Hi, and thanks for stopping by my blog.
It seems almost unbelievable, but I can be sure that there will always be subject matter available when I am ready to post another blog. Something is always happening in the animal world along the Quiet Side of the Great Lake.
For those who are reading my blog for the first time, the Quiet Side of the Great Lake is the locality where my stories in the Tales from a Lake series take place.
Some eight years ago my husband glassed-in a section of our second story balcony. Up until that time we had a hard time using any of our balcony (it runs the length of our house), as it is subject to stiff sea breezes and strong southerly winds. The outcome of his endeavour has resulted in a wonderful observation room. I can sit there as I write, and watch life on the lake evolve right in front of me. I call it my ‘sunroom’. It is where I hang out. It is where I write my blogs and books. It also gets the morning sun so it’s cozy in the winter.
Yesterday, I was sitting reading in my favourite chair in my sunroom. I wasn’t there long when a juvenile Little Corella plonked himself on a branch in one of our palm trees right outside the open window. It was as though his mum had said, I’ll meet you back in the palm tree. Stay there until I find you. Because he stayed – for ages.
After a while he became impatient. He decided to squawk for his mum with the loudest squawks you have ever heard. We had a bit of a conversation as he looked down at me and I looked up at him. I think he liked having an audience.
Probably an hour or so later after lots of squawks, Mum and the flock arrived and decided they would have some fun. My husband remarked only the other day that these birds always seemed to be happy. He wondered if they really were, or if it just seemed that way. To answer his question (after a little research) I found it is well documented that these birds are known for their sense of fun and their love to play. Actually they are entertainers. Life’s real little comedians.
They found a broken palm frond which had a long piece of fibre hanging from it. It looked like string and they decided to have some fun with it, and some other leafy twigs. A breeze had sprung up and they were enjoying holding on and swinging in the breeze. They each seemed to have their own personal trick to perform. I shot a number of photos. Then I got to have fun adding some light effects from a software program called DreamLight Photo Editor. I thought these little guys needed some effects to spotlight their tricks .
Swinging while hanging on with beak and toes
This pose is wing assisted with beak and one toe – I dare you to try it!
Flying without a net – hanging on with feet only
Trapeze artist pose
Wind assisted layout
There were too many antics to fill up this blog post, but you get the idea. They entertained us for some time. Isn’t it amazing that the purest and simplest of God’s creatures can bring such pleasure.
Yes, our God truly loves the Creation He made. As His children we receive His blessings with joy.
The Psalmist reminds us:
“You make springs pour water into the ravines,
so streams gush down from the mountains.
11 They provide water for all the animals,
and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds nest beside the streams
and sing among the branches of the trees.
13 You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home,
and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor.
14 You cause grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for people to use.” Psalm 104:10-14 NLT
Joy is a choice. Regardless of feelings and emotions let’s choose joy. The Little Corella’s do. We can learn from them.
“Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.” Job 12:7 NLT
“DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY!”
Have a blessed day
Marilyn
