Snow Day

From almost 65 deg to snow in a 24 hour time period has halted the case of spring fever I was beginning to experience. February is short and spring is just around the corner thankfully.


Last night after the snow began, I let Ali out for the last time before I put the cover over the dog door for the evening. It did not take but a minute after she went out before she started that serious barking. I knew immediately something was in the yard and could not believe when I saw the opossum back. I figured it had all it wanted of the last encounter with her. But sure enough, it was back. I really felt sorry for the little creature all covered in snow. I got Ali back inside so it could go on about it's way finding a place to get out of the snow. It was getting some water when I first saw it but eventually moved under the grill which has a cover and I guess was providing some protection against the wind and snow. What can you say....a face only a mother could love. Being my second encounter with this creature, I am still amazed at how docile it seems. Shows no aggression and really no fear. ----------------------------------------------------


Today has been a miserably cold day and the temperature is dropping like a rock tonight. I sat up the camera in front of a window today and would take a few pictures off an on. The amount of birds was unbelieveable. I ended up a couple of times throwing a handle full out on the snow just so more could eat and to stop some of the fighting at the feeders.

Wonderful day watching and loved all the different varieties. The game of the day seemed to be king of the suet feeder or bird feeder. They are really serious about their food. Another prime overview spot was on top of the shepards hook. I would laugh as the birds would try to protect their spot. The squirrel even decided to see what all the fuss was about.

Late this afternoon as it was getting almost too dark to shoot without pictures beginning to get grainy, I looked out and there were 9 bluebirds. You would have thought they found their Garden of Eden. These poor birds must have been starving. They swarmed both of the suet feeders like they had found heaven. While they were taking turns at the suet feeder, others were going and checking out some of the bluebird houses. Maybe they will be back to build.

Saturday at Last

The morning started early with a beautiful sunrise and the birds singing. The old saying of pink skies in the morning... sailors take warning is true. Skies quickly turned gray but at least it was fairly warm after the days of below freezing we had last week.

The Bluebirds were out early intently checking the various houses. First the male would go in then the female and on and on. They did this for almost 10 minutes. Maybe they will nest this spring.

Went down to my parents house this morning to see what was on the lake. A young eagle has been hanging around and I hoped to see it again. Well I didn't see the young eagle but to my surprise and delight, I saw two birds come flying in and sit in a tree on the opposite side of the lake and up a bit from where I stood. Sorry for the quality but it was just a little beyond my lense range and not the best light. They stayed for about 15 minutes. What a thrill! Great to see our national bird in the most ordinary of places.











They were watching the going on of the sea gulls. Fussing with each other over little fish. They have been fun to watch landing on the ice but after two days of warming weather, the ice is finally starting to melt. I almost expected the eagles to swoop down at any minute.

A group of Mallards were hanging around trying to stay out of the cold water it seems.

There were also a group of Mergansers in another part of the lake that is more shallow and I am sure warmer water. These are just a few of the closest. There were probably They are very skiddish however when you try to get close enough to take a good photo.

Gourmet Bird Suet Cakes

The cold and the wind today make it very uncomfortable to be out for long so I decided to undertake a project today. The suet cakes I have been feeding the birds that they seem to love come to a little over $1.50 each. Going through one in about two days is getting a little expensive
I love seeing all the variety that come so this is one of my little splurges.

I decided to check out various recipes and blended several plus added some bonus items. I had some apples and oranges a little past their prime so I diced those up really fine.

I saw a comment on one of the sites that said birds don't care about name brands so go with the least expensive no-name products to reduce cost. Made sense. So off to the store I went. I did splurge a little and got a package of mixed dried berries that included cherries, blueberries and cranberries. I cut those up very fine and added a heaping handful.

I had been stashing back the plastic trays from the commercial cakes with the idea of making some so they came in handy and made forming the cakes to fit in to the wire cage easy.

The cakes were soft so I sat the tray outside to cool since you had to melt the lard and peanut butter "extra crunchy" together before adding to the other ingredients. Not thinking the birds would bother it but within 10 minutes of putting out, I looked out the kitchen window and they had already been found. Seems to be a big hit.

Lazarus Opossum

For the last couple of months, I have been having a running battle with an opossum under the house. I had some plumbing work done and when the people left, they failed to shut the door. The entry way is under the deck so I did not notice it until Ali started staring and barking at one of the vents in the house. I could hear noises and recognized them as belonging to an opossum.

I have set a live trap off and on but never any luck. Last night when it left after dark, I crawled under the deck and closed the door. Tonight, the poor creature came back trying to get in to its nice warm protected spot.

Ali happened to go outside while it was under the deck. When I heard her barking like I never have before, I instantly knew. With flashlight in hand I went out. I was trying to call her off and get her back inside. It was a battle before I could wrangle her down and get a lead attached.

I went back outside and saw the poor creature laying under the deck. I could see a small amount of blood on one ear and was really feeling bad that Ali had hurt it yet I was also worried about it hurting her. I went back inside to get a pair of gloves and grabbed the camera. This is what I first saw. I really through it may be dead but wary because of their nature of playing dead.

I gently poked it with a stick and realized it was still alive but I did not know if it was critically wounded. I went back inside and waited about five minutes. It was slowly coming back around. Sorry for the fuzzy photo. Coldest night of the year and I was shaking, one handing the camera and one holding a flashlight.

I went back inside and waited another 10 minutes. It had crawled out from under the deck and was sitting in my flower garden area. It was a very docile creature. I started walking behind it wanting to head it away from the house and hopefully to a tree where it could get on the other side of the fence. These are a couple of the pictures. I hope the poor creature finds somewhere to go tonight. I just went back outside and walked around the yard to make sure all was clear. I then let Ali out and she did the once around the yard so hopefully that is the last of it.

I guess Monday I will have to call the vet. While Ali is current on her rabies, and though she does not appear to have been bitten, she did draw its blood. I guess a booster may be in order.

Cedar Waxwings

This afternoon I went to the library and when I came out, I noticed birds flocking to and from a line of cedar trees along the parking lot. I recognized the high pitched sound of the birds and walked over for a closer look.

Since I had planned to go to the grocery store next, I did not have the camera with me. I decided to run back to the house as it was only about 5 minutes away and came back with camera ready.

I got some amazing shots. I have never seen birds in such a feeding frenzy. I became absorbed in watching and soon others walked over to see what I was looking at. Their sighting was an unexpected pleasure today.

A Visit to the Family Home Place

It has been at least ten years since I have visited my maternal grandparents old home place. My grandmother passed back in 1996. The farm was willed to my uncle and subsquently his son. The house has sat vacant for all these years.

I always get nostalgic this time of year and since I spent many of my childhood Christmas Eve's at their house, I found myself longing to visit. Having memories of a well kept yard and home, my vision was that of a typical old country home, nothing fancy but always warm and inviting. I was not prepared for what I saw.

My heart sank at the condition of the old home place. I could not help but cry thinking I am sure my grandmothers heart would break. My aunt had talked about wanting to visit. I called her later and told her I was glad she was not with me. I think the memories she has are much better than being replaced by these. There is something very, very sad about the end of old family home.

For all of my childhood, this was an active working farm. Now most of othe land has been sold and big fine houses built all around. The whole area has completely changed.

The smoke house where hams were prepared was completely down. The wash house is barely standing. The main house was padlocked but I have decided to call my cousin and ask to go inside for one last time. I think this will help me close this chapter of my life.

There was still an old Farm All tractor with long flattened tires under one of the shelters. I managed to get the door to the wash house open and go in for a look around. Regardless that it had a dirt floor, my grandmother still use to keep everything in its place. Now items are just strown about as it looks like someone just went in an tore through everything.

A heart wrenching day. A bumper crop of pecans had almost gone to waste on the ground. I did manage to pick up a grocery bag full. The few I opened were still very good.

Right as I was getting ready to leave, in all the gray, decay and dispair, one very bright yellow bird appeared. I sort of have to wonder if my grandmother was paying a visit.