You step outside in the Spring. Chances are you’ll hear the call of a Chickadee. Summer, Fall and Winter – there it is, “Chicka-dee-dee-dee-dee.” Especially impressive, the hardy Chickadee survives the onslaught of Winter with us. I believe it stays behind to help cheer us up on Winter’s darkest of days. I have a number of feeders on the property. The Chickadees, in particular, know the location of each – and tend to swarm their favorites. I walk by on my outings in the pasture, passing a bird feeder, and the brush in proximity is alive with motion. Little flits here and there. An occasional scolding of frustration for me having interrupted their feed. “Brrzht, brrzht!” Feisty, yes, but adorable creations, indeed.
Our adorable creations keep good company
I move on and the feeding continues. The Chickadees dine with other Winter stayovers including Hairy Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Red Bellied Woodpeckers, House Finches, Juncos and Cardinals. And that is not an all inclusive list. So many birds do, in fact, stay over the Winter months. But it is the Chickadee that most endears me.
Peg Leg Pete was a great companion
I think part of the reason I admire the Chickadee is they seem to develop a degree of trust in ‘their’ humans. They will come very near to study me. I have a friend that feeds Chickadees peanuts right out of his hands. That’s pretty cool!
Chickadees become more than year round residents, they become companions. I recognize individual Chickadees on the property by their behaviors and if they have a distinctive feature. I’ve probably mentioned ‘Peg Leg Pete’ in a previous post but he is worth mentioning again. The little bugger – a tenacious Chickadee – was missing a foot. I’m not sure the cause. It doesn’t matter. Peg Leg Pete was a regular at the feeder and he managed quite well with his one foot.
Every day Pete was out to greet. Always a cheerful melody. He was a fixture around the house. I’d worry about him if I didn’t see him on a given day. I’m certain he was about but I just didn’t have my timing down to greet him.
I remember one winter Pete seemed to slow down a bit. He would falter at the feeding tray I had set up for him. I’d worry about him even more. I said to him to be careful, watch out for the occasional stray cat and the frequenting Sharp Shinned Hawk. Pete was a wise little bird and had been with me for several years.
One winter morning, I stepped out onto the front steps. There was Pete. He had passed away on the front steps as if to assure me he was OK. He had lived a full life and went peacefully. Who could ask for anything more. I still miss that little bird.
Adorable creations, adorable fluff balls
Chickadees are indeed adorable creations. Fluff balls. I enjoy watching them at the bird bath as they get all sopped up. They seem to enjoy bathing and when it’s time to wrap it up, they take off with the mightiest of wingbeats, shaking the water free from their bodies so they can fly properly once again. A few moments in the sun and a few judicious shakes and they are ready to rumble!
Chickadees aren’t adorned with splashy colors: black, grey and white for the most part. But they wear their colors so well. Little birds in formal wear – and splendid in their own right. Personally, I’d have to think hard to come up with another bird I admire as much as I do the adorable creations that are the Chickadees.
What can we learn from Chickadees
What can we learn from Chickadees? Humility, cheerfulness, fortitude, love of life and living in the moment. Moments are truly all we have as we live out our lives. Moments converted to memories and experiences. The future? It will come and it will be what it is. The Chickadees know better than to fret over it. Samuel Clemens said this about worrying about the future, “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” Lots to consider right there!
Closing
I encourage you to take a little time today to watch a Chickadee. Let yourself share in the amusement he has for life. Again, it is all about giving back. And that is the greatest thing we can learn from the Chickadee.
Contact me if you have a thought to share OR, if you absolutely must purchase the perfect Chickadee print for your home, office, or coffee cup! Chickadees are so cool, they have their own Gallery at RedBarnProject.com. Check it out. Spend some time there. Fall in love there. Until tomorrow, Peace.
