All About the Bird Seed

I have shown you before, but this is the bird seed we swear by. 

Valley Feeds, in Bonner Springs, Kansas, mixes all their 

own feed, whether for livestock or for wild birds.  I used their 

chicken feeds, solely. 

This was the barrel in the garage as it stood on Thursday. 

I ran to Valley with the dogs after we walked. 

"Running" is ten miles going, and ten coming, (laugh). 

There are many places much closer where I could go. 

So...

This is the economy bird seed, at 11.99 per 40 pounds. 

I used to use only Backyard Blend, out at the farm. 

My goodness... the birds did not care, and I did not realize it! 

I mix 25 pounds of black oil sunflower...

And then...

Backyard Blend, which has peanut halves, striped sunflower, some safflower, and 

little seeds. 

They have an additional mix "Gourmet Mix" which I will feed

after winter, as crazy as that sounds. 

I mixed 20 pounds of Backyard, 40 lbs of wild bird seed, and 

25 pounds of black oil. 

I still needed to stir some more here, but I filled the can right up. 

Someone was observing all this; he does not like to go in the garage. 

The birds are not the only ones to appreciate the bounty. 

(hispid cotton rat) 

After seeing this little guy struggling to drink, I put a clay plant 

saucer out there for them to get their water.  

I have had to refill with warm water four times today, it's so cold out. 

Crazily... it's going to be in the 50's to 70's this week! 

My gaze was just distracted, and two crows just flew off 

the patio.  

Two days ago, I opened the patio door and the Coopers Hawk flew 

from the retaining wall.  No camera in my hand, sadly. 

So many beautiful birds: 

and one disgruntled girl because we are NOT walking in the cold today: 

One more day til the warmth and sun come back! 

Almost Valentines! 

Shopping Local and More Cold

Yesterday, I told you about eating at the new 

little cafeteria in Basehor, with my cousins. 

Here it is: 

Oh, wait... that's the counter and our charming waitress and 

the owner. 

It's small, but the food is good! 

Perky's!  It even has a cute name! 

Keith and I always like to shop or eat locally, if we can, so, 

after breakfast, we made another trip to Bonner Springs. 

Here's Marty Stubbs from Valley Feed in Bonner, where I have 

bought my feed for almost 20 years now, 10 at the old place, and 

before that, at the first Calamity Acres. They mix their own livestock

feeds, and I highly recommend them.  Marty is also a serious bird 

lover, so she carries lots of different blends for feeding the wildings. She also 

carries locally produced honey, soaps, and gift items. 

Here's Kyle and Ringo, the shop dog.  Kyle can help you with just about anything, and she is a talented artist, as well... she does all the chalkboards there. 

It's a pleasure to shop somewhere where the people do everything 

they can to help you. 

And the big smile says it all! 

It wasn't all eating and visiting today. 

We walked... since the weather is falling tonight, we walked while it was still 30 out. 

Keith got there just as we were completing our first round around the old park, he got the idea 

while he was doing an errand, and called me... I told him we were already at the park. 

Great minds think alike! 

Mouse tracks! 

And mentioning mice... I have killed so many with the Tomcat traps that 

I am taking a break tonight, I can't deal with any dead bodies tomorrow morning, and yes, I know 

I'm a wimp. 

She was RARING to go, I mean RARING. 

I hope they got it out of their systems today, because we are not going out 

on the ice tomorrow. 

When we got home, I went downstairs to put more seed out... 

and while I was spreading it, I noticed this: 

Yes, there was quite a gathering. 

I couldn't think why they weren't coming right down... I had stepped inside the door to 

try to get a few pictures... when all of the sudden, the Coopers hawk flew right through the yard and into the tree in front of our neighbor's yard. 

No wonder they were waiting! 

He didn't stay long, and then everyone came down to eat. 

Tomorrow they will have a good mix of fresh seeds. 

Jes was NOT interested in walking the second time today.  He came though, because he's a good little sport.  He had literally almost fallen asleep as we waited for Keith in the warm car. 

Any of you in the path of the storm bearing down on the East coast, we're praying for your safety and well-being! 

Beautiful October

I had lunch with Friend Jill today, and we had SUCH a good time talking. 

It's so good to see friends, and have a one-on-one. 

Yes, we dished. 

Then, I ran to the feed store. 

It is all dressed up for fall... doesn't Marti, the owners wife, do a good job?  Crows are looking out of those cornstalks... and Neil was not able to keep cornstalks in stock! 

Yes, they mill their own feeds there, right in Bonner Springs, Ks. 

I got four bales of straw, and a fifty pound bag of bird seed. 

I went down a grade in birdseed, because I realize the sparrows and 

doves are not touching the peanuts and safflower and some of the other goodies. 

The less-expensive blend will satisfy them.  I did look at hummingbird feeders too... I am going to increase them next year. 

Four bales of straw will just fit in the HHR.  Anthony, the hardest working kid in Wyandotte County, knows how to load.  I need to get a picture of him the next time I am there. 

(Straw is at 7.00 a bale, in this time of abundance... too high!) 

Look at the gorgeous milo along Evans Road in Leavenworth County, on 

my way to the old place. 

Isn't it beautiful!  

This is really corn and bean country... but I love that some farmers are still planting milo... 

my uncle always planted some milo and some sorghum. 

And here's some of that corn waiting to be harvested.  When I was 

a little girl, I often read a story about the witches at Halloween, who made the cornstalks come alive and dance around their fire.  I always think of that this time of year.  

Five years ago, I found this very book in a book sale and bought it! 

Everywhere you see bits of green in this bed, I tried to dig it out. 

The dirt is glorious... a combination of paper, dirt (good dirt brought in) and 

straw that has composted from last year.  I never got this bed planted, remember. 

Here is the bed, and four bales of straw was just about right.  I laid it on 

thickly. 

Clearing the weeds out has helped the perennials so much. 

The mondarda "Jacob Cline" is really expanding! 

And can you see the new growth on my white lilac that was so buried in weeds this summer 

you couldn't even see it???

I am so happy about this, I have raised it from a six inch tall plant. 

I went over to the backside of the north bed... it is the only bed I haven't touched. 

Look what I found on the second spadeful! 

I dug out a little of it... and then stopped for the day. 

We are to have rain the next few days, and next week, the dogs and I will 

go back out and I'll get busy in this bed and get it all finished. 

I could go on and on, but, as Keith reminded me.... we are renting it... so I won't. 

I am going to sprinkle wildflowers in this bed. 

(Thank you, Jill, for the idea!) 

I saw only two small butterflies today... none of the larger ones, though I did see some bumblebees working on the buddleia. 

There were plenty of these guys. 

As I started out the gate, I took this picture: 

The trees are beginning to turn!  

I can't wait to take some pictures in the next two weeks, while the color is good. 

Now... I am changed and have to start priming the next set of trim! 

Isn't October wonderful?