When will they get here?

I've been enjoying all sorts of birds lately. Now I'm ready for my hummers to come back. I've got my shepard hooks ready. Feeders too. According to this map, last year in my area the hummers came back around March 16th. That's exciting b/c that's only a week or so away. It's so warm out, I might put the feeders out this weekend.

Great resource (map): http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

New Birds in the Anderson Garden

So far this year I've identified:

Bluebird
Cardinal
Tufted Timouse
House Finch
And a woodpecker: I think it's an Ivory Billed
Mourning Doves
and Robins

There are more birds, yet to be identified. Still waiting on the Hummers.

Head start for hummingbirds

I do things when they strike me. Today, it's getting ready for the years hummingbirds. I'm sorry to say I neglected my dear little friends most of last year. This year, I'll be more prepared. I'm getting a jump start by cleaning their feeders again (since I left them out with my pots, oops) and I'm going to go ahead and mix a milk jug of food. I bought powder... b/c I could never remember if I had anynow, now I have plenty. Once the powder is gone, it's on to the premixed kind. I'm sure it costs more, but shortcuts are my friend. Premixed hummingbird food can be frozen ahead of time. It stores, thawed, for 2 weeks.

The birds are going ice skating...

I think I mentioned the new bird bath we got this past weekend. I didn't get a heater because I didn't think it freezes that much here in the south. The thermometer made a liar out of me today. :) 20 whole degrees. Brrrr.

Needless to say my birds are ice skating this morning. Hopefully it'll thaw quick. I suppose I could pour some warm water on top to speed things up.

I read something interesting the other day, now I feel like I need to look into it a little more. Birds (or some birds - need to find out which ones) eat dirt. Evidentially small dirt particles help them digest food. Weird huh?

Is it cold where you are?

Lots to share...

Hope everyone had a happy holiday. Ours was relaxing! We got some great goodies. Our kitchen is a little more decked out thanks to a shiny new food processor, cool tools like a lime and lemon juicer, a garlic peeler, and a gorgeous new pan from Emerile's line (thanks mom!).

My birds are also eating in style. At least the little yellow finches are... thanks to a special new feeder just for them. Last night DH and I purchased a bird bath for the back deck. I've been wanting one for ages and I think we've found just the one. It clips to the edge of the deck and has a shallow end, a deep end, and a place to put a dripper. Not to mention the bottom is textured. These are all things that the bird magazine I recently read said a bird bath should have.

I'm so excited!

I've got lots of new "notes to self" and recipes to share.

How was your holiday? What did you get?

Gone to the Birds

I have a family of birds hanging out around my back deck. Up on the curve of the gutter there's a nest with three baby birds in it. I haven't figured out what kind of bird it is yet. I'll have to take a picture as soon as I recharge the camera... which is a whole other topic. :)

But I'm enjoying watching these two birds take care of their growing family.

I found an awesome website for bird lovers: www.whatbird.com Really, check it out. You can identify all sorts of birds by color, location, etc.