Landscape updates #teenboys #alotofwork #garden

I got my son and his friend to give me a big hand this past weekend. There was a pile of mulch left in two places after having the trees cut and stumps ground down. I got them to relocate the mulch. Husband had them "pave" the path through the island. They did a lot of ivy pulling first, then mulch moving. I think the path looks great. Now I need new wood for the bench (or a new bench).

I actually used some of the mulch around the potted plant garden (gnome/fairy garden) first. When the boys finished their mulch move, I had them install a bird feeder pole where the trees had been. Ultimately, I want to move 3 of my roses to that area. Two of my roses are overtaking the front walk, the 3rd just isn't thriving where it is. So, come fall when they're not blooming, I'll see about moving them.

Front Yard Bird Watching #WW

Friday's Fowl #birdwatching #exercise

When my daughter is at lab at school, I try to go walking. Normally, I'd go over to Sugarloaf Mills as a trip around the mall is one mile and it's air conditioned. This week, I did something different and walked over at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville. I broke up my walk when I decided to do some bird watching while I was there.

Geese

There were a lot of these around the lake.  Black headed vultures.

It's Baby Time #birdwatching #babybirds

My feeders have been extraordinarily busy, so I tried taking photos of my visitors.  Quite a few are juveniles, though the parents are still around too.

Male Juvenile Eastern Bluebird

Juvenile Eastern Phoebe

Juvenile Robin

#WW Front Yard Birdies

This cardinal "rules" my feeders. He likes to make sure his girl eats first.

Red bellied woodpecker peeking from behind the suet cake.

Mama wren feeding her babies. She wasn't sure about my being where I was, but as I didn't move she went on about her business.

Backyard bird watching #prettybirdies

Actually, front yard bird watching.  I like to sit in my sky chair and take photos while they eat.  I've been known to disappear for an hour or two at a time just to watch the birds.  I have to admit, it's a wonderful way to relax.  Not to mention I've been experimenting with my camera in an attempt to improve my skills.

I've also joined an online group that is helping me identify those that I haven't been able to on my own.

Downy Woodpecker

American Goldfinch

Tufted Titmouse

#WW Bird Watching on a Rainy Day

#WW Bird feeders on a snowy day

On one of our snow days last week, I filled the bird feeders. Then I started watching the cats thinking they'd enjoy the show. Little did I realize, the dogs would too.  Every time I opened the door to take bird photos, they had to join me.  Given a little leeway, they took over the door.

Great Backyard Bird Count #WW

I participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count. I went outside to get some pictures and managed to catch these.

Special Thanks

My Cubs had a special visit from a representative of the Atlanta Audobon Society. She brought with her several activities and games about birds for the boys. The one that really got their attention, though, was the "owl pellets". No, I don't mean poo. When an owl eats an animal that has something it can't digest, these parts go into the gizzard. It then gets coughed out (like a cat with a hairball). These are owl pellets. The boys got to dissect the owl pellets and try to identify what it was that this owl had eaten.

Initially, they thought it was icky. They quickly got over it, though, and "dug in". They found shrew and rodent parts (skulls and all) as well as mole and bird parts. Really way cool. They got to keep the bones they found too.

Our bird lady is going to do a nature hike (hopefully) this summer with the whole pack. The boys will all have a blast.