You can buy or build the best "squirrel-proof" feeder in the world, only to have a furry little bastige render it obsolete in seconds.
They have to be one of the smartest rodents because they can be solitary or work as a group.
Damn, if they ever get REALLY organized, they'll probably pick the lock to our shed and take all the seed they want!
What squirrels have to be the dumbest..take this guy for example, why go through all the obstacles when he just could have climbed the pole supporting the feeder?
Given the diversity of the human species, there is no “normal” human genome sequence. We are all mutants.
The eagel-cam is cool, particularly when the parent starts ripping pieces off of the carcass and feeding the chicks.
I was fishing Saturday morning at Jamaica Pond.
I managed to catch a crayfish that was foraging amongst the leaf-litter on the bottom.
While I was casting spoons to the invisible trout, I saw a brief commotion to my left, and as I turned QUICKLY, I saw a hawk barely miss a duck at the shoreline, and watched as it flew out just as I finished the cast I was in the process of making.
I was able to adjust my cast enough so that the lure and line passed well over the bird as it took off after its failed attempt.
That's one heck of a stealthy bird, as there was no noise, either from the hawk or any of the other birds in the area, nothing to indicate it was on the attack.
Beautiful sight regardless of the circumstances!
I showed this to some coworkers, and they thought is was cool until I pointed out the dead animal (and bird) in the foreground.
Then they thought it was gross.
Exactly how did they think the eagles fed their chicks, with take out?
I can't tell, but has they parents taken turns? I would hate to think that something would have happened to one of them, because if anything did, the chicks would never survive.
I say that because these birds were the focus of a PBS nature special a couple years back, and other birds that were included in that show didn't survive when one parent died during the filming.
As tough as it is to do, they do follow a strict "non-interefernce" policy and they let nature take its course.
It looks like one of two things has happened to the thrid egg in the nest.
1) it's in the process of hatching, and since we can't make the bird move, we can only wait for the sitting bird to move for a chance at seeing the egg clearly.
or....
2) the chicks have taken it upon themselves to increase their share of food from the parents by committing fratricide and "offing their un-hatched sibling. (hey, it's "survival of the fittest"!)
I can't watch it all day long, and it seems that there's some new carcass in the nest each day.
First shot is from my chair after work today. Went up to the window for the others.
“Americans have the right and advantage of being armed, unlike the people of other countries, whose leaders are afraid to trust them with arms.” – James Madison.
Never seen so many dead turkeys along the highways as this year! Along I295 in RI last Sat. there was a couple mile stretch with at least 4 dead birds.
My co-worker got this shot in her driveway.
Given the diversity of the human species, there is no “normal” human genome sequence. We are all mutants.
50 lbs of black sunflower at $28 at Ocean State now; wasn't it $25 just a few weeks ago and $20 around the 1st of the year?
As much as I want spring to get going it is nice to be able to see all of the migrants coming back. Without the leaves on the trees I never would have seen, nevermind ID'd, the blue grey gnatcatcher I saw yesterday. Anyone else see anything new recently?
I got a Canadian warbler about this time last year. I noticed that last weekend after that little shot of warm weather and heavy rain a lot of stuff was back - pine warblers, chipping sparrows, house sparrows and robins most conspicuously.
All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.
Two years ago, we had an artificial wreath on the front door that became the nesting site for a house finch and her brood. The wife, "kids," and I watched the eggs and hatchlings through the window until my neighbor's dog (a german shorthaired) decided to eat the babies.
Well, the next year, the house finch came back and laid another clutch. Since the dog was no longer around (RIP Maddy) we thought we were safe only to come home one day to find that the neighbors' (same ones) cat was going after the hatchlings.
This year we are not putting the wreath up.
Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.
50 lbs of black sunflower at $28 at Ocean State now; wasn't it $25 just a few weeks ago and $20 around the 1st of the year?
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yeah the price jumped (jacked UP ) again so BJ's became the better deal AGAIN
because the mixed seed is a total rip off
so i bought a forty pound bag at BJ's and it turned out to be a moldy batch and so i had to GO BACK AND return it....
Been trying to grow my own Russian mammoth sF's but the dammed field mice are digging them up...bastids .....set the metal trap for em with half a suet cake in it... he'll be in there in the MORNING.... I HOPE/
Just found this post. I am glad I am not alone. I love feeding and watching the birds. I have a feeder and two suet cages right outside my door. I also feed the squirrels with corn blocks hung from a bungee cord. It is really funny to watch the squirrels hanging off the bottom of a bouncing brick of corn.
With feeding the squirrels it was really important to get a squirrel proof feeder and yes, they actually exist. I found one that has a cage over the feeding holes that slide down from the weight of the squirrels. Works perfectly. Squirrels don't even bother to try anymore.
All winter I have had cardinals, carolina wrens, red and white breasted nuthatches, downy woodpeckers, house finches and morning doves. Things are starting to migrate now and we get a HUGE migration out here on the island. The cow birds showed up last week along with a yellow throated warbler and have had a baltimore oriel on the suet cage for the last week. I also have a pair of mallards nesting in the yard. Over the next few weeks the bird population will explode. In past years, from my property alone I have identified over 100 different species. Its a cool hobby.
Two years ago, we had an artificial wreath on the front door that became the nesting site for a house finch and her brood. The wife, "kids," and I watched the eggs and hatchlings through the window until my neighbor's dog (a german shorthaired) decided to eat the babies.
Well, the next year, the house finch came back and laid another clutch. Since the dog was no longer around (RIP Maddy) we thought we were safe only to come home one day to find that the neighbors' (same ones) cat was going after the hatchlings.
This year we are not putting the wreath up.
On man. I'd hate to have neighbors like that. Next thing you know, the police are going to be sent to your house because their daughter's boyfriend set off your home alarm system.
Anybody still keeping tabs on the Decorah IA, eagle's nest?
The three eggs hatched last month and all three chicks are now about 1/2 to 2/3 the size of the adults.
They're starting to test their wings (no flying until the feathers grow in).
Anybody still keeping tabs on the Decorah IA, eagle's nest?
The three eggs hatched last month and all three chicks are now about 1/2 to 2/3 the size of the adults.
They're starting to test their wings (no flying until the feathers grow in).
I check in periodically. Want to watch them eat: on their own yet (not catching, but tearing) or still beak fed from adults?
Given the diversity of the human species, there is no “normal” human genome sequence. We are all mutants.
Oh man Rav, only seen a few in my lifetime. One of my all time favorites
along with scarlet taninger, cedar wax wing ,rosebreasted grossbeak and
bluebird.
Been enjoying the pair of Rose breasted Grossbeaks that are steady visitor's but haven't been enjoying the chattering and noisey red squirrels that are dropping feeders and being a nuisance in general.
Given the diversity of the human species, there is no “normal” human genome sequence. We are all mutants.
today 2-17-11
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