Kaseys Korner

oriole oasis

Oh, oh, oh, it's an Oreo, oops, I mean Oriole.  A male Bullock's Oriole to be specific.  They were trying so desperately to use my hummingbird feeders last summer that I broke down and bought them a feeder of their own.  Then, true to form, I went from zero to sixty in the space of a day and added grape jelly (which appeared to be a highly coveted delicacy) and orange halves.  My yard turned into an instant oriole feeding ground and I started wondering if they could suffer from a sugar high?  I always know when they are around because of the loud chattering that accompanies their visits.  This year, as soon as the robin and her babies left the nest, I started feeding again and have been rewarded once more with almost incessant company. 

Here's the female ~ isn't she dainty & pretty?  I took all these photos thru my picture window last July.  I haven't had near the luck this year as every time I get near the window they fly off, but hopefully there's still time for that to change. 

rock-a-bye baby

Babies, babies, babies.  Everywhere you look there's a new baby.  Isn't Spring delightful that way?  Around my yard, the house finches are introducing their newly fledged little ones to the feeder and the birdbath.  It's so interesting to watch.  They are such quick learners but I guess they have to be.   A robin is sitting on eggs right outside my kitchen window.  Yesterday was exactly two weeks since she began sitting so I'm thinking they have hatched or very close to it.  Can you believe I write things down like that?  I don't know why I like to keep tabs on them?  I know in another two weeks tho, the babies will be gone and it will seem empty & quiet standing at my sink without the constant comings and goings.  I've learned to take my binoculars on my evening walk as a pair of great horned owls are feeding three young in a cottonwood tree along the lake in our neighborhood.  That is really a sight to watch.  Yesterday I also happened to be at one of my old stomping grounds for a photo shoot and there were tons of baby Canadian geese parading around with proud but extremely protective parents.  All this new life made me think of a spring card I had published quite a few years back.  I used one of my photos inside the Anna Griffin bird frame.  The eggs (although they look blue like Robin eggs in the scan) were actually finch eggs from a nest built in a basket right outside my front door.  I'm happy to say all four eggs hatched and all four babies left the nest.  It makes me sad when anything other than that happens. 

On a random side note, I've always wondered why mother's sing the lullaby to their babies that I referenced in my post title?  It could be quite tragic with the cradle falling down and all.  Traumatic & scary at the very least??  I remember thinking about the words when singing it to my own spring baby and I promptly quit. Interesting, huh?

Wrens Wanted

Brand spankin' new, 1 bedrooom house for rent in desirable neighborhood.  Easy access to birdbath and eateries.  Available for occupancy immediately.  Free rent in exchange for photo opportunities and viewing options.  No appointment necessary.  First come, first serve.  Fly by for self guided tour.  Owner motivated to find tenants.  Move in today!!!

Sunday smorgasboard

A mouse, a bird & some tulips.  What do those have in common you ask?  They were all found in my garden yesterday afternoon.  I'll start with the tulips in case you have an aversion to mice!  Isn't the world a better place because of them?  In my yard, they are in their prime right now and oh so beautiful.  I didn't plant any additional bulbs last fall and now I wish I had.  I need to make a concentrated effort to do that this year.  The fuchsia tulip is glorious.  I wish it would spread and form a bigger clump like some of my others have.  I always leave the foliage until it's yellow & limp in an effort to feed the bulb, (hoping it will propagate) but no luck so far.  Next there's a group shot of the close-up I shared last week.

I LOVE these tulips.  I think they are my favorite in the yard ~ maybe it's the fringed edge of the petals??  By the way, I felt like a kindergarten photographer yesterday, lining all the various tulips up for shots, except I'd have to say they were more cooperative!!   I still didn't get them all.  I get distracted easily.   

Birds always distract me.  I've been known to give chase to a grackle or two because I find them totally annoying.  However, that is not the case with this bird ~ a white crowned sparrow foraging underneath the thistle feeder.  They've been back in our yard for several weeks now.  Another welcome sign of spring.                              

and lastly, a mouse!  A mouse you say??  Yes, it is indeed a mouse.  My daughter and I were sitting on the front step, enjoying the sunshine yesterday afternoon, when all this rustling began in the bed next to us.  Jumping and darting thru last falls oak leaves, appearing to not have a concern in the world, was this little mouse digging thru the sunflower remnants looking for a meal.  What an interesting day and I never even got around to telling about our greenhouse finds.  It'll have to wait for another day.  Most likely tomorrow...

He's baaaccckkk

I cannot believe it!  What are the chances??  Last year we had a Robin fly at our windows repeatedly from spring thru half the summer.  We thought he saw his reflection in the glass so in an effort to stop him and the behavior, we taped black plastic trash bags to all the windows.  Attractive.  and in vain.  We ended up referring to him as "psycho robin" but there must be some reason for his actions?  Yesterday, it started again.  Thump, thump, thump.  Almost rhythmically.  I never dreamed he'd come back.  I didn't want him to come back and I love birds in my yard but not this one.  Anyone have any ideas on why?  and how to stop it??

totally "dove" voted

Yesterday, I happened upon a pair of doves sitting in my oak tree, snuggled up close, preening each other.  It was too sweet a scene to not photograph.  They really know something about "togetherness," don't they?  Never do they come and go alone, it's always as a pair.  I doubt they've heard of "girl's night out?"  Maybe they're smarter than we are??  They built a terrible make-shift nest (about 6' off the ground) in this tree last year, which both eggs rolled out of and broke.  I wonder if they are planning on repeating it again this year? 

little robin redbreast

"Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree,
Up went pussycat and down went he,
Down came pussycat, away Robin ran,
Says little Robin Redbreast, "Catch me if you can."

Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall,
Pussycat jumped after him, and almost had a fall.
Little Robin chirped and sang and what did pussy say?
Pussycat said "Meow", and Robin flew away."

A little glimpse into our world yesterday.  I think the weather was too inclimate for even the birds.  The wind howled and the snow blew sideways.  My cat is indoors only so he has to content himself with imaginary chases and birdwatching thru glass.  I'm sure this is one Robin who is happy about that!

the color yellow

Almost overnight,the goldfinches have molted back to yellow.  What a welcome sight!  This morning, perched among the bare branches of my aspen trees, they looked almost as tho they could be decorative ornaments.  Their brilliant color so incongruous with the rest of the landscape.  This one was wary but cooperative as I stealthily creeped closer to take his picture.  Have a great weekend everyone!

honk honk

What's brown, has a black head & neck with a broad white cheek and fills the sky with a honking clatter when flying??  Canadian geese of course!  hee hee

Huge flocks passed overhead yesterday during my daughter's first spring horseback session.  The sky was clear and bright blue, a beautiful seasonal day.  Quiet too with only the fluted music of the meadowlarks breaking the serenity of the morning.  Well, quiet that is until the geese started flying!!  We don't usually hear them in the summer???  Not sure why, we always have a few that remain in the area year round.  I mostly associate them with winter months tho and since Spring makes its official grand entrance this coming week, they will begin to disperse.  The whole goose photo opportunity occured because of this lovely girl, the object of my daughters deepest affections, her faithful stead Doodle!  Doodle, my daughter & riding are the reasons I stand outside almost every Saturday morning of the year.  (Does that make me a "horse mom" instead of a "soccer mom?!")  lol  I enjoy those mornings tremendously (remind me I said that those AM's I'm freezing!).   Besides the pleasure I get from watching the love affair of a girl with her horse, I get time to reflect and the side benefit of capturing many a magical moment including geese in a waning winter sky.  It's a happy Saturday ritual. 

spring migration

Another sign of spring ~ the pelicans are back!  I saw them flying overhead while out walking the other day.  It's my first sighting this year.  It wasn't exactly these pelicans however.  This photo was taken last fall at one of our nearby lakes.  All these little signs are adding up tho.  Spring is lurking, crowding old man winter and seeping into his cracks.  Slowly but persistantly permeating every nook & cranny until he reluctantly breaks down and moves aside.  I'm rooting for spring.  I hope it's been working out in the off season and is packing lots of muscle so it gets the job done quickly.  I know old man winter won't bow out gracefully, he always puts up a fight, makes a few comebacks, but in the end, Spring prevails.  Hooray for spring.  Everywhere you turn, people are cheering for you.  I was visiting Rebecca Sowers'  blog yesterday and saw her eloquent post about it.  I'm glad I'm in such good company!  Bring on spring.  Let the gentle awakening begin.  Let the sun shine and the temperatures climb!  How did I get so crazy with this post when it started off on the topic of pelicans?!!  I think I have a fever.  Yes, I definitely have a fever.  I'm officially diagnosing myself with a full blown case of Spring fever!