Since then we have greeted two falls and two winters without bird feeders. In the meantime the big maple out front was cut down, and we had extensive logging done in the woods. Our old dog Sadie died, and we got a new pup Lucy. These things all changed the bird and animal population at Windy Poplars Farm. The deer haven't been close to the house, nor have moose or bear. We've heard coyotes less frequently. The birds have been around in the summertime, but the winters have been very quiet.
This fall we thought that we might begin feeding again. Lucy is a loveable Labrador without a mean bone in her body, but she does her fair share of barking when she smells something in the air. We think her presence may be enough to keep the wild animals away.
So, we put up the feeders about three weeks ago, and what a joy it is to have the birds back. The sweet voices of the finches, both red and yellow, the cheerful chickadees, the pretty juncos, the colorful woodpeckers, and even the raucous bluejays are so very welcome. We put up two feeders, and two suet holders on the clothesline poles.
We see the birds out the kitchen window. It has been especially fun watching with Hazel.
Your winter months will be more lively with the feeders up. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteYes! And we have the binoculars you recommended right beside the window!
DeleteYou will have wonderful times ahead watching the birds with Hazel. Seeing life through the eyes of a bright child is such a gift. We enjoy the visitors to our feeders in Northern California.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a gift!
DeleteI was just going to recommend that you get some binoculars! I love watching our birds and look forward to seeing the new varieties when we move to Oregon. I'll miss our cardinals, though.
ReplyDeleteWe are too cold for cardinals. Maybe they will be in Oregon.
DeleteJust saw the picture of Indy in his Halloween costume. Adorable!
ReplyDeleteHe and his brother were both dinosaurs, and his parents dressed up, too, as the characters in Jurassic World. I should post a picture.
DeleteSo happy that you are enjoying the birds again! Now if you see a bird that you don't know, it is much easier to identify from the internet rather than from bird books!
ReplyDeleteYou know my husband and I are BIG bird lovers! :-)
I know it is. But I love my bird books. We kind of use both now. ;<))
DeleteOh I'm so glad you are able to watch the winter birds again. .. it will be even more wonderful with Hazel... I can almost hear her learning the names of the different birds you see together. I miss having bird feeders .... life is a series of tradeoffs..... but I enjoy watching yardbirds when we're at Cyndi and Jeff's.... and one of our great-grandsons is very interested in birds and nature ... fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to see how the kids' interests develop. Hazel's mum has taught her chickadees and crows and turkeys already. Now she has learned juncos and bluejays.
DeleteFond childhood memories of mine involve both my Granddad and my Dad (independently of each other) teaching me about birds, their voices, what they eat, how they nest and so on. How lovely for you to be able to enjoy all that with Hazel Nina now! I put food out for them on the kitchen windowsill but most of the food disappears while I am at work; a red squirrel "helps", too.
ReplyDeleteI love this. You have wonderful memories. My red squirrels are gone. Probably one of the changes from all the things I mentioned above. There are one or two gray squirrels which is very unusual for us.
DeleteThat window view is so wonderful ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks! It is great.
DeleteThis made me happy. A good way to start Election Day - a note of grace. I'm glad the birds are back.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim.
DeleteWe also feed the birds and I am always pleased with the variety we get. They are a great source of entertainment but I understand why you had to take them down before. Your safety that of the pets is most important. I am hoping you have many enjoyable sitings now!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear what birds you see!!
DeleteNan, of course we have the more common birds such as cardinals, blue jays, goldfinches and house wrens but the seasonal visitors are amazing. We saw a rose breasted grosbeak a few times and this is the most beautiful bird I have ever set eyes on. Stunning. But they don't stay long.
DeleteAnother seasonal bird is the towhee, he is a pretty bird with a distinct call. Once we saw a Scarlett tanager and it was described as an "exclamation point" on the feeder!
We had a wren this summer, and I enjoyed it except I read it will take nests away from other birds. I'm kinda hoping it doesn't come back. We had a rose breasted grosbeak here a while ago, but no evenings until now! We had them at our other house, 8 miles away, but when we moved out here they weren't around. We are thrilled to see them again. I'll have to look up the towhee. I don't know that bird. Also at our old house we had one scarlett tanager and were thrilled! Thanks for telling me your birds!
DeleteNan, I can understand your enjoyment of once again seeing the birds come close to eat. My husband has always provided Hotel Hilton meals to the birds and other small animals, but when we moved to FL we decided not to start it again for several reasons. Even though we see many seaside birds in the trees behind the house here, we miss the songbirds and hope to start it again when we move back. It's tempting not to, simply because that is one expense we could do without, but I'm sure he's going to want to put it back in the budget.
ReplyDeleteStill another reason you will be thrilled to be home!!
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