The Wildlife Outside My Window - Good and Bad

I love the wildlife outside my window! Even when I was living in the city I had a little bird feeder and a bird bath outside my bedroom window. I took such delight in that little bit of wildlife that would come eat the treats I would put out for them.

On that note, most of these photos were taken through the window so excuse any fuzziness.....

I felt sorry for the little critters when I moved away, as I do with each move. They get used to having regular meals provided for them and then all of a sudden....nothing.

Well, that's not happening again since I've decided I'm never ever moving again. Ever.

I love looking out and seeing all the critters, large and small, that bring me such joy. Like my little chipmunk friend.  And my neighbors' horses, seen so clearly out my bedroom window now that the trees are getting bare. They are my favorite neigh-bors - ahem. Sorry. 

Not all the creatures bring me joy and some of the wildlife up here on the mountain can be quite scary. 

Like the coyotes. And the bobcats. And the snakes. Ewwww, I hate snakes. And the skunks. And the porcupines. 

And the bears. They are the scariest of all. 

And I had my first real visit from one last night....well, first time in this house. 

I went to put the peanuts out for the birds this morning and one of my feeders was missing. I found the feeder pole on the stairs and a chunk of wood torn from the deck railing where the bear had climbed the stairs, reached over the gate, and tore off the feeder pole. And took the feeder. 

He carried it down by the driveway and broke it to bits. Destroyed it. Grrrrrrrrrr!

It's not the first time I've had a bear take the feeders....not in a long shot. It's just the first time in my new house. 

Crap. I was really hoping they didn't know where I lived!

We gathered the pieces and my sweetie will figure out what parts I'm missing and I'll contact the company for replacements. This company is fabulous, they truly stand behind their product. 

Funny that it's a squirrel buster isn't it? I wish they  made a bear buster! 

It doesn't exist. Not that I know of. If anyone knows of a way to truly keep the bears away from the feeders please share! 

I'll have to bring the feeders into the garage every night before dusk now. Until I'm off his regular feeding route again. Or he goes into hibernation. 

The bear at my last house didn't hibernate in the winter. I had to bring the feeders in every single night, all year. It's irritating to have this extra chore every evening but for me, watching the birds outweighs the annoyance. 

I found a replacement in the garage, installed the feeder pole again, and waited. It wasn't long before we were back in business!

The Nuthatch is coming for the suet. He'd like to get to the peanuts but the Blue Jays won't let him. 

This will do for now!

This is the first time I've seen the Mourning Doves on the flat feeder. 

I honestly wasn't all that sure they were bright enough to figure out there was seed in there! My sweetie calls them the Doofus Birds. He's kind of right....but don't tell him I said so!

The Blue Jays have been regular visitors for a while now but this is the first time I ever captured three on there at once - usually they are too busy fighting!

It didn't take the Gold Finches long to figure out how to work the replacement feeder. Smart little pipsqueaks!

The Dark Eyed Junco comes around looking for tidbits on the ground. Although they are primarily ground feeders they will come to the feeders as well on occasion. 

The Finches like this little thistle feeder outside the kitchen window. I really enjoy being at the sink and watching them up close! 

This poor little Mourning Dove was trying to stay warm on Sunday morning when the temps were in the teens - I felt so bad for him! Look how he fluffed up his feathers to try and stay warm! Yup, that was snow on the railing. That was this cold blustery day.

I love watching the antics of the squirrels. They are such goofy little critters! This guy looks like he has ants in his pants waiting for the other squirrel to have his fill. 

Waiting not so patiently for his turn at the feeder.....he's looking a little anxious now. 

And he gave up. Perhaps the Blue Jay bullied him away. 

The Blue Jays are ganging up on the squirrel but he doesn't seem to be bothered at all. 

Getting a little impatient now....."Come on, you've had enough - it's our turn!"

What kind of wildlife do you see out your window? 

Happy Things

Wow, that rain came down fast and furious last night! It was pounding my skylights and filling up the creek and watering the parched gardens and it was wonderful! I love falling asleep to the sound of the rain, I find it incredibly soothing. 

Thankfully the hole in my dining room was filled in before the storms started. And my new windows are all in with the exception of the guest room window, which has been delayed due to the weather. 

I'm so pleased with the way they look and can't wait to see them all trimmed out. 

There's a little work to do before the molding can go up - some Sheetrock to be repaired and spackled and some tiles to replace around the kitchen window. 

On a side note, I'd love to remove that tile counter top some day and replace it with a solid surface counter but that's not happening this year after all the other renovations I've done. I love the counter I put in my new master bath, it's a Silestone Lagoon and it's fabulous.  Someday.....

The view out the new windows has been wonderful, also - the birds and critters have been having a great time at my feeders. It's about time I got some real action out there!

These little goldfinches were the first birds to find my feeder and they have been regular visitors, along with my little chipmunk friend.   Their beautiful gold and black colors have already started to fade as they do with the shortened days.  The finches generally stick around all winter and in the spring when days start getting longer again they once again don their vibrant colors. 

I've just recently spotted this guy up on the deck. He drives the dogs mad when they see him through the window - they'd love to get out there and give him a run for his money!

I know some folks don't care for Blue Jays but I love them. They add such a splash of color in the winter months and they are always welcome at my feeders. I put out peanuts in the shell and now that they've found them they watch for me to refill the feeder in the morning and they land on it within minutes. They are so smart and will weigh the nuts to see which is the heaviest and then stuff it into their mouths, sometimes even stuffing in a second one!

He's picking through and weighing the nuts....

 Score!!

The Attack

Good Morning, Everyone!

As often happens, I had a completely different post planned for today but when I was putting the camera away this morning something caught my eye.....

I spotted this little guy out my living room window....he was planning his attack on the flat feeder to steal the peanuts!

(These photos were all taken through a very clean not so clean window so please excuse the quality!)

He's awfully cute, isn't he? As long as he doesn't come into the house we will get along just fine!

There he goes, up on the back of the chair....

Scurrying up the feeder pole.....boy, he's quick!

Nearly there....

And he's in!! Can you see him?

Back out again, quick as a flash, holding his treasure!

Oh boy, look how lucky he is with a big peanut to munch on for breakfast!

And.....just like that? He's gone!

But he'll be back. The flat feeder gets a fresh supply of peanuts in the shell every morning before I go to work....and every afternoon when I come home it's empty. This is the first time I've been able to get photos of the little bandit - usually as soon as they see movement through the window they take off running! 

I spotted a Blue Jay this morning having his breakfast there, also...but no photos of him just yet, he was far too quick for me. Now that they have found the feeder it will be a busy spot. It will sure be nice to watch the birds and critters out the window in the winter months from my cozy chair next to the warm fire. 

It won't be that long until the first fire is lit....do you see how the leaves are changing in my garden? The heat wave has passed with the rainstorm last night (yayyy!) and the cool weather is moving in - the leaves will change so quickly now and before you know it the trees will be a kaleidoscope of color!

Which means it's time to decorate for fall....double yayyyy!!

Have a happy day, friends!