SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - A VISITOR!

The Froggies cousin was visiting from across the other side of the pond. No, not THAT big pond, the one at the garden. He hitched a ride home in the pocket of the mister of the house and hopped down onto the bird feeder as soon as he could. 

The froggies, at the pond couldn't be seen but were heard. They were very noisy and very chirpy to have such nice weather. Froggy 4 decided to join his cousins for a few hours. He recognized the mister as he liked to read blogs and saw his picture one day. That's how he knew whose pocket to jump into.

He was still very noisy and monopolized the conversation, but they didn't mind. Everyone was very happy to have him visit. Out came the best China, the kettle was put on and the teapot was filled with their favorite brew. They had endless cuppas and scones, but someone forgot to buy the clotted cream and jam. No clotted cream and jam for the scones? The horror! That's okay, Cappy the Catbird was very happy to be invited.

The Robins came by later when all was quiet and they missed the party, but there was always a kettle to put on.

 Out came the favorite brew from the cupboard, more happy talking took place. The sun was going down by the time they left. They had a long journey to get back to that fourth tree on the right, at least in Robin steps.

That's how it goes at this week's Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder.

Thanks for flying in and 

hope your wings aren't too tired. 

For our overseas friends to translate the photos, 

using the translation widget on the right.

Photo 1

"I am very nosy but who is that?"

Photo 2:

"Hello over there. Join us, we are having tea!"

Photo 3 and 4: 

No words.

 

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - LOUD?

 

Blue Jay had his say!

But so are you my dear Blue Jay. The experts say your calls can be very loud, and can sound like a scream, especially your alarm calls which alert everyone. So good for you Mr. Blue Jay! 

Another hero! Well done my fine feathered friend!

He would have had his answer, but Camera Lady tripped over the Froggy Zen Master. After many utterances which raised Zen Master's eyes to the ceiling, he thought it prudent to leave and let her practice more Zen on her own.

But first he left her with this, "A Zen state, also known as mindfulness, is a state of calm attentiveness where one is fully present in the moment, free from excessive thought or attachment to external stimuli. It's about being aware of your surroundings and inner experience simultaneously, allowing you to respond consciously and effectively. This state can be cultivated through practices like meditation and mindful living." And he then said, "You have a long way to go. More practice!"

And that is how it goes on a Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder. 

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - THE SQUIRRELS HAD A PARTY

It was wild!

Nope, we're not doing word of the day today.

The American Robins flew in to check out what all the commotion was about.

The Mockingbird turned up for a few seconds.

The Robins turned up with friends and had their own party. 

Everyone was all of a tweeter.

The inanimate object was by this time standing upright and wasn't talking, Kissing Bunnies were okay too. Big Bunny is still staying away, but this little guy turned up. Everyone was keeping a close eye on him. He told everyone he was innocent and that he didn't know anything.

I have noticed how you all tip toe and jump over those leaves. We keep sweeping them up and they keep falling. That's why they call it "Fall!" 

Tell them they have very good fluffy tails. They would be great for sweeping. All they have to do is waddle backwards! 

And that's how it goes at this week's Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder.

Have a great weekend everyone 

and thanks for stopping by for another whimsical tale.

WHO IS TURNING UP AT THE FEEDERS?

After the concern of not seeing any birds for a few weeks with all the upheaval, things are slowly returning to normal. The House Finches arrive with great regularity.  

They are always welcome.

This one also.He wants to know if that is a problem. The frogs who are in a perpetual state of uncertainty, don't seem sure but I always say of course not!  Squirrel always says thank you, to me and to the frogs.  I tell him that good manners go a long way with me, and if he could perhaps not scoff all the birdseed, that would be lovely.  He said he will try but his inner greedy kicks in and he finds it difficult.  Just try I said.  I speak squirrel as you know, and I am aware that his inner greedy is a powerful force.Next, the Mourning Doves turn up. I always enjoy their soft cooing in the morning hours during the summer.  It is my soothing alarm clock to start the day, though I haven't heard them lately. Perhaps it is getting too cold.

Another House Finch arrived, this time at the birdbath.  It looks a young one, a juvenile I think.

The doves leave and more finches turn up. They are a bit messier...

but I will be handing out tiny brooms later.

Two other visitors were American Robins.  It was blogging friend Red - of Hiawatha House - who mentioned to me a while ago that they weren't actually robins at all, but part of the thrush family.  I am always grateful to Red for this interesting information.  Thanks Red!

Early colonial settlers named the American Robin for its resemblance to the familiar but unrelated European Robin, because both have a reddish-brown breast. At this link you can read more information.

Our Black-capped chickadee was next.  It picks up a morsel and flies up into the trees immediately afterwards.  Often hard to get a decent photo.

There were four of them in the space of half an hour, and they seemed to get on well with the smaller birds.  Perhaps because they only take one seed and disappear quickly.

I saw them at the top level, and the lower level of the feeders, and then at the birdbath.

Lovely little things, as is the American Goldfinch. He was a surprise as I thought he may have migrated south.  Perhaps he's just a little late. His feathers were more muted now that he is wearing his winter plumage. 

Incoming!  The Mourning Doves are back.  

I will finish with this last photo and show you more in another post.  In the meantime...

They make me smile these birds.  I am so glad they are back.  

A quote from David Attenborough:

"Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?"

Thank you for visiting, it is always lovely reading your comments.  I am a bit behind in returning visits again, but I'll get there.  Enjoy your day!

LATEST WALK AROUND GREEN SPRING GARDENS ON 4-15-22 - PART 1

We were at the gardens on April 14th.  It was a gorgeous day and far too good to stay inside.  

I also wanted to see the dogwoods while they were still blooming.  We are thinking of planting them to replace the two trees that we had to cut down.  The white ones are my favorite as they were the first kind I ever saw.  We drive out into the country and see them growing wild in amongst all the other trees.  It is a lovely sight.  

The pink ones are spectacular too and these were at the lower end of the garden.  

We have both in our neighborhood, which look stunning.  Our son and daughter-in-law mentioned them, how beautiful they looked, when heading over recently.  

But, I have a bee in my bonnet about the white and would like to plant those.  Dear Other Half doesn't have a strong opinion and would be happy with both.  Looking at these, however, well.....

We usually take the pathway next to the old house, but we wanted to go to the ponds today.  We walked the narrow road down the hill instead.

A kind person had found a pair of sunglasses and popped them on top of the sign where, hopefully, they will be found before their owner leaves the garden.  As you can see, the garden gates are closed at five.  We have in the past arrived at a later hour and was glad we read the sign.  You can still walk around, probably until it starts to get dark, and we have left our car on the other side of the gate.  It is only a short walk to the garden.  One time we wanted to go during that golden hour for photo taking, and remembering the sign, we parked beyond the gate.  We did not have a problem finding a spot as most people had left by then.

I did not think I would be seeing any more daffodils, but there were many on our way to the ponds.  

I have seen paler daffodils - narcissus? - but not the frilly kind.  The closest I could get to identifying these was Double Daffodils - Sir Winston Churchill.  

You can see if you agree at this link.  The website here has them for sale.

There are many benches throughout the garden, and we always make use of one that is right next to the water.  

Gregg is taking photos of the fish.

I am sitting on our favorite bench.  From where I am, it is a good place to watch for activity on the water.  I was hoping for birds but came across something very interesting.

A couple were on the edge peering down and then the gentleman exclaimed very loudly.  He turned round to where I was sitting, and said there were huge fish just under the surface, come and see!  His excitement and enthusiasm made me smile and as I recognized another nature lover, I walked over.  We chatted for a while and Gregg joined us.  The gentleman told me he thought they were American Carp.  I couldn't get a decent photo of the big ones but they were well over four-feet in length.

The smaller swam towards us and stayed in place for a while, opening and closing their mouths as they usually do.  It didn't take long to realize they were waiting for us to feed them.

I thanked the couple.  We have never seen fish this big before and we look into the water on every visit, checking out the much smaller ones.  These were a surprise.  The Great Blue Heron we occasionally see fishing will have a hard time picking one up for dinner.

We also got a decent photo of a Male Northern Cardinal, as curious about us as we were about him perhaps?

And I'm thinking this is a House sparrow.  What do you think?

And an American Robin.  Gregg took the bird photos.

We leave the pond and walk along the trail through the wood.  The bark of trees interests us both and Gregg also took the next photo.   On doing a little research (please let me know if you think it is something else), this is a River birch tree, also known as Water birch, Black birch and Swamp birch.  River birch is a strong but knotty wood.  It is sometimes used to make woodenware and furniture, but it is not usually used for commercial lumber.  Native Americans would boil the sap to make a sweetener and would even eat the inner bark when food was scarce.  It is also a food source for many wild birds and even deer.

One last photo taken by my Dear Other Half, and that is one of the creek.  There is a bridge we cross over before going up the hill.

I will end here as there are more photos to share.  I hope you have enjoyed Part 1.

Thank you for visiting today's blog post.  

May your day be a happy one.