We witness ourselves change but do we see all the changes happening all around us?

I am fascinated with nature and always trying to bring it closer to home. Sometimes to close!

This is why I feed birds all year round. There’s nothing better than hearing songbirds in summer or watching a pair of tiny sparrows play in the snow of a hedge.

What I’ve noticed in the past year are some very significant changes in the birds around our home. The biggest change is the lack of birds at the feeders.

I didn’t panic last summer because I saw and heard the birds as usual, knowing there are many food sources for them in summer. But the birds are not coming this winter?

I would normally be halfway through my second 50lb bag of sunflower seeds and yet I’ve hardly touched one, filling a group of feeders just twice since November. What’s so interesting is that our winter birds are still all out there, playing and doing what birds do.

Normally I wouldn’t give something like this a second thought, letting things work themselves out as they do. But, after feeding these birds for so long I’ve been watching this carefully.

Here’s where things get interesting! 

Last week I was out playing with the dog and a bright little Chickadee danced and bounced in front of me on a small tree branch. I gave the little one all my attention and just followed the dance. Without a word being spoken Chickadee pointed with its beak upward. So, keeping one eye on the Chickadee I glanced in that direction into the late afternoon sky and watched to see the sun break through the clouds. When I looked back at the little bird, still dancing, there was a smile on its face and one forming on mine. An interconnected thought or knowingness had just passed between us and the message was crystal clear.

The birds I know, are gaining some of their nutrition from the sun! 

And this little Chickadee teasingly said, “Of course, you knew this, what did you think we were eating!”.

Crazy as it may sound, I’ve never doubted the words spoken that afternoon and will continue to watch our dear animal friends to see what other tricks are up their sleeves.

I may have a lot of birdseed for sale!

What are you noticing?

P.S. I just got a strange feeling that Walton’s Mountain isn’t too far away, with John and Grandpa and all the rest smiling too.