Community Chat

[mousiegirl]

On 3/5/2015 Winifred said:

That weasel taking a ride is really something to look at. My goodness - who would have thought?

Am really tired - have been going strong ALL day long. Got most of my washing done and hung out on the line. THEN took two huge loads to the laundromat - sheets and blankets and other covers. Dried those. Only reason I took them to the laundromat is if we use too much water we will be fined and the fines are fierce - all due to our drought. Still need to do two more HUGE loads - just makes no sense I am paying a lot more at the laundromat than using my washer would cost -but am afriad the amount of water would put me in the fine area. I am suppose to cut back 20 percent from a year ago and now I have four more people in my house - am tap dancing right now. California has gone from bad to worse. Would love to get out of here.

Tomorrow need to fill the feeders again. Those feathered ones sure eat a lot of food.

We are having warmer weather but heavy winds are forcast from about now until 4 tomorrow afternoon. Always a fly in the ointment isn't it"?

Hope all are doing well!

Winifred, you should contact your water company because they will allow you more water knowing that there are now four more people living with you.

[mousiegirl]

On 3/6/2015 Bird mama said:

I can't believe that I am seeing a weasel riding piggy back on a bird

Freddie - it's insane that you have to spend the money to do your wash at the laundromat. That said, a few counties around Detroit have entered into something called a Regional Water Authority and my county will be getting large increases in the water bills to offset the people who can't pay their bills. A nearby city is under financial manager and cannot pay their Detroit water bill so my county is looking at an increase in our rates of something like 6%. All I can say is I hope we have a rainy season this year. It's a good thing I don't have lots of flowers planted that I have to worry about watering. I'll do what I need to in order to keep the trees and shrubs alive but if the grass gets crunchy, so be it.

The weasel is riding on a woodpecker. I thought there were only large weasels, but apparently, they come in different sizes. We lost our lawn during the last drought. The gophers and moles got rid of any remnants of a lawn.

ETA: I got this picture from "In the Garden - Bird Pics," and just saw a post there that states that this is how weasels go after their prey, get on their backs and go for the throat. Apparently, this woodpecker got away, but a nearby bunny didn't.

[Bird mama]

On 3/6/2015 mousiegirl said:

ETA: I got this picture from "In the Garden - Bird Pics," and just saw a post there that states that this is how weasels go after their prey, get on their backs and go for the throat. Apparently, this woodpecker got away, but a nearby bunny didn't.

and I thought it was cute. Baaad weasel

[Bird mama]

Happy Weekend Birding Friends

The bird for the weekend is the Noisy Miner

[Puddles]

Wishing everyone a nice Sunday!

[Bird mama]

Hello there Birding Friends. What a glorious day outside of my window. The sun is shining brightly and we are expecting mid 40 degree temps all week. Little by little, the snow is melting. It's nice to hear more birds singing outside these days. So far, I am not traumatized by the time change. My birds wake with the rising sun, so that means I get even more done (laundry, etc) before greeting them for the day.

The bird of the day is the Red Wattlebird.

[possummink]

Hi Birding Friends, Went up to the Crystal River yesterday to see the Manatees in Kings Bay area. We lucked out and saw a few ofthe sweet animals, as since the weather has warmed up the past few days, most of them have left the area for the Gulf of Mexico.

There were close to 300 of them last week clustering around the Three Sisters Spring.

Three Sisters Spring ~~

Yesterday only a handful were there, but we did see one mommy and her young one + a couple more out in Kings Bay. As big as manatees are, they're basically helpless against boats and predators. No one is supposed to go much above idle speed in that area. Lots of kayaks and paddle boarders, which won't harm them. Even with all that precaution, the rules next year may be even tighter to safeguard the Manatees.

I took some photos with my phone and will try to post one or so. Not that good of the manatees, but the area is beautiful. I love being out on the water, no matter what the conditions.

I have made the swim with the manatees about 2 years ago in December when the place was loaded with them trying to stay warm in the 72 degree water. They get into trouble when the water temp. isnear 67 or lower. They are so gentle with humans.

Have a great start to the new week, Waving to all birding Friends.

~~Kings Bay on the Crystal River, Florida

[Winifred]

I too think Manatees are just adorable Possum.

A tad cooler this morning after have a few days of 80 plus weather - not bad at all!!!! The experts say it will be a cooler next few days and again this coming weekend - just plain hot!! What can I say. Nothing deters those terrible gophers - do not care what the weather or any elemnts are. Geesh.

Noticed bird seed has taken yet another jump up. Was getting some seed at our local feed store - it has gone from $15 for 50 pounds up to $25 - and it ain't really good stuff any more either. Always thought the seed you use to get from KMart was the best ever - when on sale you could buy 3 20 pound bags for $10 - sure got spoiled using it. When all the seed started skyrocketing due to corn use, etc it is completely out of reason now. The nearby PetCo has it for $30 plus for 40 pounds and it is no longer as good as it use to be. Cannot afford that these days.

Very good church service yesterday but still having a difficult time seeing so few in attendance. Am hoping, however, they will be able to get more people attending. Also seems to be a zillion churches springing up everywhere. Interesting!!

Have a great day everyone.

[possummink]

Hi Birding Friends, A short flyby to say hi and hope you had a nice Monday. Today was my youngest GSs 15th birthday, so we spent a lot of time with him at a place called Top Golf. Interesting place. Has 3 levels and each level has many 'stations' facing a golf range with various 'holes' to shoot the golf balls at. A computer tracks the balls and lets you know if you hit any part of the hole which gives points. Kind of confusing, but it's taken off here like crazy. At noon there was a line of 'golfers' waiting for one of the places on any of the levels. We were on the top level and had a table, snack and drink service, and it was pretty reasonable price wise, before noon. ($40after noon) $20.00 an hour and all of us could hit golf balls, play on teams etc. Two of GSs friends, + his mom, he and myself hit the golf balls. I only did it once as the last time I played golf, was about 50 years ago. Spent that time in the 'rough' looking for the golf balls I'd lose.

The above photo isthe latestof the two Great Horned Owlets that I am watching grow, and they are growing fast, near Savannah. They are so cute, and their wings are gettings stronger and they exercise themeveryday. Below is a photo of one of them too.

[Bird mama]

Possummink, your owls are getting so big I'm following Berry this year and am enjoying seeing B4 and B5 grow. I posted on the birdmama thread that the only wild female from the Decorah hatch last year was found electrocuted early last week. So we lost two of three to electrocution and the remaining one had a severe wing early that prevented return to the wild. That one, named Soar (I think) is an educational eagle and a rehab center.

The bird of the day is the Galah