With last week’s snow covering the ground, I made sure my birds and backyard friends had plenty of seeds and fresh water. Hundreds of birds and squirrels came to the heated birdbath for a much-needed drink of water and they devoured the seeds I had strewn. While watching one snowy morning, I noted that the squirrels were busy with the sunflower seeds, but there was not a bird in sight. In a tall … [Read more...]

Some of the most entertaining birds in our back yard are the blue jays. Jays often get bad press because they sometimes destroy nests of other birds. They are very opportunistic and will kill baby birds and eat other bird eggs if given the chance. But they are one of the smartest birds on the planet and I enjoy sharing my back yard with a small, resident flock. Recently, I was in the backyard … [Read more...]

There are not a lot of insects flitting about in cold weather. Yet, many birds are insect feeders, needing the extra protein that bugs can provide. Serious birders can help the cause with a little suet, especially important to birds in the winter. Genuine suet is the raw, hard fat of beef or mutton found around the kidneys or loins. The British actually use this suet to cook with (shudder) in … [Read more...]

You can see some amazing and some puzzling things in your own backyard. Case in point. Yesterday I was peering out of my kitchen window, watching the birds at my main feeder, and scarcely 20 feet away I saw a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. Among my favorite birds, we have had Pileated Woodpeckers nest in the hollow cavity of our 50 year old trees on at least two occasions, and because of our … [Read more...]

We had a little cold snap last week and the water in our main birdbath froze solid, as we had yet to install a deicer. With my wife’s urging, I took a 2 quart container of fresh water, removed the ice and filled the birdbath. Before I could get back inside there were two bluebirds and a chickadee drinking water. As every birder knows, if you really want to attract birds, provide them with a … [Read more...]

For an entire year they have entertained us and brought immense beauty to our yards. I speak of the birds, our back yard companions. So maybe now is the time to give back to our fine-feathered friends with a Christmas gift they will enjoy. Actually, one of us humans really needs to give this gift to another human so we can hang it in the yard or on the porch. The gifts I suggest are birdseed … [Read more...]

We snatched him up just before the frost, a plump, green tomato, the last one from our vines. Our little friend sat comfortably in the windowsill, soaking up what little light and heat there was as he gradually turned light pink, then dark pink, then red. He was nearly perfect, just one small blemish, and last night we ate him. He was very good, as are most homegrown tomatoes. Now we have to … [Read more...]

“How would you like a load of horse manure for your Christmas present this year?” stated the email from my close friend, Tim Tigner. Not many would think of a load of horse s…. as a particularly great gift, but I did. My garden desperately needed it, and a few weeks ago, Tim brought me a pickup load of composted horse manure. Cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, green beans, beets – get ready to … [Read more...]

It’s time. They’re out there, you know. Leaves. Thousands of leaves! But this year, leave the rake in the shed and crank up the mower. Your lawn will thank you for it come spring. Matted leaves aren’t good for grass. They will smother and kill it, but finely mulched leaves add vital nutrients to the soil and also help the lawn retain moisture so the grass doesn’t become overly dry in … [Read more...]