Turkey Trot

A flock of wild turkeys that Smiley saw today near UWM, no doubt glad that Thanksgiving is over.

A Seagull in Flight

While the seagull pictures on my Laborfest post were taken by me, Junie took some stunning pictures of her own that day. Here are a few. 

My Birds

Well, not mine per se, just some random pictures I've taken this year of the birds that frequent either my yard or the feeder I maintain outside my window at work. 

My Birdies Today :)

An Unexpected Bonus

Here's an unexpected bonus from my bird feeder at work. The local chipmunks made a habit of stealing sunflower seeds, dropped by the birds, and burying them in the big pots on the patio. These pots, I'm told, have not (intentionally) held plants since Covid broke out.  

Apparently chipmunks have short memories, because these seeds, instead of becoming chipmunk din-din, started to grow. 

And now, by virtue of my bird feeder, I have grown pots full of sunflowers that now grace the patio! LOL

My other Birdies

Lest you think my birding is reserved for work, this is my backyard at this moment:

My birdies

One of the best things about my new job - aside from the pay, sunlight, weekends off, and respect - is that I petitioned to install a bird feeder outside my window, putting a wealth of birds three feet from me most of the day. There are masses of sparrows, the rare red winged blackbird appearance, cardinals, and a group of mourning doves that now entertain me daily.  There's even some bumblebees that bobble around the flowers next to it. 

I love it!

                             

Of Doggie Doo and Birdies Two

 Of note, today Huckleberry accompanied Lu and Lisa to work, as dogs are allowed in the office on Saturdays. 

The Goodest Boi promptly pooped on the office floor and wouldn't sit still, and I was called to come and bring my troublemaker home. LOL

But that was ok, because in the process I made a wrong turn and came upon these fine geese, which I added to my bird watching app's list!

Then, later in the evening this cooper hawk was just chilling on my back fence. By the time I got my phone, he'd moved over to a neighbor's garage. By the time I *focused* the camera, the was gone. But still. Wow!

Birdsighting

I am pleased as punch to have seen a downy woodpecker and a morning dove in my backyard in the last hour - both a first here!

Oh No!

For Father's Day many years ago now - it was, by my recollection, 2004 or '05 (it was referenced here in 2008) Lisa bought me a bird feeder. It was an odd gift, as I would never have bought it for myself, but my word was that a great gift. I've used it ever since, and enjoyed the heck out of the local bird population. 

And then, a few weeks ago, after a night of 50 mph winds, I found this on the front lawn:

I was devastated, but comforted that it happened in a spring where birding groups are encouraging you NOT to feed, so as not to spread the current Avian flu epidemic that recently cost the life of a bald eagle in my neighborhood.

The Menard's Bird

Last month when I was shopping at Menard's Smiley and I came across an injured bird sitting atop a pile of lumber. 

We petted it for a moment, and then it went on my hand. 

For the rest of the shopping trip I walked around the store with the bird on my hand, like Mary Poppins! 

Just before it was time to go, the bird's wing seemed to straighten itself out, and it flew away!

Birds and Bees Indeed

I'm no zoologist, but I just watched two ducks f-ing on the lawn of my kid's school. The male appeared to finish, push the female down into the grass, then strut away #WellDonePlaya

A Sad Anniversary

I don't mean to be a downer, but today is the 100th anniversary of the extinction of the American Passenger Pigeon. May they RIP.

Geese in the Park