Out of each season, there are unique reasons to enjoy each in its' own. Back in the woods here, summertime only allows me limited views of the sun rise and sets. It's fall, winter and spring that I am truly able to enjoy all the colors of the sky against the silhouette of the towering trees. Once winter is here, I have an amazing view of the sky, the bare trees , along with the large rolling hills and horizon beyond. At times, I'll bundle up in the cold weather and go into the woods, sit on a bench(that my hubby created out of downed trees), and just sit in the quiet solitude to admire the awesome majesty of it all.
This side of the woods still has plenty of the bronze, orange and peach foliage left. The majority of the woods are quickly becoming bare.
At least now I am able to see the nests in the trees much easier. When you think about wildlife and how they manage to survive all the elements of nature, it justifies how much respect I have for all the critters.
As I was out and about this past week, on one very windy day, the birds were quite active in the tree tops. I was happy to see the wind blown Gold Finch's . Before we started providing food and a large heated cat home for the five stray outdoor cats, we had all kinds of feathered friends at our feeders along the porch. That was the big downside to bleeding heart! Many times I've chased the cats, yelling at them for having a bird in their mouth. It just rips my heart out to see that. I know it's the law of nature, I just can't stand to imagine what pain the prey is feeling. They don't do it in front of me anymore!
I enjoy the Woodpeckers, as long as they're not pecking on the cabin! At one point, we did have that problem. For some reason, it was only the first two years that we lived here.
Now, I'm not sure what type of bird this brave little fellow is...but as small as these birds are, they constantly help themselves to the cats' food...as you can see in its' beak! Surprisingly, there's times when they are within a few feet of the cats....brave, but not so intelligent.
14 comments:
I guess you can't have both.
We have a few visiting cats that are no problem. But if they were a problem I'm not sure what I would do.
Hi Patsi...That's true. I miss sitting on the porch watching the birds flock to the feeders and interact with each other. I used to feed the chipmonks before the cats, too. They became quite trusting of me...when I layed down the food, they would come within one foot of me and chow down. I got a kick out of watching them stuff as much as they could in their cheeks. Of course, I saved a few of them from the death grip of the cats. Needless to say, I stopped feeding the chipmonks after the first two strays showed up.
Your brave little bird is a tufted titmouse. Our leaves are dropping fast...just a few more photo opts.
Donna
Hi Donna...Thank you so much for the I.D!...after all you ARE Mother Nature! I really appreciate the help! I'm not too familiar with the birds. Yes, the photo opts. are becoming more scarce...and I particularly enjoy capturing close-ups. Hmmm...it is said that no two snowflakes are the same!!(ha-ha!..well, maybe??!!) Thanks for the visit.
The hidden power of Nature's quiet rythms in each of its seasons.
Your back woods are filled with simple graces and how kind of you to give back by sheltering the feral cats.Sometimes we cannot understand the law of nature...but we can certainly shoo the cats away from the birds.
A lovely post!
Hello Naturegirl...Thank you for the kind comments and visit. Your "Quiet Rhythms" post really touched on how I feel about nature. My mother always tells me, "Kim, you can't save the world!"...no, I can't...but in my own little world, sometimes I can save a few.
I've heard that before about birds liking dog and cat food. I just love your sunset pictures. There so lovely.
Hi Spooky,
OK, Let me tell you how to get rid of your stray cats catching your birds and chipmunks, etc. (without harming the cats). I had this same problem with a neighboring cat stalking my birds some years ago. (I have many bird feeders on my porches and in my yard).
I went to the store and bought a wide BRIGHT RED NYLON dog collar for SMALL dogs (that would fit the cat), then I bought a small bell - NOT the round kind of tinker-bell, but a regular bell-shaped bell (that would ring good) You can find these at craft stores like Micheal's or Hobby Lobby.
I took a large needle and fishing line (I used 20 lb. test line!)and sewed the bell to the collar. I then put the collar on the cat and buckled it so that it was loose enough to be comfortable but tight enough that it couldn't get it off over its head. THEN I sewed (whip-stitched)the buckled end to the collar so that it was on there permanently. Every time the cat would run (or even walk!) the bell would ring, which alerted and scared off the birds.
The cat tried to stalk them several times, but finally gave up and I never had trouble with her catching my birds again. She wore that collar the rest of her life.
If you are going to keep these cats do this on each of them and I don't think you will have the heartbreak of them catching your birds and chipmunks.
You are so precious and I love your blogs.
May God bless you with many blessings, Graceanne :)
Hi Spookydragonfly,
Lovely photographs of the woods and birds. Your Wishnik Woods look peaceful. I look forward to seeing your paintings now that the dragonfly activity is low.
Hello Graceanne...Thank you for the visit and the suggestion! I just may have to try that. Now, although the cats won't do this in front of me anymore, I have seen them in the woods with prey when I stumbled upon them. The last prey was a small snake in Patches' mouth. Besides, chasing and yelling at the cats, I've done a quick spray of water with the hose when near the cabin. Ha!...It's a tough job trying to play peacemaker! Of course, I know when it comes to wildlife, I will never fully succeed!
Hello Gallicissa...You made it! Thanks for the visit and comments. Posting my paintings is questionable...I'm very critical of them as I am new to painting!(you know, like I.D. and photographing my dragons!) When I first started this blog, before I joined Blotanical, I did have a few paintings posted.
I do encourage my guests to visit you blog full of beautiful photography and great insights while on your tours!
Hi Peek-A-Boo...Gosh, I love that screen name! Thanks for stopping by and the comments. Not only do the birds help themselves, but an occasional raccoon and possum. It was interesting that the possum would be smack next to the cats eating right with them! By the way, I read your last post...just keep that snow right on Peek-A-Boo Street! I'm not ready for it yet!
Stunning photos and lucky you to see both sunrise and sunset ... the woods look on fire!
Hi Joey...Thank you! The whole back distance of our woods borders woodland and pastuers. Around the rest of the borders are more woods...so we are surrounded by our 16-1/2 wooded acres, plus neighboring woods. It's along the back of our property that the sun rises. Yes, some areas of the woods are very colorful and others bare. I'm sure that color will be gone within a week or so.
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