Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Black Bear Returns – Day One Demolition

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I promised to tell the full story of the Black Bear's return, but please hang on a minute.  Daddy Blue is knocking on my kitchen window -- the mealworm feeder is empty and he is NOT happy!

Mealworms re-stocked ...  now to the Black Bear's return and Day One Demolition.  I'm fairly certain this is the same bear who was here in May.  He may look a bit taller in the July image, but note he is standing on his tip toes.

It didn't take me long to figure out he'd been here -- the sight of the trashcan turned on its side with its top ripped off -- got that now.  My mistake was in doing a better job securing the trashcan lid -- this time he ripped the handle out of the can instead of just bending the top.  Nice.  Otherwise, he was a pretty mellow dude.

I'll let you be your own judge of "mellow".  Just creating the video for this post has me shaking again!

Bear Size May-July

Stand by for Day 2

Here's a hint.  NEVER feed a Black Bear one day ... THEN take all his food away.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Defending His Feeder

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As I sit here in the kitchen writing this post, I am watching a juvenile, male Ruby-throated Hummingbird defending his feeder. I so love watching the Hummingbirds.  Their number has picked up dramatically this past week.  I will never understand why manufactures produce nectar feeders with multiple perches.  Silly!  These tiny, little peanuts-of-a-bird are unquestionably the most-territorial of all the birds on this property.  Once a Hummingbird has dubbed a feeder as his or hers – their day is spent eating, attacking would-be sharers, and perching nearby on guard duty.  I don’t see how they gain weight with all this activity!

So … the little guy outside my window has claimed the nectar feeder attached, via suction-cup, to the window.  I believe this is a juvenile male based on the streaking on the throat.   (Females almost-always have pure, white throats … adult males have bright, red throats.)

Juvenile Probably-Male Ruby-throated

Probably Juvenile Male

Female Ruby-throated

Female

Adult Male Ruby-throated

Male

In the video you will see Mister Hummingbird has perched so he can watch for intruders using reflections in the window – his head moving side-to-side.  (He may also be the only bird on the property who does not see his own reflection as the enemy.)  You will, of course, see his incredible acrobatic skills as he hovers over the feeder to eat – and as he chases off all of the incoming peanuts.  Finally, you will see Mister Hummingbird happily swinging on his personal swing – the perfect sentry post.

FYI:  The hummingbird is the only bird who actually flies backward. There are other birds who can propel backwards, but none other who can fly that way.

 

Other News

After six days of dutifully bringing the Garden Bluebird house inside for the night (and re-hanging it at 6:30 a.m.) all three nestlings fledged on Tuesday.  I was especially happy about my decision to bring the nest box in when, that first night, I captured this scene on camera – about 50 feet from the Garden House pole.

Mr. Bear has moved on again. My aching, not-ready-for-shotguns shoulder is SO happy.  I do have stories to tell though – stand by!

Bear Drinking from Birdbath

The rural Bluebird nest in the East House is the only remaining active nest for 2018 – hatch watch is on.  I say it’s the last nest because, I swear, if any other birds lay eggs in one of my houses this year, I’m going to relocate THEM.  The Pitty and I are ready for a long winter’s nap!

Lastly, a flock of Grackles has descended upon the feeders – driving me even nuttier these past few days. They are not only piggy, but they are also bullies.  I don’t abide either one well.  The stories surrounding their arrival, and my tireless efforts to defeat them, will be funny one day, I’m sure.

I so love the Hummingbirds.