Flora's Fauna

MY ROBINS FOR ANOTHER YEAR

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:54:00 +0000

My ROBIN sat on her same nest above my bedroom window. In two weeks the nest appeared to have eggs. Two weeks later, three baby ROBINS appeared. (Her first lot were four.) With two weeks of worms, or insects from Mom and Dad ROBIN, the birds became fat. I kept the Wild Grape vines away from the nest, and soon the nest was too small for them. Mom and Dad kept bringing food, but the largest baby wanted to fly. He kept trying his wings. I could see he was "itching" to go. The birds were sitting on top of one another, there was so little space.

Yesterday, they "flew the coup," so to speak. I had visitors. I had shown them the nest and the little ones, then we went on with our work. They had come to cut the overripe chokecherry fruit, which my friend was going to use to make jelly, and I went on with paint stripping my window. By the time I had said goodbye to my friends, there was a ruckus in the back.

I went in, and sure enough, I saw from my back door, the little ones had fledged. Mom ROBIN was squawking like mad on the back fence. I could hear the little ones chirping loudly on the ground somewhere at the back. I went to the garden side and walked around. The Male ROBIN, squawking on the roof, flew off when he saw me. I stayed back, but the mother was unafraid of me. She continued squawking, and pointed with her beak to the yard behind mine.

Sooo, I said, "Okay, Mom," I'll go after the cat. I grabbed a stick, then trudged down the road, across the cross road, and up the next road to the area behind my house. Sure enough, a cat was stalking the birds. Mom ROBIN was still squawking up a tree. I yelled and banged my stick and the cat ran under the shed of my neighbor, who was away. Sooo, I trudged back home, and got small boards to fill in the area used by the feral cats (I wrote of them earlier), now used by that street`s cats to stalk birds. My neighbor had tried to fill it in, but not well.

With things quietened down, I went in and relaxed, but soon the squawking began again. I went and looked out. There, was my neighbor`s cat from across the street, stretched out leisurely on a tree stump, watching the activity in the yard. I could hear the little ones chirping. Mom and Pop ROBIN were squawking away again. I rushed out and yelled at the cat, whom I have chased many times, until he toddled off down the drive and back to his house. He has been successful at times with birds, and I often chase him from my yard because of the feeders.

It was a busy, but sad day. The birdlings are gone, as are the parents, and all is quiet again. I can watch the small birds at my feeder, but it is not the same with the ROBINS gone. I will have to wait until next year for more such excitement.

NEWBORNS, or NEWLY HATCHED

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 03:10:00 +0000

I have been watching a ROBIN for some days now. She built a nest on the top of my bedroom window. It was a wise choice. The roof overhung the area, protecting the nest from rain--and cats. I noticed the nest at first from the inside of my window, by the trailing fronds of twigs and straw hanging down.

The ROBIN came back regularly and finally stayed, sitting presumably on eggs. I understand the male assists, but I saw that later. She, or he, sat.

Then, one day when she was gone, beaks stuck up from the nest as I looked from the back window. I watched daily as the little ROBINS grew, their beaks open expectantly for their parents to come with food. Usually they settled down inside the nest after they ate. I tried to be as unobtrusive as possible. A few swung their heads my way and watched me.

There were four, one always bigger than the others, and fat like his father ROBIN, I saw him in my garden on the other side of the house, and one day after mother had fed her brood, along flew father ROBIN with food as well. Mom was slimmer. Soon the fat little guy was always standing in the nest. There couldn't be much room for four. I knew they would fledge soon. The other birds grew, but usually hunkered down in the nest. He sat high, or stood.

Surprisingly, there was little noise. It only occurred when Mom and Pop came to the nest, then they all competed for the worms. Guess who got the most. I wanted to watch carefully because of that fat little guy--but I missed it. Circumstances called me elsewhere, and within an hour or so, all of the birds had gone.

I heard a lot of chirping, or cheeping from the next yard, but I could not see them. How deflating. I saw little sign of any young ROBIN, with its spotted breast, as one usually did, pecking away for worms, Mom not far away. No, it was not the case this time. They had all flown up into the trees. When will Mom and Pop teach them to catch worms?

Now, I must look up into the trees in my garden and listen to a baby ROBIN cheep away. That leaves the three neighborhood cats frustrated, myself also for different reasons. I cannot see any sign of my newly hatched fledgling ROBINS.

SPRING IS SPRUNG

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Wed, 11 May 2011 23:44:00 +0000

"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." Song of Solomon 2:12

Well...not the TURTLE--at least not around here. I saw one at the pond when I used to walk up regularly some years ago--although the point is, SPRING has finally arrived. The past week was cold and rainy, but the last few days have been sunny, not exactly warm. We are promised good days and more heat this coming week.

The BIRDS are off building nests. Above my bedroom window a nest hangs down. The ROBIN parent comes and goes. She saw me today as I shut the window, so I hope I didn't disturb her. That area has been the ROBIN'S territory for some years, but it is the first time a nest has sprung up on top of the window.

An AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and her mate have been active outside my den window on my Chokecherry tree. How drab her coat is. CHIPPING SPARROWS with their red caps find the tree interesting as well, perhaps with the buds coming out. I Saw my first young CEDAR WAXWING, and the CARDINALS are around. My feeders are empty because of the presence of the BLACKBIRDS, so it is pleasant to see different BIRDS flitting about the garden.

The sun shines, a good sign of SPRING, and for the BIRDS, who are more active on sunny days.

Has SPRING sprung in your area?

A SAD TIME FOR US ALL

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:22:00 +0000

It is Sad that the BLACKBIRDS have returned to this area. One day last week there was food in my two feeders that my birds were enjoying, and then I saw one or two BLACKBIRDS, whether RUSTY, or BREWERS, they were here too short a time for me to determine. Soon all of the cousins were there as well: the PURPLE GRACKLES, the RED WINGS, the COWBIRDS, and of course, their mates. Always there were only a half-dozen, but in two days, my feeders were stripped bare. Nor are they friendly feeders. Everyone else is pushed out. I especially do not like the COWBIRDS, because I understand they lay their eggs in a small bird's nest. Instinct causes the mom to feed the healthier chick to maintain the species. Ugly, that. I have heard that JAYS do the same thing as well, but have not verified it. It is a Sad time for me because I have determined not to feed BLACKBIRDS.

As I have said before, we are on a flight path for the birds, seeing we are near The River. I used to walk miles up into the woods and saw the BLACKBIRDS, both spring and fall, mass by the thousands in the tops of the tall trees of the woods. In the fall, before they leave, they come down near the river, and mass on the trees here. No, I will not feed them.

Which leaves me with few BIRDS in my garden. The JUNCOS and SPARROWS come scrabbling for what they can find, but the DOVES and JAYS have gone. I hear the CARDINAL'S glorious song, but they only fly through, or sit high up in a tree and sing.

Sad also, is the fact Spring is truly not here. This morning it snowed, not much, but areas a little north of here have quite a bit on the ground, and further west they are grappling with not only snow but floods. We have had mostly rain here. It is cold and dull, with leaden skies--mostly windy.

No, it is a Sad time for us all. When will Spring come?

Ah! I am looking at an AMERICAN GOLDFINCH sitting on my tree outside my window. No doubt he is just passing through, but a good sign, no?

WE ALL REST IN HOPE

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Most folk I speak with are hopeful Spring is on its way.

I am unsure what my BIRDS think about all of the NOISE and SEWER WORK going on around here. No doubt THEY feed in the early morning hours when all is quiet and still. I am not up then. I saw a few BIRDS on the weekend when the machines were still and silent. I then had the large feeder re-stocked. When it is nearly empty, a pair of DOVES come, sit, and set up a watch. Hopeful?

I damaged my car by the heavy ruts and large gravel on and around my road as the men worked, AND, they knocked down one of my lovely pine trees. Sigh! I am hopeful the men will soon be finished and gone, and Spring truly on its way. I will be glad when the DYNAMITE blasts are gone as well. After this, the pipes must be laid, the road must be covered....

Spring popped its head out a month ago, then retreated into Rain, Sleet, and more Snow. BUDS are coming out, and BULBS poke their heads up from the ground, but THEY all seem frozen in time. That must be my imagination--or is it hope that things will grow soon.

With such goings on, the GEESE are noticeably absent. They are here, but are playing least in sight. I am in a fly zone. On sunny days I see THEM flying to and from the fields and The River. Surely THEY would hope for quiet days and sunny weather.

Today a TITMOUSE came to my window--in fact, flew against it, as did another. It was unusual, so I got up and watched. The TITMOUSE landed on a branch near the window, and I saw the crest.

Now, there is a Hopeful sigh of Spring!

I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT DOGS

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:34:00 +0000

Lately, I have been thinking about DOGS. I spoke with a friend yesterday who has been fostering a DOG that was imprinted upon her. Sadly, the rules are that eventually she must give it up to a family. Sadly, not from her point of view, but the DOG'S. The ANIMAL was dreadfully starved for affection because it was one of a litter of PUPPIES abandoned in the woods of winter--the MOTHER and a number of the PUPPIES frozen to death. This, of course, is due to the cruelty of MAN.

I have acquired several older DOGS in my time. They never quite "settle" in. It is as though they cannot forget.

We are given ANIMALS to nurture, feed, and love. When we do, that love comes back to us. I am disgustedly aware of CRUEL MEN--AND WOMEN, who selfishly abandon these ANIMALS for their own twisted reasons. Life is not fair--definitely not fair for some ANIMALS.

I have been thinking about DOGS because I intend to get one again, after a long period of time, and--certainly from an ANIMAL SHELTER.

Look around, people. There are hundreds of abandoned ANIMALS who require love. For all your expense and care, THEY will return you back TENFOLD in LOVE and LOYALTY.

I will try to do my part and get an abandoned DOG from a SHELTER. I am definitely thinking about a DOG.

Are YOU?

THE STORMS OF THIS WORLD

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:00:00 +0000

The STORMS we thought would never end have come and gone--in this area. Out west is still struggling. Only last week we glumly shovelled piles of snow. Surprising signs of spring are evident around us.

The BIRDS are busy finding sustenance, and perhaps cowed by the DYNAMITE explosions on the next street. (Sewer and water are going in.) The workers come to my street next week, and if I jump at a DYNAMITE blast from there--what willl it be like just outside my door?

With the devastation in JAPAN, and tremendous loss of life, one's mind cannot help but go to the ANIMALS. Many countries are now assisting the distressed country, and IFAW, (Inernational Fund For Animal Welfare) is on standby--to come when requested. What ANIMALS--let alone people, could have survived such a nightmare? Perhaps more to come. The mind boggles.

Yet here in my small corner, as one looks out and sees the BIRDS flitting about around the feeders, one cannot mind a STORM or two to ruffle all of our feathers.

We must be grateful and do what we can to help--if only to pray for those involved in the larger STORMS of this world.

What was your reaction to the devastation? Some of you are very near.

MY DOVES AND WINTER

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:43:00 +0000

This winter a number of MOURNING DOVES have come to my garden. They are fairly regular visitors. After most of the other birds have had their feeding, one, or two of the DOVES sit on the leeward side of the large feeder. Lately, I have seen them tucked into my large pine tree near my living room window--sheltered from the heavy snowfalls. I don't often look out there since I mostly 'live' in my den. Besides, lately frost has covered the lowest part of the panes.

To my surprise, when I watered my plants the other day, my head came down near the pane, and I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. A DOVE head swivelled about as she sat on a (functionless) window box. We both stared each other down. So as not to frighten her, I moved away. I watched her covertly further along the window, and saw her mate with her. He had not seen me. She still looked about. The MOURNING DOVES usually come to the garden in pairs. They mostly vie with the squirrels as ground feeders. Birds attract other birds, so that when the smaller birds, CHICADEES, NUTHATCHES, JUNCOS, as well as CARDINALS and JAYS feed, the gentle doves go to ground. This ground is littered with seeds scattered by these other birds.

I am reminded of DOROTHY PARKER'S comment when she was asked why she called her parrot, ONAN. "Because 'It spilled its seed on the ground.'" She was a marvellous wit, and writer. Onan is Biblical, and you will have to look the story up. (Genesis 38) It is rather indecorous of me to mention it, but it is humorous. Whenever I see scattered seed I think of her comment, and smile. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QI_(BSeries) Look under Birds. How my mind wanders.

The birds have had a rather strange winter, with lots of snow, now rain, but endless wind. Somehow the birds adjust. My DOVES always seem to find a place out of the wind, and I admire them for it.

Winter is gradually fading, but still here, so we, and the birds must make the best of it.

MY BIRDS AND WINTER

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:43:00 +0000

This winter morning when I awoke, hoar frost covered many of the trees. The sight was beautiful.

Since I began re-feeding my birds, not only lots of snow has visited me, but my families of DOVES. Many days they sit in pairs under the bushes--looking for protection from the wind. With the deep snow, they perch on the bushes and trees. They appear to favor ground feeding, although roost on the large feeder shelves. The BLUE JAYS, JUNCOS and CHICKADEES scatter seed from the feeder, so the ground is convenient. I worry for them because the cat from across the street keeps coming back even though I chase her away. Yesterday I watched the flurry of afternoon feeding, when suddenly all of the birds took flight. Suspicious, I went to the front window and looked out. Sure enough, puss was wending her way back to her house. So far my birds have been wise. With the deep snow, it is more difficult for the cats to get around.

The small feeder keeps busy with little birds and some WOODPECKERS. I love to see the CARDINALS. They use both feeders.

Winter arrived with force and much wind, with snow falling regularly. Now, after a couple of snow storms, the snow is fairly deep. The birds did not come around much on those dreadfully windy days, but somehow the small birds kept busy. They appear to expend more energy. I was not out much to refill feeders for awhile, with two bouts of the Flu. Struggling to keep the feeders full held little appeal. Now, I try to maintain a shovelled path, which is not always easy after a storm.

My variety of feathered creatures are hungry these days--they work their way through the food fairly quickly--so I hope to keep their feeders full making their winter easier.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:09:00 +0000

Perhaps the RAIN is coming to and end. It has been "a long haul." I was painting my back porch the other day in between damp days, and saw the cloudy heavens racing toward me from the west. I continued to paint, thinking I could get inside when the drops began to fall. Instead, the heavens opened and it poured. I got wet, as did my paint tray.

Yesterday my bathroom had a bit of a flood with the washing machine water backing up. I am told I need a plumber. Many people have flooded basements, cars, streets, etc.,--some deaths, so I should be thankful.

A few weeks ago, the sun had finally peeked out. I was bringing in a number of HOUSE PLANTS. I had hosed them down and sprayed them for SPIDERS, when I made a startling discovery. I was cheking a KALANCHOE, (a succulent), before taking it in. It did well in the summer, growing large, shiny leaves. I was wiping the leaves when I saw a TINY LIME-GREEN TREE FROG covering a leaf. The TREE FROG was one and one half inches in length, and just fit the leaf. It reminded me of the CATERPILLAR in ALICE IN WONDERLAND, sitting on the toadstool. The little frog and I eyed each other. I decided one of us must move, so I gently slipped him into the garden.

A day or so later, I was pouring vinegar onto weeds coming up through the flagstones in my driveway, when I came eye to eye with an eighteen inch GARTER SNAKE. It was a sunny day, and no doubt he was sunning himself on the warm stones. I "toed" him into moving to the next driveway. He slithered up onto that lawn and disappeared into the grass. I did not tell my neighbor, fearing her reaction.

With all of this RAIN, my two little friends are "holed up" somewhere, trying to keep dry like the rest of us. Perhaps the RAIN has gone away--for a little while at least.

WEATHER VARIABLES AND THEIR EFFECTS

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 03:21:00 +0000

Many changes have occurred around the world within the last year resulting in flooding, for instance, much of which has affected not only Wildlife, but Domestic Animals. So many people are involved in the devastation we hear little about the animals.

The other day a friend sent me an email. Have not the technical smarts to transfer it so I will try to explain. In January, 2010, in the St. Louis, Missouri and Alton Illinois areas, because of cold weather, BALD EAGLES circled above houses looking for food. They were unable to access the fish in the river, so they gathered on the shore. Friends of the birds decided to feed them, and set up cameras. When the fish were thrown, other EAGLES arrived until the largest number of BALD EAGLES I could see in the photos were three dozen. They were unafraid of the photographers and came close. Not too long ago BALD EAGLES were an endangered species. The photos were amazing. Somehow they signalled others of the feast. (My BLUEJAYS do that when I put out nuts.)

Local weather is changing, partly caused by the hurricane, no doubt, which travelled up the East Coast. Here in my area, this has meant a lot of high winds and rain, minor problems compared to the destruction on the East Coast and elsewhere.

I hear and see the BLUE JAYS around, but it appears the small birds are gone. The weather may have meant I missed activity, but even the "sounds" of the birds are missing, i.e., early morning and evening songs of the ROBINS.

The weather is indeed volatile. After an unusual heat wave for September, the cooler weather has arrived. We'll soon be bringing in plants and seeing to vegetables in our gardens. There is at least a month here before the frosts take hold, which brings a little cheer. Some trees are already changing color.

I hope abundant warmer weather is still available.

PREDATORS IN MY AREA, No.2

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:57:00 +0000

Last week I had to deal with YELLOW JACKETS who were infesting my area. First, my car was under repair and not moved sufficiently, so WASPS crawled into the door at the handle area and built a nest. The same thing occurred on the other door. It was when I was trying to deal with these pests, that one of my "falls" occurred. (See last post)

I have said I live in the country, and have an old house. I saw WASPS crawling in above a window at the corner of the house. I never took this seriously until I saw how many went in and out. I had friends help me spray the area, but nothing worked. Also, I heard clicking noises inside at the corner above the lintel between the living room and hall. But, it wasn't until I saw a few small wasps wriggling in a narrow space, and one on the floor, that I ran for insulation material to plug the holes.

I called an exterminator. He came that afternoon and did a lot of spraying, telling me the WASPS, LARVAE, NEST, etc., were dead and dying. It was not good enough for me. I had him listen inside, and he became convinced the nest was near. I wanted the nest gone. He pulled down the panel somewhat and saw the wide area between the two rooms, not insulated being inside walls, where they were making a nest.

He first saw a beehive looking nest 1/2 foot across. He scraped things into bags. There were hundreds of dead WASPS and LARVAE. He kept looking and found another nest, a rectangle 5x6" with 3 1" panels on it. He looked further and found a similar one the same size. I was stunned. He had only found one other infestation in a home. (Most are in attics.) He continued shovelling out dead WASPS, etc. Then he found another, 4x6" with 2 panels.

He said that was the last, and I must tape up the area so none could come in to the house, especially those of the colony, who were out in the field, and coming back. They kept coming. My friend could not come to block areas until the next day, so over a dozen WASPS were stuck in the tape. They kept coming, one by one until the whole area outside was filled with board, caulking and insulation. They were persistent. I had to trap and put them out. I felt under seige.

It was a relief when they quit and went away. I had no sympathty for them. It was a dreadful week. (Today I saw two trying to find a way in.)

PREDATORS indeed.

PREDATORS IN MY AREA, No.1

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:05:00 +0000

I have been somewhat late writing on my blog because of falls breaking and cracking ribs, which have left me rather tardy in posting.

Today, while processing some laundry, I heard a cry of distress, so looked out the back door on the garden side. There, on my small shed was a HARRIER HAWK (MARSH) female sitting on something wriggling. I believed it too late for rescue. It was a JUNCO. I figured this because I could go out on the porch and natter away at her at how naughty she was without her blinking, but going about her business. The poor JUNCO was dead now. I went on berating her anyway; she had no fear of me. She finally flew away with her prize to the next yard where they were lost to sight. We are heavily treed here.

Last week I saw a flock of JUNCOS. They come back for the fall and winter. I also saw a flock of STARLINGS, who do not usually remain here. The birds are on the move, and already the small birds have gone. It i s early this year. I miss their chattering. So much is changing, even leaves falling.

I have never seen HARRIERS so close to civilization here. I used to see them a lot when I walked the fields. I could have dispensed with such a spectacle this morning.

NEW INTERESTS OBSERVED ON MY VACATION

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:33:00 +0000

I made another visit with friends in the Ottawa Valley. This is indeed HORSE country. There were many 'horse' farms, and I saw some new horses added to the four at the bottom of my friends' garden. The new mare turned her body around so that she could lip the spot above the rump of the top 'dog,' or horse. I was surprised to see the stallion turn his body to do the same to her--at the same time. You horse people would know the gesture. It was that very special spot dogs love to be rubbed, because they can't quite reach it. The feeling appears to be exquisite in dogs. Is it the same in horses--or is there some other meaning? Is it submission, acceptance, or another purpose?

I also saw them sleeping one day out in the field. The stallion stood, one leg resting. Three of the younger ones lay sprawled, one or two cropped grass. I enjoy watching them.

I saw the ususal ALPACA farm, with gorgeous deep browns, beige, black and white. In a separate field was a gray, new to me. When I visited Peru some years ago, I was pleased to know I could purchase such a beautiful brown Alpaca wool there that did not have to be dyed.

Another site was a field of SHEEP guarded by a LLAMA, and I thought of my article on: Livestock Guardian Dogs-A Courageous and Lonely Breed of Dog, and how it has been proven scientifically that Dogs are more effective than LLamas or Donkeys in guarding sheep, cattle.

And, of course, I had a visit with my BORDER COLLIE friend.

I saw my first BLUEBIRD. Although home boxes are up in the fields around my area. I had never seen a Bluebird. I was sitting on the back porch of my friends' house, and it flew down in front of me. It was lovely.

There had been a story circulating in my friends' area about a young FAWN, who must have lost its mother, and adopted itself into other groups, for instance, WILD TURKEYS. It was seen by many, and went on to different animal families, then was seen no more. We trust the Wildlife people saw to it getting proper care.

Vacation travel indeed broadens one's mind, and provides interesting experiences. It was a most refreshing visit.

A SURPRISE IN MY GARDEN

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 03:11:00 +0000

Well, well, surprise, surprise! I walked out onto the back porch this morning to catch a bit of sun since the house, even with windows open, was a bit cool. I looked about, and up as I saw a movement. There, in one of the large holes in my well over one hundred year-old sugar maple tree, a baby raccoon was turning about to go back in to sleep. The screen door banging must have awakened him.

That explained why I had seen a mature raccoon shinning up that tree a month or so ago. I had thought since it was daylight, it must have been a hungry young male. Perhaps it was the same raccoon who climbed up the pine tree just outside my window. These sightings put the time around when raccoons breed. The little one I saw today is almost ready to leave the "nest," or den.

Which brings me to the tree. I had three large sugar maples, all badly damaged during our last ice storm. I had one cut down in 2006. It had been creaking noisily in the wind, and leaned toward the house. The second one was dropping large branches, so was dangerous. I had it cut this past year. One of the young tree men and I lost track counting over one hundred rings. The inside was rotten--big hollows in places. These two were at the front of the house.

This one, the tree man said, needed to come down in around two years. He cut off a number of large, dangerous, dead branches, which dropped parts bit by bit. Although the center is hollow, the tree is strong. He said it will not fall, just die off branch by branch at the top.

Birds return to their nesting areas to propogate their young, as do raccoons. The raccoons were no doubt related to the raccoons who lived and bred under my house before I could get the crawl spaces sealed off. I had to wait until the young were able to leave. Which means this little one may be related to the same crew. My cute little raccoon will soon "fly the coop," as it were. (There are usually two pups.) As I mentioned in another post, the male leaves at dusk to find food, and returns at first light. They are safe enough in the tree for a few years. I will get "uptight" if they eat my lettuce. They should be off to the woods soon.

This cute, cuddly little "surprise" made me want to write to you. How often does such an interesting surprise occur in one's garden?

MY GIANT HOUSE SPIDER

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:18:00 +0000

I have seen a GIANT HOUSE SPIDER (Tegenario duellica)

I had an unpleasant surprise the other day while working with a friend changing windows to screens. We were on our last one--the back door on the garden side. He was on the outside, I in, when he looked agitated and said to grab a broom, and come and look. I poked my head out, and there on the door jamb, high on one side--with a "possible" little hop into the house, was the largest house spider we had ever seen.

The spider was at least 3" (three inches) long, with a body 1 1/2" (one and one half) inches. We were stunned and in shock for several moments as we studied it. I lifted my broom and knocked it down while my friend stomped on it. Sorry about that for those of you who love Spiders, but the thing was too close for comfort. Perhaps it came from under the house in the crawl space.

We went inside and looked through as many books as possible to find it was a GIANT HOUSE SPIDER, Tegenaria duellica, now found all over North America. I looked on the web the next day confirming it. This one was a male. Tell me if I am wrong, but he was on his way to find a female nest where he would mate with the female at least two times. He would remain there and shortly die. The female would then eat him, thus providing nourishment for her offspring.

I have battled CELLAR SPIDERS for years, and the odd SMALL HOUSE SPIDER indoors, and outdoors live and let live with the large GARDEN SPIDERS (who eat many insects), and the odd DADDY LONG LEGS, but in living here in the country for over thirty years I have never seen such a large Spider.

I hope I shall never see a GIANT HOUSE SPIDER again.

SOME SURPRISING CHANGES IN MY GARDEN

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:45:00 +0000

It was warm for several days last week, so I sat outside to enjoy the heat. I read and watched the birds. It was wonderful to have the heat, but, alas, it has gone again. Now we are almost at freezing during the night, cool during the day.

During those warmer days, my Tufted Titmouse came back with a friend, so they must be staying to breed. I had only seen them once before in my area while walking in the woods.

Also last week, the day was a little slow. Restless, I looked out my front door. I heard the call before I saw them. There, on the bushes was a Cardinal and Cardinal female. The did not fly away as I expected. I began to chatter away. They chattered badk, and we carried on a "conversation" for at least ten minutes. They fluttered about, watching me. It was mostly the male. His mate stayed near and did her own chattering. Amidst this "conversation" a Titmouse poked his head in from around the corner of the house. He barely stayed, uninterested.

I gave up chattering with my friends and shut the door. Before I went back to my work, I looked out from the dining room window. There was the Cardinal male staring at me, looking in. I waved at him and he flew away. I truly had been "low" that day, and it seemed God had sent his little angels to cheer me up. It was awesome.

On the basis of that day I refilled the smaller feeder for these friends. It took a week for the blackbirds to find it, but my friends (plus other small birds) got there first. Today, the weather is cooler, and a Cowbird female, a dull brown/black, was at the feeder. The eyes were black, so I knew she was not a blackbird. Then I saw the male Cowbird with its dull brown head, and irridescent black body. They are as unlikeable to me as the blackbirds, for they lay their eggs in a smaller bird's nest, so that the young hatch and get the most food from the poor mother since they are larger. Ironic, is it not, but they are one of nature's conundrums. The Blackbirds, with whom they travel, came, and finished off the food.

I hear the weather is getting warmer in a few days. After all, it is spring, not just for the birds, but for the weather as well. It will get warm.

As an afterthought, do you have such problems with Blackbirds? I must have asked that question before.

SOME BIRDS STOPPING BY MY GARDEN

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 01:45:00 +0000

Yesterday I had a pleasant surprise. A WOOD THRUSH found its way into my garden. He was alone. It was impossible to mistake his rust brown head and back, with a white breast strewn with black and brown slash marks like lightning strikes. He sat only. He could not be mistaken for a Thrasher.

I remember hearing a WOOD THRUSH once before I saw it. I was out walking in the woods, not yet far from the houses. When I heard the glorious song, I stood still, and looked around. He sat atop a small tree singing his heart out. It was a most profound experience.

Another visitor was a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. I love the blobs of yellow on each side of his head, with the white and dark stripes. The body is a bland sparrow brown.

Today, a TUFTED TITMOUSE sat on a tree by my window, looking in. I believe he spotted me behind the geraniums. How charming his plump little gray body was, with a few slashes of rust on the lower sides.

Birds bring birds. Although there is little food left in the feeders, they come along anyway. I am thankful the BLACKBIRDS come seldom now. Families of JUNCOS are here often. One can see the striking white tail feathers when they fly. The DOVES visit from time to time. One male was most interested in a smaller female, but after all, it is Spring. Most of their families I see when the snow covers the ground.

The BLUE JAYS come for a peek to see if I have put any nuts out. Without these, they don't stay long. I Have been waiting for a rainless day to toss the nuts up to their stand.

Several of these birds are only passing through. I would love to have them stay. Sigh!

UNPLEASANT SIGNS OF SPRING

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:48:00 +0000

I have been remiss in posting to my blog, but must get this one off. The Blackbirds are back.

They came back massing on my trees. At the time they perhaps had just arrived, for they glared at my busy feeders and took themselves off.

After settling in, one by one they came, increasing in number, until there are now too many. They come by the half-dozen or more daily. Most of the food is gone.

My other birds have to scramble for food. There is almost nothing left for them. A Dove was here, a Cardinal family, Juncos and Sparrows. Unfortunately, that means I cannot feed these birds. I will miss seeing them, and hope they find food locally. The snow is gone, and with frequent rains the trees and bushes are budding, the grass growing. Soon natural food will be abailable for my birds. Or, others using feeders on the lower road, do not have the same problem with Blackbirds. I wish my birds the best. I hope to see them again in the fall when the Blackbirds have left the area.

I am too close to the woods where the Blackbirds mass by the hundreds when they come and go in Spring and Fall.

I refuse to feed Blackbirds.

SIGNS OF SPRING ARE ALL AROUND US

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:05:00 +0000

Spring is coming. I was told by a friend in Southern Ontario that the Robins are there now. I have yet to see one here in Quebec. We have a lot of snow still, but it is melting. I see the odd bird at my feeder I do not recognize. No doubt they are passing through. One type looked like smaller versions of Cedar Waxwings, with crests, but mostly gray in color. I could not find them in a Bird Book, but someone may recognize the description.

Now that a lot of snow has melted and the ground more visible, the birds come less often to the feeders. They find food elsewhere. Well, soon the blackbirds will be back and feeding will officially end by me. It is my cue. I continue to put out peanuts for the Jays from time to time. They come looking, but circumstances like busyness or cool winds intervene. If it was a case of needing the nuts...I see it more as a treat because they do have other sources of food.

Spring notwithstanding, the winds are cool, and much snow, uncovering the detritus--and hopefully grass--must melt away to encourage warmth. How odd to hear that because of the intensity of the Chile earthquake, the Earth day is a fraction of a second shorter. It is difficult to get one`s head around that if it is so. The days are getting longer, however. There is little doubt of that, and we will soon be able to say Spring has come.

SOME BEAUTIES OF THE ANIMAL WORLD

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:48:00 +0000

In the course of writing my novel, I needed to "speak" about horses, among which was The Arab Horse. While surfing the net I came across a number of articles on The Arab Horse. I admire the breed because they are so beautiful, a triumph of breeding by the Arabian Bedouins of Europe and Asia so many thousands of years ago. Today they are bred all around the world.

You can recognize The Arab Horse readily. Their beauty lies in their wedge-shaped head, giving it a dished look. They have small, wide flaring nostrils, with lovely large eyes, small ears, and beautifully arched necks. Their stamina and intelligence are legendary. You may find many articles about them, some at: ezinearticles.com/ for example, under the name, The Arabian Horse-Beauty and Versatility....

As I look out my window I often see several families of Cardinals come to my feeders. The males are truly beautiful in their red coats. One is more brilliant than the others, so I call him "Fatso," a rather shabby name for such a beauty. The other males have more gray on their wings and backs. I love the females as well--who are never far from their males--a lesson for us? Their bits of red and soft browns make them charming.

John Keats, in 1884, wrote in his poem, Endymion, Part I:
"A THING of Beauty is a Joy forever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness;...."

This certainly applies to the Cardinals and to The Arab Horses of the World.

SNOW, AN INEVITABLE PART OF OUR NORTHERN WINTER CLIMATE FOR OUR WILDLIFE

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:37:00 +0000

Several days ago a morning fall of large snowflakes sent my birds into a flurry of feeding. They flitted about from feeder to feeder. Four Cardinal families were most present, shored up by Chickadees and the odd Sparrow. The Jays had gone, and the Juncos, obviously sated for the time. The Mourning Doves were nowhere to be seen. It was fun to watch the Cardinals fly about. They appeared to enjoy the snowflakes. I am at times on a late schedule, so no doubt there will be another round of feeding after the snow has ceased to fall.

I am opened in my Canadian Wildlife calendar to January and a napping Arctic Hare. He, or she is beautiful, and if he stays still he will be safe. He is adorably white with black tips to his ears. I am not fond of watching films about Wildlife in Africa because of its ``dog eat dog`` nature (unfortunate analogy because I like dogs). No doubt the Arctic Hare is caught up in similar circumstances, trying to outwit the Arctic Fox, also white, also camouflaged on the white snow. Just as the Polar Bear must catch and kill the Seal to live and feed their young. Nature, however, works itself out without our help--well, with some help from the Wildlife people trying to keep things on an even keel.

Oddly, without it snowing, the backyard birdfeeders are not so busy. The birds come from time to time, but it is not the hilarity of a ``snowing`` day. The day is dull, the snow promised--about four centimeters. I will take it, even if I must shovel, only to see my birds happy.

Do you have a similar experience with your birds?

THE FEEDING FRENZY IN MY GARDEN

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:42:00 +0000

With the first major snow storm here, a feeding frenzy began. The birds obviously could not find food, so came to my feeder. A number put out feeders in the area, but I was pleased to see so many birds. The Blue Jays who come are around six, and scatter seed as they feed. I thought it wasteful, but a friend offered the suggestion that they select the seeds they want and dispense with those they do not. They 'rule the roost,' so to speak.

Next, come the Mourning Doves. I have counted twelve roosting in the trees. They are pairs, and stay somewhat together. There is one pair, a soft pinkish-brown--beautiful. The rest are varying shades of gray. They are patient birds, waiting upon others, mostly ground feeding, although they use the standing feeder as well. I love their gentle sounds, but now with windows shut tight, I cannot hear them. I shall in the early spring.

Ah, the Cardinals. What would we do without them in the dullness of winter? They are indeed bright spots--well, four bright spots usually come with their gentler-colored females. They skirt the Jays, the males less nervous than the females. In a crowed feeding situation, the females bully each other, but never the males. They appear to feed first, and the females fit in, usually ground feeding, whilst the males prefer the large feeder.

The smaller, hanging feeder, is the province of the smaller birds--sometimes Juncos, although they are mostly ground feeders--the Chickadees, the Nuthatches, and the Sparrows. The larger birds flit there to eat from time to time. There is a Cardinal ring for perching, but the male Cardinals prefer the larger feeder, the females the ground.

Then there are the Squirrels. They are grays in this area, and tend to stay where they have been born. I don't see the old one so often. Occasionally he comes for feeding, sits in a tree and glares at me. We have a history. I tried in vain to keep him off the feeders until I got a 'Squirrel Buster,' my hanging feeder, and got smart enough to trim the branches he used as a launch pad. Always there was a baffle, but he sometimes managed to leap to it. The two younger ones ground feed and gambol about chasing one another, and appear content.

Once the storm settled, so did the birds. They come leisurely now, as they need during the day. They no doubt come first when I am abed, but there is a flurry of feeding before their bedtime.

Such drama! I love the frenzy; it is most enjoyable.

THE POLAR BEAR AND CLIMATE CHANGE

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:19:00 +0000

I heard on the news some days ago that Polar Bears, unable to get out onto ice floes to get to the seals, are eating their young. I opened my Canadian Wildlife Calendar December first to a picture of a mother Polar Bear resting on the ice, with her young pup sleeping up on her back, and I thought, how sad, if the above account is true. Governments hem and haw over Global Warming when so many signs show it to be self evident. The mother neither eats nor drinks while in the den bearing and rearing her young, which makes it extremely important that she gets to the seals for her nourshment, and those of her young. How can she maintain herself and her young if the ice flows are melting? Seals are the main source of her food.

Since the mother Polar Bear had only a single pup in the picture, and they usually have two, one must speculate why one pup? The other was eaten my a hungry male? the mother was unable to nourish two, therefore only the stronger survived? Perhaps only the photographer knew. Perhaps not. Is there a more sinister reason? She looked rather lean.

The Polar Bear is a member of a class of endangered species. They are protected in the Northern countries of their habitat: (US) Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Denmark, and Russia, by an International Agreement on Conservation and Managememt of Polar Bears. Not only climate change, but pollution, industrial activities, and poaching, can harm them.
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/

Let us hope that something good comes out of the Copenhagen Conference on Climate
Change--especially sea ice loss--to help the Polar Bear.

RESCUING THE PERISHING

noreply@blogger.com (My Instant Internet Lifestyle Review) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:14:00 +0000

A story has been paramount in my area for several weeks concerning ninety-nine sled dogs rescued from a farm further north by the Animal Protection Societies. The owner was unable to care for them.

This is a problem with sled dogs. They work hard during the snowy winter months in races, etc., but the owners must still feed and care for them over spring, summer, and fall. A huge task it is for anyone to take on ninety-nine?? From pictures, the dogs were somewhat emaciated, cold, and hungry, and the rescue team saw no water. Thirty of the females were pregnant, and at the last report I heard, four mothers had dropped (for example) ten puppies each. Twenty-six more mothers have yet to bear. Most of the dogs are huskies, but some are cross breeds.

When one thinks of the enormity of the task the Humane Societies must face in feeding and providing Veterinarian care for so many dogs, it is staggering. I understand they have a source for food, but they need donations for the Vet care, not to mention the advertising needed to place all of these dogs in homes across Canada and the USA. People are calling in, but such a program for all of these dogs and the puppies to come!!!

How sad that this occurrence happens all over North America, with even worse horror stories of dogs in far worse conditions. Lax tax laws and punishments allow for this, and even some owners are given back some of their dogs to start the process all over again--but one sees the winds of change. It is our task to press for firmer laws, and that owners receive more severe judgments so they will think twice before jeopardizing these beautiful animals.

We must do our part to help. The Humane Societies will be aware of this story if you wish to assist.