It’s late at night and my brain is fried! The studies are intense as I head into the final two weeks of the quarter. I “should” be working on a paper but I had to stop and share an experience from this morning! Recently I discovered a stack of pie tins, all sizes and shapes, that had been left here by the previous owner. We can’t use them but I hate to throw them away, so I made a bird feeder (the squirrels enjoy it, too) and bird baths out on our deck. Nothing fancy, but they will do for now. I have enjoyed looking out our windows at all the activity. We’ve had Robins, Purple Finches, Crows, Tree Sparrows, Blue Jays, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Cardinals, a Common Grackle, House Sparrow, Mourning Doves, Song Sparrows, and more (that I can’t name!) I have taken great delight in watching them and then identifying them via an app on my iPod (Chirp! U.S.A.)
Additionally, we have watched chipmunks, rabbits and deer in our yard (yes, deer) and of course, squirrels! Well, this morning I got “up close and personal” with a new squirrel friend! He was on the deck when I went out to fill the feeder and baths. At first we just stared at each other, his body tense, ready for flight. I spoke softly and inched my way closer and closer; several times he turned to run, but then he turned back and edged closer to me. We carried on like this for a few minutes until we were within reach of each other. That was as close as I wanted to get this time. I had my camera in hand so I shot photos as I talked to him. After a while I could see that he was more relaxed and was enjoying the “bird” food. I expect he’ll come around again tomorrow. Hopefully at some point in the future he will eat from my hand. (Maybe the birds will, too, eventually.)
So, enjoy some photos from this morning’s serendipitous encounter, along with other photos of the wildlife in our yard!
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Inspired Vision 
What a totally gorgeous slideshow! That is the one thing I miss from living in the house — the backyard wildlife!
There was one picture of the cardinal and two song sparrows that was really outstanding!
It’s 2AM here, guess I need to try and sleep again..
Thanks Rebekah! I’ve lived in apartments for years so I’m happy to get back into a house. THE reason I wanted a house was for the yard! Hopefully we will be able to enjoy our “wild” life/garden/yard for years to come. Thanks for stopping by (2AM!!! I hope you were able to get some sleep) and I’ll be back to ‘blog hopping’ very SOON! Only 2 more weeks left in this quarter. Yay! 😉
FANTASTIC….do you realize just how lucky you are to be trusted by these animals in your garden..how wonderful! Those old tins you found were an omen and you did the right thing with them. never mind about ‘ posh’ birds and animals feel at home and safe with what you have provided….you clever lovely caring lady !!!
Thanks Patrecia! I love greeting my “wild” friends every morning, and watching their antics every day. I think I’m reall going to like it here. By the way, the neighbors are nice, too! 😉
They are greeting you with a WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. Nice photos.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks Francine. I am sooooo enjoying having a backyard and all the “wild” life that goes with it. In the years to come I hope to create a garden and haven for us all! Thanks for stopping by. I will get back to “blog hopping” SOON! Blessings to you. 🙂
It is a delight to see so many small sparrows enjoying a bath. Here in Delhi(India) its rare to even spot two together…
I am so glad you enjoyed the photos! The sparrows are quite plentiful here. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day. 🙂
Very cool!
Thank you, jazfagan! I’m happy that you like it. Thanks, too, for stopping by. 🙂
I’m so glad you took a break from your studies to share your close encounter of the natural kind. Thank you.
Thank YOU! I’m glad you like it. 🙂
Where’s the LOVE button when I need it?! Goodness, some of these shots are amazing!
Hugs,
Kathy
Thanks Kathy!
These critters, the ‘wild’ ones, help me keep sane during this intense time of my life (when I wonder if I’ve made a wise choice of life path to follow!) After the close encounter with the squirrel (I’m going to have to come up with a name for him), I just had to share!!! Glad you “love” it. And thanks for stopping by.
Hugs back,
C
Congrats on the new home! Hope you’ll enjoy your time there. Seems like you are already!
Thanks, CG. Yes, I am loving it here! I had no idea that there was so much to see in our own back yard. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Wondering…do you have your bird baths and feeders fastened down at all? It hadn’t occurred to me how sweet the birds would look taking their little baths, and I’ve got a spare metal pie plate just hanging out. Your photos have got the wheels turning…
The bird baths are on the deck floor. Works beautifully. The bird feeder is one of those pie tins with a series of holes in the bottom to help get a crispy crust (if one were to actually bake a pie in it! 😉 ), so I fit one of the holes on a nail that was already on the deck banister, and that holds it secure enough that a squirrel can sit in it and it doesn’t go anywhere. I was thinking about looking for stones and actually making a feeder/bath using the pie tins balanced on the stones out in the yard. Add a few plants around and it might look nice. I’m still working on ideas. Anything that will hold water will work I think. Let me know what you do.
He he! Looks like you’re having good fun at the new home! Good luck with your new squirrel friend :).
Everyday I discover something new. We are having great fun ‘meeting’ our animal neighbors. It will be more fun in the months and years ahead as we plant and add to the wonderful garden. 🙂
A marvelous slide show. Leaves me wishing for a deck! Good luck with the paper!
Thanks Linda. We haven’t had a deck ever, so we are enjoying this quite a lot. And for the paper, it is done and I’m on to another! Only 2 weeks left in the quarter; YAY!
terrific Cecelia…i love them all but I adore that squirrel
I know. The squirrel is adorable. Hopefully by the end of summer I’ll have him eating out of my hand. Stay tuned!
The squirrels really like you! Are you a squirrel-whisperer?
Well, I don’t know about that, but I do have this thing with squirrels. 🙂
great captures! I love that wet cardinal that doesn’t want to share the bath 🙂
Glad you like the photos! I haven’t had the time to go shopping for bird feeders or birdbaths but have found that old pie tins work quite well! They are fun to watch. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Cecelia,
My name is Anne Arntson and I’m with HouseLogic.com. I wanted to reach out to you because we would like to ask your permission to use this door image from your website in an upcoming article:
I’m required to get written permission for all images that we use on the website in the form of our image permission, which I would like to send to you. We provide an image credit and credit link, so we would be happy to attribute the image to you. Can you please email me?
Thanks!
Anne
Thanks for your comment. Please send email address so that I can respond. Thank you.