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American Robin
April 17, 2017

Holy Week has come and gone for another year.

Yet, God's victory over sin and death continues forever.

Resurrection Sunday is a celebration of life, I believe our Creator had it well planned to be in spring.

Spring after all, is a time of promise and new life.

Thank you to the many readers for your responses, well wishes, and even words of wisdom.

I have to share a couple more pictures of the girls, demand dictates this.

Several Dark-eyed juncos still remain.

My seedlings are growing wonderfully.

How about yours?

The next few weeks I will slowly bring them outside to harden off.

Unless your plants are already in the ground, it is wise to harden off all of your home grown and purchased bedding plants and veggies.

When plants are grown in a protected environment, they don't have to fight the wind (which helps to create strong stacks and stems).

Direct sun can quickly kill of many a young plant, as the tender, young foliage fries in the sun's rays.

Hardening takes time.

A couple hours a day to start with.

Get a little wind blown.

Allow the sun to hit them in early morning or late afternoon when the sun burning dangers are pretty well past.

Think about your tender skin and when and how you burn.

A few hours in filtered sun is a good first step too.

Gradually increase the time and as night temperatures grow warmer, leave plants out over night.

Your plants will thank you and you are giving your young plants a good start.

American Robin.


American robin (Turdus migratorius):


A migratory songbird of the thrush family.

European settlers to the new world called it the American robin because it reminded them of the small European robin and its reddish-orange breast from home.

The two species are not closely related, with the European robin belonging to the Old World flycatcher family and measuring about 5.5 inches.

The American robin measures 10 inches and is often used as a measuring gauge for other birds, "Bigger than, or Smaller than a robin".

Black-capped chickadees are my favorite songbird, if for no other reason because they are so friendly.

Chickadees are so trusting of people, or so it seems.

Robins are my second favorite songbird.

Not because they are Michigan's state bird.

Not because they are sometimes known as the harbinger of spring.

They do have a wonderful song and they scuffles over territory is quite entertaining.

Their nest making skills are rivaled by few other birds.

They are on my favorite list because of their parenting skills.

American robins will defend a nest, and young fledglings aggressively.

They will attack trouble makers like squirrels, bigger birds like Blue jays.

All they while leaving non threatening birds alone.

How many of you have been buzzed and scolded, on occasion.

To the point where I have actually been scraped on the noggin.

(Check out the white eye-liner robins have.)

The male picks the territory, while the female picks the nest sight and builds the nest where she typically will lay 3 -4 eggs.

Robins eggs are often considered some of the prettiest colored eggs and often we use the name 'Robin Egg Blue' when describing an item or color.

Clutches are incubated for 12- 14 days and the young fledge in the same length of time.

Robins thrive around humans and you can attract them by offering shrubs and trees for nest building sights.

Some will even build on a man made structure like house lights, gutters and even a special shelf made just for robins.

American robins return to the same territory year after year (as long as they live), as shown by this partial albino robin that has taken up residence around here for the second year in a row.

You can learn more about these fantastic birds by going to, Common Birds American Robins

Well, it is time to fly for now.


God Bless.

"I can't do it" never yet accomplished anything: "I will try" has accomplished wonders."

George P. Burnham

In many ways this statement is true.

For the God fearing person, we have this to hold onto.

One of the verses from my Easter letter.


2 Corinthians 12:9

"Treat the earth well:

It was not given to you by your parents,

It was loaned to you by your children.

We do not inherit the Earth from our

Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."

Ancient Indian Proverb.

Your friend indeed,

Ron Patterson



Gardening For Wildlife.

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