Link Ups, Travel

Johnny is a Bird-Dog

Retirement Reflections

“Johnny is a joker. He’s a bird.

Brown Pelican. Riveria de Maya, Mexico. January 2020.

A very funny joker. He’s a bird.

Muscovy Duck.
Villa Borghese Gardens Rome. Lazio, Italy. June 2019.

But when he jokes my honey. He’s a dog.

Creighton and Pelican.
Oceanside, California. December 2012.

His jokin’ ain’t so funny. He’s a dog.

Canadian Geese (just wanna have fun).
Second Beach, Vancouver, BC. September 2020.

Johnny is a joker that’s a’ tryin’ to steal my baby. He’s a bird-dog.

Charlie, Grandpa and more Canadian Geese.
Sunset Beach, Vancouver, BC. October 2016

Johnny sings a love song. Like a bird.

Mallard Ducks.
Palm Desert, California, February 2016.

Sings the sweetest lovesong. Ya ever heard.

Mute Swan.
Lincoln, UK. May 2019.

But when he sings to my gal. What a howl.

Rooster Party at Butchart Gardens.
Central Saanich, BC. November 2018.

To me he’s just a wolf-dog. On the prowl.

Bald Eagle.
Rathtrevor Park, Parksville, BC., May 2020.

Johnny wants to fly-away and puppy-love my baby. He’s a bird-dog.

Greater Flamingo.
San Diego, June 2007.

Hey, bird-dog, get away from my quail. Hey, bird-dog, you’re on the wrong trail. Bird-dog, you’d better leave my lovey-dovey alone.

Barred Plymouth Rock Chickens.
Parksville, BC, October 2020.

Johnny kissed the teacher. He’s a bird.

Gray Jay.
Mt. Washington, BC., December, 2017.

He tiptoed up to reach her. He’s a bird.

American Robin.
Morrell Nature Sanctuary
Nanaimo, BC, July 2020.

Well, he’s the teacher’s pet now. He’s a dog.

Also at Morrell Nature Sanctuary, Juvenille Barred Owl.
(For a closer look at the Barred Owl, view here.)
July, 2020

What he wants he’s been gettin’ now. What a dog.

Great Blue Heron
Shack Island, Nanaimo, BC. August 2020.

He even made the teacher let him sit next to my baby. He’s a bird-dog.

Pileated Woodpeckers. Rathtrevor Beach
Parksville, BC, January 2021
(For a closer look at these guys in action, view this clip by The WidowBadass).

Hey, bird-dog, get away from my chick. Hey, bird-dog, you’d better get away quick. Hey, bird dog, you’d better find a Chicken Little of your own.

  • Hopefully, neither Creighton nor Ostrich are reading this post.
    Sanya, China, 2002
  • Stellar Jays in our backyard.
    Vancouver Island, BC.
    November 2020
  • Why did Turkey cross the road?
    To explore Gabriola Island!
    October 2019

He’s a bird. Oh, he’s a bird.”

Thank you to Terri Webster-Schrandt for this week’s SundayStills theme, ‘Feed the Birds.’
#SundayStills
#Feed the Birds

Lyrics Source: LyricFindSongwriters: Boudleaux BryantBird Dog lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, House Of Bryant Publications.
Music Source. Youtube.

Feature Photo: Western Gul, Victoria, BC.
All still photographs displayed in this post are my own.

Enjoying #SundayStills?
Check out these #FeedtheBird posts:
Feeding those Birds
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
What do a Magpie and a Penguin have in Common?
Hello, Maggie
Lakeside Birdwatching
Taking in Life Around Me
Pandemonium of Parrots
Waiting is for the Birds
Feeding the Birds in Australia
(If you have joined in this week’s #SundayStills theme please leave your link in the comments.)

What birds do you typically see in your neighbourhood?

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

74 thoughts on “Johnny is a Bird-Dog”

  1. Clever, clever and cleverer! I sang all the way through and I especially loved the Australian tracksuit top!! Memory lane via birds and songs..who knew!!

    Denyse.

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    1. Hi, Denyse – I’m glad that you know and love this song. When Leanne hadn’t heard of it, I thought that it might be a North American thing. She must simply be too young! 😀 Are you posting to #SundayStills this week. I’d love to see our take on this theme.

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  2. Like you Donna I wait eagerly to see your post for #SundayStills and what you have come up with this week. You never disappoint. This week you have some of my favourite birds – the pelican and the flamingo. Love the lyrics as well and the way you’ve added the photos to each line of the song. Have a great week! xx

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    2. Hi, Sue – I don’t know what it is about #SundayStill. I love waking up and finding out who (on the other side of the world) has already commented on my post. Even more so, I love discovering how my friends have (creatively) interpreted the challenge. I loved (and was deeply touched) by your recent version. I’m already working on #Thingsthatarewhite and look forward to seeing you there (and before that as well)!

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  3. Very clever Donna – I didn’t know the song (before my time) but I loved the pics (you have a LOT of bird photos!) and loved how you tied it all together – very clever my friend!

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    1. Thanks, Jill – I also have great shots of that pelican with my mother. He was quite the character! I tried to get a good hummingbird shot for you, but they are always too quick for me. (I will continue working on it). 😀

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    1. Hi, Frank – Great minds think alike – the Pelican and the Rooster Party photos are two of my personal favourites! I just finished visiting your ‘Faces’ post. It reminded me of all of the personality and emotion that we can see in the faces of wildlife. Even animals once thought to be void of showing emotion have been proven by researchers to do so (narrowing of the eyes, puffing of the checks, flattening of the ears, etc. etc.). Faces of all kinds truly fascinate me.

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      1. hahaha!! It sounds like you and I would be ‘good’ dancing companions. Coordination isn’t my strong suit. I shudder to think what my neighbours might think watching me dance around the kitchen 😆

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      2. My image of you is still one of immense physical coordination and athletic ability. Despite what you say, I can’t shake that.
        Still, we could have fun dancing together in our kitchens…with the curtains wide open! 😀

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      3. Perhaps one day we will get to spend more time together to really let our hair down. Who knows? We may start a new dance craze! 💃 I’m thinking perhaps a TV series called Retired Women Gone Wild 🤣

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  9. Donna, what is not to love about this post? You had me smiling too with your images as they punctuated the lyrics so perfectly! Pelicans are comical in their own right but with the song, they are even more so! I’m so pleased you look forward to SS each week, as I look forward to everyone’s creative spin on the prompts.

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  10. Hi Donna, I’m with Leanne. I didn’t know the song so thanks for the video-audio clip. A great collection of bird photos and you’re so creative with the lyrics and photos. I love the one where Charlie walked with a stick, guiding the geese 🙂 To have stellar jays in your backyard is a visual treat. I’ve joined Terri’s Sunday Stills this week. Here’s my entry: https://natalietheexplorer.home.blog/2021/02/19/lakeside-birdwatching/

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    1. HI, Natalie – I was surprised that neither you nor Leanne had ever heard this song before. You are both definite youngsters (and I’ve listened to wayyyy too many 50’s radio stations!) 😀 I am grateful that stellar jays like to hang out in our backyard. I have just filled our hummingbird feeder in hopes of seeing some of those guys today. Thank you for sharing your link. I have included it in my post.

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    1. Hi, Debbe – I’m glad that this post encouraged you to sing this morning (or were you singing already?). I’ve been meaning to ask your permission (all. week. long) to link to your Instagram post of the pileated woodpeckers in action. It is such a wonderful capture that I really wanted to include it. If not okay, let me know and I will take it down and owe you, owe you, owe you! 😀

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      1. Of course, it is OK! Funnily enough, I usually wake up with a song in my head but not this morning. Because my crazy next door neighbour was providing the early morning “music” instead 🙄🤪😜. Oh yes, she was in fine form in the wee hours 🤦‍♀️

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    1. Thanks, Darlene – I enjoy listening to the Everly Brothers as well. If I am in a so-so mood, I switch to one of their songs and voila! Instant mood uplift! Wake Up Little Suzie, All I Have to Do is Dream, Bye Bye Love…. How can we go wrong? 😀

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  14. Donna,
    Thanks…you’ve given me another “earworm!” I grew up with that song and the Everly Brothers grew up in my hometown (attended same high school as Helen). You did an awesome job with this post. My favorite is the owl as they are my favorite bird. I love finding them in the wild and hearing their calls at night. Thanks for sharing and have a great week. Joe

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    1. Hi, Joe – Thank you for your kind comment (as usual). That’s so cool that Helen went to school with the Everly Brothers! Thank you for your comment on the juvenile owl shot – I almost didn’t include it because small owl – up very high – and only my camera phone. But like you, I ADORE owls, so it ultimately made the cut! I hope that your travels are continuing to go well.

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  15. By the time I got to the bottom of the photos, I had figured out that these must be the words to a song, but you had me going there for a bit. I’ve heard of the Everly Brothers, but they were a bit ahead of my time. (For once, I’m too young.🤣) Well done and creative post!

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    1. Hi, Peter – Even though this song was released the year that I was born, I am definitely feeling old now! 😀 I have spent my life listening to way too much 50’s music. Actually, if you gave me the words to a current hit song, I am positive that I would not recognize it at all! I’ve gotta keep up!

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  17. Which came first, the song or the pictures?
    I am voting for your entry to # sundaystillsstar. I loved the song from decades ago. It was from my era. I joined # sundaystills this week. . I enyoyed everyones take on the theme. Who know we have so many bird pictures? I find posting comments technically challenging as I have to got to every site to copy a link. Is there a better way?
    https://theunretired.life/2021/02/21/birdwatching-in-covid-19/

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    2. There’s a #sundaystillsstar? You know that I love stars — gold or otherwise (utterly shameless, I realize)! I’m glad that you enjoyed the song as well – it’s always fun to have a blast from the past. My favourite part of blogging is always the comments because to me that’s the key to connecting with others. I’m not sure what you mean about needing to copy a link each time. Let’s chat about this on Friday. I am sure that one of our smart minds will have a solution. See you then!

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  19. Pingback: What do a Penguin and a Magpie have in common? #SundayStills – Deb's World

  20. Oh Donna, this was exceptional! You are so creative and clever and to have all those photos to fit the words was amazing! Well done your absolute STAR!!! Thanks also for the links to other post (including mine), that’s very kind of you xx

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    1. Hi, Deb – My absolute favourite thing about #SundayStills is discovering how others have interpreted the exact same theme. Half of the time I end up smacking my head and asking “Why didn’t I think of that?” Your Magpie post had me smiling all of the way through. It was like anticipating the tickle! 😀
      Thank you for your kind comment. I greatly appreciate your generous feedback.

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  21. That was so much fun! I sang the song in my head as I went through your pictures. I especially love the one on your son and the pelican. I don’t know which one was more amused at the other 🙂 I can see that you are having a great time with these challenges!

    I have a entry too this week (although nowhere near as clever as yours): https://retirementallychallenged.com/2021/02/21/sunday-stills-a-pandemonium-of-parrots/

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    1. Hi, Janis – I love your #SundayStills post for this week. I am still super jealous that you can view Wild Parrots in your neighbourhood.
      Thanks for your kind comment. I agree that this song is super fun. I am greatly enjoying these challenges — especially when my friends (like you) play along!

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    1. Hi, Anabel – I forgot about ‘Crying n the Rain’. I will have to look that one up (thank you for the warning about needing a handkerchief.) 😀 I greatly appreciate you following along. #SundayStills has been awesome for nudging my sleepy muse out of hiding!

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  25. Many fun and interesting photos, Donna! The Brown Pelican seems to have an attitude. A fun photo with Creighton and the pelican. Adorable, Charlie and Grandpa! And, Butchart Gardens never disappoints. Flash back on the Everly Brothers. Thank you for sharing a fun and interesting post!

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    1. Hi, Erica – I agree that both pelicans had definite attitudes. They are much fun to sit and watch. Creighton was a great sport about allowing me to use some of his younger photos.
      Thank you for your ongoing support – I appreciate you greatly. ❤

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  26. Pingback: #Sunday Stills: Feeding Birds in Australia – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

  27. Hi Donna – brilliant set of photos … especially with the Everly’s cover song … wonderful to listen to – very cheeringly happy post … thank you – Hilary

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  30. Hi Donna – very clever! We have some of these birds in Pennsylvania. I just did the 24th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count and found some Canadian geese, woodpeckers, cardinals, starlings, crows, sparrows, finches, hawks and doves. My new favorite is the Eastern Towhee. Thanks for sharing your pictures 🙂

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  31. I’m with Erica. I have that song in my head now. What a cute idea, Donna. You are so creative. Even the pictures went perfectly with the words. He’s a bird-dog. Love it! 🙂

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  32. Pingback: Sunday Stills: A #White-Washed World – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives

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