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)!