Blue and pink

Amish boy and girl, — Blue and pink. © Bruce Stambaugh 2015

Of all the photos I shot this day, I thought this one was the finest. With the help of Ian and his sister, Lydia, I had been leading birding field trips to their grandfather’s bank barn. Birders from near and far wanted a glimpse at some baby Barn Owls and some recently hatched Kestrel chicks.

Amish are noted for being conservationists. This family was no different. Besides the boxes for the owls and kestrels, they had several bird feeders filled with seeds for backyard birds. In addition, Ian and Lydia pointed out a Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s nest and a nest just now being constructed by Cedar Waxwings. The nests were only feet apart in the same tree in their front yard.

Across the road Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, Savannah Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown Thrashers and other birds of the field sang. They put on a great show for the folks on the birding tours. Some even posed for photos, which I took advantage of.

The Barn Owls and Kestrels were “lifer” birds for several of the folks on the tours. But for me, it was this shot of Ian and Lydia during a lull between groups that I cherished the most. Since they were youngsters, I was permitted to take their photo. The relaxed poses of Ian and Lydia, and the bright colors of the shirt and dress contrasting with the barn’s white-washed siding and the darkness of the barn’s opening made “Blue and pink” my Photo of the Week.

Author: Bruce Stambaugh

Writer, marketer, columnist, author, photographer, birder, walker, hiker, husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, township trustee, converted Anabaptist, community activist, my life is crammed with all things people and nature and wonder. My late father gave me this penchant for giving and getting the most out of life, my late mother the courtesy, kindness, and creativity to see the joy in life. They both taught me to cherish the people I am with. I try and fail and try again. View all posts by Bruce Stambaugh

5 thoughts on “Blue and pink”

That’s a beautiful photo. I wish I could share with you the photo I took of a baby Great Horned Owl that our dog found just outside our house under the bedroom window a few weeks ago. It was flapping its wings and clacking its beak at her. I called Animal Control and he took it over to a Wildlife Rehabilitator in our area. You live in a perfect birding area.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Bruce Stambaugh says:

June 11, 2015 at 9:51 am

Thanks, Bonnie. I’m glad the baby owl was taken rescued. And yes, indeed, we live in a bird-friendly location.

LikeLike

Your Birding Adventures sounded great. I was in town, but had family obligations all weekend.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Hi, Bruce, I will be offering a course on the Amish at Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, NY during the first week of August and wondered if you would be willing to let me use your “blue and pihk” photo in one of my sessions. I would give your credits for the photo. Let me know, or if this is an inappropriate request, I apologize. I enjoy your pics and your FB site. Machs goot, Bruce. Rich Stevick rstevick@messiah.edu 330 449 9008 (My latest book is Growing Up Amish: The Rumspringa Years.)

LikeLike