The Joy of Bird Watching and Living a Simple Life

Pine Warbler

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:55:20 PST

Pine Warblers only visit the suet feeders in the winter. Our winter has been really mild this year so...I was thrilled to get this recent photo of a male!

Isn't he a beauty?

Wishing Peace,Health,Wealth,and Love to All!

The Birds Are Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:17:45 PST

I blame the weather more than Hawks for keeping the songbirds from visiting my bird-feeders.

Carolina Wren

Northern Cardinal/Mourning Dove/Northern Cardinal

American Goldfinch/Carolina Chickadee/American Goldfinch

I was amazed to see male American Goldfinch in January!

He has his Summer Coat (feathers) already!!!

Wishing Peace,Health,Wealth,and Love to ALL!!!

New Bird Feeders

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:23:03 PST

A co-worker's husband created this cool bird feeder. She gave it to me filled with sunflower seeds. It is a hit with birds of all sizes. What a cool Christmas Present!

He used 2 metal pie plates and hardware screen. Be sure to add drainage holes in the bottom as he did.

Thanks Teresa and Dennis!!!

Now for the loneliest feeder in my yard. I brought this feeder at Lowe's a few weeks ago along with some dried meal-worms. I was hoping that Bluebirds or maybe a Woodpecker would visit. Sigh....

Maybe the location is wrong. I will move it to a more isolated area and see what happens.

Wishing Peace,Health,Wealth,and Love to ALL!

A New Year...A New Way...

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:33:16 PST

....of living. This is the ideal time to look at your life and make adjustments that will lead to better health and happiness.

Carolina Chickadee

Observing nature is a great stress reliever. Try hanging bird feeders filled with black oil sunflower seed near your "easy to see out" windows. Make my Bird Cakes (see side margin for recipe) for your suet feeders. Have a camera? Photographing bird/wildlife is major fun and challenging!

Try it and share your photos on your Social Sites of choice. Maybe...just maybe we will help save our native birds by merely loving them by sharing them.

About the Atkin's Diet: I love this way of eating! I cheated a bit during Christmas but am back on track. As of today: lost 5 inches in my waist. Yeah!!!

Wishing Peace,Health,Wealth, and Love to ALL!!!

Happy New Year - Auld Lang Syne by Sissel (Live).wmv

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:47:12 PST

Peace,Health,Wealth and Love to All!!!

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:57:00 PST

The weather here in NW Georgia has been very odd. Some days it has reached the 70's and others down to the 30's. This has affected the birds. On the warm days they are taking advantage of the insects out and about. On cooler days they are visiting the feeders.

Chipping Sparrow

Birding is an ongoing learning experience. That is what keeps me interested.

How about you? What keeps you interested?

Merry Christmas and Happy Birding!!!

Love, Health,Wealth, and Love to All!

The Incredible Shrinking Belly!

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:49:06 PST

After a few weeks on the Atkins way of eating and my belly has shrunk enough for me to fit into a skirt I couldn't zip-up a mere 8 weeks ago. My energy level is up and I am not going hungry between meals. Just a few more pounds and I will go into the maintenance phase!

Now for the Birds: Activity has been slow at my feeders due to the warm temps.

Thanksgiving Day while driving down my sister's driveway I had to slam on the brakes and turn backwards to get this photo of a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. It was well worth getting a kink in my neck!

We have a cold front moving in so will be on the look-out for the winter only birds.

Peace,Health,Wealth, and Love to All!

Keeping Life Simple ~ Happy Thanksgiving 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:18:38 PST

In a nutshell: My doctor has put me on a Low Carb diet due to my gaining 20 lbs since quitting smoking a year ago. I am spending much of what free time I can spare studying the Atkins diet, exercising and getting ready for Christmas. The big 6-0 birthday is just weeks away and my metabolism has changed. Cutting back on calories like I had done in the past is not working. My energy level has also been low for months. Getting healthy is on the top of my to-do-list. After all I have a Granddaughter who needs me.

Allow me to brag a little. She had her first piano recital a couple of weeks ago. I am so proud of her! Please excuse my unprofessional video. I am still learning.

"LINK To The Video"

In order to keep living a simple life.....I must cut back on time spent online (I can't retire just yet). Hopefully this will be temporary and I will soon return leaner and bursting with energy.

BIRDING NOTE: With a Cooper's Hawk hanging out and the unusual warm weather not many birds are visiting my feeders. A couple of Juncos and one White-throated Sparrow visit several days ago but I didn't get any usable photos. The birds will return with the cooler temps.

I wish I had a photo of a wild turkey to share for Thanksgiving. However here is Bella the neighborhood chicken. She first showed-up in my yard on Labor Day and is very skittish. I don't know where she came from or where she goes when she wanders outside of my yard. She is getting use to my feeding her and my presence and I like her a lot.

Don't worry about me like I worry about Bella when she doesn't show up for a day or two.

Happy Thanksgiving and Peace, Health, Wealth, and Love to ALL!

Birding the Net Contest ~ Review

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:43:45 PST

The National Audubon Society pitched this novel contest. They timed it to start the same week that the"wonderful birding" movie The Big Year hit the theaters. This was a very well thought out plan using the Social Media giants Facebook and Twitter. I didn't hesitate to jump on board and quickly added a "birdhouse" with cute animated birds to go with it. (As many of you may have seen and now they are gone.)

Great Blue Heron ~ Bartow County, Georgia

It was kinda hard for me to keep up since I work full time. Last weekend I managed to catch-up and collect all the 32 birds that had been released. I really would have loved to win that Cannon camera!

Monday (11/07) was the last day of the contest. I took my laptop to work and tried to find the last 2 birds between customers. I was a birder obsessed. My boss and co-workers were very understanding while I clicked on the clues. There must have been a very clever mastermind to create the clues!

Great Blue Heron ~ Bartow County, Georgia

I found the 33rd bird a Vireo while at work. The last bird a Sandhill Crane was very,very elusive. I finally found him at approximately 11:04 pm EST at home and finished #523.

Bottom line:I may not have won the Cannon Camera... but learned that this was a wonderful way to promote bird-watching. While searching for "birds" I was directed to wonderful websites and blogs...which share my vision and desire to help save/protect our native birds and wildlife.

So...I feel like a winner after all!

Learn more about this cool contest Here. Play it Again Sam! (wink-wink)

It is a honor to be part of World Bird Wednesday. Check it out!

Happy Birding!

Peace,Health,Wealth, and Love to ALL!

I Brake For Birds ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:42:34 PDT

I will brake for any animal who runs or flies in front of my car and I will also brake when I spot a cool bird in a tree, yard or field, or on a power line.

For weeks I have drove past this bird on the power line along the road I travel to work. Often a car would be behind me and I couldn't brake or stop to get a photo. Finally a few days ago I got my chance.

Seeing Red-tailed Hawks on power line are rather common. I even saw one in the middle of Marietta at a busy intersection on my way to Atlanta! This proves that this is an urban hawk.

Red-tailed Hawks are the most common hawk in North America. They will eat birds and snakes but mainly dine on small mammals and carrion. So don't worry about one stalking the birds at your feeders.

I have watched these beautiful hawks since I was a child but this is my first photo of one.

If you are ever driving behind me on a country road you have been forewarned.....I Brake For Birds!

Check out World Bird Wednesday for more birds!!!

Wishing Peace,Health,Wealth,and Love to ALL!

American Robin ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:38:21 PDT

I can't remember the exact year but it must have been in the mid 1950's when my Daddy showed me a nest in the fork of one of the maple trees in our front yard. This nest made of grass and mud held 4 tiny beautiful blue eggs. I was entranced.

This is my first memory of birding with my Dad. He taught me to respect the nest and watch from a distance. I will never forget when the eggs hatched. He gently lifted me up so I could see the baby birds. Thus....my interest in birds began with the American Robin.

The American Robin is known as the classic songbird. And boy can they sing! (Click Here to listen to their various songs and calls.)

They are also the basic bird used to measure most other songbirds. The question: "Is it larger or small than a robin?" is a standard well known in the American birding community.

These dear birds were named by early European settlers because they reminded them of their European Robin which also has a brick-red breast but is smaller. It is funny that these two birds are not related! Our Robin is in the thrush family and is kin to the European Blackbird (which is NOT related to our American blackbirds) of the nursery rhyme: "Sing a Song of Sixpense". Remember this line? "Four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie." Are you confused yet?

American Robins are year-round birds here in the South. But nest as far north as Alaska and are noted as the "Harbingers of Spring" in Northern areas.

To attract these cool birds to your yard is the same as with any songbird: Food.Water.Cover. With the emphasis on water. These birds LOVE to bathe!

Check out World Bird Wednesday for a Birder fix!

Wishing Peace,Health,Wealth,and Love to ALL!

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:12:03 PDT

Last Sunday while trying to add a bird to my Birding the Net list (this is an additive game/contest) I noticed a blur fly by the window and land on the trunk of the Serviceberry tree just outside my window. I slowly reached for my camera while not taking my eyes off of this never-before-seen bird.

These photos aren't the greatest in the world. Light was not on my side but I feel lucky to get them before she flew away into the woods.

A quick check in my Field Guides confirmed this was a female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

These cool woodpeckers nest in the North and winter in the South. If you have noticed a lined-upped rows of small shallow holes in tree bark these were likely made by this bird. If you live in the West the holes are likely created by their cousins the Red-breasted Sapsucker or Red-naped Sapsucker. They drill the holes/well for the sap and insects that is attracted to it. This is how they got their names as "sapsuckers".

Sibley's Field Guide says they are "uncommon" and National Geographic's says they are "common". Hmm...so who do you believe?

I checked with Cornell Lab's All About Birds/Yellow-bellied Sapsucker . Cornell lists them on the Least Concern list.

Another interesting tidbit: I gleefully shared at work that I had seen a new bird and after sharing the name one of my co-workers said...
"Oh...that is where that name came from. That is what we call someone who is a coward. I never knew there was really a bird by that name."

I was dumbfounded but was able to affirm that indeed this bird really existed. This must be why All About Birds' opening statement is:"Although most non-birders believe that the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a fictitious bird for the humorous name, in fact it is a widespread species of small woodpecker."

I was major thrilled to add this bird to my Life List and I pray she will come back and bring friends.

Enjoy Birds? Visit World Bird Wednesday to satisfy your bird cravings!

Many Thanks to Samantha at Reasonable Chaos for sharing the link to my Bird Cake Recipe! You never know what's happening at her (always) entertaining blog...check it out!

Wishing Peace, Health, Wealth, and Love to ALL!

Research Results on Safflower Seeds

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:16:47 PDT

A few weeks ago decided to buy a bag of Safflower seeds for the first time. It got me to thinking about what birds would eat them and if the dang squirrels would not like the bitter taste.

My results were that Northern Cardinals and Mourning Doves are the only two birds to eat these seeds. The Grey Squirrels wouldn't touch them!

I also decided to pose these questions to the birders on Birds&Blooms Bird Watching forum. The results were a very mixed bag. These are the interesting results:

Sorry for how weird the post looks. I copied and pasted to save time and don't how to correct this.)

Mark in TX shared: Squirrels!

I put my safflower out and close to a BOSS and mixed seed feeder. BOSS was emptied first, mixed seed next. Safflower was untouched for a couple of weeks - then a squirrel emptied it. Never saw a single bird touch the trash.

Note: BOSS is short for Black Oil Sunflower Seeds.

PAgrandma: None! I try to avoid buying anything that includes Safflower. In my area, it's a waste.I try to avoid buying anything that includes Safflower. In my area, it's a was a waste.

Hiker_IL: Cardinals will along with squirrels. I have a suet that has a mixture of seeds in it and the cardinals pick it out. It's hanging right outside my kitchen window so I can see what they are eating.

Kathy in southern NJ: Our house finches and cardinals eat the safflower. The finches empty a tube feeder in about a day and a half. The seeds that end up on the ground are then eaten by the wild turkeys that roam through the yard. (The turkeys also clean up the husks and the shells under the feeder.) ONCE in a blue moon I see a nut hatch (white breasted) and a tit mouse take a seed but not very often as they have sunflower seeds and shelled nuts at their beckon and call.

I wrote before but as I thought about your quest, I too have gray squirrels that won't eat it but for ONE who has a taste for the seed.

Also, the chipmonks fill their cheeks with the safflower...

narnian in IN: Here my cardinals and house finches like them....squirrels don't.

Catbirds also lives in IN: I have house finches, chickadees, cardinals, and sometimes
nuthatches eat it.... Squirrels here don't touch it...... weird huh?

Lovefinch in MI wrote: I bought some and the HOSP loved it. I have been over-run by HOSP - they clean out my feeders the minute I fill them. I hoped they would hate safflower seeds and leave my feeders alone, no such luck.

birdingbloomer in AL: A few years ago, I read a book about bird seeds, birds, and squirrels....here's how I did my experiment of putting out safflower seeds for the first time.

I removed all my other feeders...such as the BOSS feeder, peanuts, suet, & thistle that all my birds (and squirrels) were used to.

Then I put out ONLY the safflower seed feeder. No birds came. Squirrels checked it out the first day. By the 2nd day the squirrels finished it all.

That was the last time I bought safflower seeds!! LOL

bwatcher: I'm here in NE Iowa and the birds that eat my safflower are: cardinals, house finches. My mourning doves eat the whole seed, not just the inside like cardinals and housefinches do. They eat it sitting on the feeder or on the ground. I've seen red bre asted grosbeaks eat it, but they aren't here very often or for very long. They basically just pass through.

The sparrows will eat safflower if they have nothing else, a few grackles will eat it if they can't get anything else. My squirrels don't bother my safflower feeders but if there is sunflower in with the safflower they'll flick out the safflower to get to the sunflower.

Kelley in IN: I put out safflower once. Nothing ate mine. Not even the squirrels and I have a lot of wild life in my back yard. :)

Newsletterman: I agree with CatBirds - Northern Cardinals, Chicadees, house finches, and nuthatches. The squirrels here do NOT touch them. PTL! NLM in SC Zn7

Pacman: Hi Jean, it is Pacy. Read through the whole thread. Safflower according to my commercial contact is a 2nd choice seed. I know from experience that Doves like it. I can put it in a feeder that doves do not come to and nothing touches the seed. So I do spread it out for the doves that do come around and from that I get from them it is YUM-YUM time.My post pertains to Northeast Nebraska and West Central Minnesota. In Minnesota I buy a spendy bird mix called Water's Mix. It is $44 for 40 lbs. but it is worth it because everything gets consumed--no waste. It is everything you can think of in the mix but no safflower.

And from my birding friends on facebook:

Caty in WI: The desirable birds eat it once they get used to it. Cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, house finches and rose breasted grosbeaks mainly. House sparrows will eat it but not if there is anything else in the area. Same with squirrels. Mine will eat it but only when they are desperate. It's the only seed I put out with free access. I only put BOS in squirrel proof feeders and peanuts in squirrel resistant areas.

Rob in TX: Cardinals love safflower, squirrels and HOSP not so much. It's expensive though.

(HOSP is short for House Sparrow.)

I saved the best reply on my Bird Watching thread for last:

Ron/papa2mykids in SW MI: I find that safflower is one big marketing hype. When given the choice, birds will 99% of the time take BOSS of safflower.

It is over priced (Retail) Iknow, because I used to sell the stuff and know what wholesale prices are.

Now you know why it is marketed as a bird favorite food.

I know some people swear by it, and some birds will eat it if they must, but not by choice.

Oilers are very hi in oil and protein content and safflower doesn't meet that need.

I might also add this.................................and mentioned on one of my webpages ................. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, "Safflower is found to be only moderately attractive to birds."

http://www.gardening-for-wildlife.com/safflower-seeds.html

Many thanks to Ron and to my Safflower Seed Reporters!

OK....I will not buy another bag of this seed. It is not worth the price. Black Oil Sunflower is the boss! Forgive my pun.

Now you have the low down.

Wishing All Peace,Health,Wealth, and Love!

Eastern Bluebirds and Birding the Net ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:51:27 PDT

It is always a great day if I see an Eastern Bluebird. So it was a major great when a family recently visited one of my bird baths.

Now is a great time to add Bluebird Houses as they are checking them out for the next nesting season. In the South that can be as early as February!

Maybe you have noticed the cute bird house swinging gently on the right of my blog. Maybe you have seen a few Scarlet Tanagers and Prothonotary Warblers flying into the margins. Well....I am taking part in The National Audubon Society's new and fun contest "Birding the Net". The prizes really are wonderful! Click here to learn more. Let me know if you are playing. :-)

World Bird Wednesday is a great place to see Birds from all parts of the World. Check it out!

Happy Birding on land and on the Net!

Wishing Peace,Health,Wealth, and Love to ALL!

A Fruit Fly Invasion!

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:34:41 PDT

Living a simple/green life sometimes involves dealing with a few pest. I have been very lucky in this department but am dealing with an invasion of Fruit Flies. Man...are they annoying critters. I swat them and thought they are gone but they kept reappearing.

I learned online that once they invade they breed like crazy. First you need to find where they have been breeding and clean that up as a female will lay many...many eggs in one day.

Not wishing to use chemicals I was happy to learn a Green method of eliminating them.

Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or wine. Offer this solution in a shallow bowl. The smell of the vinegar/wine will attract them and the dish soap will enable them to fly...so they will drown.

Sorry Fruit Flies...Hope you come back as Butterflies in your next life.

Wishing Peace,Health,Wealth,and Love to All!

Pow Wow in Euharlee,Georgia ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:45:00 PDT

Last weekend Euharlee,GA hosted one of the best and most spiritual Pow Wows I have ever attended! Since my great-grandmother was full blooded Cherokee....I have always been interested in my Native American roots thus always have enjoyed these events.
I had a wonderful "Indian Taco" which was fry bread with pinto beans,onions, lettuce,cheese,and salsa. Whoa... was very yummy. Not only did I see some old friends (including a couple that I only knew on facebook) but made a new one who took a very special picture of me and a new feathered friend ......keep reading and you will see.

First I wish to honor the dancers and my Native friends with this collage of my photos. You must click to enlarge to fully appreciate!

Winged Ambassadors provided a wonderful Birds of Prey Show. I was so taken with these birds.

This Eastern Screen Owl (Nadia) was hit by a car and suffered damage to an eye. There is no way she could make it in the wild. She now helps educate tells folks how special her kin are and to give them the "right away".

Lobo is a Harris Hawk (Lifer for me) who was bred for educational purposes. He flew around from tree to tree but came back when called. I noticed that he had a tracking device attached to his tail.

This is Quasi, the cool Turkey Vulture. He was ugly but so dang cute and demanding!

Banshee the North American Barn Owl. Boy...was this bird vocal!

Last but not least and my favorite......

Meet Czar...an Eurasian Eagle Owl who was bred for educational purposes.

Just look at his hairy/feathery talons!!!

It was a life-changing experience looking into Czar's huge yellow eyes. I had to fight back tears. He touched my heart and soul. I was honored to be able to hold him.

Many thanks to new friend Tommy Hutto for capturing one very special moment with Czar.

Hey...like birds? Check out World Bird Wednesday for a great fix!

Wishing Peace,Health,Wealth,and Love to ALL!

Audubon Magazine: Fall Migration Hot Spots!

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:55:41 PDT

I would like to say that Georgia and Alabama are filled with great places to watch the migrating birds.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are needing help due the weird weather. Please keep your feeders up for a few more weeks. The "rule" is to not take it down until you haven't had a Hummer for 2 weeks. Here in Georgia....if you continue to maintain a feeder during fall and winter...you could get a visit from one of several Western species. How cool would that be?

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Hawks are another bird that is migrating. I have already had a Cooper's Hawk scare the heck out of my birds....and my hen...Bella. She was clucking in an alarming tone...I looked out and there he was on the fence post. Bella hid under my camper and wouldn't come out for a couple of hours.

Cooper's Hawk

Check out Audubon Magazine's great article on Fall Migration!

Wishing Peace, Health,Wealth, and Love to ALL!

Birding on Kennesaw Mt,GA ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:16:49 PDT

Last Saturday (09/24/11) was National Public Lands Day. Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park is listed as an Important Birding Area and is about half way between my home and Atlanta.
Note: If you are interested in birding and/or the Civil War you will love this park!

The Atlanta Audubon Society sponsored a morning bird walk led by birding pro Giff Beaton.

That's him just in front of me in the blue t-shirt. He was amazing because he could ID all the birds by their calls and songs. One good tip he shared was that Warblers will join a group of Chickadees and Titmice during migration. I didn't know this. Many birds were heard that I didn't get to see. But....

I got to add three birds to my Life List. The Blackburnian Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker, and the only bird I was able to get a half-way decent picture....the Black-throated Green Warbler. You may wish to click on the images to enlarge.

This bird was a tough to capture. Heck....it was near impossible due to the leaves and distance. I confess that I used my binoculars more than my camera.

Well....at least this view held still. There was some fog.

It was also Volunteer Day. So I helped dig the trench for this rock wall for a flower bed in front of the Visitors Center.

There were many volunteers so this was completed very quickly. It was great to be able to give back a little bit to this park that hosts so many birds and it was very cool to meet other birders. What can I say....3 Lifers....over rode my aching back. I left as a very happy camper!

Check out what other birds are making an appearance on World Bird Wednesday!

Wishing Peace, Health, Wealth, and Love to ALL!

Summer Tanager ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:57:52 PDT

Last weekend while watching the many Hummingbirds I noticed a strange bird checking out my suet feeders. As I reached for my camera my mind was trying to match a name to this pretty bird. My first guess was a female Summer Tanager....but I wasn't sure. Summer Tanagers are rare visitors even though I live within their nesting range. Turns out my guess was correct.

My past sightings were of them bathing in my bird baths so this was surprising behavior. After digging around I did read on WhatBird that they would eat suet and like peanuts. So this is only new to me. They are fattening up for migrating to their wintering grounds in Central and South America.

This lovely bird came back for another photo shoot the next day. This shot was my favorite.

I have posted a picture (my only) of the male in a couple of past posts...so I won't bore you with a repeat. It is interesting that they are the only totally red native birds in North America. They like to catch bees/wasps in flight, beat them to death on a branch, rub the stingers off....and eat them. Maybe one day I will get lucky and witness one making a meal out of a mean old wasp!

I love being a part of Springman's World Bird Wednesday! Springman always has something great to say plus outstanding photos. Trust me...you will not be disappointed. I am also impressed with the talent of the other birding blogs from every corner of the Earth!

Wishing Peace,Health,Wealth and Love to ALL!

Migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbirds ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:20:36 PDT

If you live in the South, plant flowers that provide nectar in late summer/early fall and maintain clean Hummingbird feeders then you are likely to be treated with an explosion of dueling Hummers as they stop and refuel for their migration to their wintering grounds.

This video is a recent view of the action taken though my birding window . Yes that is an Ant crawling on the outside of the window. There is a small Hummer feeder hidden behind my main feeder and Hummers are hitting it as well.

As of this morning there were at least 8 Hummers sparring for a sip of sugar water. It is really tough to go to work while this action is a happening! Sure wish y'all could see this with your own eyes!

TIP: Upping the sugar from 1/4 cup to 1/3 per cup of water during migration will help them fatten up for their long trip to their wintering grounds....Central and South America.

See More Great Birding Photos at World Bird Wednesday

Peace,Health,Wealth, and Love to ALL!

2011 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:21:09 PDT

Saturday 09/10/11 the Atlanta Audubon Society hosted the 2011 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour. A couple of gal friends and I attended this informative and enjoyable event.

We explored the Presbyterian Village retirement center and was delighted by the elderly and very knowledgeable wildlife gardeners. One was in her 90's and another was the past head Master Gardner for Delaware. I met and purchased 2 books from Master Birder Katharine ("Kit") Crawford Robey. Where's the Party is a sweet children's book about native birds. She signed one to my granddaughter and another for one of my great nephews.

The rest of the sites were the backyards of private homes. One was really,really tiny...but was teeming with birds. Another had a very cool Koi pond complete with waterfall, and interesting stacks of rocks (I really liked the rocks). Yet another had more butterflies and Hummingbirds than we could count. Wish I had gotten better pictures.

We all walked away with lists of native plants,free posters,and plenty of cool ideas to make our yards "more" wildlife friendly.

Please support your local Audubon Society!

Peace,Health,Wealth,and LOVE to ALL!

Mourning Dove ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:05:11 PDT

Mourning Doves are regular visitors at my place. They came about their name because of their sad sounding cooing.

When Mourning Doves fly their wings make a distinct musical whistle. They have been clocked at 55 mph with bursts at 60! Still...I have witnessed a Hawk (Cooper's I think) nabbing one in my yard. It was heartbreaking due to the poor dove's mate chasing after the Hawk and sounding the alarm call. Such is Nature.

Mourning Doves are Songbirds and also a Game Bird. In fact they are the most widespread and numerous game bird in North America! Last Saturday (09/03/11) was opening day of Dove Season in Georgia. This can cause a rift between non-hunters and hunters. I may only hunt with a camera but know that hunters have done much to help reserve habitats and most do hunt responsibly. My son is one such hunter.

According to lore and legends the dove represents Peace,Maternity, and Prophecy all of which are Feminine Energies. The song was linked to water since they would return to waterhole to drink at dusk. Listen to their cooing here and see it doesn't stir your internal waters? You can also hear the musical sound of their wings during flight.

They don't read the bird books that say they only feed on the ground. They are hogs at my seed feeders.

Visit Springman's World Bird Wednesday to see more Birds!

Wishing Peace, Health,Wealth,and Love to All!

Critters other Than Birds!

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 14:10:02 PDT

If you are a regular reader than you may think I only have Birds and a few Grey Squirrels in my yard/garden. Well...think again...my peaceful place is home to many native critters. This is a sample.....

I think this is a Southeastern Skink. I use to play with these as a child on the farm in North Carolina. Their tails would break off easily and I never got to catch one.

I was on my Laptop at my viewing window last week and noticed a movement on the far left side of the window. It was this little frog. I have no idea how it got inside...but knew that if I didn't get him outside ASAP... my cats would love to play/torment him and maybe eat him. I used a small canning jar to catch him and released him outside. I'm not sure what kind of frog he could be. Any help with an ID would be greatly appreciated. He was so cute!
Edit : Rob Barron a friend on facebook said this was a Grey Treefrog. Thanks Rob!!!

This is my resident wild rabbit. It was in the frozen mode because my dang neighbor's cat was stalking it. Luckily it got away and lived to return to munch on my weeds.

One recent morn while having my morning coffee at my viewing window...I looked out and caught a rare photo opportunity of a female White-tail Deer.

She sighted me!

This morning I looked out and this was crawling in my yard....

....a pretty long Black Racer. This is the first snake I have seen here this year. He/she was wet so I think it had been swimming in my water garden. Maybe this explains why some of my Goldfish have vanished.

Wishing All a Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Peace, Health,Wealth,and Love!

Migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbirds ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:26:11 PDT

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have started migrating southward to their wintering grounds in Central and South America. They have one long journey and need to fatten up. I consider my place as a Pit-Stop or Service Station. They fuel-up for a couple of days and continue on. One quick way you can help them is by maintaining a clean feeder (clean with a white vinegar solution) and fill with a 4 part water to 1 part white sugar solution. Red dye is not needed and is a questionable additive. It is a chemical.

It is advised to keep a feeder up for 2 weeks after the last one has left. In Southeast we can get visits from western species in fall and winter....so I maintain one feeder year-round.

It's not all about feeders: Hummers also eat insects/spiders. Say NO to pesticides. Planting flowering plants that produce nectar in the Spring, Summer.....and if you live in the South include some for Fall. Check with your local Audubon Society or do a quick Google to see what is best suited for your region.

Notice the dark spot on the throat....it turns Ruby in the sunlight. This is a juvenile male who is just starting to get his full Ruby throat. Today was my first sighting of this youngster.

This female keeps an eagle eye on the feeders and flowers. She is the Queen.

Learn more about Hummingbirds & Nectar Feeders Here.

With our Weather being so dang strange...our birds need us more than ever.

Check out World Bird Wednesday to enjoy more birds!

Peace, Health, Wealth, and Love to ALL!

Carolina Chickadee ~ World Bird Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jean) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:57:15 PDT

Carolina Chickadees are certainly in the top 10 of my Cute Birds List. This little rounded bundle of energy is a regular year-round visitor at the black-oil sunflower seed feeders and suet feeders. They are always in a good mood when it is too hot or bitter cold. Their song (which can have variations) "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" is where they got their name.

This songbird likes Fast Food since they will quickly grab a seed and go to a limb to crack it open. You won't see them dining in a feeder like say a Northern Cardinal. They are perhaps one of the tamest birds around as they can be trained to take seeds from your hand!

There are 7 different types of Chickadees (Family name Paridae) listed in my National Geographic Field Guide To The Birds of North America. The Black-capped is the common one of the Northeast and Midwest and much like the Carolina that we have here in the Southeast. Others include: Mexican in the Southwest; Mountain in the Rocky Mountains; Chestnut-backed in the Northwest; Boreal across the Far North; Gray-headed of the Northwest Yukon and is called the Siberian Tit in the Old World.

Since the sexes look alike and they both are vocal it is impossible to tell if this Carolina Chickadee is a he or a she.....

....or this one.

Here's to the little chickadee;

the sexes are alike, you see.

It's hard to tell the she from he;

but he can tell . . . and so can she!

Harold Wilson (Wisconsin bird bander)

Visit World Bird Wednesday to see more wonderful Birds!

Peace,Health,Wealth,and Love to ALL!