Birds on the Deck

We have had some REALLY cold temps this past weekend, 

cold by Kansas City metro standards. 

Friday and Saturday were bad driving days.  My two oldest 

grands, Chris and Nathan, were able to get here from Garnett, 

but we were held inside all day Saturday with blowing snow, 

ice and treacherous driving.  Our Yoder family Christmas was also cancelled on 

Saturday, as driving was unsafe. 

However... the birds.... have been enjoying their bounty both 

on our patio and on the back deck. 

The other day, tapping interrupted my reading of the newspaper at the kitchen table. 

I looked up to see this. 

I have seen him twice since then (red-bellied woodpecker). 

I bought peanuts for the mix at the end of last week, but no one is eating them... the 

mice are going to have a blast (and maybe stay outside!) .

Mourning doves have joined the finches, chicadees and juncoes on the deck. 

I have a heated dog bowl out there, too, and am also maintaining water on the patio. 

I'm having to take pictures through the window. 

I love the doves. 

It's hard to get the juncoes... the sun doesn't hit them and it's hard to get them on the camera. 

Sister watches Bird TV most of the day.  She turned as she heard me behind her. 

Jester 

and Lilly are going stir-crazy, we haven't been able to walk since 

Thursday.  Maybe tomorrow. 

Are you all ready for Christmas? 

Short One Tonight

Well, I have to start off mentioning American Idol's (almost) finale... since

Ryan Seacrest signed off... 

"Good night 

For now."

It's coming back, folks. 

And... 

I liked Trent, but how the HECK did he win over 

LaPorsha???  She'll have a contract before the end of the week, 

she's truly great. 

I took a few pictures today... and I'll give you an example of how 

light can work against you. 

I went to a meeting of the Zoning Comission in Tonganoxie tonight. 

I took the big lens with me. 

Here's an example of how sun can work against you. 

The sun was very bright, and I did not take time to adjust the camera's settings, so 

I pretty much ruined the picture.  That was at the Big Ditch. 

I was really surprised not to find little ducks in it. 

Here is light working with me, this morning, on our back fence. 

And here... can you see the plover? 

The farm pond is getting dangerously low.  I'm praying that we get a lot of rain soon. 

Can you see him in the water here? 

I only had the medium lens with me this morning when the dogs and I walked. 

I made a second pass with the long lens when I was doing errands, but he was gone by then. 

I loved watching them last summer. 

I know people along this road think I'm NUTS. 

I'm constantly jumping out of the car to take pictures. 

I could see something in the distance on a pond in the middle of a pasture. 

I got out of the car with the big lens and took a look... it was a flock of blue-winged teal. 

There were twice this many. 

I watched them dunking and swimming for a while.  

Another road where they think I'm nuts. 

I saw the Northern Harrier again, but it was a fly-by. 

When I got back by the little pond, look what I found! 

More teal, no plover. 

Off went one. 

I thought he was leaving... but... 

He was just joining a friend!  

Back to Work and Birds

Look what I'm doing this morning: 

Uh huh.  I just can't get anything but a blurry picture 

from my phone. 

I'm priming the trim for the old house... and tomorrow, 

I'll paint it.  All white. 

So, a little more progress. 

Keith has been busy working on the last few pieces of siding. 

He actually completed the piece in front of him... so 

now we will get Brandon back to put the two top pieces on this end, then the 

siding is finished.  

Keith will start caulking tonight... then we'll paint... then trim... 

getting ever closer! 

Our yard has become a haven for mourning doves. 

This is the top of the birdbath that fell on little Austin, 

at my friend Valerie's house, breaking her leg.  It is very heavy. 

We disposed of the plinth, and kept the top... and the birds love it. 

I clean it daily. 

We are not seeing many goldfinches, but I think that will pick up as it gets colder. 

We also are seeing few hummers now. 

I love these birds.  People make fun of them because they aren't the brightest birds in the flock... but I think they are lovely. 

Their crooning is beautiful to me. 

They get along pretty well.... even when there are ten to fourteen of them eating under the hanging feeder.  I'm going to have a good time this winter watching them! 

How 'bout those Chiefs and Royals, huh????