Backyard Birds

We have three bird feeders set up in our yard--the window feeder in the previous post with the bluebird, this box feeder, and a "Yankee Twirler" (metal bar the encircles the base of the feeder and spins when the weight of a squirrel lands on it). We get a lot of cardinals. We also have at least one pair of red-bellied woodpeckers that have produced the baby pictured here. We had been watching the mother (could it have been the father?) coming to our box feeder and carrying seeds back to the baby perched on the side of a tree. After many days of this, the baby finally ventured down to the feeder. No red spot on his head yet. Once the red feathers appear on the head, they quickly get hard to distinguish from the adult birds. Today I saw a baby downy woodpecker at our window feeder. The window feeder was filled with unshelled sunflower seeds and the downy woodpecker perched on the side of the feeder and commenced tossing out the seeds. Finally, I shooed (how do you spell "shoed"?) him away because he wasn't eating any of them. We also occasionally see a red headed woodpecker.

Turtle Pics

Here are a couple of pics of our visiting box turtle.

Images of Puerto Rico

I was inspired to post these photos because my friend possumlady is about to go to Puerto Rico. My husband and I and some friends were there for one day in January because it was a stop on our cruise. Would be nice to go back and stay longer--but in January, not July!!

Kermit

This guy is Kermit. He came with the pond, which came with the house when we bought it last year. He survived the winter, I assume hibernating in the mud at the bottom of the pond. When it started to get warm this spring, we saw him hanging out again in and by the pond. Then one day he was gone. It's been at least 6 weeks, maybe more, since we last saw him, so we assume he moved on, probably looking for a mate. So, we miss Kermit, but now we have the turtle. I found him in the pond again when I came home for work. It is incredibly hot outside and I know he needs hydration, but my fear continues to be that he can get in, but that he cannot get back out. So, I'm happy to have him take dips in the pond, but feel I must monitor him to make sure he doesn't drown or get waterlogged in there. We haven't named the turtle. Frankly, I'm hoping he moves on so that I don't have to feel responsible for his welfare.

More on Box Turtle

Oops. . .almost forgot. We saw the box turtle again tonight. This time he was in our pond, which I don't think is a good thing because our pond is above ground on one side with slate overhangs and he/she could have fallen in, but have no way to get out. Also, do they eat goldfish? Anyway, we took him out and put him on dry land again. Here's a photo of our pond. I took a photo of the turtle in the pond, but that one's still in the camera. Maybe tomorrow.

First Photo!

Okay; well here it is. . .my first photo on my blog! This is my pathetic attempt to take a photo of a bird (it's a bluebird in case you can't tell) at our window feeder. Mary, now you can see why I'm so in awe of your photos!

I've been in a whining, complaining mood all day and had plenty of things to say earlier, but now I'm just tired. Probably just as well that I didn't bore you with my trivial whining!

Sore Boobs!

Arggg. . .it's that time of month again. I can already feel my breasts getting sore and I have at least 8-10 more days to go before my period! I have PMDD--never heard of it; think PMS on steroids. I even take medication to mitigate the symptoms, but there are still 2 weeks out of every month when my whole being is compromised. As I said, Arggggg!!

Box Turtles

This evening, we discovered a box turtle on our patio. We used to have a bullfrog that lived in our pond, but then one day this spring, he hopped away looking for a mate, died at the bottom of the pond and never floated up, or got eaten by some type of large bird (he was a pretty big bullfrog!). Tonight this box turtle wandered up. We live in a suburban neighborhood on about 1/3 acre with shallow woods at the edge of our backyard and more yards on every side of us. Where did this turtle come from and why did he/she wander over here? I put a few blueberries down in front of it and he snatched them up. The dogs don't see to bother with reptiles and amphibians. If they are moving, they are interested, but if they are still, they treat them like they would a rock. Too bad I don't know how to post photos yet. Soon. . .Got to go--The Closer is starting and it's a new episode!

Act II

As the curtain rises, we find our heroine seated at the head of a Board table listening to the rising cacophony of agitated female voices. The room is getting hot and the afternoon is growning long. Those not engaged in talking are showing the wilting weariness of realization that yet another issue will go unresolved. What have we accomplished; why are we here? During Act II, one must put aside such self-indulgent questions and reconcile oneself to the work and satisfactions to be had in the time remaining. On to the task at hand. . .what will I wear to work tomorrow?!