attracting birds

30 Jun '06 6:33 am

Hi everyone, I hope I'm not coming across as being obnoxious. I was trying to direct you to my article about attracting birds, and I kind of flubbed it.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/34074/how_to_attract_birds_in_st_paul_or.html

I admit, if you like what I wrote, I'd so appreciate it if you rate it a 5 at the top... but if you don't want to bother, don't worry...honestly! I just hope you can pick up some good tips from what I wrote.

Meanwhile, I've had parents feeding their baby House Finches and Grackles at our various feeders, and Downy Woodpeckers feeding their babies on our suet feeder. And a friend of mine e-mailed saying there was a sparrow feed her "baby" in her yard--the baby is a robust Cowbird that's twice the sparrow's size!

Ahh, there's so much more to enjoy when it isn't winter, if you ask me, despite the beauty.

Meanwhile, I've been taking pictures of my plants as they go through their revolution; early spring, spring, early summer, etc. Not sure where I should post the latest, in case you'd like to see them... Darlene

30 Jun '06 8:27 am

Oh, my gawd, now there's a bigger, different kind of woodpecker parent feeding its babe on my suet feeder!They're both the same size, unlike the downies. It's so darling; wish you could see them! And there's also a baby cardinal on top of the pole, peeping away. Can't believe how excited I get when I see things like this, right in my very own back yard, just a matter of feet from where I'm watching them. Very Happy

25 Jul '06 10:47 am

Hi Darlene
that is a very good article on attracting birds. There is a lot of information and it is very well presented. I have a lot of bird feeders at the woodland garden and we get tons of birds.

I believe that the birds really make a difference in the whole expierence of being at the woodland garden.

I believe while I am the caretaker of the garden that the birds and other wild life that is attracted there are the real tenets of the garden and I as caretaker should make thier homes as comfortable and inviting as possible.

Please keep up the good work and let me know if you write anymore articles.

26 Jul '06 6:06 am

I enjoyed the article, Darlene, and saved it to read (and refer to) again. (No problem giving it a 'five' either)

Watching birds outside the many windows of our house is one of my favorite things to do. Even the hawk who puts in an appearance once in awhile is a welcome sight__if he is hunting mice and not "my" wild rabbits or "my" birds. I love watching him make 'lazy circles in the sky'...after all, this is Oklahoma. Laughing

Haven't been able to get a shot of him, but got these two Great Crested Flycatchers out the breakfast room window one morning.

26 Jul '06 4:41 pm

Glenn and Norvona, so good to meet you! I’ve been out of touch with Moosey’s for awhile; too busy, and haven’t been able to get on the computer because we’ve had people staying here off and on. Thank you both for the compliments on my article; just glad you liked them!

Glenn, thanks for adding your website here. It’s so fascinating watching the progress on your woodland garden. What a wonderful place to have them, like you said, right in the middle of urban sprawl—and I love the pictures, they look so enticing. Just wish I could see them in person. As for the parking lot area—what a shame the backhoe operator messed up. So hope the honey locust makes it!

I feel the same way as you, that since I attracted the wildlife, I'm "responsible" for their care and safety. I have to admit, I’ve always admired professional groundskeepers (like you), just because they know so very much about plants and trees, and they also have a keen eye for how things should be arranged so they’ll look and grow their best (much like an interior decorator). I tend to be haphazard when I plant, and even when I’ve planted flowers with a scheme in mind, over the years they’ve tended to “jump” to another area, usually to where they’ll be able to get more sun than a "mere mortal" like me had provided them.

You’ve got such beautiful lilies! That’s one thing I don’t have, although I have some wild ones I transplanted. They’re probably my ultimate favorite lilies—the tiny Asiatic Day Lily. (Photo below). In some areas it’s considered a weed, but I’ve never had them spread—the plant itself remains short— and they’re so hard to find. The flowers open in the morning, and by mid-afternoon they’re closed up… such a joy to go outside and see their gorgeous blue greeting the day.

But then I tend to propagate wildflowers (weeds) that most people would never grow in their gardens. Several years ago I transplanted a sprig of alfalfa from a farmer’s field, because I was intrigued by its purple flowers. I live in the city, but it’s flourished. And my one plant hasn’t spread; it just branches out a bit more from the main stem every year and grows a bit taller. Since then, I’ve learned that’s because the roots grow extremely deep, instead of outward. But most fascinating, I learned that farmers plant it along with their crop rotation when they don’t want to use any fertilizer or nitrogen, because alfalfa provides nitrogen—it’s actually a natural fertilizer, because it adds nitrogen to the soil!

Actually, I do have another article you may enjoy—pretty much the same, but about butterflies. Again, if you read and like it, I’d so appreciate it if you could rate it with a five at the top again:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/32344/how_to_attract_butterflies_in_the_city.html

Norvona, hah, now you've got me singing Oklahoma! But it's so true, they do make lazy circles in the sky... so graceful and carefree. I feel the same way about hawks; as long as they don't go after "my" rabbits or birds--or butterflies.

I thought we had some pretty fascinating birds, but I've never seen any Flycatchers. Thank you so much for the pictures! I had to call my husband to come see yours, and our daughter's staying with us until she gets another apartment, so when she got home, I had to quick call her to see them, too. Beautiful!

We just bought a digital camera, but all I've been able to get good shots of are flowers. As for birds or butterflies, do I ever need to learn more.

Hey, you two--wishing you continued joy, serenity and fulfillment from your gardens. Isn't it wonderful? All my absolute best wishes, Darlene

attracting birds

attracting birds

attracting birds and their babies!

VERY INFORMATIVE READ

attracting birds