What You'll See Here

I hope you enjoy the photos presented here. The majority will be of wildlife in the area. Some are sweet and charming, and others are just rascals. But, all of them are interesting.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Ode to a Grecian Gizmo

Poor Lil Giz.  He said that this blog sure looks like it's named after him, so how come he wasn't featured in the first post?
Lil Giz says, "Maybe I'll just run away from home.  That'll show her.  She'll miss me but good, then she'll feel bad that she dissed me."
"I should be the star of this here show.  I checked with all my aunties and uncles, and they agree with me!"

"I can be amusing!  I mean really, just look at me pretending to be Groucho Marks with my cigar.  I'd like to see some stupid bird do that!"

"Seriously, I am way cuter than those birds she's always raving about and taking pictures of."

"Oh, the injustice of it all!!  I could just cry.  I do everything I can to protect the house and bring yippy little smiles to my Mama.  What more can I do?"
"What, oh what, do I gotta do to get a little respect around here and have my own story?"

"I even put up with the indignity of having a bath, just to please my Mama.  Surely, I am story worthy."

"What's that?  Did I just hear Mama say let's go outside and play?  Is that her camera in her hand?  Is she gonna take more pictures of dopey birds?  Well, I'll go outside, but I'm gonna hide behind that funny looking firecracker plant she got for the hummingbirds."

"Wow, Mama was taking my picture while I was hiding.  She ignored the hummingbird that buzzed right in front of her face and just kept filming me and talking to me.  What do you know?  Maybe I'm gonna get my own story now!  Woo Hoo!!!"
"Hooray!  Yippee!  I'm getting my own story!  I'm going to romp and frolic and play my little heart out.  Take that, you stupid birds!!  Gizmo is the King!!"
"Now I'm happy.  Thank you Mama!  Can we have a bone for dessert if I promise to eat all my dinner?  (snicker)"

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Dinger Dances While Eating

This is Dinger, my female Ruby Throated Hummingbird, who stopped by for a snack at one of my feeders.  In the middle of eating, she decided to do a little pirouette, and then continued eating.  (Sorry it's a little jumpy - it's hard to follow a teensy little hummer!)
Then she tried to sip from a different feeder, but Gizmo's yips scared her away.

After Giz finally quit his nonsense, Dinger came to a different feeder and had a good ole time!
Then she went and sat on a branch, protecting her numerous feeding spots from others.

Aaah, it's good be Queen!!!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Rascally Raccoons Continue to Wreak Havoc!

Dopey Raccoons keep stealing the peanuts I put out for the squirrels.  The squirrels rarely get a chance at the peanuts, but every once in a while, they get some.
But, the squirrel doesn't get too many, before the raccoon comes back for more!

So the squirrel, who does not want to be thwarted in his search for free food, decides he will raid the bird feeders.
But, the raccoon spies the squirrel, and he thinks to himself, maybe that's even better than the peanuts.  Think I'll have what he's having.
Then the raccoon decides that not only is this good free food that's easy to steal, it's a fun ride, too!

The squirrel is still hungry, though, and since the raccoon was occupied on the good feeder, the squirrel thought he would go grab some from another feeder.
At this point, Lil Giz has had just about enough of these rascals.  So he scared off the squirrel, and he chased the raccoon right up a tree!
The raccoon says, I'll just wait up here where it's safe until that crazy little dog goes away.  But, it's kind of boring up here, think I'll lay down for a while.
Eventually, Lil Giz got bored too and stopped watching the raccoon.  The squirrel came out of hiding, and found a few seeds on the ground.  That's a lot easier than jumping and leaping all over the place.
And the raccoon came back down the tree to start the cycle all over again.  And the poor little birdies just sat in the trees waiting for all these thieves to leave their feeders alone.
And I went to the store to buy more bird seed!  And so, the cycle continues every week!!!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Sandhill Crane Baby Grows Up


Fred and Ginger, our resident dancing Sandhill Cranes, brought their baby, Bobaloo, out for a walk through the neighborhood over the weekend.  Bobaloo has gotten almost as tall as his Mama and Papa, but he hasn't yet developed their coloring.  Look at the sweet, rust colored crew cut, and his beak is the same color.  He was very friendly and enjoyed the treat I put out for him.




Look at the difference between the Mama's coloring and the baby's coloring.  Aren't they stunning?