Returning Friends

Song - You've Got A Friend covered by the cast of BEAUTIFUL

I know that Spring is around the corner as the Canadian Geese have been landing on our roof early in the morning doing their annual mating ritual.

 

The week started out pretty well as we had an intimate birthday dinner last weekend for Mr. B who turned 70 (yikes) and our middle son Jon who is turning 35 in a few days.  I was worried that we would have to put up two easy-ups because rain was threatening.  But all was well on Saturday morning and I was able to set up our large outdoor table with appropriate social distancing.  Of course it was on the cold side so we had a great fire in our outdoor fireplace and lots of blanket and coats were worn. And with that behind me.....

 

I moved on to enjoying the birds in our backyard!  Above is a White-breasted Nuthatch.  They really love the new suet log I place out there.  Actually it's not just tree climbers that use it but a variety of songbirds enjoy it as well.

The Downy Woodpecker comes several times each day so I try to keep the log full of suet for all of the visitors.

Early this week Mr. B read that songbirds are getting sick and dying in California.  I quickly read up on what was happening.  Apparently the Pine Siskin's are spreading salmonella across the state as they fly through from Canada.  So the recommendation has been to take down all backyard feeders and bird baths where birds are likely to congregate. Oh no....I said out loud.  They are my favorite company & entertainment during this pandemic. I then had a good talk with myself as to how selfish that is and the safety of the birds is much more important.  Apparently it will only be for a month or so until the Pine Siskin moves on to other territory.  Phew.....

There is another danger to my songbirds lurking out there.....

The Red Shouldered Hawk!  Usually he is hanging out in the big Oak trees that surround our property but lately he has been dropping in a lot closer to keep an eye on my little friends.  I'm not too sure what I can do about him other than throwing an ice cube at him occasionally. They are beautiful creatures but I love my songbirds more so I just try to make his presence around here a negative experience.

 

And when you have a happy, dedicated little helper like I do.....

 

 ....you are in it for the long haul.  I refill most of my feeders once or twice a week and I need all the help I can get.  Henry isn't even two years old yet but he loves helping me gather & fill the feeders and watching for the birds to come and eat.  He even imitates the calls they make! Then we go inside and wash our hands very carefully.....thanks Henry!

"Education begins the moment we see children 

as innately wise and capable beings. 

Only then can we play along in their world."

--Vince Gowmon

And For Todays Entertainment

Song - Birds the Word by The Rivingtons

It's been so warm in Northern California lately that for the past few weeks Mr. B and I have been relaxing by the side of the pool in the early evenings. We have a glass of wine and he plays me a little air guitar!

 This patio is near the shade garden, under some oak & maple trees.  While the rest of the garden has fried from the hot weather, the shade garden is still refreshing to look at.

Some evenings we take a swim and other evenings we just watch the birds flit by getting their last meal of the day.

Hi there Mr. Chickadee!

 I have several platform feeders hanging off the deck over the creek. The Tufted Titmouse enjoys the freedom of feeding near large trees that he can escape to if needed.

 Other birds like the standard tube feeder. I have an assortment of seeds for them so no one is left out. As well as several (well maybe 8) bird baths placed all around the yard.  When it's really hot I try to put in a few ice cubes to cool the water for them.

A House Finch in the tree is patiently waiting her turn at the feeder below.

 When the House Finch finally gets a turn, the Titmouse returns and is surprised to find someone in his dinner dish!

 Mr. B and I love watching the birds.  I don't know if it's that we finally have the time to do so or if it is that "at our age" we appreciate them so much more.  Basically our kids think we are nuts when we tell them what our garden birds were doing that day.

 And just look who is in the lavender!  

Mr. and Mrs. American Goldfinch

I love that brilliant yellow against the purple lavender.

Thanks for entertaining us for one more night! 

See you tomorrow.

“Slow down and enjoy life.  

 It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast-

you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.”

 – Eddie Cantor

Whoa Nelly

Song - Blue Jay Imitating Red Shouldered Hawk

Can you see that reddish-orangy thing on top of our pergola?  Not the reddish-orangy Maple leaves but look up near the sky?  It's a Red Shouldered Hawk and he has been showing up near my bird feeders the last few days.  Sorry it's not a very good view but this was taken from my office window.  By the time I ran out the door, he had flown to a nearby tree.

From there he screeched at me for awhile and then flew to a tree near the creek.

Several times today I saw him fly right towards my feeder, startling the songbirds.  I saw a few feathers float down from the sky so I think he may have snagged one.....Anyone know how to keep them away from the feeders?

The End.

"If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes." --Charles Lindbergh

The Bird Lady and Her Tree House

Song - Blackbird by Crosby, Stills and Nash

I have a friend and mentor who lives in a tree house.  

Or I should say a house high in the trees.

She also happens to love, care for and feed the birds.

Four little Bluebirds come to her when she calls and it is feeding time.

She has lots of bowls of fresh water for them to drink and bathe in.

And happy flowers grow everywhere!

And plenty of homes for them to live in.

 

They are happy to live in her little sanctuary.

 

 

They are content and so am I when I go to visit.

Just to sit and talk and be with nature.

 

And have nature watch us back.

They patiently wait for their daily feeding and fresh cool water.

Why hello there!

Everything thrives in her wonderful care.

That's quite a cigar mister............

.....really it's a meal worm!

This little Nuthatch loves to hang upside down.

Sit for awhile in the shade of the Oak trees and Dogwood.

Grab a cool drink or maybe two.

Ponder life and the beauty of nature up high here on the mountain.

Grab a snack if you like.

Or just puff out your chest and enjoy the warm sun.

My friend, thank you for sharing your little slice of heaven with me today!

"So this is how you swim inward. 

So this is how you flow outwards. 

So this is how you pray."

--Mary Oliver

Here Comes Pete & Re-Pete!

Just Squirrels

Tell me, do squirrels have a life purpose?

I mean other than to empty my bird feeders and their pure entertainment value?  Oh yeah and to drive the dog crazy as well!

I filled all of my bird feeders earlier this week in anticipation of the big California storm that hit on Thursday.  But the squirrels were in all of them by the time I walked into the house.

 

"Hey Pete how the heck do I get around this dome?"

"I can just hang out here all day long and get my 3 square meals!"

"Good thing the tree grows branches perfect for my toes to hang onto!!!"

"Hey, Pete.......maybe she won't spot me back here?

Dude it's like I'm in full camo gear - Hehe!!!"

"OK - Re-Pete, I've got this one covered and it's got me covered!"

"It's a good thing she put the "umbrella" over my feeder!"

"And a good thing there is a little handle on here for me!"

"Hey Re-Pete, I'm stuck to my food bowl"

"Pete, it's time to get away - quick, let's take the vine freeway"

"Hurry, she's coming outside with the dog!"

"OK Pete, I'm right behind you bud"

"Hey Re-Pete, I think I have room for one more go around!!!"

Ahhh....now for a little bird time...........


"If we had a keen vision of all that is ordinary in human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow or the squirrel's heart beat, and we should die of that roar which is the other side of silence" -- George Eliot