Wild Kingdom

It's not news that we've had lots of snow here in the East and it's been hanging around for a long time because of the low temps.  Last week I threw some stale bread out for the birds and it was gone in minutes. So I threw out more...gone in a flash. They must be starving after this winter. I've never actually bought seed and put it out for them because the truth is I never thought of it.  Figuring that most of the birds head south for the winter I assumed they weren't around except for the crows that are usually feasting on roadkill. To make a long story shorter while I was in Agway picking up dog food they had wild bird seed on sale so I grabbed a few bags.  Here's the results:

The birds came first

The squirrels showed up next

Then came the fox

 The fox is not interested in the bird seed.  His game is to sneak up on the birds and squirrels and see if he can snag a hot lunch or dinner.  So far, the birds and squirrels just know he's there and take off before a disaster happens.  Mr. Foxy isn't as sly as he thinks he is even if he does peek around the back of the garage wall first and then take a flying run at his potential food. 

And finally we have the deer

So you tell two friends and I'll tell two friends...

The quality of the pictures are not great because I took them through the kitchen window with my iPhone.  Luckily, the snow is gradually melting with some days of warmer temps so I won't have to put out feed anymore and they're back to being on their own as soon as I finish up the seed. 

Until next time

 

The Invasion

For the past week or so black birds have invaded us.  As you can see from the not so great photos taken on an iPhone during a snow flurry from a moving car there is quite a flock of them.  They have been swarming around the farm, the front and back yards, the neighboring fields and in general making a nuisance of themselves. It’s eerily reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds”.  I wonder if there is something to do with our changing climate or if they are just migrating to somewhere else.  If they’re on their way to another part of the country I wish they would just go.  I’m not opposed to birds but having a flock of this size can only leave a lot of bird poop and I’m worried if any are carrying diseases that can be transmitted to the horses?  I suppose on the upside they may be eating lots of bugs or perhaps mosquito and fly larvae.  That might be their only saving grace.

Until next time

Quote for Today

“Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye,

Four and twenty blackbirds, baked in a pie”
- An old nursery rhyme-