“We may pass violets looking for roses. We may pass contentment looking for victory.” ~ Bernard Williams
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Celebrating our first full decade at this home — the longest we’ve been at any other residence together — it is apparent now that we are inextricably tied to it, no matter how much the growing urban sprawl makes us want to find larger, greener pastures. When the time comes, it will be difficult moving on from this beautiful, semi-wild-semi-urban space; no doubt a piece of our hearts will be left behind when we do.
One thing we’ve learned through the years is that it’s best to tread lightly and manage minimally. The less we manicure and clean the yard to our own selfish standard, the more the birds and animals love it. They return faithfully every season and reward us with their up-close beauty — without having to leave home.
Ours isn’t the prettiest property in the neighborhood, but it also isn’t the ugliest. There is a balance between what is expected by our neighbors and what we long to provide to serve nature’s purpose. We appear to have struck it just right.
These are our favorite yard bird residents from 2016, including the blog posts that go with them (in case you missed them). We hope you will enjoy gazing at them as much as I did in capturing their personalities.
Whether your eyes are to the skies or not, savor every delicious, precious moment of your days. Love your world and all who share it.
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Loggerhead Shrike
Related Post: (2/9) Doesn’t Feel Like Winter (Sound!)
Northern Cardinal
Related Post: (2/29) Dueling Yardbirds (Sound!)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Related Post: (3/21) So Long, Old Man Winter (Sound!)
Anhinga
Related Post: (4/18) Minimally Digital, A (Wet) April Outdoors
Great Egret
Related Post: (11/7) Urban Hunter
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Related Post: (9/28) El Gordo, Ready For Travel
Pileated Woodpecker
Related Post: (10/20) Breaking The Bird Fast (Sound!)
Wood Duck
Related Post: (10/28) Right Place, Right Time (Sound!)
Tufted Titmouse and Wilsons Warbler
Related Post: (10/30) Community Bath
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Part 2: Chasing Feathers…coming next!
DirtNKids Blog 
What Houston neighborhood are you in?
Whenever I see “anhinga” the word “unhinged” pops into my head.
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We are south of Houston, just a stone’s throw from the Brazos River. It has its upsides and downsides.
Having a creek in the backyard and a neighborhood roosting tree with thousands of nightly birds is a bonus! The traffic and density of churches (and still building more) with 24/7 road noise…notsomuch.
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I see the elevation above sea level there is 59 ft. I hope your neighborhood isn’t one of those around Houston that’s prone to flooding.
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Thankfully, our creek is overflow for the Brazos, so no. It fills up, we stay high and dry. 59 feet, most rainy days it seems we are ground zero.
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It would be a great title for a post: Unhinged Anhinga. 😀
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You’ve already got the bird, so go for a post with that titile.
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Wonderful post and terrific photos!
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Thank you, Belinda. They bring me joy!
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What a lovely aviary your backyard is, Shannon. And your photos are exquisite. I agree with you, we need dead trees and weeds and bramble to attract these wild beauties; and your visitors here are proof of that. Looking forward to Part 2. Have a great new year filled with wildlife and adventures!
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Adventures for sure, Jet. We are blessed for animal abundance on our property, but it’s the ones we go ‘get’ that is the most fun. Cheers and Happy New Year to you too!
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Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Hope you and your family have a wonderful 2017 in your home.
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You too, for an eventful and adventurous 2017. Cheers!
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