Annual visit from the Bluebirds of Happiness!

I must be on a migration route for these sweeties, because for 4 years in a row, there is one, blessed day when a large flock comes to see me.

It is often on a snowy day, always at the end of winter, after a nice break in the winter when we have had a glimpse of spring. Then, cold comes back for a few days, and here they come with it, to make me feel better about facing a few more days of freezing temps.

Usually, I glance out of the window and see a flash of blue, and know it is my lucky day.

This year, my husband was the one to discover our visitors. He stepped out the door, frightened the flock, and they flew up all at once.  I was afraid they were gone for the day (they don't stay long).

But after about 15-20 minutes, they settled back in to snack on the dried berries from this overgrown bush.

They also love the warmed waterer we keep outdoors in the winter for the  cats.  

Maybe they remember that warm water on a cold day and pass the message along each year?

I feel like I need to read up on these birds, I'd like to find a way to convince them to stay longer.  

They eat, drink, rest up for the morning, then are on their way again by afternoon.

Its quite amazing that I catch the fleeting bit of time that they are here.

 It happens so fast and would be so easy to miss. They arrived the day before I packed up for our trip to the beach, it was a close call.  A matter of less then 48 hours difference and I'd have lost the chance to enjoy them this year.  Or if they had come the day before, I'd have been out running errands all day long and wouldn't have seen them.

How sad, if I'd lost this brief opportunity for my annual blessing of happiness upon our home!  

And how blessed I am to catch them on their journey, yet again.

They do bring happiness.