Pretty in Red

 Song - You've Got a Friend cover by Austin Brown

We had a couple of cold, wet days recently and the birds filled the trees waiting for their turn at my feeders.  I should say "our" feeders as my grandson Henry helps every Monday to pour seed into the tube and hopper feeders and Mr. B has been helping me lately with the heavy lifting. I have 21 various feeders that need filling at least once a week.  Some are suet cages that only need refilling monthly (unless a squirrel gets into them).  My hummingbird feeders get a good cleaning and refill every two weeks in the winter and more often in the summer.  

I recently got this log feeder that has holes drilled into the sides.  You place plugs of suet inside the holes and it attracts birds that like to cling to branches to feed.  Woodpecker, wren, titmouse, nuthatch, flicker and chickadee's are all attracted to suet feeders.

 

I had originally hung this feeder down near the creek as I know woodpeckers can be a little timid.  Then I realized that I wasn't able to watch who was feeding on the log so I moved it up near my kitchen. It has been a lot of fun to watch. This little guy hung out for an entire day on the log feeder.  

"A heart without dreams is 

like a bird without feathers."

--Suzy Kassem

A Trickster In My Garden

Song - Cartoon Hoedown by Media Right Productions

Zipper the Squirrel is looking for me through my office window

He comes closer and double checks that I'm still here 

and not walking toward the door to pelt him with ice cubes.

Go to the right?

"Hey Zipper.....I see you!"

Better go to the left!

Zipper's got one hand on the prize but still checking to make sure I'm seated.

"Zipper - Don't you dare"-  Jeanette says while shaking her finger at him.

"I'm warning you Zipper - Don't you dare"

And he does.....

.... d a r e !

 How does he get into that little space?

I don't really know because just before he goes into the feeder - I'm at the door!

I clap my hands and throw an ice cube at him.

And by the time I sit back down, this is what I see.....

 

About a hundred times each day.

But Tyler and I have a trick up our sleeves - 

I'll send you a photo as soon as I catch him eating the nuts inside the horses head..... tee hee!

"Comedy is a necessity to get through life with the fewest scars. 

Humor is the best antidote to relieve all struggles." -- Suzy Kassem

Something Squirrely is Going On

Song - The Sounds of Spring - Bird Song

This is really a story of determination verses stupidity.  I am not sure which side I am on!

How do you keep squirrels away from your bird feeders?

I have spent - well, a lot on anti-squirrel devices.

It is not like I don't like squirrels as they are funny little characters but I am going broke buying birdseed! They will just hang upside down on one of my feeders and drain an entire feeder in a day or an hour.

Getting ready to attack a freshly filled feeder

Fill 'er up!

They lay in wait to see what I will come up with next.

Watching me through the kitchen window

I have bought domes and caged feeders.  I have even had two that would spin and supposedly send the squirrels flying.  I kinda liked that image - ha!

SloMo Squirrel Flung

I have tried pelting them with ice cubes figuring that it would at least water my garden when melted.  After breaking some garden lights, I decided that I needed a new approach.

"Hey Charlie, what do you suppose she will do now?"

I don't want to hurt them but I really want to discourage them from eating the birdseed.

Super Soaker to the rescue!

My two new anti-squirrel devices

The first one I bought was the pump action kind and by the time I got it pumped for power and firing, the squirrel would be gone (after having a good laugh at me!).


Then I decided to buy a battery operated one.  Perfect, I just pick it up and shoot.  Only problem was that the water was just a little light spray. 

Just waiting for the perfect moment to attack

The squirrels just lay on our pergola laughing and enjoy the cool mist that I am providing for them.  Ha Ha - the joke is now on me.

This one is giving me the "skank eye" and wondering what lame idea I will come up with next!

Shhh......

Don't tell them.....I have attack dogs.....

"But tomorrow, dawn will come the way I picture her.

barefoot and disheveled, standing outside my window

in one of the fragile cotton dresses of the poor.

She will look at me with her arms extended,

offering a handful of birdsong and a small cup of light."

--William Collins