As winter settles in, I find myself drawn to the cheerful presence of one of my favorite backyard visitors—the chickadee. Each morning, I bundle up and step outside to tend to my bird feeders, topping them up with fresh seed and black oil sunflower seeds. I make sure there’s plenty of suet for the flickers, as they’ll be arriving shortly, and peanuts for the stellar and blue jays as they too, will soon be here. I then turn my attention to the birdbath, breaking the thin layer of ice and refilling it with clean, warm water. As I do this, the chickadees and other songbirds peek out from the hedges where they’ve been huddled, their excited chirps filling the crisp morning air as they wait for their breakfast. Their playful energy, curiosity, and unwavering resilience in the cold always bring a smile to my face—little reminders of the simple joys nature offers.
“Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!” ~ Mehmet Murat ildan
As much as I enjoy these quiet winter moments, my fondest memories of chickadees are in early spring, when their numbers increase in my backyard. I watch them flit from branch to branch, reconnecting with one another, their cheerful chatter filling the air. I like to imagine the stories of winter they’re sharing—the places they’ve been, the storms they’ve weathered. Each spring, I find myself captivated by their presence as they perch among the branches of the trees, watching the first blossoms emerge.
It was this love of chickadees in springtime that inspired my latest series of four mini bird paintings, each one depicting these beloved birds on branches of dogwood blossoms and cherry blossoms. Chickadees have a way of brightening even the grayest days, and through this collection of paintings, I wanted to capture their delightful spirit and the beauty of these fleeting spring moments.
In this post, I’ll share a closer look at these new pieces, along with a few fascinating facts about chickadees and some favorite quotes that capture their charm. Whether you're a bird lover, an art enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys nature’s small wonders, I hope this brings a little joy to your day.
A Closer Look: Four New Paintings In My Mini Bird Series
Each painting in this series is a small but meaningful celebration of nature’s tiny songbirds. These playful chickadees, painted in deep shades of blue, perch happily among dogwood and cherry blossoms, adding a pop of color and charm to each panel. 💙🌸 I love how these rich blues bring out their personality and complement the whimsical style of my work! Their playful spirit, resilience, and curiosity—all qualities I wanted to capture in these pieces. From their soft black caps (dark blue in mine), and bright eyes to their delightful chirps, these birds remind us to stay present, embrace joy, and find beauty in the little things.
Chickadee Facts: Nature’s Tiny Wonders
Did you know?
🐦In the spring, black-capped chickadees begin to break up into pairs, establish territories, and build nests. They also sing their spring song, which sounds like "cheese-burger" or "my tree"
🐦 Chickadees are known for their incredible memory. They hide seeds and can remember thousands of hiding spots!
🐦 They’re social and fearless. Chickadees are curious birds that will often land near humans, especially if food is involved. If you’re patient (and very still!) you may be able to get a chickadee to land on your hand when offering seed.
🐦 Their name comes from their song. The ‘chick-a-dee-dee’ call is not just charming—it’s a form of communication, with different variations signaling excitement or warning. (The more dee-dee-dee’s that are in their chickadee-dee-dee call, the higher the threat.)
🐦 They can survive extreme cold. Chickadees fluff up their feathers and enter a state of controlled hypothermia at night to conserve energy.
Watching them go about their day, so full of energy and adaptability, is a reminder to approach life with the same enthusiasm.
Quotes to Inspire
Of course, no blog post would be complete without a few words of wisdom inspired by these delightful birds:
🌿 "The chickadee may be small, but it sings a song of courage." — Unknown
🌿 "No one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell." — Charles de Lint (A lovely reminder of how nature inspires creativity!)
🌿 "In order to see birds, it is necessary to become a part of the silence." — Robert Lynd
Bringing Joy Into Your Home
Birds have a way of brightening our lives, whether in nature or through art. These mini paintings are a reminder to embrace curiosity, seek out beauty in the everyday, and take time to enjoy the little joys—just like the chickadees do.
If you’d love to bring one of these tiny treasures into your space or gift them to a fellow bird lover, they are now available in my online shop.🌟
Let’s Chat!
Do you have chickadees visiting your backyard? What’s your favorite little joy in nature? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! 🐦✨
Warmly, Laura Leeder
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