dove

by

Hot Tub Time

bunkdove

Puffnstuff’s Dugout

hottub

The “Hot Tub”

It’s been snowing all the livelong day here and there’s been no respite for the birds. I cleared the deck this morning and put out fresh food, but it was quickly covered with a fresh blanket of snow and the birds have had to work very hard to dig it out from underneath.

I cleaned out the heated birdbath as well and put fresh water in this morning, also chopping off the rim of ice that typically forms around its edge. The deck is now full of the white stuff again and as you can see from the photo, a “hot tub” is the result. It’s actually like an infinity pool the more I look at it. My birds are living the swanky life here at the Junco Junkie’s house.

I saw the rabbit last night before we went to bed. My cat, Prudie was the one who drew it to my attention. She was hanging around the sliding glass doors with very keen interest. You can tell when they are fixed on something; they are dead still and the tail flicks almost imperceptibly. We both looked out and there was the rabbit burrowing its nose in the shallow snow, scavenging for seeds. We startled him when I moved the drape, so he ran off. Despite this, I threw out some shelled peanuts and sunflower seeds and a clump of timothy hay. He didn’t come back, but this is probably because he got himself hunkered down against the storm that was to come. At least I hope that’s what he did.

It sure is nasty out there! The winds are blowing and the snow is coming down at a slant. My husband still has to drive home from the city, so I’ll be saying a few prayers for his trip.

I’ve been outside twice to try and clear some spots for the birds to feed, and I’ve cast out fresh seed periodically, but it’s a losing battle. Within minutes, everything is covered again. There’s a bushel-load of seed on my deck somewhere!

I’ll be back again soon with more from our little house.

Kat

by

Junket

triowg

Thursday was a very exciting day.  A trip into the city resulted in a few goodies for me, or rather for the birds in my winter garden. As it’s Christmas, my loving husband’s greatest gift to me was a spree in the Birds Unlimited store. I bought a bird-bath heater for the deck, a vertical suet-feeder and some peanut-butter suet. To be honest, I could have gone mad, there was that much amazing stuff on offer.

As if that weren’t enough, we happened upon a craft-store in an old house on a corner lot, that was going out of business and I found a charming fence feeder made entirely from reclaimed materials. Wait until you see it!

We’ve been in and out doing Christmassy things, but I’ve cleared the deck and scattered seed each day. We now have about six regular juncos, a trio of chipping sparrows and yesterday we had a pair of house finches. A visit from a dove was encouraging, despite its facing the wrong way on the fence and flying off without hanging around. My husband witnessed the rabbit on the deck first thing this morning, so I’ll be putting out carrots tonight.

We had some sad news the other day. Our neighbour who lived directly behind us (on the other side of the cedars) passed away quite suddenly. She was a friend to the birds as well, and always kept her silo feeders full of nyjer seed for the goldfinches in the summertime. She had an immaculate garden with lots of trees and perennials. I am hopeful that the next owner of her home will care for the garden and its inhabitants as conscientiously as she did.

Well, I don’t know if I’ll have time to share with you for a few days. This evening we will be singing in our church choir for Christmas Eve, and again in the morning. It’s a busy time for all.

However you spend the holiday, may you be blessed with peace and joy.

All the best from us here at the winter garden.

Kat