Thursday, May 29, 2008

I think I'll invite the birds for dinner again

I think it’s time to scrub the bird feeders and reopen the restaurant. It’s been over two weeks since I hung the “closed” sign.

It's quiet. Peaceful. The horrible, screaming mobs left abruptly when the food supply disappeared.



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They’re lovely but I’m missing the variety. I left a small niger seed feeder for the Goldfinches. The birds who stop by regularly are Cardinals, Mockingbirds, House Finches, and Mourning Doves. Starlings and Grackles fly by but don’t stop anymore and the pigeons and Cowbirds have relocated, too. The House Sparrows will return, I’ll bet! With their little brats, too!



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I must mention the little Brown-headed Nuthatches that inspect every empty feeder, every evening. They aren’t too disappointed, but I am. I apologize, "Sorry, honey."



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We have an abundance of Robins this year. I’ve admired these birds since I was a child.



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I’m so impressed with the strength of her nesting cup where I felt three eggs. When the babies fledge, I hope my dogs are inside sleeping on the sofa.

I long to see Chipping and Song Sparrows, Brown Thrashers, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Chickadees, Woodpeckers, and Tufted Titmice return. I’ll try again. A trial. It's an exciting time of year to watch little clumsy fledglings find their way to the buffet.

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Hummingbirds are getting busy, at last. I’m never ready to photograph them. Instead, I smile when they hover near my face and get spooked so easily. My last hummingbird summer was wonderful. I’ve recently heard chittering and saw a few confrontations at the feeders, so I’m hoping for another good year but I feel this summer will be different.

A little bird time at work helps…


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Our new wildlife habitat solar bath. I would have opted for a real spa but getting electric to it would take mounds of paperwork and a few years. Electricity isn't in the budget anyway. The Federal grant? A joke.



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Bluebird babies on May 27. I don’t think I’ll open the box again! Oh, maybe one more time, very carefully.


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This nesting box worries me. It's a bad photo, I know. During my checks this week, I have found this bird in the same position. No movement, but I’m almost certain it’s alive.

Visits to the special Black Willow at the grocery store pond are always uplifting,

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even when the Belted Kingfisher sees me from a quarter of a mile away and darts in another direction, EVERY TIME.

Oh, I'm so tired and bored with this post. I can't even think of a decent title for it. I need to put my head down for a while. Sigh...

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By the way, it's awful to have your three-day vacation snatched away from you on the eve of its start. Last night I received the news that Michael’s weekend business golf outing in South Carolina was cancelled. It was heartbreaking for me to watch him unpack…because…my vacation is a bust! I had planned it perfectly for doing “Mary” things…popcorn and yogurt for dinner, shopping whenever I please, listening to my music loudly - all day if I want to - and cleaning bathrooms at 10pm on a whim. Does anyone understand this? I’m really not a selfish person…but let’s say, “I like my space” a few times a year. Oh well, I’ll look forward to his next fun golf outing and he will, too :o)

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your vacation Mary. I'm sure having the birds back at your feeders will cheer you up!!

Angie

NCmountainwoman said...

Oh yes! I do so understand. There's no way on earth I could have stayed married to the same man for 36 years had it not been for meetings, conferences, or other outings. A woman must have some of that "my own space" time. Hope you can arrange it soon. And good luck with the birds.

beckie said...

Of course I understand! My hubby is gone most weeks from Sun. eve to Fri. afternoon(trucker)and I love my time. I see him 2-3 times during the week for coffee or supper and that's just enough. I can do what I want on my schedule. It puts a crimp in my style when he is home unexpectedly! Wonderful bird shots. I hope the restaurant has a better class of diners this time.

Anonymous said...

Totally understand. Working from home, my time between editing stuff is "me time," which I never had in NYC. I watch corny Jane Austen movies on the DVR in the middle of the day, read on the hammock, and clean the closet or spray poison oak or mow the lawn. My time. My. Time. If Josh ever gets a telecommuting job, he'll have to do it from someone else's house.

I have all of your grackles, by the way. And their babies. It's a noisy riot out there!

JeanMac said...

Mary, your picture of the red winged bird(?) brought back memories for me - I used to have to bike with a towel swung high and fast over my head when I cycled past the reeds:)

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Aw--I like popcorn and yogurt, too.
Everyone needs their space--as you say.
Sometimes, I long for my own room--a place where I can do exactly what I want , how I want it, just because.

I think anyone who denies it, lies.

Good luck re-opening Mary's restaurant!

Susan Gets Native said...

I totally get you, Mary. MY time is sacred. People are maimed and scattered when I don't get it.

Don't fret about the feeders...it will be so fun to see all the younglings come and learn how to use them!

Anonymous said...

I totally get being disappointed hubby is staying home. Mine's job kept him out of town Monday through Thursday - now he's between jobs and around way too much. It totally throws me off. The whole dynamic of the house changes when he's here.

I loved your post by the way!

Jayne said...

Mine never goes anywhere anymore, and like you, I'd enjoy some time to myself I do believe! Fully understand.

Glad you were able to get the uninvited guests to leave. Our hummers have been so very scarce thus far. Hope they pick up in numbers. Have a wonderful weekend Mary. :c)

Rose said...

Oh, we do understand! My husband just decided to take a couple days off work; it throws my whole day off, especially blogging time!
I knew you would have to open the restaurant again, and I'm glad you did. I do hope that baby bluebird is ok.

Just read Tues.' post--I hope your back is feeling better. I used to make walking a habit, but now I'm the queen of excuses, too :)

Unknown said...

I know the feeling about space and so does my husband. Not much cancels a fishing trip.
Having your birds back will help. Creating a space in your home for you helps to. Blessings to you Mary.

Anonymous said...

Yes - Yes - Yes! I do understand. And based on the comments, I'd say we both have lots of company.

Naturegirl said...

Mary:
I totally understand the "my space" thing! I love it when I am alone for a few days while hubby is away...YES to all that stuff that you do but Mary...p-l-e-a-s-e...cleaning the bathroom at 10 p.m.!!!
Okay okay you work and I don't.

Well all your horrible screaming mobs of blackbirds and starlings have flown to my feeders...and they eat the expensive stuff! I filled the peanut feeder like yours 5 times yesterday!! Perhaps I'll close shop as you did for awhile to shoo them away! All my yellow finches and cardinals have disappeared and now I know why!
The bullys took over...the squirrels really have competion these days!Tomorrow my bird cafe closes...oh and I forgot at night
the racoons have caused quite the ((((damage)))) getting to these feeders!!! Thanks for the tip! hugs NG

Anonymous said...

Great bird pics!

dguzman said...

Sorry about the vacation, Mary. I agree with you--we all need our "me time" sometimes.

Q said...

Dear Mary,
I do understand!I need lots of me time.
Having the hummers around does help.
Enjoy the grand reopening!
Sherry

Anonymous said...

It's just not fair that you can sight birds at the grocery store pond. That's my favorite image of this gorgeous set - beautiful contrasts, Mary. And, yes, of course I remember you. Big hugs.

Cheryl said...

That bird box worries me to....any idea of whats happening there Mary?

Yes totally understand your need for space to do your own thing. Its woman.....we used to be left in caves while men hunted....doing our own thing.....so its in the genes Mary!!!!

RuthieJ said...

I love your solar bird spa! I'm counting down the days till my grackles start dispersing (probably by the middle of July).

Sorry to hear about your "vacation," and I totally understand too. I told Mr. Johnson that when we retire and sell this house that we'll need to buy a duplex so he gets 1 half and I get the other!

Stacey Olson said...

LOL.. poor little birds. I am sure they are starving(not) Have a beautiful weekend mary and know that I AM still here, just trying to catch up as usual..

entoto said...

I love that bird bath shot! It really made me and Vivi giggle.

And yes, I do get your disappointment. I would love that just once a year. It does not happen with two homeschooled kiddos. Sigh...

So, no, in my book that is not selfish.

Mary C said...

Hi Mary - I'm sure glad to see your nuthatches are persistent. Smart little birds; they know you closed the restaurant temporarily. ;o) I hope the bluebirds at work are doing OK. And I'm glad to see we all desire "my" time and "my" space. I think that's what keeps everyone's relationships healthy.

dmmgmfm said...

Aww honey, sorry your vacation didn't work out. And I don't think you are selfish at all. You are a sweetheart!

Love the bird pics girl. They are gorgeous.

Big hugs,
Laurie

Sherry at the Zoo said...

Ahhh....vacation at home with peace and quiet, the best kind.

The pictures are beautiful!

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

Wonderful pictures, Mary! I'm glad you're going to open the restaurant again. I like some "me" time once in awhile, too. Why don't you go to SC instead? Maybe visit beautiful Charleston?

Kathie Brown said...

Mary, I totally understand! It happened to me too when Gus' flight back east was cancelled this winter due to storms back there! I hope you get your "me" time soon! Glad the buffet is back open. I always try to pare down my bird feeding for the summer but I can't resist seeing all the birds right outside my window! I hope the pests don't return too soon!

Crayons said...

Hi Mary,
Thank you so much for the photo of the bluebird chicklets. I'd never seen anything like that before. How exciting.