Black Chinned Hummer Seen Today!

4/21/2013--The first hummer seen this year!  And not one from this area.  Tiny little
thing.  It's been at the feeder several times.  Maybe it was blown off track, but it
landed at a good place--all kinds of trees are in bloom plus the feeder is out.  So
far we have only seen the one.  Definitely a male--they arrive weeks earlier than
the females.

A week ago my partner left to run an unknown errand--and came back with
8 new born chicks--New Jersey Reds, I think.  I was not thrilled.  Had just
reclaimed the guest bathroom--now there are chickens in it--in a large plastic
clothes container.  But still . . . would you want 8 chicks in your bathroom?

Didn't think so.  Had he built a house first . . . oh well!  And in regards to
that, the cat Daisy is jealous and has been driving both of us nuts seeking
attention--but only his.  Suddenly she doesn't want me to pet her, but she she
still follows me around and sleeps with me.  I think she doesn't share well.
Every vet we've ever had  has told us not to have other pets.  And were they
ever correct in their assessment of Daisy!

I haven't got the pics up yet.  There are quite a few of them.  I will try to
get them us.  There are going to be so many changes.  A lot of trees are
coming down.  Our apple trees have "Mealy Worms"--must be treated--
and that was my diagnosis!  The master gardener concurred.  So all this
reading and studying is paying off.  They are in full bloom--and beautiful!

The grapevine and dogwood destroyed by by over fertilization by previous
owners are slowly making a come back.   The dogwood will be moved
to the front yard next year.  This year it just gets to rest and continue to recover.

All for now.

Kate Thorn

Spring Cleaning, or rather Clearing

Last Spring and Summer I loved the HUGE mountain laurels and the 10 foot
camellia bush--however,  there was also a huge juniper--about 8ft wide with
a monstrous  root structure.  And below all this growth was a retaining way
composed of wood--rotten wood--neatly painted rotten wood.  

So now, most everything green and growing is gone.  We left the camellia
bush for a while--it's in full bloom.  The azaleas can stay, but that is all.
The wisteria and even the wrought iron fence will have to come down.
And then will begin the correct construction of the retaining wall.  Oh
joy! 

Pictures of such and of all the green growing things will follow in next post!

Kate Thorn

Chapter Two of the Life of the Pileated Woodpecker

If you recall correctly, you'll remember that I said (info from a book) that
if the female didn't like the house, the male pileated was back to square
one.

Well, a female came and I was so excited about having a family of these
gorgeous birds so close by.  She stayed for about a week.  Then they
both disappeared.  They didn't (or maybe just he) didn't go far.  Just across
the street, 2 trees up.  Of course I can't see him as well there.  And the
female not at all--if she is even there.  But the first house was definitely
rejected.

If I could speak in his behalf, I would!  The first house was a fine one--
with food nearby and he worked on it during the spring that felt like
winter--taking only 2-3 breaks a day for food and water.  He was a
most dedicated bird.  I think the female was just too picky!

Kate Thorn

Spring Rains at the Bird House

Life Happens

We have cold weather.  Really cold.  The trees from the Arbor Day
Foundation arrived but it is still too cold to plant them outside.  So
they are inside in temporary pots. Tomorrow is Easter and the last
day of March. Hopefully,  it will start warming up then.

Today we,  my partner, and my daughter and myself, rode down to
Chimney Rock.  It was gloriously beautiful.  Again we stopped at
the little antique/gift shop and I found an old butter dish in ruby red
glass. It did come home with me.

Then we headed to Asheville for the first annual festival at the South
Broad Co-op of Asheville.  This was very cool.  All ages and types
of people were there.  Halfway thorugh, this man dressed as a  "nun"
 (A man in a nun costume)  and this bicycle--whose seat was taller than
 I am--came through the crowd.  The bike was covered with all types
 and styles of glittering beads and sequins.  People knew him--but other
 than the costume, he was totally unrecognizable.  A very trippy fun-filled
 and fabulous musical day.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Birdstuff:  We have so many finches and warblers, chickadees, tanagers
and redbirds, robins, doves, nuthatches, and orioles--it is amazing!  I love
watching them.  My daughter found me a humming bird birdbath--it is
beautiful.  I have another one in bright red clear plastic to hang from
the plum tree--so the birds in general will have plenty of places to bathe.
All I am waiting for is the spring warmth.

Due to my many falls of late, my partner will not let me go outside alone.
So I am stuck waiting until I get better kneewise  to be able to prune the
few bushes I planned to do before blooming.  If the cold keeps up, then it will
go from cold to hot--neither temperature is good for me.  I may not get to
do it myself.

My partner is going to raise chickens and quail.  If not this year then the next.
And exotic mushrooms.  He is exited about it!

All for tonight.

Kate Thorn  

Been a While

First, possum news--Frankie, Lulu, and Oscar no longer come around.
Two new possums showed up--really skittish ones--never stayed long
enough to finish the food--eat for about 10 minutes and then left.  I
woke up at 0200 one night and looked and saw a "possum" standing
on his hind legs.  My first racoon.  And the Possum Trot Cafe is
officially closed.  Possums are one thing--racoons do carry rabies; they
will bite.  Not the kind of animal you want hanging around your house.

At least the weather is warmer, so I did manage to feed the possums
through the winter.

The blue birds--I haven't seen in a while, so I guess they left before we
got their houses placed.   I haven't seen the barn swallows in a while either.

It will soon be time for the hummers.  I have feeders ready and waiting
for them.

The plum tree is blooming out; daffodils are in bloom.  The Forsythia bushes
are blooming.  I love Spring!

Kate Thorn

What Women Want

I have learned so much regarding what women want through
bird and animal watching.

Some birds have male birds around only to mate--the female--
or the male--takes cares of eggs and hatchlings and seem to
be content with doing so.

Some ladies with an eye or houses should remember the
pileated woodpecker.  He builds a house to attract a mate.
The house must be large, roomy (2 19 inch birds take up
some space) and have multiple exits.  If you are the "Nesting"
sort of female, look for a male who wants to supply you
with a place to "nest",

Moving to the possums, the males are docile and submissive
to the females.  They will never hit, bite the feminine sex.
Not their nature at all.


Some birds mate for life--mourning doves, cardinals, and others--
while others, like hummers, mate and leave.

Interesting to think about.

kate thorn