Blue Jays are first in line. I no longer have to tap on the metal cups to let them know I am feeding. Rather they appear as soon as I close the back door behind me when Charlie and I go inside to have breakfast.
The Squirrels run a close second to the Blue Jays. They eat seeds as well as peanuts. I have lots of shell mulch that I have been raking up.
The last few days since it has been warming up to the 70s & 80's the little Tufted Titmouse birds are out competing with the squirrels for the in shell peanuts. The peanuts are almost half their size yet they fly away with them in their becks.
I have ben able to record my favorite bird songs. The Carolina Wren with the upturned tail ae not afraid of me at all. They have been living under the house and the porches during cold weather and even come out on sunny winter days.
As soon as I come out side with Charlie they fly to the feed dishes where I also toss some peanuts. They have lovely sounds. The Carolina Chickadee are also out and about but later when the days warms a bit more. With their black caps and black under beck markings they are quick easy to ID.
Yesterday I recorded the Tufted Titmouse song and one for the Cedar Waxwing. Plus the Carolina Wrens of course. Now that my Redleaf bushes are sprouting new growth the birds are flocking inside them to hide away from the Hawk that has been hanging around my whole yard. It is looking for a bird to snatch.
I have two types of Sparrows, the White Winged doves are back in huge flocks as are the Inca Doves... who have been having babies. Many of which will fly to build other homes else where as they mature.
I hate seeing it happen but fate for birds is no different then fate for other critters, including humans.
Thankfully the sky is clouded often in the morning but the caramel colors are so much lovier then the reds. The red skies have really been overwhelming.
I have seen my American Crows as I walk to and from the Mailbox. They fly in pairs but I think there was a youngster with them.
Still no Grackles. I always loved their cracking call. It sounds like crinkly paper being crunched up.
I am hoping a Woodpecker shows up this year. Haven't seen but one last year. Otherwise none for at least 3 years. Perhaps with more rain we have gotten though still not enough.
The Hawk is a huge Red Tailed Hawk and he knows my yard abounds with birds. But the smaller Red Shouldered Hawk has been circling overhead. It is claiming it's property and it's area is pretty large for it circles to the North, West, South and East. I may not see it but I can hear it faintly calling the further away it soars the louder as it circles overhead. It almost seems that my area is the center so all its areas bring it back to almost overhead as it returns to the center.
I also saw a Kettle of Black headed Vultures flying overhead. Since I am almost at the top of my hill thermals are often rising from here. Or it means they have spotted a carcass close by.
Since the deer are not here very often now. I think they have spread out to other areas. Which means when Boy & I go to town we see them chowing down on killed animals of all kinds.
Closer to home, Charlie has been very quiet lately. In fact he often runs to the front fence if we re in the downhill side yard, to bark at people - a rare event - walking down or up the hill. Rather if he has his ball in his mouth he shakes his head angerily side to side an growls a bit then stops and watches them go by. Weird behavior he has developed - also does it if the deer show up. He is willing to follow comands - well mot of the time. Or he runs around to the otherside of the house and checks out the street along that front fence. When I say home he goes to the door - front of back.
Kitty has taken over the library and sleeps in a number of places most of which are the stop shelves - if there is room - for her to hunker down.
Soli has now begun to test the library out. Kitty is not thrilled by that at all.
Chance is still letting me rub his head, eyes, ears, beck & neck by grabbing his cage and hanging on until he has had enough and steps back. He closes his eyes as I rub what ever I am rubbing. Adorable. But he will not let me touch his wings. I am still trying to look for a bird sanctuary that will take him.
Charlie's behavior changes are still concerning. Though he is now jumping on the bed when I give him one of his small bicuits. He is still my alarm dog, especially all the delivery guys know him. But when A is in town with Flinn, Charlie goes ape running along our fence line to get their attention.
Flinn, A's golden poodle, has formed an attachment to me. When A has him outside and Flinn sees me he yanks his leash to dra A to where I am standing by the fence. Seriously, the dog is besotted with me and cares nothing for Charlie who is besotted by Flinn. ROFLOL. When Flinn gets to where my fingers are through the fence he runs up, sniffs and touchs my fingers. is satisfied it's me, then calmly walks away to check out his yard.
Charlie knows when A arrives in his truck and will start barking as soon as he hears them. No matter what time they arrive. Once outside his usual pattern is shortened to seconds - though he still does his routine of checking the front fence line for other critter scents. People who walk with their dogs off leash let them use my street lawn outside the fence for marking. It drives Charlie crazy. That also includes cats.
Anyway... A & I chat and usually we move both dogs inside so we can catchup. He vsits sporadically.
Lastly I have a cat or a wild animal that climbs in my wall to my bedroom. I am so tired of hearing the seed rats being killed. I keep trying to see if is the male cat next door that showed up last year and that they have addopted. The sounds are terrible to hear - even with the TV or radio turned up. I know it is part of critter life but I hate it.
So sorry to end on a sad note. But I deal as best I can.
The redbud tree between our two yards is in full bloom and lovely. Mine barely has more then a few tiny blossoms. I think I wil need to trim the dead branches when it is finally in full bloom.
Plus the grasses are growing so I will be able to mow with my new push mower soon.
The other projects are cleaning the siding in three areas.. mould due to over hanging tree branches.
I have a fence to run along the back of the house off the back steps to keep the cat or critter out from under neath. I also have fencing to put up around the sides of the back steps. Plus I need to sand and paint them white. But also to fix the supports better.
Plus there are lots more big chores. I am still looking for a trash company that will pick up my trash. They are all based in SA so I willbe checking with my Dominos group for names of trash companies that do house trash pickup.
Ok that's it for today. Have a good one. Plum I hope you get back on line soon.
Enjoy the weekend ya'll!
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Love All Life; Thank You For Posting! :)