Today is a mild overcast day. I was out pulling up some sweetwoodruff. The physical exercise let me know just how old and out of shape I am in. Got one large blueberry bush out of a planter and into the ground. Got one more to move. Had put out bird seed over in the woodland area, and since I needed a sitting break sat on my owl bench and watched the birds. ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Chainsaw art owl bench ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Unfortunately I hadn't brought out my camera, but it was fun watching the regulars: chickadees are always the first to find seeds, quickly followed by juncos. The nuthatches, towhees and song sparrows followed. The steller's jay flew in and took a cache while a cautious gray squirrel sat on the neighbors fence. Then I saw a tail skirting between large ferns along the fence line. Sure enough a juvenile rat! City living at its finest. The dogs keep the rats nesting in the neighbor's yards, but it doesn't mean they aren't opportunists. I just don't ever see them during the day. Guess I haven't been out in the yard much this winter. Time to break my winter hibernation.
Jewell, Your garden looks so pretty, lush, and un-winter like!! Everything here is DORMANT. Only green in my yard are the Pines, Spruce, Yews & Boxwoods. It will be a while till I see green growing things. Actually, the weather is not bad, despite the annoying wind, the temp today is around 60°F!! Hope your dogs keep those rats away. I would freak if I saw one!!
Jewell, your garden, and your bench, are so pretty! I need to get out and prune, but as Kay said, that darned wind! I hate having to catch a plant stem before I can prune it. Your photos gave me inspiration--tomorrow to the garden!
Kay and Marlingardener, with luscious temps in the 60s too bad the wind has to wreck it. You all in the central states have had quit the winter and deserve some mild temps. Kay, the only time rodents freak me out is when they get in the house or are in close proximity. Then I freak! Being able to watch at a distance outside was more like watching our furry tailed rats
If that owl bench ever goes missing Jewell don't look here for it whatever you do. I'd hate to be taken away in handcuffs!! Isn't it nice to just sit and watch the wildlife now and then? Spring can't be too far away as our birds are eating me out of house and home at the moment. They tend do this so that they'll be well prepared for their breeding season. I also saw four Field mice just as it was getting dark. They looked like young ones so the weather must be improving. We'll soon all be out in our gardens again getting dirty and full of aches and pains. I can't wait!! :-D
Cherylad, it won't be long before all those Texas wild flowers are in full bloom. With the way you Texans have to put up with fire ants, chiggers, armadillos, various poisonous snakes, feral pigs and goodness knows what else I imagine a little rat would be pretty tame in comparison Eileen, thank you for the compliment on my owl bench. I love chainsaw folk art too. Like a lot of folk art it isn't always appreciated especially where it is created. Wish we had field mice or voles. They were all around in the hay fields around our house when I was younger. They were much cuter rodents than rats and they stayed a reasonable size.
A tip for storing birdseed: DON'T store it in your home! It attracts moths which then get into your flour and such. Store it in a sturdy varmint proof metal trash can in your shed or someplace like that. I keep mine in the same can as my chicken feed. The dogs have one can, and the horse has two cans. Some plastic trash cans are NOT rodent proof, and they will eat through them and help themselves to your birdseed. Jewell, your garden area is lovely. Glad you get to get out and enjoy it. I love to sit out in my garden too.
I liked these two pics, Jewell. That carved owl looks spiffy. Is it preserved against the elements with some sort of impregnation or paint? My auntie would like that...she LURVES owls.
Oh Jewell the only green here is me green with envy that you have so much green in your garden! It would be nice to sit here and watch the birds but it is so COLD! I had a rat problem and didn't even know it until my dog caught one! I was disgusted, but I live in the country and there are barns and animals being fed grain etc nearby. The biggest hint, I should have noticed sooner, was my composter having been chewed and compost disappearing. They were feasting on my compost! I was afraid to use poison in case the hawks picked up a poisoned one so I put a rat trap right inside my composter. I caught 6 in there!!
I'm so glad you had a lovely day and could enjoy your beautiful garden. I'm envious of your greenery. None to be found here. We've also got rat visitors now and then. I'm glad our tomcat thinks they're fun to catch and kill.
No green here also. other then ever-greens. Birds are taking cover in them. Right now about 30 fat doves. To be bitter cold next few days. Dh put out plenty of seed and suet. And they love the heated bird bath.
