Back yard drama.......

Not a lot going on in the garden but the local critters keep things interesting. We have a pair of Mallards who come every day. They wait for me to see them and expect me to provide treats. Last year they were a lot more shy, this year not so much. They have got used to me apparently. They came into the drive and up to the gate as I threw them some bread. I named them Nelly and Nigel. So yesterday I was working in the garden trying to clean up around the deck. A lot of Winter accumulation of bird seed and veggies around there now the snow has melted. Well apparently they might still want that because they both came and supervised. I left them to it and went and got some corn and seeds and put that under the bird feeder in hopes of distracting them. Nelly went in the pond and Nigel ate the corn.

Nigel is such a handsome fella and he takes good care of Nelly. She will languish in the pond or take a nap and he stands guard. Well then there's a crow, actually a couple of Crows who come around. I had thrown out some bread for them all. The Crow got a bit that was rather stale and wanted to dunk it in the pond. Nigel said no.

Its fun to watch the interaction. Crows seem to be quite timid. Nelly is very comfortable here and after her bath she takes a nap. When the coast is clear he will relax.

Just recently there seems to be little in the way of bird activity. I have no idea why except maybe nesting time. I am hoping that they come back soon. The best thing we did was moving our bird feeder and putting the Squirrel baffle on it. It has kept down the Squirrel population. Still a couple of them come around but not like before.

Today the Crow was really brave. I missed him in the bird bath but he came on the deck for bread. So then I got my camera and watched the interaction between him and Nigel. Nigel is the boss. He shood off the Crow because Nelly was in the pond again.

Can you make out Nigel with beak open wide and Crow is flying away. The Possum has changed shedule apparently. I leave food and its gone by morning but has not been around for me to see. Could be someone else but in any case I haven't seen them. The bear from last year who was visiting Meijers parking lot is back, he's running around the surrounding neighbourhoods but has elluded the live traps so far. hahahahah...........wish he would come this way. I have plenty of food for him. When they get used to people though the DNR removes them to woodlands far away from people if possible.

I wish I could say that was my picture but alas, he won't visit me.

Spring is in the air....................

It's only March and we were able to get out and rake. Doing just a little each day. Yesterday I cleaned the deck and front porch. That was a big task right there but I was able to put out my new cushions

I have to put out flowers next but that means finding a basket and then waiting til I can get live plants. Nigel and Nelly have been regular visitors. Nigel is so handsome. They are there now cleaning up the corn and stuff thawing out by the deck. They saw me throw out bread for the Possum and the rabbits have greens tonight. Last night they had Tristens left over snacks of pretzels, marshmallow and popcorn. Some fried eggs and nuts. I take care of my critters, we are told not to feed bread but they love it, all of them do so hey, it fills their tummies.

I was standing at the back door today and I swore I saw Snowdrops in the garden. It was quite a distance but sure enough it certainly was. I can't believe I see so well at a distance but cant see stuff right in front of me.........ah well. It is what it is. So then I had a look around to see what showing. Quite a few things coming up. I am wondering if the Hosta that Jo gave me last year have made it, I took the dead stuff out and just tips are showing in some pots. The stuff in the ground take much longer to show up. Iris are breaking ground. I didn't rake the leaves off the gardens, it's too soon, we may yet get snow. In fact it's probably guaranteed but at least I am getting and early start.

It looks rather barren but as soon as it rains it will green up. I took out the poodle paths, those patio blocks because I needed something under the big bird feeder. That side garden will be getting a complete overhaul because we have to take down the fences for the side walk this summer. Saved me buying blocks, the center I will fill with stone. It will keep it a bit tidier as the seeds fall there.

We pulled out the plough that was tucked into the side garden in back. With the fence coming down I can fix up things in the back and use the old fences now to make the back garden completely seperate. RIght now I have old wrought iron in there but its still see through, using the trellis fencing like the swings, arches, it will completely seperate. I like that. Have then a secret garden back there and will work more to make it special. Out front the black iron fences have to come down too so before anything grows back I will fill in the area under the Pine with wood chips and move the two ploughs out there. They came from Justin and Carries house in the UP. If I don't get there soon the old lillies will come up and they are just a mess, and never bloom.

My shrubs are growing well out there so I hope the side walk construction doesn't damage the stuff I want to keep. Anyway just a few things from today. I am trying to pace myself because my body sure hurts when I am done and so much yet to do. When I get a rainy day I will paint the outside wood ornaments and spray them before putting them out. My table is covered. Fabric, sewing machine, knitting and paint stuff. It never ends, and will never be a real dining room.

Winter Visitors...................

As with my other blogs I had left this one in the Autumn, I had really bottomed out with enthusiasm for much of anything at the time.Now I am back and will try to keep all of my blogs going, at least a once a week effort. This Winter was a mild one and we had a lot of visitors. Not so many birds as usual but a few constant critters came and went. One was a very pretty Skunk who came several times until it met the Poodles. Then it decided to either come after we were in bed or found better yummies. This was a rather lovely Skunk with a lot of white on his tail and body. Skunks are one of my favourites and can make good pets. The other nightly visitor was a Possum. In actual fact I believe there were more than one. The original was a fat one and was brownish rather than grey. The other had a white face and was smaller and grey. They were both beautiful and I adore their little hands. Certainly leave distinctiver tracks in the snow. I see they go under the deck to hide but mostly they run for the garage. I did take some video of them all but not sure yet about getting it on here so will wait. The third visitor, well often more than one was a rabbit. A big bunny. I am hoping everyone brings me babies come Spring I read up on Possum's and find they only live a couple of years. How sad. They have quite a few babies each year and carry them in a pouch. Our only Marsupial apparently. They eat ticks and fleas and bugs and other pesky things. So they are very beneficial. Mine like cheese and hamburgher and is very well fed. My Crow was a constant visitor and enjoys a wide variety of foods. This winter was rather mild and so he didn't come as close as other years ' In the Fall I brought in some of my plants to try to over Winter, but they didn't do well. Last year I put them in Tristen's room because he wasn't staying here that often. This year things changed and he is here every weekend so I put the plants downstairs, They just didn't do well, not enough light. I think maybe a couple of the Geraniums will make it and a couple of others. Next year I am not sure it will be worth the hassle. I should add that we also had a house guest. Anyway, Spring will soon be here and I will be able to get outside and be more active. I hope............Gerry did our front porch up last year and that will be like an extra room to go sit in and be outside. I can put fans out there and it will be out of the sun. I will put some bird feeders out there and spend more time there, we have never been front porch sitters. Now it's private and the Poodles can come and go as they please. I love leaving the doors open, yes an odd fly or something comes in and yes we have air conditioning running but hey, I like air con and fresh air. All for now.