The black-capped chickadees become our frequent winter visitors and
contribute to the delightful sights and sounds that surround our home on
a wooded lot during the cold weather. These little birds congregate in
pairs and groups around the feeder and delight the children, as they did
my mother when she lived with us.
First thing in the morning and throughout the day, we hear their
"chick-a-dee-dee-dee" calls from the maple tree. Then when they think no
one's watching, they'll fly to the feeder and pick at the seeds found
there and on the ground.
Often Overlooked
These black-capped visitors with their distinctive calls are so common
around this area that we often overlook them for the more rare and less
frequent birds.
But when we take time to notice them, particularly in the winter when
they'll come closer to the house, we find them fascinating entertainment.
In Cold Weather
No weather seems too cold for them. They appear on mornings when it's
10 degrees below zero. Their feathers are fluffed up for warmth, so they
look more like fat balls then birds.
It always amazes me how they can survive our frigid weather. When we
snuggle inside around a warming fire, these little chickadees are out in
the snow searching for their meals.
What a marvel in our world that a tiny bird often can endure nature's
forces which defeat a human being.
(c)Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen often writes about the sights and sounds of nature.
She's also a children's writer, travel writer, book author, and writing
teacher. Visit her web site: http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea;
e-mail:me.allen@juno.com.
