Tuesday May 1, 2012

 

 

Rearranging Our Bird Feeding Area

 

 

This once tiny bush was beginning to take over our small patio bird feeding area, so one evening last week I asked Cerwin if he would move it to the back part of our yard – where the pavilion area begins.

He thought that sounded like a good idea.

 

 

Then we moved a stool here from the memory garden to make an area for the Easter planter from our children. We also put an old hanging feeder here for larger birds and squirrels.

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Changes for this area had been going through my head for a few days – after taking my friend Joanne for chemo treatment.

While she was receiving chemo, we read Birds & Blooms magazines and shared photos, stories, and ideas with each other.

 

 

The next day – after taking some items to Jubilee (a local secondhand store), I decided to see if anything in the store helped with the bird feeding creativity that was going on in my head. I liked this basket.

  

 

And also bought this one.

 

 

However, my favorite purchase was this wire basket.

 

 

It was one of those days where I had to make lots of stops, and decided to go to Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill to use a $25.00 gift certificate. I used part of it to buy a new, open feeder for near our kitchen window. I also bought a tomato plant and a few groceries.

 

 

What fun to watch birds use the new baskets within hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next day, after picking up Jesse at prekindergarten, we went to Esbenshade’s Greenhouse where I purchased a new hummingbird feeder. Our old one was beginning to look shabby. I also purchased some small stones to replenish those that were already in the bird feeding area.

 

 

I hung the new hummingbird feeder next to the wire basket.

 

 

I hadn’t thought that the birds would access the seeds through the wire holes, but that is what most of them do.

 

 

They are also enjoying the new open feeder outside our kitchen window.

 

 

 

 

The squirrels also seemed pleased that I added peanuts and larger seeds to the menu. They come anyway, so I thought I will give them their own feeder – hoping they stay away from the birdseed.

 

 

This one appears to be feeding babies.

 

 

One of the things I learned from Birds & Blooms is to put used dental floss and dryer lint in a suet feeder. This gives the birds items for their nests.

 

 

 

 

The European starlings like the suet feeder.

 

 

I purchased this stool at Esbenshades and decided to put jelly on a dish to see if I can attract Baltimore orioles. I haven’t seen any for a few years – and still haven’t.

 

 

The doves do a good job of grazing the ground area below the feeders.

 

 

This is a broader view.

 

 

After getting home from Esbenshades, Jesse helped me spread the stones, then decided to float peanut shell boats in the birdbath.

 

 

Looking around to see if there is anything else he can float.

 

 

I love the look I captured on this house finch, and the shadow it created in the birdbath water.