RedWing Blackbird........

Remember I was sort of surprised to see a loan Redwing Blackbird in my garden not so long ago? I did not expect to see him again because we just do not see them in town. They tend to stay in the wet areas across the main road. Well, yesterday, imagine my surprise when he showed up with a bunch of Grackles. Everyone got along just fine and there were also a few stray Starlings with them.

I love the Starlings, such pretty birds. Yes and the Grackles. They may be mean (so I am told) but they sure are beautiful. When at my feeder they seem very well behaved around the other birds. I doubt anyone would challenge them, look at those beaks.

Starlings have sharp beaks too.

The colours on both these types of birds are like those of Peacocks. They shimmering iridescent blues and greens. So beautiful in the sun. I know most people chase them away but I don't. When I see them flock into a tree I will go put out extra food because I know they won't leave until it's all gone. Then I refill for everyone else.
Blue Jays will come in very cautious like when they are around. They are bigger but are timid they seem so anyway. Any of these birds fly at the slightest movement from me (in the window). So it's hard to get good pictures. The peanuts tempt them though.

Everyone loves the Peanuts.

I am Wondering if this is a female RedWing and maybe that's why she is allowed to stay? The males seem to have a redder band.


Everyone was getting along and not squabbling as they usually do. Got to love them.

I have been keeping the cats inside. They don't care for the cold and so maybe that's why the birds are back. Anyway, the Blue Jays were loving the critter food. I need to go get some suet. Poor little Woodies have to be content looking for bugs in my bushes,

Yum, what shall I eat first?

Now if only these two would have faced the other way it would have been a good picture.



She is feeling sassy

Well I will now go and fill up the feeders and hope to see some small birds come in. I have so many bird pictures it's crazy but I still want to try for those perfect shots.

April Fools...........no kidding...........

April is supposed to be sunshine and new flowers, and maybe showers to get rid of all the yucks. Not this year. A winter storm came roaring through leaving us with about a foot of snow. Already melting though so there is that. Gerry went out and cleared a Poodle path so the girls could run. A lovely heavily pregnant Robin came by and appreciated his efforts.

Poor girl, I hope she has a nest handy she looks about due to drop a few eggs.

The sun came out and with that a few birds came to the feeders. The cats still don't want to be outside so maybe they are getting braver.

Chickadees are always a reliable visitor and this guy was having a tough time what to eat first



The little finch had no such problem and stuck to the feeder

Off in the Maple tree a small Woodpecker was busy. I hear him every morning early on..........


Then came the Cardinals, Mr and Mrs today........the birds love the grapevine, the one Bud hates. Well I like it not only for privacy but also because when its cold or raining the birds shelter in there and eat their seeds.

I got a whole bunch of Mr Cardinal before she arrived. He got a bit blown around up in the tree.



He soon came down to a spot of sun on the deck.

Then the Mrs arrived.


The buds are popping on the trees so I hope they didn't get too cold.

The Squirrels nest in my tree disappeared. Probably got blown away, maybe they moved in with the neighbours. Bud's going to be kept busy this year as we already have loads of the critters and he does not like them. They eat his Tulips and/or dig them up and plant them at my house.

Chickadee making use of the vines to stay warm while he eats

I saw a Mourning Dove go down to the pond for a drink. There is a rock in there now and they seem to enjoy going down to that. I saw the Robin do that the other day. I sure hope no one falls in.
It is good to see the sun, the snow looks beautiful (but I have seen enough thanks) and good to see a few birds come back. Now if I can keep the cats inside and the squirrels away maybe I will see more. I need some newcomers ones we rarely see. That would be nice.

Winter Storm.........

It's April and we had a beautiful Winter storm last night. It's still snowing but the sun is also out. Do we get Snowbows? (like rainbows when the sun shines?) ......well we got quite a bit. I was procrastinating. I had a 2nd cup of coffee to fortify myself. I was going to shovel the deck, honest I was. I wanted to fill the bird feeder. Well Gerry went out before I could get to it. Lucky me.
The girls were anxious, they needed to pee and wanted to go down into the garden.

The deck had been clear until this morning, not sure how much we got but it was a lot.

They were happy when they could get down and run. The nice thing about small dogs they don't need a whole lot of exercise. When they can run on the paths through it all they are happy.

Bella likes to climb the piles of snow and see if she can get over the fence. She is the only one with the sense of adventure and wanting to know what's beyond the gate. When Bodi was young she used to go for car rides and enjoy outside adventures. The other 3 never have been on a leash. Bodi never needed to be, she always stuck close to us.

The snow is sure pretty

I wonder how my Snowdrops are fairing? This is Bud's tree through my window this morning. The screen makes it pretty. I will be removing all screens this summer I just don't like them.

Somewhere there is a van under all that...

So how long will it last? Everyone is bored

Well at least the suns out, there is that.

Yesterday and Today.........

What a difference a day makes. Monday was such a lovely day. We went to Northport in the afternoon. I had gone out to take some pictures in the garden. I am so antsy to get things done and ready for Spring. We did get some raking done in the back garden but oh boy, you should see the front. Leaves from last Autumn inches thick all over. Keeping the garden warm.
I was checking on my Snowdrops and they were still there.

Not fussy little things, tough and beautiful. I walked around and some of the things that were coming up are either frozen tips or eaten.


I wonder if the Bunnies are busy?

So back inside I checked later at the bird feeder. I fill it up and the Squirrels eat it all


They love the Peanuts. The Blue Jays do too but they missed out. Have not seen them. This little guy was being very helpful though. The clean up crew.....

Look at that pretty little beady eye.

So here it is Tuesday.............and look at this.


There is now a Winter storm warning going on and we can expect a bunch dumped on us tonight. All I can say is it does not usually last too long. I won't be making the mistake I made last year and buying stuff and putting in too early. Oh no. I won't do that again. In any case I have to replan for this year. Last year was hardly a success. I really want some Zucchini. I just do not know where to put it. Hmmmmm I wonder, do you think I could put it by the road? Dump some good soil there and make a place for it. Maybe that would get Gerry out there to dig it up haha. Why not right? Good idea.