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#11
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Backyard buffet - not quite OT
"jmcquown" wrote in message
... "Joy" wrote in message ... "jmcquown" wrote in message ... "Joy" wrote in message ... I've had a lot of customers since I first started my backyard buffet. I have a patio slab just outside the sliding glass door in the living room. I eat my meals in a chair where I can see the patio. Several weeks ago I noticed that my (indoor only) cats were looking through the door intently at some birds in the yard. I decided to add to their entertainment - and mine. I bought a bag of birdseed, put some in an old cat dish, set it out on the patio and watched to see what would happen. It took a couple of days, but the birds discovering it. Gradually I expanded my buffet. For one thing, I also scatter some seed on the patio, since only one or two birds at a time can eat out of the dish. Next, I added about half a dozen peanuts in the shell, hoping to attract the squirrels I see occasionally in the yard. I started breaking up half a slice of bread and scattering that out there, too. Then, the last time I bought birdseed, I noticed a bell-shaped cake of the seed for under $2, so I bought that too. I often have 15 or 20 sparrows out there enjoying the buffet, and frequently a few doves show up as well. When I first started putting out the peanuts, they were carried off by crows. then a scrub jay discovered them, and the crows moved on. Occasionally I'll see a squirrel out there. One day a cute little mouse would run up, nibble from the "bell", then run away. He did this repeatedly for quite a while. The jay that seems to come most often for the peanuts has an interesting routine. He'll pick up a nut, then drop it and pick up another one. Sometimes he repeats this until he has picked up all of them. Finally he flies off with one. Then he comes back for another. If the squirrel doesn't beat him to them, he eventually takes them all. Today, I had a couple of new customers. I think they were probably parakeets of some sort. They were a brilliant green, with orange heads and chests. I don't know who gets the most out of the bouquet - the critters, the cats or me. I think we all enjoy it, though. Joy Isn't it fun! I'm an avid bird watcher. Persia is, too, of course I recommend filling the cat dish with water rather than seed and just scattering the seed on the patio. (I've tried all sorts of bird feeders but racoons raided and broke every single one of them.) The peanuts are a good idea. I buy them from a local farmer (he and his wife have a farm stand where they sell fresh produce on weekends) and the squirrels get them. That's funny about the jay... yes, they do have odd little routines. They have to make sure they choose the right nut! I don't think those were parakeets you saw. I've never seen any with orange heads. (They were the only pet I was allowed to have growing up so I'm quite familiar with parakeets.) Where are you located? I can look them up in my bird book. Jill I'm in Southern California, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles. That would be great if you could find them in your bird book! I'd love to know what they are. Joy I think what you're seeing is a Lorikeet. They're bright green and some of them have bright orange or red heads. Jill Thanks. I wonder if they're native to this area, or escaped pets? I've never seen one before. Joy |
#12
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Backyard buffet - not quite OT
"Christina Websell" wrote in message
... "jmcquown" wrote in message ... "Joy" wrote in message ... "jmcquown" wrote in message ... "Joy" wrote in message ... I've had a lot of customers since I first started my backyard buffet. I have a patio slab just outside the sliding glass door in the living room. I eat my meals in a chair where I can see the patio. Several weeks ago I noticed that my (indoor only) cats were looking through the door intently at some birds in the yard. I decided to add to their entertainment - and mine. I bought a bag of birdseed, put some in an old cat dish, set it out on the patio and watched to see what would happen. It took a couple of days, but the birds discovering it. Gradually I expanded my buffet. For one thing, I also scatter some seed on the patio, since only one or two birds at a time can eat out of the dish. Next, I added about half a dozen peanuts in the shell, hoping to attract the squirrels I see occasionally in the yard. I started breaking up half a slice of bread and scattering that out there, too. Then, the last time I bought birdseed, I noticed a bell-shaped cake of the seed for under $2, so I bought that too. I often have 15 or 20 sparrows out there enjoying the buffet, and frequently a few doves show up as well. When I first started putting out the peanuts, they were carried off by crows. then a scrub jay discovered them, and the crows moved on. Occasionally I'll see a squirrel out there. One day a cute little mouse would run up, nibble from the "bell", then run away. He did this repeatedly for quite a while. The jay that seems to come most often for the peanuts has an interesting routine. He'll pick up a nut, then drop it and pick up another one. Sometimes he repeats this until he has picked up all of them. Finally he flies off with one. Then he comes back for another. If the squirrel doesn't beat him to them, he eventually takes them all. Today, I had a couple of new customers. I think they were probably parakeets of some sort. They were a brilliant green, with orange heads and chests. I don't know who gets the most out of the bouquet - the critters, the cats or me. I think we all enjoy it, though. Joy Isn't it fun! I'm an avid bird watcher. Persia is, too, of course I recommend filling the cat dish with water rather than seed and just scattering the seed on the patio. (I've tried all sorts of bird feeders but racoons raided and broke every single one of them.) The peanuts are a good idea. I buy them from a local farmer (he and his wife have a farm stand where they sell fresh produce on weekends) and the squirrels get them. That's funny about the jay... yes, they do have odd little routines. They have to make sure they choose the right nut! I don't think those were parakeets you saw. I've never seen any with orange heads. (They were the only pet I was allowed to have growing up so I'm quite familiar with parakeets.) Where are you located? I can look them up in my bird book. Jill I'm in Southern California, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles. That would be great if you could find them in your bird book! I'd love to know what they are. Joy I think what you're seeing is a Lorikeet. They're bright green and some of them have bright orange or red heads. Jill Could it be this one? http://southamerica.whatbird.com/obj..._Parakeet.aspx Tweed No, that isn't quite it. Joy |
#13
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Backyard buffet - not quite OT
"Joy" wrote in message ... "jmcquown" wrote in message ... "Joy" wrote in message ... "jmcquown" wrote in message ... "Joy" wrote in message ... I've had a lot of customers since I first started my backyard buffet. I have a patio slab just outside the sliding glass door in the living room. I eat my meals in a chair where I can see the patio. Several weeks ago I noticed that my (indoor only) cats were looking through the door intently at some birds in the yard. I decided to add to their entertainment - and mine. I bought a bag of birdseed, put some in an old cat dish, set it out on the patio and watched to see what would happen. It took a couple of days, but the birds discovering it. Gradually I expanded my buffet. For one thing, I also scatter some seed on the patio, since only one or two birds at a time can eat out of the dish. Next, I added about half a dozen peanuts in the shell, hoping to attract the squirrels I see occasionally in the yard. I started breaking up half a slice of bread and scattering that out there, too. Then, the last time I bought birdseed, I noticed a bell-shaped cake of the seed for under $2, so I bought that too. I often have 15 or 20 sparrows out there enjoying the buffet, and frequently a few doves show up as well. When I first started putting out the peanuts, they were carried off by crows. then a scrub jay discovered them, and the crows moved on. Occasionally I'll see a squirrel out there. One day a cute little mouse would run up, nibble from the "bell", then run away. He did this repeatedly for quite a while. The jay that seems to come most often for the peanuts has an interesting routine. He'll pick up a nut, then drop it and pick up another one. Sometimes he repeats this until he has picked up all of them. Finally he flies off with one. Then he comes back for another. If the squirrel doesn't beat him to them, he eventually takes them all. Today, I had a couple of new customers. I think they were probably parakeets of some sort. They were a brilliant green, with orange heads and chests. I don't know who gets the most out of the bouquet - the critters, the cats or me. I think we all enjoy it, though. Joy Isn't it fun! I'm an avid bird watcher. Persia is, too, of course I recommend filling the cat dish with water rather than seed and just scattering the seed on the patio. (I've tried all sorts of bird feeders but racoons raided and broke every single one of them.) The peanuts are a good idea. I buy them from a local farmer (he and his wife have a farm stand where they sell fresh produce on weekends) and the squirrels get them. That's funny about the jay... yes, they do have odd little routines. They have to make sure they choose the right nut! I don't think those were parakeets you saw. I've never seen any with orange heads. (They were the only pet I was allowed to have growing up so I'm quite familiar with parakeets.) Where are you located? I can look them up in my bird book. Jill I'm in Southern California, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles. That would be great if you could find them in your bird book! I'd love to know what they are. Joy I think what you're seeing is a Lorikeet. They're bright green and some of them have bright orange or red heads. Jill Thanks. I wonder if they're native to this area, or escaped pets? I've never seen one before. Joy Probably escaped pets. Most of my parakeets were escaped pets. When I was 16 I got really angry at my mother for putting the bird cage on the patio. They liked the sunshine. She'd leave the door open to the cage. I had four of them and I walked in and the only one left was about to fly out the door. I still feel bad about making her cry. But she lost my birds. Jill |
#14
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Backyard buffet - not quite OT
On Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:08:46 -0700, "Joy" wrote:
I've had a lot of customers since I first started my backyard buffet. I have a patio slab just outside the sliding glass door in the living room. I eat my meals in a chair where I can see the patio. Several weeks ago I noticed that my (indoor only) cats were looking through the door intently at some birds in the yard. I decided to add to their entertainment - and mine. I bought a bag of birdseed, put some in an old cat dish, set it out on the patio and watched to see what would happen. It took a couple of days, but the birds discovering it. Gradually I expanded my buffet. For one thing, I also scatter some seed on the patio, since only one or two birds at a time can eat out of the dish. Next, I added about half a dozen peanuts in the shell, hoping to attract the squirrels I see occasionally in the yard. I started breaking up half a slice of bread and scattering that out there, too. Then, the last time I bought birdseed, I noticed a bell-shaped cake of the seed for under $2, so I bought that too. I often have 15 or 20 sparrows out there enjoying the buffet, and frequently a few doves show up as well. When I first started putting out the peanuts, they were carried off by crows. then a scrub jay discovered them, and the crows moved on. Occasionally I'll see a squirrel out there. One day a cute little mouse would run up, nibble from the "bell", then run away. He did this repeatedly for quite a while. The jay that seems to come most often for the peanuts has an interesting routine. He'll pick up a nut, then drop it and pick up another one. Sometimes he repeats this until he has picked up all of them. Finally he flies off with one. Then he comes back for another. If the squirrel doesn't beat him to them, he eventually takes them all. Today, I had a couple of new customers. I think they were probably parakeets of some sort. They were a brilliant green, with orange heads and chests. I don't know who gets the most out of the bouquet - the critters, the cats or me. I think we all enjoy it, though. Joy Absurdity: A statement of belief manifestly inconsistent with one's own opinion. -- Ambrose Bierce Great story. I feed the birds during the winter but let them find their own food otherwise. Well, not completely. I have a mulberry tree in my little yard, and they are very nasty purple things that stain everything. But I haven't ripped it out because the birds just love them. I do have to spray the deck frequently to remove the purple poop stains. So I guess that I feed the birds in summer as well. During the winter I put out seed and even have a heated bird bath to make sure they have somewhere to drink and bathe. I figure that this balances out the occasional bird that my cats kill when I let them into the yard. It's fenced in so the cats can't leave, but they do get a bird once or twice during the year. The cat that lives in front of the house, Baby, killed at least three birds this summer as well as the occasional waterbug. She leaves them on the walkway so I can't miss them. How nice to receive presents. I guess this is the thanks for feeding her. |
#15
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Backyard buffet - not quite OT
"Joy" wrote in message ... "Christina Websell" wrote in message ... "jmcquown" wrote in message ... "Joy" wrote in message news:4e4ff588$0$12469$ Today, I had a couple of new customers. I think they were probably parakeets of some sort. They were a brilliant green, with orange heads and chests. I don't know who gets the most out of the bouquet - the critters, the cats or me. I think we all enjoy it, though. Joy Isn't it fun! I'm an avid bird watcher. Persia is, too, of course I recommend filling the cat dish with water rather than seed and just scattering the seed on the patio. (I've tried all sorts of bird feeders but racoons raided and broke every single one of them.) The peanuts are a good idea. I buy them from a local farmer (he and his wife have a farm stand where they sell fresh produce on weekends) and the squirrels get them. That's funny about the jay... yes, they do have odd little routines. They have to make sure they choose the right nut! I don't think those were parakeets you saw. I've never seen any with orange heads. (They were the only pet I was allowed to have growing up so I'm quite familiar with parakeets.) Where are you located? I can look them up in my bird book. Jill I'm in Southern California, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles. That would be great if you could find them in your bird book! I'd love to know what they are. Joy I think what you're seeing is a Lorikeet. They're bright green and some of them have bright orange or red heads. Jill Could it be this one? http://southamerica.whatbird.com/obj..._Parakeet.aspx Tweed No, that isn't quite it. Joy Aww. I was sure I had solved it as it said a colony was in the LA area! Never mind, it was worth a try. What do *you* think they are? Tweed |
#16
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Backyard buffet - not quite OT
"Christina Websell" wrote in message
... "Joy" wrote in message ... "Christina Websell" wrote in message ... "jmcquown" wrote in message ... "Joy" wrote in message news:4e4ff588$0$12469$ Today, I had a couple of new customers. I think they were probably parakeets of some sort. They were a brilliant green, with orange heads and chests. I don't know who gets the most out of the bouquet - the critters, the cats or me. I think we all enjoy it, though. Joy Isn't it fun! I'm an avid bird watcher. Persia is, too, of course I recommend filling the cat dish with water rather than seed and just scattering the seed on the patio. (I've tried all sorts of bird feeders but racoons raided and broke every single one of them.) The peanuts are a good idea. I buy them from a local farmer (he and his wife have a farm stand where they sell fresh produce on weekends) and the squirrels get them. That's funny about the jay... yes, they do have odd little routines. They have to make sure they choose the right nut! I don't think those were parakeets you saw. I've never seen any with orange heads. (They were the only pet I was allowed to have growing up so I'm quite familiar with parakeets.) Where are you located? I can look them up in my bird book. Jill I'm in Southern California, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles. That would be great if you could find them in your bird book! I'd love to know what they are. Joy I think what you're seeing is a Lorikeet. They're bright green and some of them have bright orange or red heads. Jill Could it be this one? http://southamerica.whatbird.com/obj..._Parakeet.aspx Tweed No, that isn't quite it. Joy Aww. I was sure I had solved it as it said a colony was in the LA area! Never mind, it was worth a try. What do *you* think they are? Tweed They showed up again yesterday, and came within a few feet of the sliding glass door, so I could get a better look at them. the tops of their heads aren't orange after all. Their beaks are orange, and the orange of the feathers in front blends into the orange of the beak. After looking at assorted pictures, I'm sure they're some variety of lorikeets, although they're definitely not rainbow lorikeets. I found some photos that almost matched, but the heads were bright blue instead of green. I'll have to see them again to make sure that isn't the case with these, but I don't think it is. There's definitely no red on them, though. Incidentally, the mouse is back - the one who originally showed the birds that the "bell" was worth bothering with. Today he wasn't interested in the bell I got to replace the one that was stolen. Instead, he took one of the unshelled peanuts, almost out from under the nose - er, beak - of a scrub jay. I was amazed that such a tiny creature could handle the peanut. Joy |
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