Last Day with Blindy

Morgan spent her last day with the little sick Goldfinch on Saturday. We didn't know it would be his last day. We even called our sweet neighbor Krista to see if she had a birdcage we could keep the little guy in for safety until he passed. We could tell the end was near.

But until then Morgan and Daisy Lu made sure Blindy had his sunflower seeds and plenty of water to drink.Yes Daisy, you have to be good around this little fellow.Promise you won't hurt him......deal.Speak softly.Tell stories.Show some lovin.A little sniffin.......but he's not that crispy chicken Daisy loves.Sunday morning Blindy was on the feeder. Morgan was to put him in his cage with food and water but when she went outside he was gone and did not return.

We will miss him.

Spring Days

The Columbine are blooming. Color in my yard.

Crepe Myrtle in the foreground, Japanese Maple in the middle and Cherry in the rear.My realtor Linda gave me this sweet pink Columbine last year when I saw our house for the first time.The dragonflies are making their appearance. This Common Whitetail female is on the edge of the woods.

Where the little wild clover belongs.This might be a blueberry but since I never paid attention to blueberries, during the few times I've picked them, I could be wrong.We put a Martin house in the field by the road. I've seen Martins flying above the house but not seen any takers here yet. There is a pair of Bluebirds checking it out though.Sadly, I've noticed a couple finches with the eye disease that can weed out the weak.

Most of my finches are no longer here and the few that have the disease are struggling for food and water.

You are not necessarily supposed to feed them but I haven't the heart to take away their only place for comfort.

Morgan has made friends with this little one.I've read that there is no known jump to humans with this disease, and they don't treat it because it might make the disease more resilient."No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted"

Aesop

Rocky and Friends and Family....

It was another beautiful day in northern Alabama, temps in the 50's and nary a cloud in the sky.

It was time to go out and see about these Bluebird nest boxes in the yards.

For some reason, I had a feeling what I would find in the boxes and my feeling was correct. I just knew I would find Southern Flying Squirrels in them and sure enough....Did you see two in the photo above???I was feeling guilty that I had disturbed these daytime sleepers but was so excited to watch that one on the top of the box jump and glide to a tree nearby. I closed up the box and headed for box number two. Remember, this is the one with the Autumn Clematis that was devoured by the beetle bugs. Inside the materials were different...lots of Pine needles for this house. Could they be any more CUTE!!!

There were three in this box and I was prepared to take pictures if they flew......which they did! But it isn't easy getting photos of the little dare devils. They dive off the top of the box to the bottom of a little tree...climb to the top of the little tree and DIVE.......and GLIDE....The second one went so quick I just got the GLIDE.Number three, thought.......and DOVE......and scurried......and DOVE.......and GLIDE(ed)...Ready to make the climb to the top.Now, I have to say so sorry for disturbing your sleep little guys, but now that I know you're there I can start to formulate a plan for my Bluebirds. I guess I'll have to build more boxes, and put them down in the field by the road. Hopefully nature will balance out in the end.

You may click on the title to read about Flying Squirrels in Alabama.

Swing Update

Ok, there's not a lot going on around here...no flowers, no butterflies....so what else is there to do......but teach your dog to swing....and make fun of your dog when she's not looking......on a lazy, first day of Winter, day.I have a feeling Daisy Lu is going to have as much fun with that swing as Morgan!

What a Cutie Pie!!!

An American Goldfinch in winter wear.

And note the buds on that Dogwood!!

I can't wait to see it in action!!

I'm learning to deal with it!!

Ok after posting about the SNOW yesterday I went to look for Morgan.I found her, where else, at the swing!We were going to cut this little tree down...I'm so glad we didn't. We love the snow in Northern Alabama!