Sneaky

Lately, we've had a regular group of 5 or 6 blue jays frequenting the garden throughout the day.  Although they can be a little overbearing at the feeders sometimes, they are good to have around because they are always on the lookout for predators, quick to sound the alarm.  Of course, sometimes, they like to sound an alarm for no reason ... or perhaps it is just for the pure fun of watching little birds scatter in all directions.  This one did his best red-tailed hawk call from up in the trees, putting the little birds on alert, before zooming down to scarf up the peanuts I'd just put out.  He only managed two before he scared himself and took off, screeching as he went.  The image is heavily cropped because I just wanted to show his head and the glint in his eyes.

I am now the proud owner of a hide/blind, pictured in Extra.  I have been thinking about getting one for several years and finally decided to just go ahead and order an inexpensive one from Amazon.  It pops up and could comfortably fit two photographers.  Very light weight and condenses down to something you could easily take into the field.  For my purposes, I'll mostly use it around the yard.  In fact I tried to use it today but it was so windy that it kept trying to become airborne so I finally gave up.  Maybe tomorrow.  I'd like to be able to get some photos of the blackbirds that are around the yard now, and I'd need the hide just because they are so flighty.  Stay tuned...

I made my last visit to the Farm today to look in on the chickens.  I replenished their water and food and treated my favorite little hen to fresh mealworms.  A couple of her buddies caught on and came rushing over to get some of the worms, too.  But that little red speckled hen (who is a third the size of the other girls)  went into high gear, scarfing down meal worms quicker than you could say "mealie".  I now have dozens of eggs - luckily, if what I read is correct, they can last for months in the fridge and weeks at room temp.  I did speak to the gent who is looking after them this week and let him know if he needs a sub just to call me.

Hubs and I are going to the county Bird Club meeting tonight (after an early dinner) where there is going to be a presentation on the Galapagos Islands - very much looking forward to that!

Our weather remains cold and there is still a lot of snow in the yard and woods.  It's unusual to have the snow stay on the ground this long at this time of year - usually it melts in just a few days.  But, the weather everywhere is unpredictable now.

Thanks for the love you showered on the Tinies yesterday!  Turns out that they invited some hiking cousins to come for a visit - the cousins arrived today and I'm letting them get settled in before we go out on a trek...

xo
Debbi