We are so easily entertained. \u00a0When we took breaks in packing or moving boxes we would meet in the kitchen and sit where we could look out at the herb garden and the bird feeders. \u00a0We have watched a lot of birds over the years, but we were being entertained by a family of squirrels, a colony of ground squirrels, a bunny or two, and some mourning doves.<\/p>\n
There was a constant circus going on below both the feeders, but the one closest to the kitchen window provided more cover from which the \u00a0ground squirrels attacked. \u00a0As with most species, there was definitely a king of the ground squirrel colony, and when others got too close to the prime seed snatching areas, he would run them off. Everybody headed for the highlands rather than risk his wrath! \u00a0There were ground squirrels running through the day lilies, the oregano, the thyme, and the choke cherry shrubs,<\/p>\n
At one point seven gray squirrels and four mourning doves were peacefully eating seed when the entire chipmunk population decided to run through. Gray squirrels hopped up into the air, and came down and continued to eat. \u00a0Some of the doves raised a wing to ward off the little beggars and others were bowled over by them. \u00a0I’ll have to see if I can get some video of the circus to save to the computer.<\/p>\n
At the end of the day the chipmunks and squirrels had discovered that there is finally a choke cherry branch that leans far enough out over the feeder that they can get to the feeder from above. \u00a0Baffles below the feeder have frustrated them for years. \u00a0We watched as they tried all the branches until they found the right one. \u00a0The squirrels would hang from the eave of the feeder and scoop food into their mouths just as fast as they could. \u00a0They understood that if they sat on the bar, the feeder would close. \u00a0It’s astonishing that they can hang from one foot for such a long time!<\/p>\n
I’ll miss all this entertainment. \u00a0It will be interesting to see what visits our back yard at the new house.. \u00a0You can be sure I’ll put up bird feeders!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We are so easily entertained. \u00a0When we took breaks in packing or moving boxes we would meet in the kitchen and sit where we could look out at the herb garden and the bird feeders. \u00a0We have watched a lot … Continue reading