What a Wonderful World

I’m scared when you s-s-slam the screen d-d-door. I don’t like those bad, bad, black b-b-birds.

Bella is the most sensitive of the two.

It’s okay, sweetie. I’m just trying to scare the nasty birds - not you.

Chloe, are you afraid?

Hell, no. And get off my face.

Since MigRANT last week, I’m still fussing and feeding the nasty birds. I work hard to afford them and it’s depressing to visit the yard now and witness the squabbling and ruckus. After a long day at the office, I look forward coming home to peace on my little oasis. The Chickadees, Wrens, and Titmice are away nesting, the White-Throated Sparrows and Juncos have been gone for a while, the Cardinals are fewer, and the hummingbirds are few as well. There’s nothing I can do about it except to sneak peeks at the nice birds when the coast is clear and they feel safe at the feeders.

Goldfinches aren’t usually wary around me but now I have to get a few photos in full zoom through the fence rails. Sad, isn’t it?

Mockingbirds keep me company with all of their hissing and fighting among each other. Unfortunately they aren’t aggressive enough to ward off Starlings and Grackles but I have seen them run off crows. Gutsy birds.

I think a Red-winged Blackbird is almost as noisy as a Cardinal and almost as nice.

For the chance of seeing a woodpecker every day I’ll continue working for the birds, I guess.

Focusing on keeping a positive outlook on changing seasons and what each has to offer, I find there is amusement and wonder everywhere, if I allow myself to calm down and notice it.

Toads don’t fly away before you take a snapshot. Wonderful models.

Snakes will pose for a few moments, too. This is a young Black Rat snake, one-third the size of the one I saw last week. I’m starting to wonder about the snakey business around this house.

Beware of the snakes, little one. I'd like to keep you around for a while.

First damselfly!

One of my all-time favorite songs is one I should keep in my head to help me get through.


I see skies of blue, and clouds of white

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Louis Armstrong

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This post was written yesterday but I must include an update as of 4:30 p.m. today:

Ahhhh. Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak arrived.

Concord Grape Jelly was served at 4:40 p.m.

It only took him ten minutes to find it.

I need new plates, feeder cups and perhaps I'll look into a picnic table.

;-)