We do it for the birds.

We had a mediocre frozen meal for dinner last night.

Chicken Alfredo -
Prep time: 1 minute to put in the oven.

I was planning to have hot dogs and beans but that would have been too labor intensive and I’d have spent too much time in the kitchen. There were other urgent issues that needed my attention.

The birds needed food. As you can see, I’m one of those Choosy Mothers who Choose Jif.

A double batch of Zick Dough and 16 cups of Hummingbird Nectar –
Prep time: 2 hours and 15 minutes from start to clean-up. Add 10 minutes at the grocery store.

It was my pleasure to eat slop and cook bird cuisine.

The hummingbird migration maps aren’t very promising for our arrival date of March 31 but it’s been suggested to fill the feeders this weekend. I will! And I’ll keep replacing the nectar every other day as if they were here.

Hey, they’re worth it. My backyard birds have been busy lately and show up when they’re exhausted to rest, refuel, and quench their thirst.

Love is in the air.

Even my problem bird is worth it. We are getting along quite nicely. He stares me down at 5:00 p.m. until he gets what he wants.

I give in and tell him to save some worms for the Carolina Wrens.

As long as the Starlings take care of the grubs in my yard, what the heck. I'm done with the squabbles. Have some dough. I still startle them whenever I can.

Can you see his eye? It’s been a challenge for me to photograph a Red-winged Blackbird’s eye. Oh, I’m just so complex :o/


With a post hole digger in the back seat of my car, I arrived at work this morning to accomplish erecting four Bluebird nesting boxes on our wildlife habitat. We might be a little late getting the job done, but they are available now, properly baffled and quite nice! I wasn’t the digger, but I did a good job of being the holder of the level, screws, and measuring tape until I saw a male Downy at the base of a tree.

Thrusting my equipment into someone else’s capable hands, I excused my excited self for a few minutes. Others were probably thinking, “Oh, there she goes again…”

He didn’t seem to mind me or the activity around him. His quick spiraling towards the top of the tree, sometimes in reverse, made me dizzy and caused my camera to whine and choke. Arrrrrgh.

A pause. Thank you.

But let’s not focus all of our attention on the more elaborate, colorful birds. Give praise to the peaceful and faithful LBJs, too.


Sweet.

The Revenge of a Little Blogger

I wanted to break away from blogging for a while to enjoy the weather but I wasn’t expecting damaging winds and a drop in temps into the low twenties over the weekend! So I spent most of my time indoors and drafted one post. Still want a break to soothe my bloodshot eyes.

Wind gusts of up to 50 mph almost rolled me into the pond while I tried to photograph a tiny damselfly. I couldn’t get close enough for a good photo but it was a very nice sign of spring. Yeah! (Click to enlarge)

A surprise was waiting for me when I awoke Saturday morning. One of the first things I do is scuffle over to the computer and check e-mail. The first message I read:

I wrote a post in September about the difficulty I have saying “Good-bye”. A simple, honest post that didn’t dwell on anything crazy or odd. At least I didn't think so...

Still yawning and trying to wake, I read that e-mail message three times, first grade style, to make sure I understood… Was this a joke? On this cold morning I held my robe close to me and scuffled into the kitchen wearing my L and R slippers to pour some juice, shaking my head in amazement and mumbling,

“Some people are simply sick. So, this is what you get for writing your heart out for everyone in the world to read. Alrighty then. I can take it.”

A few times during the past year, I’ve received challenging comments I deserved. Without any intended malice on my part, I’ve made some generalizations about lifestyles and certain dog breeds. My hands were slapped real good in the comments section. Those are comments I can appreciate – little eye openers, others’ differing opinions – they’re welcome here. And, recently, I received a comment with good intentions that I misinterpreted which made me unnecessarily fire back.

That heartless, ugly comment finally made me laugh and I dismissed it. But honestly, I thought about it a few times that day and reverted back to second guessing myself, a bad habit of mine. I know I’m not old, but am I crazy? No, but I’m slightly eccentric! After all, I have two-way conversations with my dogs and one-way conversations with birds, fish, butterflies, bugs, or anything else I’m smitten with. I cry or laugh easily and boy, how I love to rant. If I had the opportunity, this shorty would give a swift kick in the ass to the sadistic, miserable person who left that comment. Then, I might show some compassion towards the poor, pitiful soul from my kind heart, and wish him or her to be gifted with a Boston Terrier and a yard full of beautiful birds. Those two gifts would heal an injured soul.

Saturday's early surprise was offset by a much nicer surprise at the end of the day. It wasn’t until recently that I learned that Susan Gets Native does beautiful bead work. I love it. Thanks, Susan!

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

Three hours after I hung my first hummingbird feeder on April 27, 2007, I had a visitor. I can’t describe the excitement I felt that day. They had already arrived about a month prior, so I was very late with my offering. I will not be late this year. They’ve been reported in south Georgia and Alabama this week, so they’re due here in about two weeks, barring complications with the weather.

For all of my non-birding friends who read this blog, this info is for YOU. Read on...

During the next five months, my two feeders had wild activity. I remember the heat of the summer, the constant filling of the feeders with fresh nectar, and the joy it gave me. This year I’ll have three feeders (or more).

Walking through squeaky hummingbirds of fifteen at a time, I sometimes had to duck to avoid their flight patterns.

After a while, I understood what certain speedy dashes of flight meant. When aggressive and territorial, they buzzed in a horizontal U or would swing up and down like a pendulum to ward off intruders. None of this had to do with courtship or mating, I learned later.

At the risk of sounding simple-mined, I can hardly comprehend their strength and instinct.

In January and February, these tiny, power-packed avian creatures left the Yucatan one day at dusk, headed north for a five hundred mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico and landed somewhere between Texas and Florida...if nothing went awry. Their flight could have been twenty-two hours long, more or less. Is that wild, or what?

They travel northward up to twenty miles a day and many of the adults return to the same feeders and nests they occupied the previous spring and summer.

More simple-mindedness…

Us adults are intelligent enough to help make the world go round. But why can’t I follow directions on MapQuest to an across-town destination without getting lost? Hmmmmpf.

A slightly battered female stopped here for a re-fueling and rest on her journey south, taken on October 5, 2007. My last photo of the year.

I know they might be late arriving here this spring. But if they don’t show up at all, ya’ll will hear me cry and moan about the loss of my little green gems...

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I anticipate a break in blogging for a little while. Staring at a computer monitor all day at work and for a few hours at night is getting old and I need a little break. I’ll be outdoors in the evenings, enjoying the longer days and the beginning of Spring, instead. Maybe I’ll clean out some closets inside the house, too. Maybe I'll have some good post ideas and cook'em up! But if I find a Great Blue Heron standing in my pond tomorrow, you’ll hear about it!

Enjoy the beginnings of Spring :o) (Ironically, I'm sitting here with a coat on, fireplace going, and it's chilly!)

Early Spring Tease

You can feel it, smell it, and hear it. It happened so quickly! Bird song, flies, moths, gnats, bees, lizards, and light-weight jackets. It’s a wonderful time of year, but today, my arse is dragging and I can’t stop yawning. Spring fever, perhaps?

I wore my spring raincoat yesterday. Horrible photo, but my beloved camera was getting wet! Yes, it rained very well - a nice, steady, soaking rain. Not enough to lift water restrictions and we are all counting on a few tropical depressions or a mild hurricane to help out. It’s the worst drought in North Carolina history and I have a feeling it’s not an accident. The climates are changing and drought conditions might be an unwanted trend.

For everyone up north who are still under ice and snow, I wish you the inevitable Spring. Soon. March is the month of surprises when blizzards bury blooming Daffodils. Ya’ll have long, severe winters but we in the south have long, blistering hot summers. Today I winced when I remembered the previous summer and felt a little sweat on my brow…

Are we ever happy with the weather?

We’ve lost so much. Many businesses that rely on water have closed their doors and I wonder how it has affected their families. The recent rain and warmer temperatures have made a small difference at my house. I had fun leaving the coat inside today, getting on my hands and knees to photograph some life around the pond.

They're propelling themselves out of the water when they see me. Although the nights are still quite cold, the daytime is warm enough to feed them.

A definite sign of Spring is the showing of the fat, pink tongue. Bella’s hula hoop slipped through the fence for the fifth time tonight and I had enough. I needed some bird time, alone – without my black and white girlfriends.

Ok, Dove, I’m filling the feeders as quickly as I can.



Flocks of Red-Winged Blackbirds landed in my Delaware yard and cleaned out feeders in minutes. Here, there are few and they're mild-mannered. I like them.



Notice my yellow molt, seed lady. Please, take my picture.

Then, I was alone.



Cooper, help yourself to some House Sparrows. I’ll go inside and wish you well tonight.

On March 15th, I’ll be making hummingbird nectar. They are due on March 21st. I'd be so disappointed if they forgot my address!

Hug a Kid Today

Every morning on the way to work I listen to a morning radio talk show called the Ace & TJ Show, syndicated in North Carolina, Alabama, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Mississippi. The lively and hilarious characters that make up this sometimes corny show are pop culture gurus who talk about what’s happening in American Stupid News, American Idol, Britney, J-Lo’s newborn babies, and anything else we might be losing interest in, and, they talk about their own lives with surprising honesty.

I wasn’t laughing out loud or grinning from ear to ear this morning. Today was different. The show began as usual being insanely funny (I like starting my day with a smile) until TJ, a co-host, began sharing a poignant story about his little boy.

Saturday was “Buddy Day” for TJ and his four-year old son. They had big plans to go to the park, have lunch at a Mexican restaurant, and visit a four-wheeler store. Like every other four-year old, he was overjoyed with the play equipment at the park so TJ sat on a bench nearby and read a book while watching his little boy often. He noticed his son was on the top of the tower, just standing there, while the other children rushed by him for their turn on the sliding board. TJ thought this was odd and walked over to him, looked up to the tower and questioned,

“Why aren’t you playing?”

His son replied softly, “Oh, I’m just tired, Daddy.”

TJ didn’t understand and coaxed his son, “Oh, come on! Have fun while we’re here!”

His little son replied, “Ok, Daddy.”

Minutes later, his son hadn’t moved from his secure spot on the tower and TJ noticed there were two large dogs on lead nearby with their owners. This time, his little boy cried when he saw his Dad approaching,

“I’m afraid of the dogs, Daddy!”

“Those are nice dogs! Why are you crying? Don’t be afraid, son, and come down here!”

TJ carried him to the car, fully understanding his son’s fear of any dog larger than a Yorkie, but he was angry.

As his little boy sat in the back seat of the car, trembling and sobbing, TJ lost it and threw harsh words at him,

“What is wrong with you! Stop crying! The other boys weren’t afraid of the dogs and they weren't crying… You’re afraid of everything. You’re afraid of this, and that, and things that other boys aren’t afraid of…”

His little boy was speechless and still crying until TJ said angrily,

“So, what else are you afraid of!”

The little boy hesitated for a moment, then timidly whispered through his tears,

“You? I’m afraid of you, Daddy.”

Silence on the airwaves.

Painful silence.

Seven long seconds of silence…


TJ interrupted the silence, voice quivering and choking back tears, but told the end of the story. He drove into an empty parking lot, stopped the car, and walked to the back seat to hug his little son. They had a good day.

;-)

Because of allergies in the family, they never owned a dog but they are going to get a large breed soon. I was tempted to e-mail the station and suggest an allergen-free Boston Terrier. Also, I wanted to personally thank TJ for his sensitivity, for making me search my car for Kleenex, and arriving at work with tear stains on my cheeks! I cry easily in the mornings.

I’m just guessing, but I think even the most loving parents have moments like this with their little children. I’ve lost patience, too, and I remember a time when my daughter, then about seven years old, had a fit about the incorrect way I fixed her ponytail – after the third try, I yelled and whacked her on the head with the hairbrush. She was unharmed because her head was too hard to notice.

I just had to share this little story. I suggest that we all hug our kids today, or if you’re miles apart, send a virtual one.

In case I made you feel a little down, here’s something that might brighten your day,

Canada Goose and Stars.

Beyond the railroad tracks, a February sunrise. It was beautiful to me.

Gotcha! Hard to photograph…The Tufted Titmouse is so quick and On To Me.

What? Don’t holler. We’re innocent!

Eastern Bluebirds and Other Nice Treats

I ask you, is there a bird more attractive than an Eastern Bluebird? Maybe…not. Its sweet, gentle song and true blue coat makes me gasp and stop in my tracks. Every time. I will never tire of the Eastern Bluebird.


We were on our way back from purchasing lumber to erect our four Bluebird nesting boxes yesterday. A small committee is working on establishing a Wildlife Habitat on campus. I told Bob, our facilities manager, that we need to hurry and get them up, even though I hadn’t seen Bluebirds on campus in about three months. Two small flocks on the open field next to the parking lot were all I saw, back in November or December. I’ve been missing them on campus and at home.

An hour later I was on my way to drop off mail in the neighboring building when I saw a flash of blue fly by. I knew I brought the camera for a reason! I was in his territory and he sang sweetly, keeping a close eye on me.

He’s looking for a mate like another male did last spring, fluttering circles on the Dean’s office window. Our Dean thinks the Bluebird admires her all day. I don’t think so. If this Bluebird is Johnny, I wonder what happened to Millie?

It was cold, bright, and very windy so I found a rock to keep my mail and signature folder from blowing away. You see, I lost track of time while he flew circles around me, from tree to tree. I missed the mail courier.

The word "stunning" isn't good enough.

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And there’s more…

Isn’t this the most beautiful garden hose bib you have ever seen? Only the plumber knew what I meant by “hose bib”. NC folk call it a spigot, pronounced “spikkit”. Ok. I’m gitt'n it. I’ve been whining and moaning about having a garden hose near the pond and now I have it, only ten Mary steps away from the pond water. No more hauling 150 feet of heavy duty garden hose on my back, over the fence and across the back of the house, cursing all the way, knowing I'd need to haul it back and roll it up again.

And there’s more…

A new utility sink in the garage! Cleaning bird feeders, paint brushes, and muddy hands (in warm water) will be a breeze!

I couldn’t wait to decorate it.

Don't need diamonds. Just gimme Bluebirds, spikkits, and utility sinks.