August Bird's Nest

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

Welcome Birding Friends and Visitors.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, can you believe August is upon us? According to Wikipedia (lol), August is Happiness Happens month, so here are some birds that look like they are having a good time.

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/> Among the trees Is a bird's nest, And in the nest Her three eggs rest. And in each egg ~~ Hush, you'll be heard! ~~ There lies asleep A tiny bird. Written by H.N. Bialik

There are many elements: wind, fire, water
But none quite like the element of surprise

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

This workweek was a real corker and I'm so glad I planned ahead and reserved today as a vacation day. I have a couple of small errands to run and then I'm going to Kmart to browse around and see what speaks to me.

Bird of the Day - Limpkin

There are many elements: wind, fire, water
But none quite like the element of surprise

Winifred · ‎03-09-2010

Thanks for getting us started for August Bird mama. Ooops, today is my oldest Grand's BD and I did not call or send a card - too much going on in my life and two days ago was my youngest GRand's BD. Oldest is 45 and the youngest turned 39. Cannot believe it - both live in Topeka, Ks but are California born and raised. I sure miss them but they are doing fine.

Yesterday was one of the worst days we have had - just miserable and today more of the same.

Water pipe broke yesterday late afternoon - water Co came out and said they could not attend to it until this afternoon as they had another emergency going. They asked if I would watch it and if it did get worse to call them - it did and I did. Water was going down my driveway and had started up into the carport and I was more than unhappy. They worked on it until 10:30 and had stopped the water before then but needless to say I was sure late getting to sleep. They will be back as they did not do a complete repair - I don't think - they have the cones and etc out there. Lucky for us all there is no one living in the house down back or they would have a bad time getting out and Don's driveway misses it by about 5 feet - I am fine as my driveway is further along the street. This is a dead end street so sometimes we have problems when something goes wrong.

Stay cool everyone!

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

Winifred, I am so sorry that you are not getting any relief from the hot weather. I wonder if the excessive heat broke the water pipe? That happens in extreme cold here so I would think the same thing would apply to extreme heat. The last thing you all need in CA is precious water flowing down the drain.

You've had your hands full the past couple of months with the kids and new cats. Don't beat yourself up about the birthdays. Several years ago I forgot one of my relatives birthdays. Mind you, I have only 2 siblings and 2 nieces so it's not like a cast of thousands. Only have three in-laws in AZ too.

I sent a belated card and made up a chart for myself on the computer. I list the month of January and the persons birthday, the month of February and the birthday. I taped this thing on the inside of my kitchen cupboard that I use the most and luckily haven't forgotten one since. I still have cut it kind of close though when sending the cards ${#emotions_dlg.blush}$

There are many elements: wind, fire, water
But none quite like the element of surprise

possummink · ‎03-09-2010

Hi Birding Friends, Happy 1st day of August. I c and p my last post on the July thread as I posted it late yesterday evening and wasn't sure if it was seen. Hope all is going ok with you.

Hot here, but that's the norm.

Winifred, Stay cool as possible with the awful weather you all are having in CA.

possummink07/31/2014 at 7:47 PM93939 PostsRegistered 9/7/2007Show Me State---MO

so beautiful

Hi Birding Friends. Wow, today is the last day of July. Summer is 2/3 gone and my GDs will be starting back to school in less than 2 weeks. I can't believe how fast this summer has passed me/us by. I know I say that a lot, but it just seems like I get up, do a few things, eat a couple of meals, and it's bedtime already again. Could be getting up in age, as that's where I am. ${#emotions_dlg.rolleyes}$

I just filled the feeder again and of course fed the squirrels. Some of the braver ones come down the trunk of the big oak and will sit and wait for me to toss them a big fat peanut or two. The fork in the tree, about 13 or so feet up, is where I try to toss peanuts, mainly to keep my basketball skills up ${#emotions_dlg.lol}$ , and to let the squirrels get some peanuts without making the trip up and down the trunk. The blue jays have learned to go to the fork and get peanuts too. I almost beaned a couple of them a few times. The squirrels don't care if I hit them with a peanut. They'll sit there and eat while I am aiming peanuts at that area. There's one "knot" hole that is where a limb was taken off, and it's like a mini basket. Now and then I get lucky and "make" a basket. I am always trying to do that, but usually settle for the fork of the tree. Talk about having a second 'childhood'. ${#emotions_dlg.scared}$ ${#emotions_dlg.blush}$ Smile I figure it may help keep the brain cells a bit more active. ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

Puddles, When are you and Ian coming back to the states this fall? I guess you will miss the walks by the beach when you get back here, but it'll be great to be with your family. Does Ian have relatives in Britain. If that's too personal, please disregard my questions. I am guessing you bring "Dottie" back with you when you come back permanently. I think that's the name of your teapot? ~~ Love the Dotty ~ Polka Dot Teapot TeaPots n Treasures www.teapots4u.com 317.777.0200 ~ Red with polka dots! ~It's been a while since 'Dottie' was mentioned on the Cafe thread. I searched for red polka-dotted teapots on Pintrest and found quite a few shapes and sizes. Had to Google to find small photos of the ones I found on Pintrest. I do get off on the silly tangents at times, but I do think of that teapot when I see red and white polka dot items.

Birdmama, The Oystercatcher bird you posted a few days back is really a stunning bird to see for real. They are really beautiful birds and it's fun to watch them wading in the shallows. We saw a couple at Clearwater Beach, but saw more of the Black Skimmers actually hunting for their fish.

Winifred, We haven't seen hummingbirds here much either. I only have seen 1 at thefirespike plant or at the pentas. It's been a weird summer for the birds in this area too. Usually we see vultures soaring on the thermals here every day or at least flapping along the roads, this year, days go by and there are none of them around. Don't know where they are going or why.

The same is true of the crows. Most of the time you can see big flocks of them on the wires or in trees near the roads and shopping centers. Lately I've been seeing maybe 3 or 4 at a time, and not very often. Really strange. Same with the hawks. Haven't seen one of them in weeks, and I used to see them a few times a week.

Mousie. Hope the light at the tunnel is getting brighter and bigger as the remodeling job gets closer to being finished. How soon does DD leave for college. My middle GSis going to be 18 next week and is starting college in a few weeks. That'll make it 2 in college for my son's family. DDIL and my GS are flying to CA for a couple days visit so he can see his childhood home, see a couple of teachers, and some friends that have stayed in contact for all these years.(13). He doesn't know about it yet. ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

Waving to Meuw, Stepping Stone, Hooty, Anika, Sweetpeace, Loves, Luvsbulldogs, and all Birding Friends. Have a lovely evening and a nice 1st day of August!! Oh wow!!!

Night of Draconids (by David Kingham)

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

Bird for the weekend - Great Crested Grebe

There are many elements: wind, fire, water
But none quite like the element of surprise

sweetpeace · ‎03-17-2010

Happy August everyone! I looked out the kitchen window this morning and saw a scene similar to this:

I counted six of them waiting in line to have their turn at the bird bath. They were so cute taking their baths and playing in the water. We haven't had much rain lately so I'm sure the water was a blessing to them.

We've had kind of an odd summer here as it hasn't been as hot as it usually is and the mosquitoes have been almost non-existent. Oh, they're still around but in comparison to the swarms we usually have every summer, the amount this year is miniscule. It's wonderful! I'm contributing the decrease in insects this summer to the exceptionally cold winter we had. ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

Speaking of birthdays, my one and only sibling's is this week. I only have one brother and one niece to keep up with. And my Mom. I can usually keep up with those. ${#emotions_dlg.unsure}$

I hope everyone is doing well. Even though Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, I still have a bunch of chores that need to be done so I'd better get busy.

For Possummink!! ${#emotions_dlg.biggrin}$

Winifred · ‎03-09-2010

Well guess what - we actually had a drop in temps, somewhat drop in humidity and the best of all - some drops of water. Was just heavenly. Right now we are in the 80s. Could be a lot better but this is heavenly compared to what we have had. Only wish the temps would drop way down and LOTS more rain. Yes indeed.

Well off to TRY and get a twin window fan - intake and exhaust - so far no luck. I think all the fans are sold out everywhere. LOL.

Have a great day everyone.

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

Bird of the Day - Emerald Toucanet

There are many elements: wind, fire, water
But none quite like the element of surprise

sweetpeace · ‎03-17-2010

Love the beak on the bird of the day. Just beautiful!

August is starting off hot and humid with highs around 90 for the next few days. The rain keeps missing my yard so I had to drag the water hose around this evening and give all the wilted plants and flowers a drink.

I made sure all the bird baths were filled up, too, because the birds depend on this water source and I can't neglect them. Filled up the suet feeders as well since I arrived home this afternoon to see my red-bellied woodpecker clinging to his suet feeder and staring at an empty hole. He didn't look pleased. ${#emotions_dlg.glare}$ I think the starlings have been hanging around again lately and when they're around, they demolish the food and the water and my regulars lose out and that's not nice.