Yard, Gardens, Birds and Critters

It’s Nice Outside By Mary J Williams © I thought about the birds Stepped outside the door The sun was shining brightly Which I just adore! I knew I had washing So went down the stairs Transferred wash to the dryer I know you don’t care! I looked at the floor I need to sweep just a bit Went to get the broom My brain did a flip Feed the birds first Seeing as they have none They need some food Get that chore done The can that holds All the sunflower seed The bungee cord is broken A squirrel probably did the deed The cord held the lid down This has happened before Racoons and squirrels chew it Not going to get the lid off no more I finally found one in the basement That would fit like the old one Now that the birds are fed I found another thing to get done Blew the leaves out of the garage Out from the corner of the door Blew them across the driveway Where I will let them store Pick them up in spring After the birds dig through them Finding all the bugs, worms, and insects Among the rottin...

 I have already wrote several poems but none really fit in this blog. I watch the birds daily. They empty a bird feeder that I have on the deck, every day. It's not a real small feeder either.  I will see if I can find a picture of it. It's one that the squirrels can't invade. The openings close up when they try and get the seed.  However, the feeder is close to the 2x6 on the deck. I have seen them reach and put no weight on the feeder and grab a bite.  One squirrel hung from the top and reached in. If there is a will, they find a way! So, I saw a squirrel out there. Maybe the birds didn't eat it all! Who knows Today, the 12th of January, I was attempting to cook a supper and noticed a Mockingbird on the hot seed.  Looked so pretty as it was all fluffed out because of the bitter cold and wind.  It was around 16°F at that time. It's colder now. My battery in my camera died. Yes, I do use a camera, not just a phone!  I switched to a fully charged batter...

 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...

The Savior of Three By Mary J Williams © I let the dogs out And there was another Laying in the cage guard It wasn’t the others mother It was really kind of small Another sparrow for sure Why are they getting caught What would be the cure Don’t put more seed out Is the only thing I can think of Then they won’t fight And push and shove I think that is what happens They are all a little bit greedy Everyone wants the most Some are really speedy This little one didn’t stand a chance A smaller one for sure Its whole body was caught The trampling it couldn’t endure I am out to the rescue Unclenched the little feet Pulled him through the cage In my hands was kind of neat Got him pulled out backwards If you can believe such a thing I laid him in the flowers And off he flew on the wing I am not looking out the window At least no more tonight I sure hope another doesn’t get caught Death would be its plight 8-21-2023 this isn't the feeder but sparrows at the seed arguing all the time while th...

Two In One Day By Mary J Williams © I don’t believe it At the kitchen sink Just going to eat supper And what do you think? There was a sparrow Hanging upside down Hanging from the squirrel guard Now what? I say with a frown I go out on the deck All the sparrows that were bathing Took off for parts unknown Leaving their buddy hanging The guard is screwed together Up at the top is a small space The sparrow got his foot caught And it slid to the smaller place Put my hand around the bird Trying to keep him steady I took the little foot And asked it if it was ready I pulled the guard for more space Then worked the foot to the top I slid the foot out it’s free The bird I set in the flower pot The second it hit the flowers The bird took off in flight I guess he is okay Just had a very big fright This better not happen again Lucky, it might not be I may not be around To be the savior of three No new picture for this one An old one will do No time to grab a camera Just time to save the two 8-2...

I was a Savior By Mary J Williams © I glanced out my window Saw the birds at the feeder Looked out again Don’t think that one is a leader! Hanging upside down What is wrong with that bird Went to get the camera It looks really absurd! Still hanging in there So, a couple of pictures I took Now out on the deck To get a closer look The bird didn’t fly When I got really close He fluttered his wings Told him to settle-here goes One hand was by his head Other hand moving to his foot I gently moved it a little Trying to get him unhooked Slid it down a bit To the wider part The sparrow knew he was free Flew off like a dart I was a savior today It was a small feat But I saved that little sparrow That was hanging in the heat 8-21-2023 As seen from my kitchen window Poor little sparrow's foot is caught  

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...

Bird Brawl By Mary J Williams European Starlings Are really a pain They think they own the feeder But they don’t use their brain Jump on the feeder Stick there beak in the hole Pull out a nut Drop it like hot coal Pick out another Don’t eat that one either Grab another one Don’t take a breather In flies the Woodpecker The Red-bellied one He hates the Starlings waste He is going to see they get none  It’s beak versus beak One higher one low Move around the feeder Finally, the Starling goes Only trouble is Red-bellied just takes one Flies off to feed Starling’s back, because he is gone Sometimes the Red-bellied stays Fills up his beak with more than one The Starlings wait around Because he knows he will soon be done Lots of bird brawls on the feeders Many little birds need to eat Some sit quietly waiting you see No fight for them in this heat! Both birds will be back They will have a brawl One will leave and wait The other will get a haul! Red-bellied Woodpecker      ...

Who’s the Boss? By Mary J Williams © Standing at the window Watching the birds fly in Eating on the seed It gives me quite a grin First the Red-bellied Woodpecker He is really the boss A Blue Jay flew in Woodpecker says, “get lost!” Then there was a Starling Some beaks were like swords Red-bellied won that round He gets the award Finally, he left the seed Blue Jay came flying in The Starlings thought to try Blue Jay says I will let you know when The sparrows are gathering Around the area too Just waiting for a chance Because Blue Jay drops a few When Blue Jay left The Chickadee arrived then He doesn’t take very long One bite and give over to the wren But alas the sparrows Are in a large group It’s our turn now Go wait on that stoop Loved the beak fights Between the two Starling and the Woodpecker Then the Starling flew I laughed to see those bossy Starlings Get a little taste Of the type of actions, they dish out And never had to face! 

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

 This morning, December 22, 2022, a storm was to come in. We, here in Jefferson City, MO, are under a winter storm warning until Friday at 12 a.m. I have been watching closely and even checked the National Weather's radar.  The storm was West of us a little after 7:00 a.m.  Our temperature, at that time, was 26°F.  I was standing at the sink and looking out the kitchen window, when I noticed the water was very low in the heated birdbath.  I filled up my tea kettle and walked out on the deck. I noticed my feet were crunching on the deck floor.  I felt a mist in the air. The crunch was like a frozen mist. Not slick like ice! I was very careful though!  I went and finished my breakfast and was going to get a fresh cup of coffee and wash out the cereal bowl as soon as Lacy got all the lickings.  I saw the Starlings on the suet block and a lone Downy trying to "wait it out" to get her share of the suet.  I had to help! I opened the back door and t...

Starlings By Mary J Williams I looked out my window Starlings galore I am sorry Starlings I don’t want to see you no more Walked out the door The Starlings did fly Up to the treetop And that is no lie I counted them As best as I could They were flying in and out As only birds should I finally took a picture To get a semi accurate count Twenty-five in one picture Thirty-four, too many about As I was looking, Out the window again I saw some flying down To get the feeders to drain I walked out the door And gave a big yell! Get out of here birds On feeders you won’t dwell I know, I have heard it before They have to eat too Put out some seed and I will send them to you! 34 17 25       

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...

 Sometimes you get busy and you know there is something you are supposed to do but you put it off. Last night was one of those nights! I bring in the sunflower seed and the nut mixture feeder and put the water wiggler on the deck floor stuck in a corner where, hopefully, the raccoons will leave it alone.  I really did "think" about moving all the feeders around 7:40 p.m., but then, my second thought was, the birds still are feeding, well some were, so I left them out.  I was doing a project of typing up all my mom's recipe stash into my cookbook on the computer.  Of course, the time flies by! After finally finishing that, I decided to play a game and check some of my friends pages and a multitude of other tasks I enjoy doing on the computer.  It got way late. It was almost 11 p.m. when it dawned on me that I didn't bring in my two feeders.  Would you believe I took my camera with me. No, I didn't do that. Went to the door, turned on the light and there she ...

 I have a fairly large deck. In fact it's a brand new one as the other was getting old and ready to fall down.  We have one of those Ranch styled homes where the back of it is the basement due to the hill it was built on. Front is not quite level with the street but we have a flat front yard after three steps. Maybe I should plop in a picture here, so you know what it really looks like.   Okay, here is where the deck is being built   My steps are basically where that opening is where you see the fence and the neighbors.  Okay, now you know what it sort of looks like.   My back door from the kitchen is up on the left. You can barely see my kitchen window.  At night I don't see too much out that window. I have this green light blub for the deck. I think we put that in one year for Christmas decorations and never changed it up and it doesn't die!  So not lots of light. Why am I yammering about all this? Because I want you to "see" as w...

Critter Strikes Again By Mary J Williams © I got up this morning Headed for the door Opened it up And said “Forever more” There laid the wiggler Over on its side Wiggle part missing I heaved a big sigh Walked to the bird bath The twirler part there Little rubber discs gone Thank goodness I have a spare I looked for the rest of the pieces They were nowhere to be found They might have fallen off the deck And are laying on the ground Nope, not going to look I’ll just get my spare in the house I am so aggravated That critter is a louse! I think it’s a raccoon I need to make him scram Gotta make sure Need to set up the trail cam Not only about the wiggler But birdfeeder too Moved the whole thing What to do, what to do? the bar that usually has the rubber discs  on a little plastic piece that holds them The big feeder with sunflower seeds lots of the seed gone and feeder way over the deck banister Where the feeders are supposed to be  

 I have a morning routine!  I get up and turn on the warmer burner on the stove and pour water in my Bunn Coffee Maker for Hubby's coffee. Then it's out on the deck to check the bird feeders and the water. This morning I looked out and noticed the grape jelly was gone, so I grabbed it from the refrigerator and a spoon, then out on the deck.  I filled the little dishes with some jelly. I noticed the sunflower seed level was pretty low and thought I had better bring some up to the feeder.  I don't fill it to the top anymore as it's the heaviest bird feeder ever. It is cool looking but the weight, with it completely full, bends the hook it's on and the squirrel already has added extra weight to it!  The Water Wiggler has been on the deck in my heated birdbath for many years.  The raccoon, evidently, doesn't like it at all. Not only has the wiggler been pushed out of the birdbath and broken, but this morning, I found the wiggler pushed to the side of the birdba...

 I know I have moaned and complained about the squirrels eating my birdseed. About purchasing feeders that were supposed to stop the squirrels.  Most of you probably have watched the YouTube videos of how blasted smart the squirrels are and how they figure out all these "squirrel buster" designs. Yep, I thought I had one too.  I even took the suggestion of putting the safflower seed in as that is the very least favorite of the squirrels, or so "they" say! My feeder is the kind that if a heavier bird even, sits on the bar, the weight brings the bar down and the seed is covered up.  This worked pretty well for a little while. Until that beady little squirrel brain figured out what to do. While the squirrel was working on his problem, the raccoon had no problem, he just lifted up the roof, where you fill it and helped himself. To eliminated this, I moved the feeder over in front of a 2 x 4 and then he couldn't lift the back of it. Awe, too bad. He didn't like t...