Community Chat

[Winifred]

Well that old Stripes was a bad boy again!!! He played macho independent cat for two days but I got him in last night. Here he comes toodling across the front yard with a huge gopher in his mouth. He does not listen in many ways - LOL - told him NOT to bring gophers here but rather please catch them here. He was in for the night and I was relieved.

Filled the feeders late yesterday watered the back yard and then had Davey spread some turf builder on it - grass out there seems to be dying out quickly and ie was gorgeous two weeks ago. Just do not understand anything out here any more.

Later Davey and I will be attending the Memorial Day services at the local cemetery. Just too crowded to go to the National Cemetery nearby any more. Sooooooo crowded and I think that is great but I cannot maneuver long walking and big crowds. Even our local ceremony will be crowded but it will be different.Hot and humid is the plan for the day. Ugh!! Two days ago we were freezing!!!!

Coming from a large military family today is very special. I remember vividly when I was told my Uncle was killed in WWII - He was an army pilot and only 27 years old. I remember his walk, his voice and his magnificent personality so very well. Also remember when he had a Nash convertible and my older bro and I were sitting in back going down the highway in Raleigh, NC. That brother died at age 47 due to Vietnam injuries - he is so very missed. We were also very fortunate in that others in my family survived - my Dad fought in three wars and came home each time - we buried him at age 90.

Hope all have a marvelous day!!!!!

[possummink]

[Bird mama]

Anyone know how to get rid of grackles? My day started off delightfully. The sparrow baby in the birdhouse fledged (perhaps a few days to soon). It hopped around and couldn't really flutter and was on my patio. It was okay when I went to the cemetery and was sitting on branches in a nearby shrub a couple of hours later when I checked again. I just found her deceased with her head missing and I think a grackle did it. I am heartbroken - she was a doll. Maybe I should have put her back into the house. Her parents have been trying to get her out for 2 days. Maybe I should have brought her inside and fed her for another day.

[Winifred]

I do not know anything about Gracles BUT twice I found heads of very small birds in my bird bath - I chalked it up to crows but not really sure. How sad. This year was the first time I found several strange things in my bird bath - NEVER saw a bird there except a crow and a couple doves. Doesn't mean they were the only birds to use the bird bath but all that I ever saw.+

[possummink]

Hi Birding Friends, Time for a break from packing, cleaning, planting flowers, etc. Still not ready to leave, but the clock keeps running even though I am tired of trying to keep up and getting stuff done.

Birdmama, I am so sorry about your little baby sparrow. I would lay the blame right a the feet of the grackles. I have seen them kill smaller birds, usually young sparrows and at other times, I have found the remains of victims of such attacks. I don't know why or what triggers such attacks and it's not usual behavior, but it's grackles that I have seen do such mean things. When I say usual, I mean it's been a couple of years since I've seen that behavior. It reminds me of cannibalism. Most of the time ll of the birds feed together peacefully. No clue what causes such aggression and no clue how to get rid of grackles or for that matter, how to get rid of the other 'flying pig' species, starlings! They are such piggish bullies at the feeders.

Rats, I hit the submit tab on the on screen keyboard, so now I am editing. Will finish up, a bit sooner than I'd wanted.

Winifred, I hope Stripes gets on a long streak of being a good boy. Good for him though getting a gopher. Wish I had a mole catching kitty.

Sorry again, Birdmama, Nature has many sides and this is the hard and seemingly cruel side. There was no way you could have seen something like this coming.

Have a pleasant rest of your evening.

[mousiegirl]

Hi everyone! Bird mama - I so understand how you feel. Years ago in my previous home, we gave a party one day. The next morning, I saw my "tamed" feral cat swat at a hanging plant. I ran outside and looked in the nest, and found a bird mama, dead. I scooped her up in a towel, took her inside, and sobbed over this loss. Apparently, someone pushed the patio table right under the hanging basket, which allowed my cat to reach the nest. I felt SO guilty, as I never forgive myself for such things, feeling I should have been more astute. Nature is VERY cruel, no such thing as a quick kill as we are lead to believe.

Out here, Scrub Jays and Chickadees are baby bird killers, and probably other birds that I am not aware of. I used to fight off the Scrubs from the Mourning Dove nests and once, was successful in rescuing one baby Dove, and took it to the Wildlife Rescue, think I mentioned this before.

I have discovered there are several bunny nests on the property. I have been seeing one on the front walk in front of the rec room every morning lately. This morning, DH told me he saw a Mom and a tiny baby, like a mouse he said, though doubt it was that small. The Mom darted off, leaving the baby on the walk, but they must have rejoined as I never saw them. SO unfair that DH, who could give a hoot about critters generally, though he seemed affected by this, saw this instead of DD or I. I have never seen such a tiny baby as he described.

Well, yesterday, DH and I primed and sanded the kitchen. Today, DH put the first coat, hopefully the last, of semi gloss on the ceiling, while I painted, twice, both pocket doors. My remodeling project is nearing conclusion, at least by the contractors, so time is of the essence in getting certain things done. I painted both doors, then got the ribs prepared and on the grill for a two hour cooking, then painted the doors again, and finished preparing dinner of slaw and sweet potato fries.

Supposedly, the cabinets/drawers are arriving on Friday, and the installation will begin the following Monday. Hopefully, this will happen according to plan.

What an ordeal to pick paint nowadays. There is no such thing as "white" anymore, everything is tinted, so I found this so difficult.

Possumm - when I began to build my garden twenty or so years ago, I wanted almost everything to have a scent, so with Jasmine, Daylilies, Roses, Mock Orange, etc., my garden smells wonderful, and I loved your description of your garden scents.

The weather this weekend was wonderful, very warm with a nice breeze, but drought or not, I just had to turn on the sprinklers to give everything a good soaking.

I watched KQED's salute to the war veterans last evening, most of it but not all, as it is so sad. So much life lost.

Hope everyone has a great week!

[Bird mama]

Bird of the Day - Acorn Woodpecker

[possummink]

Hi Birding Friends, Well, made it to Florida without all the problems encountered with my last flight down here in early January.

Am able to type with both hands, YEA, and am busy settling in and unpacking. Need to go to bed early though as I am driving my youngest GS to school in the morning and picking him up in the afternoon. Will try to get back to regular posting in a day or so.

Have a peaceful evening!

[Puddles]

Stopping by to say hello to all my birding friends! possummink, glad you are safely back in FL and so, so happy you can type with both hands.

[Bird mama]

Hello all - it's overcast and raining a little bit here. It was warmer and humid and stormy here yesterday and I cracked and turned the AC on. I awoke to a less humid house which was good. I don't set my AC particularly cold - I run cold and the birds don't need to get chilled.

Mousie - glad the home renovations are coming along

Possummink - glad you made it Florida safe and sound and that your wrists are going to get a break.

Winifred - Stripes caught the gopher and brought it to you as a present because he loves you

Puddles - how are things on your side of the pond?

Waving hello to Stepping Stone, Meuw4, Sweetpeace and all visitors.