Saturday, May 26, 2007

More Cat or Dog?

You Are: 40% Dog, 60% Cat

You and cats have a lot in common.
You're both smart and in charge - with a good amount of attitude.
However, you do have a very playful side that occasionally comes out!

Friday, May 25, 2007

Time for Renewal

I still don't have a camera, but I thought I'd post some photos that I took last year of the birds in my backyard. Some of them are a little fuzzy.


This little Hummer visited the feeder every day, several times a day. He also sat in the oak tree near the deck and chased the other birds away, so I hung a couple more feeders in other parts of the yard.




I watched this pair of Cardinals all summer. They were very sweet with each other. The male would come to the feeder while the female sat on the fence or bushes and waited. He would get some sunflower seeds and take them to her and gently feed her. I snapped this shot while her ladyship was bathing. He sat on the side of the birdbath and waited patiently until she was through with her daily ablutions. They raised several babies that they brought to the feeders when they were old enough to fly. The babies would wait patiently in the bushes while mom and dad flew back and forth to the feeder. I wonder if the babies come back to where they were raised.

We have lots of Housefinches and Tufted Titmouse that stay all year round. I caught these three friends hanging out by the water cooler.

The yellow finches especially love the niger thistle. They only visit on their way through town in early spring and again in the fall.

Monday, May 21, 2007

The Fledgling

Something really remarkable happened to me today. I was sitting at my desk when I thought I saw something flutter by in the hallway past my office door. I thought I was imagining things. Then about 5 minutes later, I saw something flutter past my door in the opposite direction. I got up and walked to the doorway and saw a Mockingbird fledgling standing in the hall. When I asked him what he was doing there, he just cocked his head and looked at me. I tried to pick him up, but he halfheartedly flew down the hall and landed. I approached him quietly and he just stood there watching me as I stooped over and put my right hand around his little body. I expected to get pecked, but the little guy was amazingly calm. I could hardly believe that he let me hold him without struggling. He just continued to look at me as I walked to the door and placed him on a bush outside. The guys I work with were as amazed as I was that he allowed me to get close enough to even attempt to hold him. I wish I'd had a camera. But to top things off, I saw a Great Blue Heron flying over a creek on my way home. What a great day!

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Way Behind

I'm way behind on blogging because I've been wrapped up in house renovation. I've had tile floors put in my living room, kitchen and foyer. I've had a six-foot privacy fence put up around my yard so I can bask in the feeling of having my own piece of heavenly solitude. Besides "Gladys Kravitz" lives behind me and let me know that she wasn't happy about having to walk around, instead of through, my yard now that my fence is up. I've been shopping for appliances and furniture, which will be delivered next week! It was great being able to shop and choose what I like without having to worry about someone else. I should be moved in, hopefully, around the first week in June and then will have more time to blog, which I've honestly missed. I should have some pictures of my new floor too! I wanted to replace the kitchen cupboards, but wow, everything is so expensive. I'll just have to wait.

I've planted five hydrangea bushes in the backyard and am busy planning for more flowers and flower beds. I'm honestly thinking of getting a couple of chickens to hang out in my yard to eat bugs and weeds and to enjoy as pets. I checked with the town animal control person, and he said it wouldn't be a problem as long as no one complained. Do hens make a lot of noise? Anyway, I've been looking for a chicken tractor and a small hen house for my yard.

The fireflies are just starting to come out and I've spent the last couple evenings watching them as they wink on and off in the twilight. I LOVE fireflies. They bring back some great memories I have from being a kid.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007