Diario de debnh

There have been 2 male and 1 female Scarlet Tanagers at the the suet feeders plus feeding on orange half.

This past week or so there has been 2 male Indigo Buntings at feeders. Keeping an eye out for the females.

This past week a male Baltimore Oriole has been here feeding at the hummingbird feeder. I looked to find an oriole feeder but bought another hummingbird feeder and removed the yellow bee covers so he could have better access - he seems to prefer the older one (yellow covers) but has been feeding on new one too - making do - hanging upside down, etc..

I put out some orange halves - saw the catbird enjoying those.

First Hummingbird - attracted to red colored seed feeder - so I quickly put out the red Hummingbird feeder - have seen several times.
White Throated Sparrows still about (singing their sweet little song - a favorite of mine)
Chipping Sparrows back last week.
House Wrens back last week.

2/25/19 - A Female Red Bellied Woodpecker came in to the suet feeder. There is a Male that comes in regularly. I hope they connect. Not sure of Red Bellied Woodpecker courtships.

She lacked the red crown and seems a bit smaller - though haven't seen them together to compare.

This morning around 6:30am my dog Juno got skunked. She's 7 and this is at least her 4th time getting skunked. I try to be careful mornings and evenings - keeping her on long leash if possible - still happened. After spraying (which I think I heard) the skunk just waddled away in no hurry.

All this unfolded before my coffee - even before Juno did her business.

At least it was warmer (30 degrees) so I kept her on porch until I got the bathtub, skunk stuff, etc. etc. ready.

I like skunks - they just do their thing at their own pace - but if a nosy dog sticks her snout right in there - this is what happens.

Will it happen again? - probably.

Friday January 18, 2019. Made a quick visit to the feeders.

Went back to pond yesterday 1/16/19 - mostly frozen - but area near spring still open - saw a bit of rippling - ? I did not see anything but ... thought possible Muskrat.
Told my son about - he had seen a Muskrat swimming across pond several weeks ago.

Years ago there was a lot of Muskrat activity - with a nest built into bank under the Beech tree.

Saw silhouette of Pileated up across the spring - lot of old tall trees - close to where they had nest years ago - that tree is gone now.
Skunk Cabbage coming up.
Last week took walk along road saw 2 Bluebirds/1 Waxwing/1 Mockingbird/ 2 separate Redtails (1 giving impressive call as he flew from the tree and circled overhead). Plus a Resinous Polypore and a Oyster Mushroom.

Heard hooting up on the hill last evening.