A male goldfinch stops by the juniper tree to show off. His much drabber mate waits on a nearby branch, fully resigned to the fact that you have to give show-offs their moment or they will sulk for hours.
Still no sign of Chipper. It's been a few days now, and I'm not certain what's going on with him. Let's hope he's just nursing a cold or a stomach ache--maybe from too many peanuts.
There have been signs of other critters, though. I found another robin's nest in the arborvitae next to the front steps, coincidentally just above Chip-Chip's home. The robin's nest is so low that I'll be able to photograph it by just standing on the top step. (Stay tuned for more photos.)
Other birds have returned as well. A brilliant goldfinch stopped by the back feeder, along with his paler female partner.
Most exciting, a pair of grey catbirds returned this year and began building their nest in the kiwi vines. Last year, a storm pretty much destroyed their nest. I'm hoping they do better this year.
A sort of mockingbird, the catbird possesses the most exotic, lyrical song of any bird I've ever heard.
I'll bet even Chip-Chip enjoys listening to it.
Yesterday, when I came home, Chip-Chip raced down the sidewalk and nearly tackled me, demanding some fresh peanuts.
Then Rose showed her aggressive side, chirping for attention, as I baited her to come ever nearer before giving up my supply of peanuts. By the end of summer, these chipmunks may be so tame that they will be lounging on a chair with me as I watch Boston Legal. And they will probably be demanding snacks by the bowlful. If, however, they demand that I change the channel to Meerkat Manor, well, that's pushing things a bit too far.
Then Rose showed her aggressive side, chirping for attention, as I baited her to come ever nearer before giving up my supply of peanuts. By the end of summer, these chipmunks may be so tame that they will be lounging on a chair with me as I watch Boston Legal. And they will probably be demanding snacks by the bowlful. If, however, they demand that I change the channel to Meerkat Manor, well, that's pushing things a bit too far.
Chipmunks can be demanding, but you have to know where to draw the line.
* * *
Still no sign of Chipper. It's been a few days now, and I'm not certain what's going on with him. Let's hope he's just nursing a cold or a stomach ache--maybe from too many peanuts.
There have been signs of other critters, though. I found another robin's nest in the arborvitae next to the front steps, coincidentally just above Chip-Chip's home. The robin's nest is so low that I'll be able to photograph it by just standing on the top step. (Stay tuned for more photos.)
Other birds have returned as well. A brilliant goldfinch stopped by the back feeder, along with his paler female partner.
Most exciting, a pair of grey catbirds returned this year and began building their nest in the kiwi vines. Last year, a storm pretty much destroyed their nest. I'm hoping they do better this year.
A sort of mockingbird, the catbird possesses the most exotic, lyrical song of any bird I've ever heard.
I'll bet even Chip-Chip enjoys listening to it.
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