photo:  freedigitalphotos.net





The Bird Feeder

I always loved the idea of feeding birds, and watching them collect and flutter around the feeder. Now that I'm never moving again (please, oh please), just outside my kitchen window seemed the perfect place to setup a feeder. Easy-- buy one of those shepherd's crook thingys, and a feeding station, load it, set it up, and Wa-La! Birds!

Well, not exactly. The first year or so hardly anybody came. I knew what I needed: a neon sign flashing "FREE EATS HERE!". I don't think they really make those, actually.

No, I must be patient and Zen about this. So I added a thistle feeder to the crook (songbirds love thistle), and practiced deep breathing.

The second year, many visitors came, but it was clear they were just sampling the fare. Keep breathing. Deep breathing.

The following year I found another "crook" hanger on sale at Marden's (if you've not shopped at Marden's, a real local hangout, you're just a tourist: "from away"). Had to have it- so I stuck it in the ground about three feet from the first one, and added another feeding station and a hanging birdbath. I'd hunted for this particular bird feeder: it was a rectangular box- lots of space (useful when the snow gets too deep to reach the feeder), and a roofed-over place to put suet cakes(the poor birds who stay the winter need all the fat they can add to stay warm, and pounding rain and blizzards tend to make short work of the suet if it's not covered).

I also planted scarlet runner beans around the poles, and they did just what I'd hoped: grew all around the bird feeders, providing cover and gorgeous scarlet flowers, with the added benefit of a crop of sweet-tasting beans. And one other thing-hummingbirds showed up! Wow! Even in Maine! Grow more Flowers! But will anyone else ever come?     photo:  free digital photos.net