Author Topic: Birds (Read 762 times)

pastorp · « **on:** January 30, 2013, 12:52:35 AM »

When I lived in Alaska I fed the birds. It was a way of disposing of left overs.

now that we have retired & relocated back to Florida. My wife says no pets. I wanted a Decker Terrier, but I can see the wife's point, our old cat died not long before we moved and it really hurts to lose your friend. Pets don't live as long as people. So I need something to occupy my time.

The other day I was in Walmart and noticed the bird feeders in the garden dept. I bought one. A rather large one for seeds and a hummingbird feeder as well. Now I wake up to the sound of my bird friends singing to the morning sun. Makes me smile as I drink my coffee listing to my new pets and watching them.

Oh and then there is this fox squrrel that lives in the big hickory tree. But that's another story.

Regards,

JonnyReb · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2013, 02:36:59 AM »

Good for you, a bird feeder gives non stop entertainment. I've had one out for years and when I was growing up mom always had one. Just seems to me like something your supposed to do

Took it to the next step and got 10 chickens, now THAT'S.a party. They remind me of a herd of friendly little dinosaurs running around the backyard. They make good pets surprisingly and could live in the backyard perhaps. Wouldn't bother your wife and would give an egg a day per chicken. So sorry to hear of the loss of your cat. Our pets just don't live long enough and it takes me a long time to get over losing them. I know how you feel. J

ousooners1baby · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2013, 07:36:48 AM »

What happens when the birds die? jk

KIMBER45 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2013, 09:21:24 AM »

FYI - I hope you are cleaning the hummingbird feeders in a timely fashion. If not, the feeder becomes contaminated and the hummingbirds will die after feeding. Is the squirrel behaving itself or has it started raiding ur feeder?

pastorp · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2013, 10:38:29 AM »

Well Baby I guess they just die, I doubt my wife will get that attached to them. You know a cat that sits on your lap every night and you develope a close attachment to is different than a few songbirds in the yard each morning. I listen to them & basically they sing for their breakfast.

Kimberly, the hummingbird feeder has been up 3 days should I have have cleaned it already ?

Regards,

Anna · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2013, 11:55:54 AM »

I know what you mean by your kitty, I had a little dog that died of old age and it still grieves me.
Pets like that were there in our past in good and bad times . In the bad times they sometimes were
the only joy you had and they shared the good times with you.
Other than people its like you have lost a living part of your past life. After they are gone your past
Is only memory's and some photos. I will always miss Precious and wish I could hold her just one
more time. It pains me because at first when she was a small puppy I didn't care for her all that
much . But that soon ended because she was so persistent to be my friend .

KIMBER45 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2013, 02:25:56 PM »

Quote from: pastorp on January 30, 2013, 10:38:29 AM

Well Baby I guess they just die, I doubt my wife will get that attached to them. You know a cat that sits on your lap every night and you develope a close attachment to is different than a few songbirds in the yard each morning. I listen to them & basically they sing for their breakfast.

Kimberly, the hummingbird feeder has been up 3 days should I have have cleaned it already ?

Regards,
[/quote
It is very important to clean a hummingbird feeder every three days or so. If a hummingbird feeder is not properly cleaned, mold may grow in the nectar. Since hummingbirds are so small with such tiny little organs, any bit of containment in the hummingbird food can cause illness and/or death.
]

two-blocked · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2013, 06:01:37 PM »

My grandma was a bird feeding nut, my mom is a bird feeding nut and so am I and my siblings.
In the winter I use straight sunflower seeds and in the summer I feed the hummers.

scootrd · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2013, 06:41:47 PM »

My wife and I are with ya. Never thought I would be a bird watcher.

However our Sunday morning coffee time is sittin on front porch and watching all the different the birds at the feeders.
Occasionally all the birds around the feeders attract some surprising visitors as well. I have some great pics of Owls, falcons, Hawks etc.

powderman · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2013, 03:46:05 AM »

WE feed birds all year long. The entertainment value is priceless, and by keeping them close by in the summer it seems to cut down on the skeeters. Every once in a while a hawk will swoop down and nab a sparrow. POWDERMAN.

RevJim · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2013, 05:02:59 AM »

We feed birds too, and in the winter time, we have a heated bird bath. Very little open water during this time of year, and the poor things end up drinking from contaminated gutters, etc. I can't help them all, but the ones I can, I do. I love those doves in the warmer months. I did not know that about cleaning the hummingbird feeders. Our climate is very dry, mold doesn't seem to a problem on anything, but I won't chance it. Our most common feed is "Black Oil" sunflower seeds, what do you use there Pastor?

pastorp · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2013, 06:35:57 AM »

Jim, in Alaska I just used left over table scraps and stale bread and such to feed the crows, ravens, gulls, & occasional eagle.

but here I'm using mixed bird seed & grains it comes in a 20# bag at Walmart. I put it in a cedar box feeder. I believe I'll also get a tallo block too next time I'm in WM.

Regards,

ousooners1baby · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2013, 09:36:55 AM »

Do like me then pastor. Get a dadgum dog that is stupid as a junebug and two cats that fight on your porch every night, climb up the screens on your door looking in the windows. Them suckers live forever. Of course, the one's we are real attached to die to soon.

powderman · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2013, 01:57:38 PM »

We put out suet cakes year round too. If theres a RURAL KING near you they have them for 59 cts a cake. They are cheapo, few sunflower seeds but the birds sure like them.
Hummingbird nectar goes sour, the hotter the temp the quicker it spoils. We never fill one, too wasteful. I did NOT know it was poisonous, only that when it soured they wouldn't touch it. I always toss xtra on the ground when it snows.
REV JIM. No heated water, but thanks for reminding me, I forgot the water today. POWDERMAN.

a4beltfed2000 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 31, 2013, 04:32:28 PM »

while I am a hunter, I do consider myself a conservationist to. Wife and I started up a capitive wildlife facility here and I do find it to be a rewarding experience. over the years, dealing with animal species that I had once only considered to be a game animal, has given me a new perspective and a new respect for God's creature and the cycle of life. I'm still a avid hunter and its what fills our freezer every year but in this I found that while hunting I found something more than a trophy but myself.

pastorp · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2013, 12:09:58 AM »

Actually I put up a corn feeder under a big oak tree within sight of my pool. The deer & turkeys mostly visit it. I'm a hunter too but the rule has always been where ever I lived " you don't shoot the house flock ". So the animals around my house get a free pass.

Regards,

guzzijohn · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2013, 05:33:26 AM »

Quote from pastorp:
"So the animals around my house get a free pass."

I agree except for coyotes and skunks (skunks are more my wife's thing). If they are close enough to the house to be killed with a rifle they are dead.
GuzziJohn

KIMBER45 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2013, 08:10:16 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on February 01, 2013, 12:09:58 AM

Actually I put up a corn feeder under a big oak tree within sight of my pool. The deer & turkeys mostly visit it. I'm a hunter too but the rule has always been where ever I lived " you don't shoot the house flock ". So the animals around my house get a free pass.

Regards,

you socialist -

guzzijohn · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2013, 08:28:19 AM »

How is it that some of you right wringers are so willing to create bird wellfare and making them dependent on handouts instead of supporting themselves? Should be ashamed of yourselves. Next thing those birds will be smoking crack, drinking and having illegitimate chicks with no father birds supporting them. Socialists all!

GuzziJohn

pastorp · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2013, 12:54:19 PM »

Guess I never though of it that way, guzzi.
& I would shoot the coyotes but by the time I wake up their gone. Tracks of three big ones in the dirt road in front of the house yesterday morning.

sneaky little devils, they are.

Regards,

scootrd · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2013, 01:01:57 PM »

Quote from: guzzijohn on February 01, 2013, 08:28:19 AM

How is it that some of you right wringers are so willing to create bird wellfare and making them dependent on handouts instead of supporting themselves? Should be ashamed of yourselves. Next thing those birds will be smoking crack, drinking and having illegitimate chicks with no father birds supporting them. Socialists all!
GuzziJohn

Now that is just funny. Thanks for the laugh.
By the way the blue jays are the worse. They move in to the feeders..... and well you know , throwing seeds everywhere, lowering feeder property values, always fighting with the neighbors..Sigh there goes the neighborhood.

mechanic · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2013, 01:19:33 PM »

My wife runs three feeders, so we have lots of birds about to entertain our cats......the only real downside is that the birds drop the seed on the ground which attracts rats and mice..which attract snakes. I've killed upwards of 20 copperheads in the last two years.

I truly love the hummingbird feeders. I can sit on the porch and they will fly within a few inchs of my face and look me over....

Ben

williamlayton · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2013, 01:53:19 AM »

Good reads----Thanks.
Blessings

pastorp · « **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2013, 11:59:40 PM »

Yesterday I put up the new seed block & a red headed woodpecker visited the oak tree I hung it in.

Watched him for quite a while.

Yes old woody was here.

Regards,