Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

All the Others

Pine Warbler: Bird On A Cold Tin Wire

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Hermit Thrush Jan 18 2018

Snow returned to The Retreat and temps dipped into the low teens.  The Hermit Thrush was not one bit happy about the state of his feeder when he showed up for breakfast.  Of course, I felt sorry for him and trudged out to uncover the frozen food.  The Pit Bull remained inside ... keeping his lazy butt warm by the fire.  I often wonder how it is I can love a universe of creatures who warm their butts while I work my butt off serving their needs.  The answer, at least for me, must be simply in being allowed to watch them thrive.  Oh, I'm sure they'd all survive without me, but you've probably figured this out by now ... it's unlikely I'll ever know that for sure.  

Okay ... now to the Bird on a Cold Tin Wire ... 

One of the most sought-after foods during cold weather is suet.  Its high fat content provides the birds with energy to stay warm.  At one feeding station, I attached a small wire between the feeder and the fence to keep the feeder properly angled toward the video camera.  Who knew the birds would think the wire was for them -- a perfect perch?  Well ... perfect except for its very narrow diameter.

In the feature video, the Pine Warbler really wants that suet -- but is finding it quite difficult to balance on the wire.  It's cute to watch him try -- mostly because he returns to the feeder with a plan.  (An admission to the technical folks in the audience:  I lied -- the wire is actually aluminum.)

Wild Turkey Who Thinks He Is A Pet Dog

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Along the road I travel to my house, there’s a resident wild turkey who thinks he is a pet dog.  He has adopted a couple, Ben and Judy, and hangs out in their yard most days.  If you dare to slow down in front of Ben and Judy’s house, you will be met by an aggressive guard-turkey — running straight at your car, wings flailing.

The other day, I happened to be headed out when Mr. Turkey and his humans were out for their afternoon walk.  (Ben and Judy are awesome neighbors — combining exercise with picking up debris along the road.)  Mr. Turkey struts along with his humans.  No leash required.  Well, that was until I showed up on the road walking toward the trio.  Mr. Turkey went into defense mode — moving ahead of Ben and Judy — toward me.  Judy stepped off the road to break a twig she would use to show the turkey who is boss.  There was never an intent to strike the turkey, but Mr. Turkey immediately scooted behind Ben like a child who had just been scolded.  Ben warned him, finger waving:  “You behave!”

The only time the turkey broke from his defensive posture was when a car approached.  To further demonstrate his canine leanings, off he trotted to chase the car down the road.  I can’t even tell you how many times he has chased my car.  If I slow down, he struts up to my car window and glares at me.  So far, my Pit Bull passenger has slept through this face-to-face confrontation — a good thing for all of us!

Enjoy the video — A Wild Turkey Who Thinks He Is A Pet Dog

As for the less-than-perfect video, please keep in mind I was walking backward — NEVER taking my eye off the large-taloned bird who stood half my height!