 Th 4p (Entry 51 of 91.)
Pennys Passion: Fri Favorites (Entry 34 of 42.)
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Shabby art boutique: Create-bake-grow-gather 563 (L Entry 18x of 127x.)
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Thursday, February 18, 2021

Bluebird Hot Tub Party

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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I am linking up to these parties:
Kathleen: Bloggers Pit Stop 258 Th 8p (L Entry 3 of 78.)
Two Chicks and a Mom: Funtastic Thur 320 8p (i Entry 4 of 113.)
Shelbeeontheedge: On the edge 233 Fri (Entry 52 of 84.)
The Painted Hinge: Farmhouse Fri 192 (L Entry 16 of 84.)
Chic on a shoestring: Flaunt it Fri 490 (s Entry 37 of 56.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters Fri 319 (s Entry 74 of 92.)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 24 (L Entry 8 of 57.)    I was featured here!
Shabby Art: Create-grow-gather 458 Fri a (L Entry 52x of 98x.)
Busy Being Jennifer: Fri Favorites 120 (m Entry 5 of 64.)
Our mini family: Our mini party 318 (s Entry x of 57x.)
Pennys Passion: Fri Favorites (Entry 5 of 64.)
** Eye Love Knots: Snicker Doodle 373 Sat 5pm (m Entry 46 of 104.)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry 1 of 78.)
Weekend Reflection: reflections (Entry 2 of 27.)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 85 Sun 3p (l Entry 17 of 132.)
3 little buttons: Dream Team Linky Sun 6am (Entry 4 of 22.)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 25 of 170.)
Franca: Keep Calm and Carry On (Entry 12 of 31.)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (m Entry 24 of 112.)           I was featured here!
My Random: Anything Goes 274 Sun 6p (Entry 4 of 71.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 9 of 46.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 5x of 47x.)
Anitaojeda: Inspire Me Mon 4p (s Entry 32 of 41.)
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 123 Mon 2-4p (m Entry 22 of 112.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me 580 Mon 3p (l Entry 19 of 114.)
Common Ground: All About Home 80 Mon 6p (l Entry 6 of 126.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 360 Mon 6p (l Entry 27 of 123.)
Mersad photography: Through my Lens M 8a (Entry 14 of 128.)
Our World Tues: Our World (Entry 20 of 61.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up Mon 8a (Entry 6 of 73.)
Sharon Wagner: Sharon's Souvenirs 8a (Entry 2 of 7.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 275 (Entry 16 of 16.)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home 203 Tue 9a (m Entry 9 of 52.)
Ohmyheartsiegirl: Fri Feature Party 247 (s Entry 46 of 128.)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 14 of 71.)
Peabea: Pictorial Tuesday (Entry 5 of 14.)
Jesh studio: All Seasons Tues (Entry 25 of 26.)
Poinsettiadr: Classy Flamingos 142 Tue (l Entry 1 of 28.)                     I was featured here!
Thistlekeylane: Tuesday Turn About 88 5p (s Entry 4 of 165.)
Also My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About 88(s Entry 4 of 165.)
LeCultivateur: Wonderful Wed (m Entry 102 now site gone.)
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Lets Add Sprinkles: Keep in Touch 188 Tue 4p (m Entry 3 of 56.)
Gingersnap crafts:Wow me 493 Tue 7p (Entry 7x of 96x.)
Girlish Whims: Whims 499 Tues 8:50p (Entry 6 of 83.)
Applestreetcottage: Party-in-your-pjs 347 (Entry 11 of 102.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 425 Tu/Wed 5p (l Entry 3x of 102x.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 232 Wed 2p (m Entry 47 of 73.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 293 Wed 6p (Entry 4 of 64.)
Imparting grace: Grace at home 414 (Entry 66 of 100.)
Artsy mama: Artsy party 243 Th 7a (Entry 18 of 126.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 19 of 21.)
My Slices of Life: Hearts+Home Handmade Th 6a (Entry 35 of 112.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 413 Th 8a (L Entry 36 of 120.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Thurs Favorite Things Th 7a (Entry 43 of 205.)        I was featured here!
Also KatherinesCorner: Th 7a (Entry 43 of 205.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: Th 7a (Entry 43 of 205.)
My Thrift Addiction: Vintage Charm 273 Wed (m Entry 18 of 69.)
My hubbard home: Fri with Friends 10 (Entry 11x of 24x.)
Life beyond Kitchen: Creatively Crafty 264 Th 4p (Entry 52 of 77.)
My Hubbard Home: Friday with Friends (l Entry x of 22x)                     I was featured here!
Viewing Nature: Saturdays Critters 375 Sat (Entry 38 of 44)
Birding: Viewing Nature Sat (Entry 10 of ??gone.)
Natalie: Coffee Share Th (Entry 40 of 44.)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 30 (Entry 27 of 84.)
Comedy plus: Awww Mondays 179 (Entry 31 of 40)
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Sunday, January 31, 2021

Winter Garden

Winter Garden as seen from the second floor

We recently had a significant snowfall in Wisconsin (where we are supposed to get snow). The snow was the finishing touch on the garden vignette I had envisioned.

Winter Garden close-up

As the lawn disappeared beneath a blanket of snow, it settled on my mosaic table and chairs, and the arch I decorated with an evergreen garland and red bow.

Winter Garden early morning

The garden is a focal point for noticing lighting effects. On some mornings, the snow can turn pink and lavender as the sun rises. (The photo above hints at this coloration - pink colored snow is a sunrise effect that I don't have a photo of, but on the handful of occasions it happens it's magical)

Winter Garden when cloudy from East bedroom

Throughout the day, the colors of the snow and shadows change - sometimes gray, sometimes blindingly white.

Winter Garden in sunlight

A cloud passing over can turn the snow a subdued gray or soft blue, and then moments later the sun emerges and the rooms inside the house light up with reflected light from the snow.

Winter Garden: Sunny Day late afternoon

The colors of the shadows change as well - in late afternoon shadows can turn a deepening blue as they lengthen and stretch across the snow.

The garden scene can be seen from three bedrooms facing the street. The garden makes looking out the window to check the weather a pleasure.

Bird nest with snow

It's unusually quiet right after it snows. The snow muffles sounds, animals and bird snuggle down, and things seem still for a moment - frozen (!). Where do the birds disappear to when it snows?

Glass Garden Flowers with snow Set 1

Closer to the house my (large) collection of glass garden flowers got dusted with snow. I've made these flowers over the last decade or so.

Glass Garden Flowers with snow Set 2

The snow melts off the glass plates quickly in the sun, but I enjoy the extra decoration that nature gives my collection for a couple of hours.

Glass Garden Flowers with snow Set 3

People have asked me if I take in the glass flowers during the winter. The answer is no. There would be no room to store them and besides, in winter they are the only flowers still blooming! The glass colors especially stand out in the snow.

Glass Garden Flowers with snow Set 4

I have two matching planters that flank the door (one shown) that I decorate seasonally. I love the way the snow covers trees, evergreens, and branches and shrubs.

Planter with winter foliage

My garden arch, the planters, the table and chair set, and the glassware that I used for the glass flowers are all resale shop and estate sale finds.

I have a post on the glass flowers here, and the mosaic table here.

Winter Garden

The garden lies under the snow with over 100 tulip bulbs, many different irises, 4 rose bushes, daisys, black-eyed susans, and many other flowers. I created it during 2020 with the extra time at home due to the pandemic.

Garden Art in winter

I look at the garden and imagine what it will look like in spring. It's a strange gardening habit of mine to view a mound of dirt (or snow) and instead see future flowers...

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

I blog for fun and my blog is ad free. Comments encourage me, and I sometimes need encouragement. Please leave a comment if you have time! Anonymous comments and comments months/years later are welcome!

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