In with the miscellaneous finches (Wife says that pine siskins and redpolls are also finches) we had at least six white-winged crossbills. They're weird.
We try to color-coordinate our birds. Part of the landscape design.
I almost stepped on one of the females this morning, when I went to fill the feeder. She didn't want to give up place to this mere human. Being backwoods birds, they aren't particularly afraid of people.
My bird feeding activities are primarily to keep my indoor cats amused. I cannot get my wheelchair around in the snow but when I was able planted my yard as bird feeder (habitat). I abhor grass.
Wife, as a card-carrying Professional Naturalist, highly approves of indoor cats. While we make friends with the outdoor and indoor/outdoor cats of the neighborhood, the ones we see inside windows don't pounce on the pretty birds or get eaten by coyotes, owls, or fishers. This is good.
Yes, outdoor cats are a major complaint of mine. As I have created wild live habitat in my back yard my neighbors cats think that means buffet. I have provided enough cover so that all the critters are mostly safe except the chipmunks which are a particular treat for the old lady calico who lives two doors down.
Chipmunks are not particularly smart, even as rodents go. Cute, yes, but not smart. They just want to snuffle around after seeds. Not big on the lookout bit.
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I almost stepped on one of the females this morning, when I went to fill the feeder. She didn't want to give up place to this mere human. Being backwoods birds, they aren't particularly afraid of people.
no subject
no subject
Wife, as a card-carrying Professional Naturalist, highly approves of indoor cats. While we make friends with the outdoor and indoor/outdoor cats of the neighborhood, the ones we see inside windows don't pounce on the pretty birds or get eaten by coyotes, owls, or fishers. This is good.
no subject
no subject