Yard, Gardens, Birds and Critters

Pine Siskins By Mary J Williams I went to Birds-I-View Just the other day Bought more seed Steve had lots to say Talked about the birds He has seen outside Also, birds he heard But continue to hide Talked about a bird He hasn’t seen yet The little Pine Siskin It won’t be long I bet A dream came up While sleeping in my bed About the Pine Siskin Outside, just ahead Fliting in some vines Hanging from a tree I wanted to take a picture But they saw me They flew away quick As I turned to go inside Hopefully I got my camera But they were gone, I cried. Steve is really lucky I was going to give him a call No phone number for home And no birds at all It was one of my dreams That are so very real I had to write this down A poem to seal the deal 12-4-2024

At My Kitchen Sink By Mary J Williams © Standing at my kitchen sink Trying to fix supper I look out and see a squirrel And then I start to sputter I can’t believe it It can’t be true The squirrel eating My Christmas cactus I grew He is holding a piece I can see him eating I run to get my camera Proof is what I will be needing There I have a picture I just can’t believe it Eating Christmas Cactus I wish the heck he’d quit Now I’m watching Bluebirds In the birdbath, bathing It is a Juvenile It really is amazing Then the one starts to preen On his chest, tail feathers and wings All of that then flies down again Into the water he flings Wait, the squirrel is back Rose Moss flowers to eat No wonder I don’t have flowers The rose moss is his next treat I can’t believe all that is going on I see an orange bird across from me No picture, as he flew Just as soon as I could see Juvenile Bluebirds Three of them I see I am out on the deck now The neighbor’s feeder across from me One more bird to ad...

It’s Been Awhile By Mary J Williams © No poems lately What can I say Not even a story Has come your way It’s that time of year Gardening takes up time Plus, there are good movies I watch on Prime I have had critters galore I put out oranges and jelly For the Orioles that stop by Squirrels ate it all filling up their bellies Put safflower seed out too Squirrels aren’t supposed to like it Guess they didn’t read that info As they ate it all, not just a little bit Moles were tunneling everywhere Cicadas were making their noise Chipmunks running all over And Deer eating my rose Made a new spot In the front yard, you see So, I could plant daylilies For everyone and me I even have crocheted Baby blankets given away I love doing that I don’t make them pay I have cooked different things To try and tempt Jim However, he doesn’t eat it Sometimes no pleasing him My flowers are looking great Have pollinators about Butterflies and bees I’m doing good, I have no doubt       6-...

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 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...

Winter-the Yard, Birds and Critters and Me by Mary J Williams It's sort of winter but the weather is mild You can be outside Which makes me smile Weeds were pulled and I planted a seed one was a tree If it grows, it will surprise me I have had fun watching the birds an argument between bluebirds and the Robins I've heard Chickadees flying in and the Titmouse too I grab the camera Then off they flew I have a flowerbox sits on the rail It's on the two by six so falling will fail It also can sit on a two by four but mine just has the space The birds walk through the tunnel and disappear without a trace One time, while filling the feeders One of the tunnels had a bird A sparrow was in there  He ran so fast, he was blurred I love watching them  they think the tunnels fun Maybe they get cool If there's a lot of sun. I have to wash the deck  to try and keep it clean with bird seed and poop Dog pee I mean When it's cold outside Or very early morn The dogs do their business...

 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...

My Hummingbird Story By Mary J Williams © I’ve waited from spring And into the summer I wanted a picture of A small little hummer! Today I was out Spraying water around Pulling squash bugs off pumpkins And throwing them to the ground Right in front of me A humming bird flew I actually had my camera Hopefully a picture or two On the dianthus Bright red is the color Darting from one And then to another I clicked away Hoping for a good one He flew away I thought I was done I watched where he flew The crepe myrtle was there He landed in the branches I was so happy, I swear! She moved just a bit Just as I started to focus her in I snapped a picture And then did so again I think I got her She looked so cute Pretty sure it’s a female You might dispute I am just happy I was out there right then And grabbed a few pictures My face is all grins!                                            ...

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...