For The Birds

Today's Ten on Tuesday topic is our favorite birds but to be perfectly honest, I'm more of a bird watcher and less of a bird identifier. I can certainly tell the difference between a Blue Jay and a Cardinal and I see both of them around my house but beyond that it's mostly a general joy at seeing birds enjoying the birdhouses and feeders that we've posted all about our property.

Here's one of the birdhouses that Stinkette painted many years ago. It hangs in a breezeway right outside out front door. You wouldn't necessarily think that was the most likely place for birds to live due to the constant foot traffice but it works surprisingly well. In fact, it may be one of the more popular spots. Look closely.



Just below the birdhouse and slightly to the left there is a nest in one of my golden mops. I really can't say how long it was there before I noticed it but I can say that I heard it before I saw it. The birds who live there were raising such a ruckus in there that one day I stopped to see what all the commotion was about and was shocked to find the nest right there under my nose.



And the feathered action around our house isn't limited to the front yard. We've got lots of visitors on and around the deck too. Happily, this year we are seeing more birds and less squirrels around the feeders. That's because this new one really is squirrel-proof. I was worried for a while that it may be bird proof too but little by little its emptying so they must be managing to get the seed.



Unfortunately now the squirrel is eying my strawberries. I'll have to be extra vigilant about that.