Yard, Gardens, Birds and Critters

Heated Birdbath You Need By Mary J Williams © Writing a poem About the birdbath outside Don’t know If I can Messing it up, I can’t abide A heated birdbath You really need In the winter weather They don’t just eat seed Watching out the window Just the other day A sparrow flew in Drinking, plus stayed to play It’s 18 degrees In the water to bathe I have seen other birds In there that day It startled me plenty A few years ago When the Starlings bathed 18 degrees that day also I have to remember In this frigid weather Birdbath water is above freezing And they have to clean their feathers The squirrel even visited All other sources are frozen My water is not My water is well chosen I had to clean the birdbath It was not at all clean When the waters that way The birds barely preen I scrubbed it all out I brought it inside Standing out in the cold Couldn’t do it, I tried It’s all cleaned out Fresh water is in At least 6 birds already here  Which really made me grin Snow-cold and Starling...

 I was standing on my deck, looking out and saw some red dots.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  I have a Winterberry bush/tree and have never seen it bloom and there it was with red berries all over it.  I was thrilled. I went and got my camera and took a picture from the deck.  Even with my zoom, it wasn't a terrific picture as the camera was trying to focus on the the branches of a tree that was much closer.  I finally went down the deck steps and made my way to the back fence.  I took a couple of pictures of the Winterberry and then noticed something else that also had the red berries.  I didn't know what it was, but I should have.  I have an app on my phone and used it for the identification of the unknown berry.  It was the berries of the Amur Honeysuckle. The Honeysuckle that is so invasive.  I have pulled it out every year I have lived in this house. Over 30 years now.  It's a losing battle. The birds sure like them. As I w...

 About ten days ago, I quit feeding the birds on the deck. Had to get the deck power washed, dried out and then a sealer applied.  It's been well over a year since the deck was built and I was tired of waiting on the guy who built it.  My son, Chris, took the task on with the help of his son. Every thing was removed from the deck. The railings, floor and the spindles have since been sprayed with the sealer. Dried for a couple of days and yesterday, grandson brought all the things back that were on the deck. Missed a couple of items, but I took care of them today, along with filling the feeders and the birdbath. Of course, I wrote a poem! Finally, the Birds are Back By Mary J Williams © This morning the seed is back Where is the Chickadee? The water is on the deck now But no birds do I see I did work on the seed Had to get rid of mixed nuts They were wet and moldy Aren’t fit for birds, no buts! I watched out the window At my kitchen sink Making soup for supper No birds, do...

Cooking Entertainment By Mary J Williams I am cooking supper It’s really hard to do Watching all the antics The birds are going through The Red-bellied Woodpecker Is like the boss of all Even the Blue Jay stays away He won’t start a brawl The Hairy Woodpecker Is a little bolder He pecks at the seed From under the holder Red-bellied didn’t seem to care He was eating all he wanted The Hairy was eating too And wasn’t even daunted After a little while The Downy’s flew in There were three of them I don’t think they were kin They moved from place to place Trying to get close to the seed Finally, the Red-bellied left And they began to feed The Red-bellied Juvie was first On the scene Then came the mom With dad in between The Downy’s would wait Until they would leave Hoping they would stay gone They wanted some seed. The Titmouse was there But to the other feeder it went As did the House Finch And sparrows with no argument Fun times at the window But sure, is hard to cook When the birds are en...

 When I am standing, at the kitchen window, I look out and usually see a bird of some kind. Today was no exception. I was just going to finish up getting some supper for my husband, when I looked out and saw a Northern Mockingbird. This has been an experience this year. I usually don't see them on my deck. I hear them a lot, I see them in flight, when I am driving down the street, but to look out, and see them on my deck eating some seed and even dipping into the grape jelly, that is what I call a Blessing.  Not only that, there isn't just one, but two of them! It's a pair!  I am so thrilled! I have seen both of them twice on the deck now. I dropped what I was doing, dinner can wait. Raced to the back room and grabbed my camera. Nope, they weren't there when I got back. I have noticed something I hadn't noticed before. When one flew in, that tail of his was up in the air. Reminded me of the Carolina Wren. After a short time, the tail went down, but later I saw it up...

Birds and the Bees and Me By Mary J Williams (c) What do I love Looking outside Watching the birds Eat food I provide So many birds What do I see There is the Tufted Titmouse And the Black-capped Chickadee The Cardinal flew in To take a drink Many do the same Bluebirds too, I think Yes, there he is The Bluebird just flew in Not for the food, but water Busy they have been It’s nesting time now No insecticides for me The birds need the protein From the bugs you see The Robin digs down Eating caterpillars or slugs Please don’t kill them Don’t kill the bugs If you spray your flowers What will the bees do Visit the flowers for pollen And die because of the brew We have to protect As much as we can The birds eat lots of bugs Insecticides I ban Robin and Cardinal Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Bathing Bluebird waiting his turn for food The Bee

Conversations By Mary J Williams © I get up in the morning Go out on the deck Jelly dishes in hand Not gonna’ drop a speck Put the dishes in the holder Grab nuts feeder next Put it on the deck Fill to the top, others to check Put out the circle of seed One bird I know loves it It’s the little chickadees They eat quite a bit There is a bird Up in the tree I swear it is cussing And he is doing it to me I tell him I’m filling the feeders Who do you think does that? You just have to have patience Or come to the deck for a chat I look down and there is a honeybee Already going after the grape jelly I just put those dishes out There is enough for your belly I sprinkle some water on flowers And as I am standing there A Downy Woodpecker flies to a feeder He doesn’t even care He talked to me a bit Then got to eating First on the nuts After our little greeting Well, guess who just flew in? It was the mouthy bird A Red-bellied Woodpecker So, I gave him a few choice words I told you I wouldn’t hur...

My Little Chickadees By Mary J Williams © I love my little Chickadees They are so very sweet They watch from the tree Waiting for their treat. As soon as the seed is hung And I am back inside The chickadee flies in From the place he did hide I am standing at my window Watching with a grin As the Chickadee is busy The eating did begin Take a seed, fly to a perch His head going up and down Beating that tiny seed The shell falls to the ground If you wonder at all It takes quite a few Of those little seeds For them to live, it’s true I read in mild winters For them to survive At least 150 sunflower seeds In one day or they die. I am glad I can help them It’s what I want to do My little Chickadees I love you!

  The Chickadee By Mary J Williams © In and out That is how That Chickadee Flies about Flies to the feeder Grabs a seed Off to a perch And then it will feed Black-capped or Carolina I can’t tell them apart Maybe some experts can tell But I am not that smart I love how they talk When I am filling the seed They give me some grief Until they can feed I love to watch As they fly to and fro To one perch then to another They put on a great show They move so fast Rarely sit still Hard to get a picture But one day I will They do stop to drink The birdbath’s right there They might even bathe They do it with flare Watching the Chickadee Is a wonderful thing It’s a Blessing they are The feelings they bring