Gardening with Birds

I love when the birds share the garden. I talk to them and quite comically try to mimic their calls. I always call the cat birds “Pretty Bird,” and they often respond. I can tell when they are being inquisitive and when they are pissed that I am near their nests. Early this spring, the farm started to feel more like home when the cat birds appeared, and I have many more here than I did in Maryland, although they are much more standoffish. The cardinals are always “Mama” and “Papa,” and the blue jays are “Jay Jay.”

Papa
Mama cardinal
Garden friend "Pretty Bird"
"Like a bird on a wire..."
Cat bird
Blue Jay on patrol

The cardinals are shy, and it’s hard to get good photos. On the other hand, the house finches have raised 3 clutches this year right outside the kitchen (our primary) door. Although I see blue jays occasionally, they rarely visit the yards and gardens here. I miss them swooping in as soon as I fill the feeders and demanding peanuts if none are to be found. The robins are ubiquitous and to me less than inspiring. One hummingbird (perhaps more?) visits the feeder outside of my office window each day as she makes her rounds through the flower beds and yard. I look forward to seeing her. One winter, I had the amazing opportunity to shoot a flock of cedar waxwings from the inside of the house as they visited the frozen bath for water. They are stunningly beautiful. The woodpeckers will have their own post!

Currently in Pennsylvania we are on a sort of lock down with our feeders. Many birds have been found dead or dying with some disease that has yet to be identified. We’ve been asked to take down all feeders and baths. I have not refilled the feeders, but it’s been so hot, I am reluctant to remove water.

Here is a series I call “The Bath.”