Saturday, January 9, 2010

Welcome Visitors

Back before Christmas, I looked out one morning to see my little friend was in a predicament. All summer long this little squirrel has been visiting my top deck, the one directly off the kitchen for snackies. Vanilla wafers, leftover toast and his favorite...sunflower seeds that fall from the "Squirrel Proof Feeder." I have lots of Squirrel Proof Feeders. Most of them aren't and they figure out how to steal mass quantities of bird seed. They come and spend hours at the feeders, scaring away the pretty Cardinals, Downy Woodpeckers and Chickadees. They "fill their back pockets" then go up the trees into their nests and sleep away the cold days. So why do I encourage them to come with cookies and toast? Because I can't throw food away. I have instilled within me the need to put even the stalest crumb to good use. Mom's fault, she would save 3 green beans, a little square of cornbread and 2 tablespoons of mayo at the bottom of the jar and somehow turn it into a casserole. Waste not, want not. They say you turn into your Mom at some point. 57, that's where I am now and for the most part I have turned into Willadean!

Another reason I feed the little boogers is this look they give me. She knows another trick too, when she sees me in the study she sets up like a cute little puppy dog on the railing and begs. She knows that will always get her a cookie!

This morning I saw an unusual bird. After taking a few pictures I realize it's just a young female Cardinal. The white feathers on her head may be because she hasn't grown the longer fawn color or maybe mites have caused her to lose a few. She looks very fat and healthy otherwise.

She was the sweetest little puff of feathers, waiting her turn at the bird feeder!

The Downy Woodpeckers have almost eaten the suet. Go over to Chickens in the Road and Suzanne has a great recipe HERE to make suet blocks. Saving a little here and there, that's my NYR (New Year's Resolution)!

14 comments:

  1. Birds, yes. Squirrels, no! In the house where we used to live I battled the attack of the squirrels constantly. The nested in the walls, partied in the attic, stored nuts in the basement, entered through the plumbing (I am not making that up!) and best of all - simply got in and stayed in. At one point we had a race in the house chasing the squirrel and finally just opened the front door, sat for 2 hours in the winter with our coats on waiting for the squirrel to find his way out the front door. 911 got used to me calling when the attack of the squirrels would start.

    We could never find the entry spots but I spent many sleepless nights unable to sleep for the noise of their shenanigans!

    Now we live in a house with a treeless yard!!!

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  2. Cardinals are one of my favorite birds. I love the young female. Great photo.
    Blessings,
    Lorilee

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  3. What IS that thing your little Miss Squirrel has gotten herself into? It looks like a hamster exercise ball!

    About Miss Cardinal. I think she looks like she has a bit of a genetic anomaly giving her those lighter feathers at her head. Sorta like she is only PARTIALLY albino. Her eyes look a little reddish in the picture, were they?

    She is really fascinating.

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  4. Ok first...your mom's name is Willidean? I love that!
    Second, I love that little chubby cardinal bird so much. That is a great photo. I hope the other birds don't tease her.
    And lastly, Joycee, you know if I had squirrels around here, they would be in the house in a diaper! LOL I would feed them, love them, breed them....oh it would be a mess.

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  5. Great photos. Squirrels are a real problem around here - to many and they are very destructive.

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  6. Joycee, We're the same age! :p) And that poor little squirrel...were his pockets stuffed too full to get back out?? Inquiring minds need to know how he did it! BTW, love that drawing on your last post by Mary Englebriete (sp). That's just so accurate, isn't it? Choices, choices, choices...
    Hugs, B

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  7. I loved your pictures today. As to becoming your Mom, there's not much I can say. Deal with it :-).

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  8. I ALWAYS LOVE YOUR POSTS...THE LITTLE GUY BEGGING FOR A COOKIE MADE ME LAUGH! I WOULD FEED THEM TOO...WE DON'T HAVE THEM BUT WE DO HAVE LITTLE CHIPMUNKS THAT ARE ALWAYS SNEAKING INTO THE GARAGE FOR DOG FOOD...I JUST LOVE ALL OF GOD'S LITTLE CREATURES! COME SAY HI :D

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  9. The female cardinal is stunning! Absolutely stunning!

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  10. If I put suet out the pesky squirrel or coon....eats it all
    I tried one of those corn on the cob holders for the squirrel but they just eat it all and then go to the bird feeder....it's a constant battle in my yard!

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  11. I'm a bird watcher too - don't you wonder why God gives the beauty (or so it seems) to the male?

    The little squirrel is as cute as he can be.

    Thanks for the comment about my grandson.

    Sandie

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  12. That baby cardinal is so cute! personally, I think the female cardinal is prettier than the all red male!

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  13. me again,
    Your Mom's name is willadean?
    My mother-in-law's name is
    Willavene!

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  14. How cute is that! Thanks for sharing. Cheers.

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