Memorable day !!

I’ve been hesitant to check the Bluebird house for eggs. I watched the Bluebird couple for an extended period of time (this afternoon) and observed that they were usually perched on a limb at the edge of the woods. Occasionally, one at a time, they would come to the Meal Worm feeder. A couple of times the female would enter the bird house. ~~ I got out a pair of garden gloves so I could open the bird house door and not leave the scent of my fingers. I didn’t linger…, I took three pictures (and only this one is good). What a thrill to see four little blue eggs in the nest!! What a thrill; what a thrill!!

Laugh at me (or laugh with me). In my whole life, I’ve never had bird feeders, bird houses, and a wide variety of birds in the yard. More than half my life was spent living on the Mojave Desert. Over the months I’ve lived in this apartment, I’ve had dozens (hundreds?) of Cardinals, dozens of yellow Finches, a Woodpecker or two, Doves and Crows. Never a Bluebird until March 3rd. I was very disappointed when my first couple did not take up residency. As recently as May 18th, another Bluebird couple was “house hunting.” Obviously they moved in and started a family. Oh joy!!

Better than morning television !!

Can you think of a better way to start the day?? I was enjoying green tea, homemade old-fashioned oatmeal, and a Bluebird feasting on meal worms. Yes, I supply rehydrated meal worms in the hanging blue dish and Bluebird Nuggets in the hanging, round metal ball.  ~~  However (during breakfast), I also had to shoo squirrels off the sunflower seeds feeders and dangling bird feeder.  ~~  Life in the slow lane!!

Slippery solution ?!

Thanks to a friend who faithfully reads my blogs, I may have a solution to my squirrel problem. (See my earlier blog titled What’s the Solution??)  Don’t misunderstand: I love having the squirrels in my yard; I have encouraged them with tempting treats.  BUT they are not welcome on bird feeders!!  My friend sent an e-mail with the link to a possible solution: 13 Amazing Uses for WD-40.  She said “Lorraine, look at #1….”  Within moments, I hiked from my apartment to the T@B trailer (in the RV Park) to retrieve my can of WD-40.  Back at the apartment, I immediately sprayed the top of the two baffles and the long hook.  I sprayed poles and Shepherd’s Hooks.  Now I’ll wait to see if the “slippery solution” works.

Postscript, 8:45 AM: I published the blog (above) at 7:00 AM and I’m adding this postscript less than two hours later. Spraying WD-40 on the pole did not stop the squirrel from climbing the pole of “the Masterpiece.”

Postscript, 8:45 PM: When my dear, thoughtful, considerate friend read the above message, she did some more research. Less than an hour ago I read her e-mail message with a new web link.  She suggested a Slinky and, fortunately, I have several (because I buy toys all year for Operation Christmas Child).  ~~  It will take a lot of work to attach a Slinky to “the Masterpiece.”  I’ll have to disassemble it so a Slinky surrounds the pole.  That is a task for another day.  ~~  “If at first I don’t succeed, I’ll try, try again.”  I don’t want to be “out-foxed” by a squirrel!!

Postscript, 2:00 PM, Wed. May 23rd:  I have to confess that the Slinky did not prevent a squirrel from getting on the bird feeder!!  If it weren’t so serious (to me), the battle with the squirrels would be humorous.  (Right??)

Very determined little creatures !!

The battle continues; WD-40 and a Slinky did not keep the squirrels from the bird seed feeders.  Obviously, the “baffles” do not present an obstacle.  ~~  I prepared this at 7:00 PM, Thurs., May 24th.  I backdated this blog so it follows those with similar story-line.  “I’ll not be defeated!!  Eventually, I will find an answer.”

Slowly, very slowly….

Slowly, very slowly I’m making progress with my “downsizing” project.  This past week I advertised “free stuff”–over the weekend–at my trailer park site.  I encouraged others to bring their free stuff.  We were blessed with numerous recipients!!  ~~  Recently, I vowed I would not carry items back into the apartment–after the T@B rally.  Gratefully, three weeks later, the extra items have found a new home and/or been dropped off at a Thrift Shop.

Oh happy day !!

I was thrilled beyond description when I arrived home from work and saw a Bluebird in my yard. Only time will tell; it appears a Bluebird couple is considering the brand-new Bluebird house. (I mounted that bird house less than one week ago!! Have “they” been house-hunting and I didn’t know they were visiting my yard??)  I have been anxious for Bluebirds (and Hummingbirds) in my yard.  I’ve seen both… this past week.  Oh joy!!

What’s the solution ??

 

 

 

 

Nine (9) squirrels in my yard this morning!!  (I couldn’t get all… in one picture.)  It was a circus of acrobatics and high-wire acts.  Yes, one squirrel walked down the hook supporting two baffles–and feasted on bird seed.  ~~  What’s the solution??  ~~  It is a cloudy,  cool morning so I’ve  seen more activity than usual.  ~~  I’ve squandered the morning watching “the circus,” taking pictures and developing this blog.  Yes, I have better things to do with my time!! ~~ (Did you notice? I spray-painted the old baffle green, between the blog titled “Never-ending battle with the squirrels!!” and “What’s the solution??”)

This is war !!

 

 

 

 
I tore myself away from the blog to water the Topsy-Turvy upside-down tomato plants, and other plants, and discovered my fine furry friends had gnawed holes in the lid of the whole peanuts storage container.  Now we have a battle between man (woman) and beast (squirrel).

From my easy chair

Forrest Gump said: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” ~~  The squirrels frantically raid the bird feeders although they have feeders specifically for them. ~~  A cottontail rabbit spent half-an-hour eating at the squirrel feeder. ~~  Last four telephoto and/or cropped pictures are the best of two dozen pictures taken through the glass patio sliding door (from my easy chair). ~~ To repeat something I’ve said previously: “I love my backyard–and the wildlife!!”