House Finch, © Photo by Steve Kaye

You May Need a Break | July 2020


By now, you may need a break.

So let’s visit our good friends, the birds.


House Finch, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog: You May Need a Break

House Finch, Male, showing a bit of an attitude


For the past few months, I’ve taken a break from going out to local parks.

Instead, I’ve taken photos of birds from our yard.

Note: If the branch in these photos looks like it’s the same branch, that’s because it is the same branch.


Mourning Dove, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog: You May Need a Break

Mourning Dove, Landing


The above photo of a Mourning Dove is an outstanding bad photo.

It’s outstanding because it’s difficult to capture one of these birds while it drops in for a landing. And it’s bad because parts of the wings are clipped off. However, it does show the toes and tail feathers in remarkable detail.

Some people will appreciate that.

Now, I’m working on taking a photo of the entire bird.


Lesser Goldfinch, male, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog: You May Need a Break

Lesser Goldfinch, Male


This Lesser Goldfinch, male, looks like he just took a bath: Notice the wet feathers.

We have a platform feeder in the backyard. And like the movie, “Feed Them and They Will Come*,” these finches come in droves.

* Okay, the movie had a different name, but the concept is the same.


Lesser Goldfinch, female, © Photo by Steve Kaye

Lesser Goldfinch, Female


Here’s his mate, looking quite pretty in yellow. Of course, she told me that this is the only outfit she owns. And we know that’s because birds don’t have closets.


Band-tailed Pigeon, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog: You May Need a Break

Band-tailed Pigeon


Sometimes you’re lucky.

Well, actually every photo that you take of a bird is a lucky photo. Because birds are wild, and thus live according to their schedule.

In this case, I was standing in front of the house when I saw this bird perch on a tree across the street. And then it dove, resulting in this photo.

Thank you, Band-tailed Pigeon.


All of this reminds us that there’s beauty outside, even if only in your yard. Or maybe across the street.

So I encourage you to take a break by finding ways to enjoy what is nearby. Go for walks. Sit outside. Or at least, look out the window.


Wish you the best and stay safe,

Steve Kaye

Find More at:

Frazzled

Beyond Survival

Transition Tips


Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation


You can help – Please share this blog with others.
Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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5 Comments
  • Marvin Marshall
    Posted at 15:18h, 31 July

    Steve, You are a real talent. Keep on sharing your work.

  • Kaye Catherine
    Posted at 16:15h, 31 July

    Yes, we need a break! And this was a delightful one. Thank you!

  • Lynette Smith
    Posted at 20:54h, 31 July

    So nice to hear from you again, Steve! And glad your social distancing doesn’t apply to birds in your back yard! We have a shallow hummingbird feeder hanging from our patio, and this afternoon, near sunset, we saw a bird (NOT a hummingbird) I’ve never seen before–anywhere–perched on it, using its beak (and tongue, no doubt) to drink through the tiny holes. The bird was not quite as big as a mockingbird. It was a drab (light gray-brown), except that it had some subtle stripes extending from the beak and forehead to the back of the head (2 or 3 stripes on each side), and its beak was much narrower and slightly longer than that of a mockingbird. Any idea what type of bird I was looking at?

  • Nick Bement
    Posted at 21:01h, 31 July

    Fantastic getting me inspired to get outside and on the Path

  • Daphne Radenhurst
    Posted at 03:29h, 04 August

    Thank you for these lovely photos, your humour and your philosophy.

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