Apples Oranges or Grapes?

Lots of action at the feeders... so here goes.

Mr. Blue Jay who found out what I said on my last
post about him being disliked and a hog at the feeder
has decided to talk to us... Let's listen in.

Well! Now what has this woman put out here for
me? Orange is one of favorites but I prefer it in
corn, not fruit...

And, what the heck is this over here? Apples?
No thanks to both of them

eeny meeny miny mo!

catch a grape by it's toe.
Hey! These things are attached to each other!

OK now I have one...Now what?

Hey Big Blue ! Let me give you a couple lessons.. listen up

Oranges are yummy... just stick in your beak and get the juice

or you can pull out the fruit like this..

It's all good either way...

I personally like to 'spear' my grapes and take them
somewhere else to eat.

Watch! I'll show you again.

Mr. Bushy Tail wants to give his expertise on the subject.

I do love apples when Jalynn cuts them bite sized for me

But, I must confess I also love grapes.. why else would I
come out in this snow and ice for some? Hey! How do you like
my new eyeliner? I think the white compliments my fur

Ahhh yes! a grape...

mmmmmm . Makes me forget I'm sitting out in the freezing cold

I hope you enjoyed my backyard friends... They love
to talk about what I dish up for them.

To God be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done

Birds We Love to Hate...

And the reasons behind it.

I don't think a true - dyed in the wool - BIRDWATCHER
would readily admit hating a 'bird' but the truth of the
matter is there are certain species we dislike a LOT!

First and foremost would be the House Sparrow.

I took these pictures one sunny day through the
lattice of the front porch at work. I liked the birds
sitting in the Holly berry bushes.

A little history here will help us understand where these
birds came from in the first place.
The House Sparrow (8 pairs) was introduced into Brooklyn, NY
in 1851. By 1900 they had migrated to the Rocky Mtns.
Population in the west was aided by additional
introductions in San Fran. CA
and Salt Lake City.

They are of Eurasian origin and were brought to N. Am.
to eat pests that harm crops, but turned out to be mostly
vegetarian.They are not closely related to N. Am Sparrows
but belong to 'Old World Sparrows' or 'Weaver Finches'.

They are hated because they will take over nest boxes
belonging to Bluebirds and other beloved songbirds.

If you have the heart for it...they are permitted to
be removed in various ways from your yard.
In the right setting they can be just as attractive
as the next....

Probably the second most hated bird is the European
Starling! When I come home from work and hear a rather
loud roar from the backyard and see a tree that looks
like this... I know the feeders are or will soon be empty.
They are ravenous and their hearty appetite
will certainly wipe you out in a short time.

Their origin: Europe.

40 pairs were released in N.Y. Central

Park in 1890 by Eugene Schieffelin, a German immigrant who
wanted to honour his homeland. He attempted to release every
species of bird mentioned in Shakespeare's plays. By 1959
the Starling had reached the Pacific coast. In 2002 the
population was 200 million.

While in NJ earlier in the winter I took these photos
of Starlings seeking warmth where heat is released
on top of a building.

These birds too can be eliminated from your yard if you
so desire to do it.


Another much prettier bird has also gotten the rap
for being a 'hog' at the feeders and will throw
your seeds out and chase away other birds..
The Blue Jay.

They are aggressive and noisy and because they
drive other birds away some people dislike them at
their feeders.

But flip side to that would their ability to sound the

alarm when a predator (hawk) lands nearby,
thus, protecting all the song birds.


The next bird that some will discourage from their yards
is the House Wren. As beautiful as he looks here
in the nest box... he has qualities that are not endearing.

The suburban-loving little brown bird often takes
over all the birdhouses in its general vicinity,
keeping all other species from using them.

An innocent he is NOT...
The House Wren will puncture eggs
of other species nesting in nest boxes.
I encourage my wrens as I do not have bluebirds
or other birds nesting in my yard.

Sorry Shelley and 'Bob' but I have to bring this up.
Some people do not like the pretty Mourning Doves
because they will not only drink from your water
bowl.....

but yes! poop in it.

bathe in it......

And just generally sit in it and not let others birds
in to drink. They also will roost in your gutters,
your porch rafters, and make quite a big
mess when they have young.
Don't worry Shelley, I love my Doves!!
Bob's relatives are welcome here.

Last by not least we in the Northeast learned that
these cute little birds that visited for the first time

became a nuisance before too long.
You've but to look at these pictures to see why. They
are super aggressive and will chase away other birds
from the feeders.
No bird seems to be seen as a threat

When you see the beauty of that yellow under wing
you know a skirmish is on.

Get out! Get out! the Siskin says. This is MY feeder.

In all things of Nature there is something
of the marvelous....Arisotle

If we look...
we can find beauty right there among the things we dislike the most.

To God be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done.

Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY .....

FROM MY BACKYARD
TO YOURS!

To God be the Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done.

The Beauty of Pennsylvania Farmlands

There is a wonderful joy in leaving behind the noisy

city streets and starting out along the white road that
leads across the hills. With each breath of the sharp,
reviving air one seems to inhale new life.
Frances Theodora Parsons

A couple week- ends ago when there was still snow on the
ground, I took a long drive in search of birds, and found none.
But....what I did find was the beautiful PA country-scape which
I absolutely love. I know you will want to see it with me,so
jump in the car and buckle up....we're going for another ride.

Big Open Farmlands.. far away or

Close up... Red Barns.. or

white ones.. I love them all the same

Gently rolling corn fields with the mountain background

They call this "God's Country" and if you look you will
see the signs... There are many, usually tacked onto
the side of a barn...

If you click on this one you will see JESUS may come Today,

but look closer and in shadow you will also see 'Tonight'.
I had not seen the word 'tonight' until I took a picture
and clicked on it.

This barn simply has a scripture "John 3:16"
For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son.

Speaking of signs: Isn't this a strange one?
Bolts by the pound? This is a Mennonite/Amish
community so I figure they need a lot of bolts
for buggies, wagons, and farming equipment.

I pass by a field with those rolled hay bales...

And several farms that house horses

Not only horses but a few sheep as well

As I swing back into a small town I pass an old feed mill

Next to it was an "Olde Mill Store"

I can only imagine the neat things they sold in here.

As I head back out of town another red barn fills my lens

I'm following a creek that is snow covered but
in places the water is running free and I had
to stop and take a few shots of it....

So serene... so calm..

There is something about a scene like this, that just soothes
the soul and says 'God's creation"

A single cow watches as I pass by

What is it about these running wooden fences that makes
you want to stop and get the picture?

As I get back to the farmlands....I see two Amish girls
with their bicycles

I had to be quick to get the girls and a short distance
ahead the buggy and horse trotting along

I passed and went up the road, parked in a church lot and
waited for the next couple shots...

I liked this one with the silo slightly visible beyond
the cornfields and the bare trees framing the horse and buggy

As I'm leaving I see an inviting sight. Two Rocking
chairs invite you to come sit a spell... We'll talk about
our day and rock away our cares.

Or maybe we can sit in these wicker chairs...
Your choice. Next time we go out for a drive.

To God be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done