Giving In

Giving in is not the same as giving up. Giving up says you can’t win so quit trying. But giving in says you will accept the outcome even though it was not what you hoped for. My neighbor had enjoyed watching my bird as they fed so she put up a feeder as well…on the fence between our houses. She gets the basic birdseed which draws the sparrows…by the millions. Don’t get me wrong, sparrows are cute but they are hogs and they take over the feeder pushing out the other birds.

I changed the food per the “experts” advice to saffron seeds but these critters are very adaptable. Then I separated the feeders putting the platform feeder out towards the fence and leaving the tube feeders with the stripped sunflowers that they don’t like near the house. You can see from the picture, that they didn’t read the same report.

But at least the peanut and suet feeders are drawing in the two types of woodpecker we have here and the nuthatch. The cardinals can usually fend for themselves and the platform feeder does draw in the mourning doves. So, fine. It is what it is. In a few more weeks I will put out my hummingbird feeder and begin the war with the ants. Never a dull moment when you enjoy your yard. Maybe I will try cayenne pepper at the base of the hummingbird pole. It worked in keeping the squirrels out of my potato beds last year. Welcome to the joy of spring and summer. Enjoy these pictures. They are not real clear but at least they may help you smile. First is the nuthatch.

Then the red-bellied woodpecker. A really pretty bird.

The smaller downy woodpecker is striking with the red stripe on the back of his head.

Now that spring is just around the corner here in the US, try to get out and see its beauty. And remember kindness is a beautiful gift to not only share with fellow man but also to nature.