Cleaning out the Birdhouses...

Today, Joseph and I went about the task of cleaning out the birdhouses around the property. We noticed that the wren house had not been used... maybe this year. We then moved on to another house on a pine tree. I Had Joseph tap on the side of the house to make sure that no birds (or critters) were inside... since i had seen activity around this birdhouse. So Joseph tapped and decided that the house was empty. He proceeded to undo the screw that holds the side panel on the house. This house has a nice hinge so that you undo the screw and lift the side panel for easy cleaning. So joseph lifted the side panel and the house was packed with debris... he then dicded to use the screw driver to dig some of the debris out of the house. That was when the little red squirrel came out of the front hole and frantically made its way up the tree. I supect that he was none to happy to be "goosed" with a screw driver!

Hummingbirds!

I finally got a half-decent shot of a hummingbird!
Originally uploaded by pjslomer

We have a family of hummingbirds that visit our feeder. They seem to enjoy the fact that they can perch and eat instead of hover and eat. There is a youngster who is getting pretty friendly. I thought it was a girl until recently when it perched and looked right at me... turned its head to the side to show a little dot of a ruby throat. It's a boy!
Recently i had to take down the feeder to refill it... as i was cleaning i heard this little squeak and i turned to see the hummingbird at the back door! ... looking in rather expectantly. Needless to say, i finished up quickly and got that feeder back outside (where it belongs). Fun little critters these hummingbirds.

Bee Balm is Good Food!

Bee Balm is Good Food
Originally uploaded by pjslomer

We have a multitude of hummingbird moths this year. In the past we might have one visiting the garden. This year it is common to see three on the same bee balm. They are also quite friendly and unafraid this year and buzz right on by me to get to the good eats.

ah, the life of the wildlife managers...

From Joseph...

I had a bit of an adventure when i went outside-- rescued a chipmunk from one of our water buckets! ... at first i thought a large FROG had somehow gotten in there and was swimming around, but... it was a chippy... reached in there with a long pole; he grabbed on and i pulled him out... i mean, if the CATS get 'em, that's ONE thing... he lay shivering on the driveway in the sunshine; i went up and got the mail... when i got back i wasn't sure he was still with us! but then he started moving... i went up to the kitchen and got him a couple peanuts, shelled one for him. at first he seemed vaguely interested; then it was: "AAAAHHH! HUMAN!!!" and he ran under the pot near the stepping paver... i put the peanuts over there to perhaps aid in his recovery later...

Observations...

So, i was sitting out on the patio last Sunday morning enjoying a cup of coffee. I discovered:

• One must be prepared to duck if sitting in a nut hatch fly zone. They do not veer off of their course to the suet feeder.
• Young bunnies love to run in trenches (like the one surrounding the birch trees). And the will run in endless circles. Nascar bunnies...
• All birdbaths are for the use and pleasure of the Robins... and they can turn the water to a murky, muddy mess very quickly.
  

I'm not in your garden to eat it...

I'm not in your garden to eat it...
Originally uploaded by pjslomer

I'm nesting!

I watched her pruning the creeping phlox for building materials. She isn't very afraid of me... i think she read the "wildlife habitat" sign.

a different kind of alarm...This morning i awoke to the

distinctive "gobble, gobble, gobble"... i know that a turkey had ventured up near the house. Of course i didn't see nary a tail feather of my alarm clock.