SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - A BIT CONFUSED WE ARE HERE

Santa's helpers turned up at the wrong bird feeder today. That's okay, we all get a little turned around this time of the year.  

Oh dear!  Let me get you all a cup of tea and a few bickies!

Okay, so our Santa Bird Helpers may be a bit confused, but let's tell them not to worry, it will all work out.

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!

THEY ARE SLOWLY COMING BACK...

The first few photos were taken through the screen of the patio door in lots of sunlight.  The reason for the occasionally tiny light show.

The House Finches arrived first.  Not the sharpest photos

The frogs didn't look as happy as I was at the sight of the returning birds…

but very few know how to do the happy dance inside their heads.

The Mourning Doves are the only ones I have seen drinking out of the new froggy birdbath.

The frogs were not impressed at the dove's version of Swan Lake. I was though and well done Dame Dove! Tchaikovsky would have been proud!  

This was my first sighting of the Dark-eyed Junco since last April. It is a cold weather months' bird in our area. Almost completely in shadow underneath the table, the photo is not that sharp but it's a memory for me to look back on.  If you click on this website, you'll be able to see it properly.

I am very happy to see the birds returning.  Thanks for all the encouragement you have given me dear blogging friends.

 

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - HERE'S THE BIRD FEEDER - IT'S A TABLE...

but first, the plants in the two pots are hanging in there. I thought their hiatus at the side of the house would have done them in by now. We kept forgetting to water them, but thankfully there was enough rain to keep them going.

I found the buffet-style table online. It's made out of the same material as most of the deck. It came in a flat, oblong box. My dear other half got his toolkit out and put it together.  As mentioned before, not being able to hang anything on the rail or sprinkle the seed on the top (too rounded and narrow), and not wanting to drill any holes for hangers in the new framework (it is made of Trex not wood) this is what we came up with.  If nothing else it will make a very nice utility table, the first piece of outdoor furniture we have bought in years. 

I watched a squirrel climb down the trellis the first day. He worked his way down from the top with the flatter beam along the edge, but was not able to climb down to the table.  We have large tree branches that are his highway to the deck. Gregg bought a book for me when we were out and about the other day.  I had to smile as we long ago welcomed the squirrels as well as the birds to our feeders, and I don’t really want to outwit them.  Shocking I know and I appreciated the book.  I don't know yet if it's supposed to be humorous or whether it is literally sharing squirrel deterrents.  I am sure it will be a fun read.  

So, here we are with the squirrel and bird buffet table. Will they come? My early morning alarm this morning were the crows squawking in the early hours. When I came down there were none to be found. Were they warning all feathered friends to stay away? Am I projecting again? Probably! We will have to wait and see.

Below, this dish is actually advertised as a birdbath, and will be returned to this use before too long.  It has 'steps' that go down the inside of the dish, which will make it easier for the birds than one deep well - hoping!  

Okay, so it is built, now will they come?

We'll see!

Thanks for looking everyone.  

Have a great week!