Saturday, January 9, 2010

Close Encounters

The dogs have decided to wrestle right beside me, so I'm writing this post from a rather precarious location...and, much better. Move along, buddies, move along. 

We've set up a wintertime feeding hub for the birds, located just outside the kitchen windows. Glenn grabbed this shot of a Red Bellied Woodpecker (who I've dubbed "Thor" because, you know, he brings the hammer and all that) while we were noshing on buttermilk & currant bread french toast (seasoned with cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg-Glenn knows how to bring the flavor) and sipping fresh squeezed o.j.. 

It's been bird central ever since we installed and filled the feeders. I can't get enough of it. We live in this forest packed full of life and end up so estranged from it. With the addition of the bird feeders, the hummingbird feeders later in the year, the scented plants and bushes I've added around the property, the vegetable garden, the bees and the chickens, we've finally begun experiencing more direct encounters with our winged/feathered/furry/slithering/multi-cellular neighbors. I plan to continue to get to know them all much, much better. 

My post on "Winter Preparedness" (or "In Your Face, Jack Frost!") is up over on my "Small Measures with Ashley" column on Design Sponge. Here's hoping we all move out of this frigid foray soon. Have a lovely weekend. 

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Birds are such a wonderful site.
I know how much they enjoy a hearty meal in the winter.

CallieK said...

I made suet birdfeeders this week but so far only the squirrels have found them and they keep trying to steal them out of the tree!

Amy O'Kane said...

i've been enjoying the little winter peeps I hear in the morning. considering a bird feeder or two and i may get to hear even more peeps! thank you.

Cat W. said...

My mother-in-law gave me the cutest bird feeder for Christmas, and I can't wait to put it up in our new place. I love having birds around!

Courtney said...

I can't get enough of the birds! I'm somewhat vision impaired, and even with glasses or contacts I'm miserable at spotting too much of anything. But I cannot live without their songs. Waking up to the birds is one of my favorite things about open-window summers.