Reasons to be Cheerful

[Sneakeater]

Just great!

[maison rustique]

We have woods behind our house and I feed the birds and wildlife. I love the serenades I get first thing in the morning when I put out food and fresh water. This morning's chorus included White-throated sparrows, brown-headed cowbirds, black-capped chickadees, mourning dove, American goldfinch, yellow-rumped warblers and northern cardinals.

It truly makes my day when I get to experience nature like this. I will miss it when I move.

[Wilfrid]

Strolling out tonight in a short sleeve shirt. Maybe we should start a Summer 2024 thread.

 

[StephanieL]

Not out here.

[bloviatrix]

On 4/24/2024 at 9:04 PM, Wilfrid said:

Strolling out tonight in a short sleeve shirt. Maybe we should start a Summer 2024 thread.

 

You weren't at Yankee Stadium last night. It was FREEZING!

[Wilfrid]

Sports stadiums are the worst until the weather really warms up.

[small h]

This might be an annoyance, also. Let's see how it plays out.

[Wilfrid]

It’s a pretty nuisance. 

[small h]

She’s a looker!

[maison rustique]

There were a couple of newcomers in my morning greeters today: According to Merlin Bird ID, Red-eyed Vireos and Nashville Warblers joined in with regulars Brown-headed Cowbirds, White-throated Sparrows, Northern Cardinals and House Sparrows.

[StephanieL]

It's been a crappy day so far, but a RTBC was seeing (and hearing) the hundreds of seals and sea lions currently in residence at Pier 39.

Edited May 7, 2024 by StephanieL

[maison rustique]

This morning is nice and sunny, so Mother Nature brought many yellow birds to serenade me: Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Nashville Warbler, American Goldfinch and non-yellow birds: Brown-headed Cowbirds, Carolina Wrens and Northern Cardinals.

[maison rustique]

My morning chorale had even more newcomers this morning. Indigo Buntings and Warbling Vireos have stopped by the neighborhood to sing (and hopefully eat) with our Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, American Redstarts, Northern Flickers,and American Robins. I would be thrilled to actually see one of the Indigo Buntings. I have Bluebirds occasionally, but they've disappeared for the time being--pretty sure the bully starlings ran them off. The Buntings are such a brilliant blue and I've never seen one. I'm excited!

[maison rustique]

Lucky (cat) actually let me oversleep by half an hour this morning. I needed it. I have not been sleeping well for a few nights and feel better now with just those few extra minutes.

 

Edited to add that both sisters are now home. Younger sis is very tired but feeling mostly fine after the ablation. Older sis is also tired but feeling mostly back to normal--they deemed her gall bladder OK and not necessary to come out at this time. I don't expect that to last, as she does not eat a well-balanced diet by any stretch of the imagination.

Edited May 12, 2024 by maison rustique

[Sneakeater]

At least SOME things are working!

[maison rustique]

The morning song was brought to me by Northern Cardinals (particularly loud), Carolina Wrens, House Finches, Swainson's Thrush (another newbie!!), Downy Woodpecker and Brown-headed Cowbirds. 

[cinghiale]

[maison rustique]

While I was putting out the birdseed, I had a Ruby-throated Hummingbird come up to the feeder right next to me. It was wonderful! 

 

And I got a real haircut yesterday!! 

[Wilfrid]

I am not expecting any hummingbirds but I do need a haircut.

[maison rustique]

Beautiful symphony this morning: Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, House Sparrows, Tufted Titmice, Mourning Doves, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles.

[maison rustique]

My morning concert included Northern Cardinals, House Sparrows, Tufted Titmice, American Robins, Ruby-throated Hummingbird (who also made an up-close appearance) and Downy Woodpeckers.

[Wilfrid]

My morning concert today features a drill, a hammer and raised voices. Lucky me.

[small h]

My morning concert today (and every day) was a cat singing his "wake up and feed me breakfast" song.

[StephanieL]

Free pastries from Arsicault Bakery, who IMO has the best croissants in SF, courtesy of well-heeled clients at the office for a meeting.  I could only manage a quarter of an almond croissant.

Edited May 16, 2024 by StephanieL

[maison rustique]

This morning while I was putting out birdseed, I had 2 young squirrels that kept running back and forth across the deck as if to hurry me along. The musical accompaniment was provided by Red-eyed Vireo, Mourning Dove, Brown-headed Cowbird, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (new!!), Broad-winged Hawk (also new!!), Carolina Wren and Red-bellied Woodpecker. It was rare that the Cardinals weren't joining in. They were out earlier, but perhaps they were put off by a hawk in the area.