Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for birds

Birds, Groundhogs & Hydrangeas

October 4, 2023 at 8:21 am by Claudia

Early morning in the back forty.

We have another foggy morning today. It’s been that way for the past couple of days. I love it. It’s also been quite warm lately – perhaps a bit too warm! But I’m appreciating it while it’s here, this last little stretch of Indian summer.

We mowed the front lawn on Monday – rather exhausting, as usual. We caught it before it became impossibly long, so that’s a good thing. Still have to mow the corral and the back forty and I have to remember to do another round of weed whacking, but today, later this morning, we head out to get our Covid vaccinations. We’ll be happy to have that done! I expect to conk out later in the afternoon – that has been the only reaction I’ve had with the shots.

I’ve been seeing the groundhog who lives under the shed a lot. He’s eating lots of grass and green things because it will soon be time for him to hibernate and he needs lots of body fat to get him through the winter. I often wonder where all the now grown up babies are. Initially, there were six, but one died. So five babies hung out here for a few months, routinely getting into mischief and driving me more than a little bit crazy, but mostly being adorable and fascinating to watch. Buddy stayed around the longest, but even he eventually took off for parts unknown. I miss them a bit. Where are they? I know they went off to build their own underground homes, but did they go far? Are they in the woods? Or in the field beyond the back forty? Sigh. There always remains the ‘wondering.’

I miss the birdsong, though there are still some birds chirping and calling. I haven’t seen a robin in ages, so I assume they already headed south. I still see goldfinches and sparrows and carolina wrens. The crows seem to be around a lot. And the blue jays.

Lots of squirrel activity as well; gathering and storing nuts for the winter.

The limelight hydrangea, which is now that lovely shade of pink. That bush has grown by leaps and bounds and it’s now huge, Do you see that little white blossom at the bottom? It’s the only one that hasn’t turned pink yet.

I read all your comments about autumn memories. I was just so busy that I didn’t have time to reply. But I loved all the memories you shared. Thank you!

Okay. I have to make the second cup of coffee before we head to the pharmacy for our vaccinations.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: birds, flowers, groundhogs 20 Comments

Bird Stories

August 30, 2023 at 8:53 am by Claudia

This robin sat in the birdbath for the longest time before he actually took a bath. It reminded me of sitting in the shallow end of the pool – or a lake – just to feel the coolness of the water. I was fascinated by him, so I got the camera with the long range lens. I thought he might just stay there for a while and he did.

Eventually, he took a brief bath.

The lazy bird’s preferred method of bathing.

I can’t blame him/her. After a season of scouting nest locations, laying eggs, raising babies, constantly supplying them with food while in the nest, chasing off potential predators, and helping them fledge, birds deserve a rest. A reward for a job well done.

Speaking of birds, we have a little Carolina wren who has chosen his nighttime perch. It’s our porch light, which is right next to the front door. It took me some time to figure out what was happening out there. Sometimes I would open the front door and go out on the porch to put something in the recycling bin and a bird would quickly fly away. I wasn’t sure where the bird had been because it was dark. And I wasn’t sure of his size. After this happened a few times, I realized the little bird was perching on the porch light. So I tried to refrain from going out on the porch after dusk. But I did see a Carolina wren fly from the perch when I was sitting in the den, drinking a cup of coffee. He flew to the maple tree. Mystery solved.

If I get up early and open the inside door, I can eventually hear the sounds of the little Carolina wren waking up. He makes sleepy little chirps. It’s the most adorable sound. Yesterday, I got up at 5:30 am and deliberately didn’t open the door because it was still dark outside. I sat in the den and as the morning light began to show itself,  I heard him waking up.

I don’t know why Carolina wrens are so drawn to our porch but they always have been. It’s relatively safe, I know that, but this particular breed of bird loves it here. They often hang out during the day as well.

I’ve also seen a small bird fly out of the hanging plant a couple of times which makes me wonder if his/her mate is bunking down here as well. Just now, I heard him on the porch and eventually discovered him standing on the railing, chirping repeatedly. It was a relentless call, so I’m wondering if he was looking for his mate.

I am endlessly fascinated by birds, especially the delightful, smart, and full-of-personality Carolina wrens.

It rained overnight and was raining when I woke up today. I checked in with Mere yesterday. She wasn’t all that concerned about the hurricane. They were due to get lots of rain and winds. After so many years of living in Florida, she doesn’t get alarmed too easily, whereas, Don and I are immediately texting her, worried about the whole family.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

 

Filed Under: birds 26 Comments

Critters

August 1, 2023 at 9:29 am by Claudia

A gorgeous eastern swallowtail dining on the zinnias. The sun was shining directly in my eyes, so I couldn’t see much. I just followed the butterfly from flower to flower, hoping something would turn out.

Oh boy. I really worked my butt off yesterday. I pulled weeds, weed whacked, carted buckets of weeds to our debris pile, I pruned and trimmed. And then I mowed the top of the front lawn, which is up the hill and leads to the secret garden. The secret garden was still too wet to mow.

Needless to say, my back is complaining a bit today, but it was so satisfying to finally  get a chance to clean things up out there! Still more weed whacking to do, but the battery died, so I had to charge it. Just as well, as the weed whacker is a bit heavy and I was feeling it. Don mowed the corral and the trails in the woods.

My mom’s birthday was yesterday and the day was filled with memories of her. I miss her.

Today, we’ll take it easy and then tomorrow…back at it.

Groundhog appearance on the porch yesterday. What is the attraction, I wonder? Also, a couple of times lately, I have gone out on the porch around 8:30 pm to put something in the recycling bin and I’ve startled a bird that is resting/sleeping on top of the porch light. I’m going to try to go out there an hour or so earlier. Same thing with the hanging plant. I normally water it earlier in the day but one day I didn’t get to it until late and I startled another bird settling down there for the night. I wonder if there are other pots that provide a bed for the night? There’s probably a whole world of activity I know nothing about.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: birds, butterfly, groundhogs 20 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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