It’s hard to believe that this week marks my twelve year blogaversary!

To be honest, this backyard bird blog was born during a time when I was walking through some hard things in life; one of those seasons where I would walk outside and look at the birds flying about and say to myself, “If God takes care of the birds of the air, then He will surely take care of me.” Before long I found myself taking pictures of these birds (it seemed cheaper than therapy until I started buying the big lenses!) and thought that maybe the beauty that was blessing me might be a blessing to others too. And so, that’s why I started sharing the shots, and to be honest, that’s still my hope…because can’t we all use a bit of beauty in our lives?

Anyway, in honor of the occasion, I thought it would be fun to go back and share one picture from each year – not necessarily my favorite, just one that I liked or that held a special memory.

2014 – Blue Jay

2015 – Cedar Waxwing

2016 – American Robin

2017 – Eastern Bluebird

2018 – Rose-breasted Grosbeak

2019 – Northern Flicker

2020 – Yellow-throated Warbler

2021 – Red-headed Woodpecker

2022 – Pine Warbler

2023 – Eastern Kingbird

2024 – Ruby-crowned Kinglet

2025 – Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Thanks to all of you who have shared this journey with me, whether you’ve been here from the get-go or have joined up more recently. Thank you for all the kind comments and encouraging words. And thank you for just giving me the chance to do something that brings me joy and to share it with others, because joy that is shared is joy that is multiplied.

And now…let’s see what bird beauty 2026 brings our way!