They are indeed pretty.  In the very early spring the back, wings and tail are a lovely burnt siena, and the breast a yellowish buff color (the colors are a little duller right now). And they have a wonderful, sassy nature and really big song, too.  

Just outside the picture window in my kitchen there is an old holly bush that bears leaves on the outside, but few on the inside, where there are many good-sized bare intertwined branches -- good-sized for a tiny bird, that is.  There are usually two or three clutches of baby wrens in that bush each year, followed by a clutch or two of house sparrows, which makes for great birding for my two cats (on perches by the window) and me.

The holly bush is a great retreat for the young birds, who need it when the red-shouldered hawk fledglings from down the street are learning to hunt.  Every now and then a wren chick will pop up in the middle of the bush.  The adults use it as a staging area for the feeder.  Up in the middle, fly to one of the quoins on the corner of the house, check out the feeder, the maple and the Bradford Pear trees, fly to the feeder and back to the holly.  Whew!

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

 

From me, too!  Thanks for all your helpful and entertaining posts!

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

I don't know how to do the fancy icons, but do sincerely wish you the happiest of birthdays, with thanks for all the watching and sharing you do.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

 

Happy Birthday, Joyce, and thanks so much for keeping the far-flung falconfans informed!

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Wishing you a happy birthday and many more to come.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Rosetta looks like she means business this morning!

Does anybody know why her feet are blue?  Does she not have good circulation?

I, too, recognized the music!  It's "Yakety Sax" by Boots Randolph, from 1958.  Been used for funny chases ever since.

Mary

I particularly loved the TVs -- such collegiality!

Mary

Thank you all -- it was a very happy day, starting the night before at the Charlotte Bobcats game (my Christmas present) with the surprise appearance of son Mike and DIL Jane, who drove down through a miserable snowstorm to join son Adam and daughter-in-love Charmaine and me.  Continued with the appearance of 10 pink plastic flamingos on my lawn (courtesy of my neighbor Nancy) in the wee smalls, then a fantastic Mexican dinner cooked by Charmaine, assisted by Jane, and finished with a Skype visit with grandson Sam from Shenjhen, China.  Your good wishes, too, made it a really wonderful birthday.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

 

I, too, know what it is like to love and lose a special pet to failing kidneys.  Although I have had a number of cats over the years, there are some that hold a place in your heart that hurts for a long time.  And it's so hard to know when it's time to let them go.  You did know, and gave Cally the release she needed.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)   

So sorry, Joyce.  Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt,  Heal fast and get back to the things you love to do.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

"Hello, ladies" made me laugh -- the young girls who walked my dawg today showed up this morning on the front porch (it's usually just one, but today it was two) and that's how I greeted them.  And after they left with my Daisy Dawg, I had to collapse with laughter.  MAK, I have enjoyed your visits to Paradise more than I can say.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Annie was special indeed.  In spite of her own problems, she reached out to others.  And we were all richer for having known her.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Patti and Jeane, thank you for sharing yet another great trip.  I appreciate so much your time and trouble to identify the flora and fauna you see.  And it's great to see the both of you so well and happy!

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Have a great time!  Loved the pictures from your last visit.  BTW, happy birthday.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)