communists from over the hill

[the_siobhan]

We had a heatwave a couple of weeks ago. (In Toronto! In January! Insert WTF here!) I just happened to look out the back window and spot this guy.







His Mrs was hanging out as well, but we weren't able to get a shot where you could actually see her.

I'd really like to put a bird feeder out in the backyard, but it would have to be positioned in such a way that the cavalcade of cats couldn't get at it. Or squirrels. Or any of the other beasties that hang out in our yard.

I never did tell you all the story about the racoon that ate a bunch of the fermented grapes off the vines in our neighbours yard this fall, and then passed out drunk on the grass in the sun. Little beggar was snoring. Cutest thing I have ever seen in my life. Bet he had the hangover from hell when he woke up.

Comments

[eveofdstruction.livejournal.com]

How beautiful! I miss cardinals.

[spikella.livejournal.com]

pretty! i love cardinals...

and i LOVE the raccoon story
they're such awesome critters.

birdfeeding tips

[hel_ana]

My father is a relatively serious birdwatcher, and has had 4-5 birdfeeders in his backyard for the better part of the last two decades. There's really no way to avoid squirrels partaking of the feast, and the birds will generally keep themselves safe from the cats.

My father's experience has been that it's best to set up feeders in October, because then the birds get used to coming around your backyard.

Jays and cardinals, btw, love the peanuts. My father, in addition to the feeders and suet block (which has netted him two pair of woodpeckers, one downy and one hairy) also puts out a few handfulls of peanuts on the window ledge. While he's sitting in the dining room, the jays and cardinals will come and eat the peanuts, and he once had a jay tapping on the window when the peanuts were all gone.

[girfan.livejournal.com]

How beautiful! I miss seeing cardinals and blue jays.

[rbowspryte.livejournal.com]

so cute....I wish I could snuggle him and love him and cuddle him and call him George!

[lilactime.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised you don't get more of these guys along where you are. With a properly positioned birdfeeder, you could have a whole zoo. I had creepers, cardinals, bluejays, nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos, grosbeaks, orioles and cowbirds in the back yard at Close Ave. And a budgie once. And of course, the usual hordes of sparrows and starlings. Plus you'd likely get some hawk action once the train track kestrel found out there were tasty little birds all in one spot.

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

You should check this out.

http://www.projectwildbird.org/expdetails.php

You'd probably be able to identify most of the species they are interested in.

[lilactime.livejournal.com]

Awww... if I had a yard, I'd totally do this.