23 May 2019

Bird Brains


About two years ago, we started putting out corncobs to keep the squirrels away from the bird feeder. We were pretty happy with the results.


A couple of weeks ago or so, we bought a bag of oranges, and for the umpteenth time, there were a few unseen not-as-fresh specimens in the center of the bag. We decided to toss them to the squirrels, too, not knowing if the fruits would be well-received. We didn't pay too much attention, so we didn't know if the experiment would be worth repeating.

Tuesday we got another eight or so inches of snow. Yes, on May 21!!! Lizard said if this (much-needed) wet, heavy accumulation had been the typical December Dry, we'd have had about 30 inches. !!!


The snow melted really fast! That almost always happens this late in the year. You have to shake your trees so the branches don't break, but the moisture is heaven-sent.




I knew I'd have to feed the birds again when I got home from work. More than just the typical house finches raid the feeder after every single snowfall. I can't keep enough seeds in the feeder during multi-day storms!






I peeked out the back window and decided NOT to go in the yard yet. I didn't want to frighten away all the brightly colored yellow and red birds feasting on the moldy oranges AND the corn cob!






We've had tanagers a few times, but only for a few moments, usually just one day, every other spring or so. I had no clue we could have enjoyed them a little bit longer just by stringing orange slices from the tree branches!!!


We've had two brand new (to us) species in the last 24 hours! I'd seen photos of grosbeaks, but I'd never seen one in real life! Imagine having two such brightly-hued visitors along with seven western tanagers all at the same time!!!




Typically these days, I don't get much crocheting or quilting done in the evenings because of work. This week, I'm not getting much of anything done at home except bird-watching!!!





4 comments :

  1. Beautiful birds. So colourful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Regula! I LOVE these tanagers, and the grosbeaks, too. I just love being able to watch them right in my backyard! Such amusing little creatures!

      Delete
  2. Wow, I never seen any of the smaller birds eat oranges much, usually crows. They are sure having a ball. Blah to snow, but snow that goes away fast is fine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was a big, heavy, plant flattening, tree branch-breaking snow, Pat. We didn't lose any branches, but many did. But boy, oh, boy did the moisture push us up out of the three-year drought!

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