Our Gift From Nature - Chestnut-Backed Chickadee

The Story Behind the Image of Our Gift from Nature

Some moments in nature feel like they were meant just for you – Our Gift from Nature was one of those unforgettable experiences.

One January morning in the foothills of the Alberta Rockies, with temperatures plunging to –30°C, we noticed three unfamiliar little birds flitting around our yard. Their warm chestnut coloring stood out against the frozen white landscape, but their identity puzzled us. After a bit of research, we realized they were Chestnut-Backed Chickadees, birds native to the Pacific West Coast - and far from home.

They refused to eat from the feeders, choosing instead to forage from the ground. With deer, foxes, and squirrels sharing the space, Stan faithfully went out every four hours to scatter more seed. Their resilience amazed us, as did their trust - they stayed with us all winter long.

An ornithologist later confirmed our rare visitors, noting that ours was only the 17th recorded sighting in Alberta’s history - except this time, there were three! When spring arrived, they moved on, never to return. But their visit left us with something far greater than photographs - a profound reminder that nature’s most extraordinary gifts often arrive quietly, when we least expect them.

To download the story of "Our Gift from Nature" CLICK HERE