How to attract birds and wildlife during the winter months...

... especially if you live in a region that has been covered with snow and ice
the entire winter like we have been here in New England!

Invest in a heated bird bath!

Our newest visitors, ....

... the gorgeous flock of bluebirds....

...that have taken up residence...

.. in our yard, ...

... are thoroughly enjoying this never ending supply of fresh (unfrozen) water.

Of course that's nothing new to our regulars who visit many times a day 

throughout the harsh winter months. Mr. Blue Jay is a constant visitor to the bath.

Mrs. Cardinal, who had just finished her water...

... and Mr. Cardinal who was headed to the bird bath...

... when I spotted him.

You'll have to trust me that this was a flock of starlings visiting the bird bath the other day.

I have no idea what happened to this photo to make it so blurry!

The sweet mourning doves are always visiting.

Here's one waiting patiently for Mr. Bluebird to finish drinking.

Always gentle and patient, it now waits for a starling to finish...

... but it looks like it might take a while as Mr. Starling has decided to take a full bath.

Finally her patience pays off and it is her turn at the bath.

There's often a line at the bird bath, with someone waiting to take their turn 

as soon as the bird bath frees up.

My little Sammy's don't understand why it isn't called a heated squirrel bath...

.. because they visit just as often as the birds.

Now it doesn't hurt to offer the birds and wildlife a bit of food as well as fresh water, especially during these harsh New England winters. Here you see one Sammy drinking, the one to the left heading to the suet feeder hanging from the deck and yet another Sammy hanging upside down at the suet feeder hanging from the cherry tree.

In addition to hanging suet, we also have a screen feeder attached to our dining room window that we keep filled with seed and such during the winter months. Here's a little tufted titmouse visiting the feeder while Mr. Bluebird, who'd just finished drinking at the birdbath, is contemplating joining Mr. TT.

And when the harsh New England winters come to an end and food becomes more plentiful for my furry and feathered friends...

The screen feeder becomes a little window box, with flats of flowers sitting 

where the seed was once scattered.

Oh, what a welcome sight this will be after the winter we've had!

Can spring and summer truly be just around the corner?

And speaking of summer, although I don't put out as much food in the warmer months as I do during our frigid winters, I provide even more fresh water for my garden friends with multiple bird baths placed around the yard. It's essential that all living creatures have access to water, which is sometimes hard to come by during our oppressive, hot summer months, so they really appreciate a fresh supply of water. 

Here's a mourning dove perched on a small hanging bird bath. Quite unusual because the doves usually visit the larger baths down on the ground, like the one you see behind my bunny planter.

I even caught these young siblings a few years ago playing and drinking from the fountain on our deck one warm summer night.

The animals truly are grateful for the extra help during the long cold winter months, as evidenced by Sammy giving thanks before digging into his meal of fresh suet, seed, and corn. They give me so much more, just with their presence, than I could ever hope to give them.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone! 

Warning - I'm going to be BORING you with more bluebird photos in the very near future! As I said, we've lived here for 33 years and have never seen a bluebird in the yard before, so the flock that has been hanging around since early March is the most unexpected delight!

Till next time,

Donna

Feeding Time at the Zoo...

A couple of weeks ago I paid bills on the table outside. It was a gorgeous, sunny afternoon, much too nice to be stuck inside. It wasn't long before I had some friends join me. (The peanut basket I brought out with me is like a beacon.)

(click on any photos to enlarge them)

This is one of the many bluejays who visit our yard. But this particular little guy is the only one brave enough to come right up to me to get his peanuts.

It's taken a while for him to feel comfortable enough to come this close. I doubt he'll ever trust me enough to eat out of my hand like my chipmunk friends, but I feel honored that he trusts me enough to come this close.

I was almost out of peanuts on this particular day, so he had to hop down into the basket to retrieve his treats, with me sitting right there. Another act of great bravery on his part.

I know bluejays can be mean birds, but I still have a soft spot for them.

Now Ms. Titmouse isn't nearly so shy. She always makes sure I see her when she comes to visit, hopping from chair to table and from side to side to catch my attention. I think she likes to be admired and told how cute she is.

Of course my little Chips are ever present. Today I made Chip get his own peanuts out of the basket instead of hand feeding him since I was busy paying bills (and taking pictures!).

Here he is with his cheeks full, on his way out of the basket while Sammy Squirrel decides whether or not to join him.

My little Chips are fearless creatures, always eager to become friends with the peanut lady (me). 

Another picture of Sammy deciding whether to join us while Mr. Blue Jay watches over the peanut basket from the top of our wrought iron planter holder.

It really was a perfect afternoon. I even had a visit from shy Mrs. Mourning Dove, who braved the feeding frenzy in order to get a drink from the fountain. Having all these little creatures around sure took a bit of the sting out of paying bills!!

Have a beautiful week... Donna