Sidetracked Charley

Evening Grosbeak   It has been a bad year for birds. Even with most of the humans out of their way there seems to have been a huge die off in populations. For me, however, there seems to have been an abundance of some species. The Evening Grosbeaks normally in the high pines were in my meadow (with large spruce tree) partaking of the bird seeds I normally reserve for harsh winter days. They were joined by a bevy of Redwing Black Birds normally in the marsh areas. But barely represented were the hummingbirds.  We all put up our feeders and watched patiently for them and carefully monitored the level in our feeders but they didn't come in swarms and the feeders did not need refilled. We refilled them only because we worried about the freshness. Nobody mentioned it on Facebook. When Cheryl mentioned it, just above a whisper, as we sat on my deck and noticed a solitary hummer approach one of my four feeders. Where are they? I mentioned a Wendy's hamburger and was set upon by numer...

  Red sky in the morning.  Sailors take warning. But I am likely to be out on the deck taking photos of it and not heading to a safe harbor. But then just what is a safe harbor these days. I assume it is my home. You know where the Governor of our state has urged us to stay. It was a Dog Gone Park day so I was content even if all of them were still on Day Light Savings time. BTW dogs don't get that. And what is it we are saving all this time for? But that was my mood until a long term stay over's owner called. No, it wasn't to extend the stay. It was to pick her up in the safest way possible. Boca's owner had tested positive during a trip to the airport. Now she had to quarantine for 14 days and of course she wanted to do it with her dog. I have Dog Gone Park set up so owners do not have to get closer than seven feet. Masks required. Dog through inner gate into holding alley. They get this so well. Better than their humans if truth be known. Boca's travel bag was al...