Backyard Birds: Chickadee Dee Dee

One of the most commonly seen birds in my backyard is the clever, curious, and very musical chickadee, recognizable by their sweet “dee dee dee” song. These little cuties love the bird feeder and don’t travel far like those that migrate to other regions each year.

One afternoon this Fall, I was relaxing on my back patio only a few feet away from the bird feeder when a family of chickadees came to eat at my feeder. There were four of them taking turns grazing and drinking from our water fountain nearby. For the most part, this was a pretty normal occurrence, but something was a little different. A juvenile female junco was hopping around below the feeder squawking loudly. She was hungry! These tiny chickadees were taking turns feeding her like a baby bird. Their act of kindness inspired me to intervene, so I went inside the house to get some fresh birdseed and I spread it all over the patio so they could all get the food they needed.

I settled back in my chair and a few moments later I was greeted by one of the chickadees. He perched on the edge of the table near me and looked me up and down. He started singing his adorable “dee dee dee” song. It wasn’t long before a few more joined us, one sitting on the arm of a nearby chair, others returned to the feeder or fountain, and then the junco arrived beneath the feeders again and I watched them as they discovered the seeds scattered on the ground.

Throughout the past year, the actions of my feathered friends have taught me so many essential lessons in gratitude, kindness, and trust; three things that are essential in allowing creativity and inspiration to thrive within me. As the new year fast approaches, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the people in my life who have shown me kindness, encouraged me when I needed it, and who have supported my artistic passions. It has been a truly amazing year. THANK YOU!

Happy New Year to you all!
I hope 2024 brings you all that you need to thrive.

This is the eleventh sketch in my Backyard Birds series, Chickadee Dee Dee. Interested in purchasing a limited edition matted print of this grateful little cutie? Click here to see if this print is available.

If you like this sketch, the story behind it, or something I’ve shared helped you discover something about yourself or others, I’d love to hear about it. Follow me on social media and subscribe to my posts to see what comes next in the Backyard Birds series!

Check out this short timelapse clip of me working on the Chickadee Dee Dee drawing and the photos of the drawing in progress below.