We finally got some rain yesterday for the first time in months. It wasn't much, just enough to dampen all the leaves lying all over the ground, but it put me in the rainy day mood to bake some cookies. Of course, I ate a lot of cookies and then felt more depressed because of it.
The flocks of migrating American robins are now gone. Every fall they stop here to eat the dried crabapples off of the trees behind my place. There are other migrating birds stopping too, like white-throated sparrows and cedar waxwings. There is a constant flurry of excited birds while they're here, and then they're suddenly gone.
The only birds around now are the clutch of twelve turkeys who amble through once or twice a day. Some of them have tried to roost up in the tree but there was nothing to eat so they flew down again. I've been setting out pans of water during the drought and they will come up to my patio to get a drink. I haven't been able to get a good picture of them because they are in constant motion.
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| borrowed image |
When all of the leaves fell from the black walnut tree, I noticed there is a new squirrel's nest at the top. Now there are four half-size little squirrels hanging around the tree. I feel sort of responsible for them. I've been feeding the squirrels for years and there are probably a lot more of them living here than if they were having to survive on natural food. I'm a squirrel mama!
Borrowed image-this was just too cute to pass up!
24 comments:
How nice that you got a little rain, Ms. Sparrow! I bet the air smells fresh. Love the photos you are sharing here. It was a dark, chilly and rainy day here in Montreal today but I still went for a walk, albeit a short one. Just took a shower when I got in. It was nice. :)
When we lived on the farm it took several years for the squirrels to come to the feed I put out for them. Folks in town thought I was nuts... they thought the squirrels were a nuisance, but I loved watching their antics. It's nice that you're so kind to them!
Our buckeye tree draws squirrels as soon as the nuts begin to ripen. So of course the rest of the year they try to steal the bird food. We've managed to foil them most of the time with funny-looking hats above the feeders.
We have an abundance of acorns this year and it's a treat to see the little fellows leaving with stuffed cheek pouches.
Rain at last eh? You could have had some of ours, I'd have cheerfully sent you a bucket by post!
Haven't seen any squirrels around here recently - but I did spot a very large rat in the niece's garden yesterday. It was running around in broad daylight and when I approached it literally ran up a drainpipe - what a cliché!
We are finally getting some rain, too. Love the borrowed photo of mama squirrel and baby!
So good of you to leave water for the turkeys, those squirrels can be destructive, they often wreck havoc on car wiring, we deter them around here with pepper spray on the engine compartments. Our neighbor had over a three hundred dollar bill at the car repair shop plus a tow bill.
We had two huge flocks of migrating birds in yesterday, I tried to persuade them to stay but they all had their little suitcases with them and were determined for warmer climes.
Jane x
Cute picture of the squirrel. I like to watch their antics too, but only when we are at friends. They have actually 7 of them on their porch. The bunch gorge themselves on the bird feed and even empty the hummingbird feeder!
At our place they ate a hole into one of our dormer and stored their winter food in our attic. What a mess! I don't like either that these critters go and steal eggs and eat baby birds in the spring. But - they have their place in nature.
Ah, rain, yes! With the weather all over the page, the basics are a treasure. I have a love-hate relationship with the squirrel in my neighbor's tree. Er, something about most of my tulips being in his tummy. His life must be pretty good because I saw him with a young lady the other day. Yes, I'll put treats out when the weather turns.
You're so kind. Lucky turkeys and squirrels.
Love the squirrel and baby pic!! Yes, we feed the squirrels (and everything else) too. We don't have a lot, but we can always share what we do have (and least that's my philosophy).
oh that photo of the squirrel is adorable!
Good to hear you've had some rain at last. It was raining heavily here today - but we had a whole summer of rain and don't need more...!
is that squirrel EATING that baby?
what a tender little scene with that squirrel mama. You certainly have some great wildlife where you are. what fun!
Squirrels are so cute. Are they as sweet as they appear? I can't imagine what they'd be like, but I guess you couldn't imagine living with our reptiles. Sue
A St. Paulite and a died in the wool Minnesotan. Very nice. Of course, I'm prejudiced having been born and raised in St. Paul. Attended Mounds Park Elem, Harding and the U of M. Having lived in Bluff Country (rural southeaster Mn) all my adult live as a teacher and parent. :)
The photo of the mummy and baby squirrel is just so cute!
Our six black walnuts are all naked now. Love that squirrel and baby pic. :)))
Lovely photo .We also have squirrels who visit from time to time but not seen any babies
Wish we could send you some rain ! Our garden is awash !!
Rain, rain come this way,
please visit for more than one day...
I've been seeing more whitetail deer and turkeys lately -- a sure sign of Fall in these parts.
Janet
I wanted to mention that you and I have something else in common. You bake cookies on rainy days and I often make a pot of homemade chicken soup. I love your posts and look forward to more.
Like that last picture.
Thanks for sharing :-)
Wow. It's like the Wild Kingdom.
The turkey picture was so cool and then the picture of the Momma Squirrel.
Wow.
Wow, what wonderful captures!
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