Friday, February 25, 2011

Backyard Bird Count




The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. This year the Great Backyard Bird Count was held over four days February 18 - 21. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It's free, fun, and easy and it helps the birds. 

No, I didn't participate this year, but I can tell you the birds I would see in my backyard:
- a pair of Asian Banded Doves
- oodles of Mourning Doves
- oodles of sparrows
- a Blue Jay
- a Robin
- and Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal
all of these birds visit daily for the morning buffet.
I also hear a woodpecker ... never see him, but hear him pecking away.

I thought that today's postcard would be in honor of the Backyard Bird Count.
This is a postcard from The Audubon Postcard Folio
a collection of 30 full-color photographs from John James Audubon's
magnificent The Birds of America.


Cardinals


The back of the postcard reads:
Cardinal Grosbeak, Fringilla Cardinalis, Bonap, M. 1, F. 2. Wild Almond
Plate 159 from The Birds of America by John James Audubon, 1833. 
National Gallery of Art, Washington
Gift of Mrs. Walter B. James.


Mrs. Cardinal


A big THANK YOU to Beth for being our hostess for Postcard Friendship Friday.

Wishing you well, a JOY filled weekend and happy birding!


17 comments:

Tracy said...

What a beautiful postcard. We have a few Audobon photos in our house and they are just lovely. I've been thinking of you and hoping you are in a place of healing.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Daughter participated in the BYBC. She and her 6 yr old spent several hours over two days counting birds. Although I printed off the forms, I didn't participate, just watched birds through my kitchen window.

Dorothy Borders said...

I'm sorry you were not able to participate this year. Maybe next year... I enjoyed the weekend tremendously and recorded 29 species in my yard, but it's really just about observing and enjoying the birds. There are few things that are more healing to the spirit.

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Nice to know, we love feeding and watching the birds!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Our winter birds are crows, sparrows, chickadees, magpies and the odd blue jay. Oh and pidgeons of course.

Wildflowerhouse said...

I love Audubon's work. The detail is fantastic along with his choice of colors. Hope you are doing OK.Hugs!!!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how I love that postcard... I am crazy about Cardinals anyhow--but that postcard made me smile!!!!!!

Hope you have a good weekend, Snap...

Prayers and Hugs,
Betsy

Joy said...

Audobon's paintings are beautiful so how lovely to have the cards. I love watching the birds but didn't count this year.

Barb said...

Sounds like you have plenty of backyard visitors, Snap. Hope your weather is good for the weekend. It's snowing here.

Dorincard said...

Audubon did a great job, sacrificing the needed specimens for the higher goal of the scientific research.
I have a whole book with his drawings.
:)

Pondside said...

What pretty cards - they'd be beautiful framed in a group.
Up here we have the blossom count in late February, but with the unseasonable snow I don't know what we'll do about that this year.

Cezar and Léia said...

Fabulous paintings!
Thanks for sharing,
purrs and love
Luna - WE LOVE LUNA

viridian said...

I too hope you are doing Ok - I am thinking of you. I have a mr. and Mrs. Cardinal at my bird feeder too. Lot's of English sparrows, purple finches, a few chickadees, and one day a downy woodpecker!

Postcardy said...

Cardinals are one of the few birds I can recognize.

MuseSwings said...

I dashed out back to see what I could find for you - a cardinal, several titmouse (mice?), a green heron, a blue egret, a blue jay and a banded kingfisher. One of my sources says cardinals are in the new world finch family. They're a bit bossy and direct for finches, aren't they?
Hope all is going well for you>

Tete said...

Great artwork. Love it.
Tete

The Tablescaper said...

This would be a fun post to link to Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper