Thursday, January 29, 2009

Prelude




As the days on the calendar pass from January to February Nature begins ever so slightly the prelude to the ritual of Spring. Besides the ongoing miracles that occur beneath the blanket of snow, the one I find most intriguing is nesting.

While each bird species has its own habits and arrangements of the place that is designed to keep eggs, nestlings warm and protected, the selection of the sight and the building of the nest is a wondrous curiosity.


The little wren and song sparrows' nests are the ones shown here. Each one a miracle of construction lined in layers of softness indigenous to its area.

At the end of each season when the nests lie abandoned I gather a few to bring indoors to share the beauty and harmony of Nature within my nest until the prelude begins anew.



17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Now that Susan, is toooo cute. I am in love with those sweet little nests just like I'm in love with the little sparrow who pecks on my bathroom window usually twice a week. Such a wee little thing, so cute. Whenever I go to the window he is standing there looking at me and then he flys away.

Please stop by my blog to enter my giveaway for "One World One Heart". It is so inspiring to visit all of the various artists.

Lori said...

Susan, we have a flowering crab at the corner of my glassed in porch that has really been loaded with birds this week...i have spotted a nest high up on it's branches...i don't know what kind of bird constructed it, it is huge...i have a few small nests that i have brought into the house...i like to fill them with my favorite vintage jewelry pieces and tiny vintage photos...i agree, they are really sweet...

Suzanne said...

Nests are such little miracles of intricate weaving. Love the photos of your collection. And speaking of spring and "new", I like the new look of your blog!

The Victorian Parlor said...

The pictures are beautiful. I love the first signs of spring with budding flowers and birdsong.

Doreen Frost said...

Oh Susan..I love these photos! So very pretty and what a lovely post. I too like to collect the birds nest when fall arrives.

Have a wonderful day my friend.
Hugs,
Doreen

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Aren't they amazing? I love the ones the wrens build in the window boxes. They are little tunnels that actually have little doors. Incredibly cute and so much fun to watch through the windows.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

This is a truly lovely post Susan...especially the last pic of the dear little one sitting upon that sweet little nest...yes indeed, nature is very intriguing!!! And those gowns hanging there in the sunshine along with the other images...just beautiful!!! It's always a pleasure to come over to visit...Dzintra XX

softinthehead said...

Thank you Susan for your visit and kind words. I forget how enchanting your blog is until I come back and get lost in it. I just love it.

I am very excited about this amazing door that has opened to me in Michigan and yes I am getting closer to you, lol....Thanks again, Pam

Anonymous said...

LOVE, love, love your new blog look!!A feather in your cap-(not to be confused with your nest!)
XO
D.

Joy Jones said...

Hi Susan! I love your nests! Oh how I wish I could find treasures like that on the ground. Nature really provides the most beautiful gifts, does she not? Have a beautiful week ~ xo Joy

Lea said...

So beautiful, these woven jewels! This turning of the seasons, small markers to let us know that spring is indeed on her way... I love watching now, how things begin to peak out and show just the tip of what is yet to come!

Christine Crocker said...

dearest Susan,

how lovely your bird nests are displayed with your old pewter or silver, it's just beautiful...and I'm sure that your snug "nest" is just as beautiful.
I love looking at nests, seeing how they were woven around and through like an intricately woven basket.

My husband found an abandoned doves nest this past fall made of just a handful of dry twigs with just one small pale egg, cracked but still very beautiful.

Your new blog is ethereal and lovely,Susan.
xo,C

Heather said...

i cant believe its february already! TIme has flown so fast...in about 6 weeks my daffodils will start peeking out. I am trying not to get too impatient ;)

HAWTHORN HALL said...

Your birds nests are very special and a lovely reminder that spring is just around the corner.

Gillian

Christine LeFever said...

Such a beautiful marriage of the silver-plate and nests, Susan. I treasure these wonders of nature whenever I happen upon one.

Christine

SweetAnnee said...

Oh so sweet

fondly, Deena

nicol sayre said...

Hello My dear Susan
What a wonder of perfection in Nature is the humble nest. Perfect yet the epitome of making-do with what the world provides.
I too gather them in the fall and winter when they are stark against the bare trees... my favorite a tiny hummingbird nest lined with downy fluff.
xoxo N