Around the tree ferns grow, and nearby are some firecracker plants that have survived a freezing winter and a scorching summer. Their red blooms attract a hummingbird who visits the flowers each morning.
I've noticed a greater variety of bird species in my yard since this summer. I've always had cardinals and mockingbirds, but I have some new visitors: bluejays, summer tanagers, tufted tit-mice, and a few others I haven't been able to identify yet.
I find bird behavior fascinating. Cardinals always arrive in pairs. Protective hubby watches from a nearby tree as wife enjoys her meal. They communicate through little peeps. If one doesn't answer the check in "peep," the mate flies off immediately in search of the other. Cardinals, by the way, mate for life.
Years ago I was lucky enough to have a group of bluebirds visit my bird bath regularly. It was like a giant pool party when they arrived. Three of four at a time would splash around in the bath while the rest of the group waited their turn from the trees. They chirped and peeped and generally made quite a racket.
Watching birds visit the feeder is often like watching kids run to the ice cream truck. The cardinals case the joint from the trees before they show up. Within minutes,three or four tit-mice are swinging around on the other side of the feeder. Mockingbirds are screaming from the nearby branches like a mother scolding her child for running out in the street.
A couple tanagers arrive and try to latch onto the swinging feeder. They are the bigger kids pushing their way to the front of the line. Those poor little tit-mice don't stand a chance against these bullies, and retreat to the tree to wait.
Sparrows remind me of the kids with no money for ice cream. They hang around under the feeder hoping for a hand-out.
I'm going to miss the bird feeder antics when I head back to work in a couple of weeks. I guess I'll have to settle for watching the kids run for the ice cream truck.
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