The first gift I ever received from Himself was a small Liberty silk scarf, palest green background and covered with teeny tiny birds and animals. I loved the scarf, and the fact that he'd picked it out himself while in London on business made me think that maybe he had more possibilities than I'd first seen. So I'm sentimental about cute little animal motifs, and here's another, from Anthropologie. On one part of the site the fabric is said to be silk, in the details of the blouse it's said to be rayon. CFS Alert! If Anthro were J.Crew, those birds would be populating everything from jackets to evening bags to bikinis. Anthro says, hey, it's a shirt. Ya gonna buy it or not?
The afternoons are gradually lengthening, the mornings are beginning to start earlier - like actually in the morning! - and this means that soon a family friend will be stopping by. You may have read that Central Park is located on the main Atlantic flyway in North America, if you're a migrating bird, that is. Of recent years, many species are prolonging what used to be an overnight quickie, and they stick around for some meals, maybe some shopping, and a chance encounter or two. Or longer. Between March and December, a catbird comes and sits on the corner of the terrace off my living room every morning between 6:30 and 7:30, and he sings while I have coffee. He's a good guest, hasn't brought additional visitors or left droppings, and sometimes he flaps his wings and dances for me. One day you'll open this blog and see a picture of this guy performing, he actually lifts his feet and puts them down as his wings wave. A friendly bird is a nice way to start the day.
And here is a picture of a catbird, copied shamelessly from whatbird.com, which is where I learn the names of the critters in my yard that are not deer or rabbits:
Hi Fred-Glad you have such a delightful winged companion. I love most birds, they are fascinating to watch. I've kept busy feeding ours this winter-tufted titmice, nuthatches, downy woodpeckers, goldfinches, bluejays, cardinals, etc. My absolute best buddies are Mommy Robin, who knows she going to hit the smorgasbord when I get out my wheelbarrow and the romantic Mr Winter Wren, who readies his house outside my kitchen window and sings his heart out until Mrs Right comes along. I am so ready for Spring!
ReplyDeleteHi, David, those guys are at Flintstone Manor come late March-early April, and we have feeders right on the deck. I love watching the cardinal couples courting, and the titmice on a date in the cherry tree, where he picks a blossom and offers her the juicy end. Yup, ready for Sprint!
Deletein my neighborhood here in SF we have doves... which tends to drive our kitty crazy. there's a little hummingbird who often pops by next door and will fly up to the window and peer at us as we eat dinner. but if only the doves wouldn't start cooing at sunrise...
ReplyDeleteHi, Laura, our doves can't balance on the feeder, so they time their visits to follow the blue jays who are sloppy eaters and get seeds all over the deck. The doves are careful gleaners.
DeleteOh love this story Fred! I will have to look for him when I am in town!
ReplyDeleteHi, Wendy, at street level it's all sparrows and pigeons.
DeleteThat is a saucy looking shirt. To bad about the fabric content. I really like the black trim.
ReplyDeletetoo bad, not to bad- sorry...
DeleteHi, KnitYarns, the next time I get to an Anthro I plan to hold the shirt next to my skin and make a conclusive determination on the fabric.
DeleteI was just in Anthro this afternoon and the shirt is indeed rayon. Appears to be nice quality rayon (did I just say that?) but definitely not silk. The trim and outlines of birds is a very dark navy.
DeletePicked up an adorable bird t-shirt (cotton - yay!). SA told me the bird tees are flying (!!) out the door.
hi, shopalot, thanks for the report! I'll be checking out the tees tomorrow.
DeleteFriendly birds are always welcome. I am really looking forward to your post in which the catbird dances for us.
ReplyDeleteHi, The Elephant's Child, that will require some synchronicity - dancing bird, wideawake me, iPhone in hand, coffee already downed, and good light on terrace. But that day will come.
DeleteA Liberty bird scarf would bode well; this is a cute print , too. I have always loved birds-- now I have hens to follow me about; I saw a bluebird in the snow this week. Poor dear. Unusual for catbird to linger like that. We have a mockingbird performer.
ReplyDeleteHi, Lane, I remember learning that the bluebird is the Official State Bird of the State of New York. I have lived in New York state almost all of my life and I have never seen one. Maybe the next time I go to Maine for the opening of the lobster pounds?
DeleteI had never seen one up here and was startled to see him in the snow.
DeleteWFF, know there is such a thing as a catbird in the thrush family but don't think I've ever seen one. Look forward to your photo. Meantime off to look up where "in the catbird seat" comes from and find my one bird scarf. Isn't it nice when you get a good and unique souvenir present from someone else's trip away.
ReplyDeleteHi, GetFresh, I've just updated the post with a picture (not mine) of a catbird from a terrific site called whatbird.com.
DeleteI really like the little hats on those birds, so Edwardian! I'm watching Upstairs Downstairs right now and I love the clothes, even the get-ups for the downstairs set: proper aprons and a pink dress for Mrs.Bridges the cook.
ReplyDeleteI think your bird friend is a wonderful little fellow, if you could ever capture him with your camera I'd be so happy to see him. Enjoy your weekend Fred!
Hi, Dani, I never missed an episode of Upstairs Downstairs, I wanted to grow up and have staff.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend!