Digging Our Way Out- Ice Storm 2011

We are still digging our way out from the recent ice storm. Thankfully we fared better than many. We never lost our power and I don't think I lost a single branch from my trees.

Being from Alabama, I have never encountered anything quite like this. I hope I never do again! This stuff literally has to be broken up with sledge hammers! I am so thankful for my son's help. I don't know how we would have managed this without him.



More snow is on the way Saturday and Monday. I am so ready for spring!



The one bright spot to all of this winter precipitation in that the bird feeders have constant activity. Watching the birds helps keeps  me sane and makes the cabin fever less severe.


Not only did I make wreaths for the birds, but I put greenery on my swing frame, which I use for a bird feeding station during the winter. I sprinkle seeds on the greenery to attract the birds. It makes for a prettier backdrop than the bird feeders and the ugly frame.


The wreaths are still my most popular feeders, and have a steady stream of visitors.


They are so pretty sprinkled with icy sleet pellets and covered with mounds of snow. I plan to do this every winter.



I'm sure the poor birds are ready for spring too! They look so cold!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

So Many Robins

There are so many robins this winter; more than I have ever seen! I don't recall seeing this many at one time, even during spring. I picked up my daughter from work yesterday and the trees were full of robins! It was a frigid day with single digit temperatures and wind chills below zero. The robins were all puffed up trying to keep warm. They look so fat!


Here at my own home I have had large flocks of robins eating from the Bradford pear tree. The berries on my tree are almost gone.


We have quite a bit of winter left, I hope the robins will be able to find plenty of food. Between the starlings and the robins the trees in the surrounding area are almost stripped clean.


I do hope this is a sign of early spring. I am so ready for it!

The Wreaths Are a Success!

I have been surprised at the number of birds that are eating from the wreaths that I made.

Here are a few pictures that I have taken over the last couple of days. I have taken probably a thousand pictures since I hung the wreaths! I even bundled up for a few minutes today and sat on the patio near the feeders. The birds are more bold when it is cold! A blue jay, white-breasted nuthatch, Carolina wren and a dove came to the feeders while I sat there. I was shocked that a blue jay came with me so close.

Now that they have learned how to maneuver them and feel secure landing on them, they come and go just like they do on the other feeders. In fact they rarely use the other feeders now. They prefer the wreaths.

The blue jays come and go constantly, as long as the peanut supply lasts. I was able to buy a stash of Spanish peanuts on sale at Aldis for .69 a bag.

They will also eat the seeds from the pine cones and they like the homemade suet too. I'm not sure how much they are actually eating. They do a lot of storing and stashing; I think they are preparing for a long winter.

I'm still waiting for the cardinals to land on them. So far they aren't very interested.

Thank you all for your comments on the wreaths! Several of you said that you wanted to make one too. I'd love to see it if you decide to do it!

Winter Bird Food Wreaths

Today the sweet little Carolina wren entertained me. It loved the homemade suet! All day long, into the evening, it hung around the wreaths I made. It made me very happy!



Last Saturday, for some reason, I was having difficulty swallowing and aspirated twice while eating and drinking water. All week long I have had the most obnoxious cough that aggravated my asthma making breathing difficult. I was concerned that I might be getting pneumonia. The constant coughing was exhausting.



I've just been resting and doing a lot of bird watching over the last few days. Which is what prompted me to make the wreaths.



The wonderful thing is so far the house sparrows are leaving the wreaths alone and only the more desirable birds are enjoying it.



The female downy came and ate off of both wreaths.





I haven't seen much of the downy woodpeckers this winter. Usually they hang around all winter. Hopefully now she will be back and bring her mate.



Notice the wren and the woodpecker both at the wreath!



I painted a little pastel colored basket that I had picked up at a garage sale and attached it to the wreath. I put a few Spanish peanuts in it hoping to lure the blue jays to the wreath.

The brave little wren discovered the treats pretty quickly.



I went outside to fill the feeders and it stayed close by. I have a feeling that with some patience this one could be trained to eat right out of my hand.



The blue jays are curious about the wreath and are trying to get the peanuts that are attached. So far they haven't landed on the wreath, hopefully tomorrow.




The sweet little chickadees landed all around it but never on it. Hopefully that will happen tomorrow too.

I have enjoyed looking out the windows and sliding glass doors and seeing the bright, bold colors on the wreaths. Watching the birds enjoy them is a delight!

Today I made a wreath for the birds. It adds a wonderful splash of cheerful color to an otherwise drab winter landscape.



The pine cones were collected over 10 years ago from my former home in Alabama. I dipped them in melted lard and peanut butter and rolled them in bird seed.


It took about five to ten minutes before the sparrow started eating. I need to set up the tripod to get some better pictures, but I was pretty excited to have a guest that soon. I am hoping that a male cardinal will land on the wreath. That will be very sweet!



I made another wreath and threaded popcorn, peanuts and dried cherries. I hope to have that in place tomorrow.