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About this blog

The days spent chasing lady bugs (ladybird beetles), cats, songbirds, squirrels, and other creatures . . . . . 

Entries in this blog

Contact Info

I won't be returning to FJ. If anyone would like to connect with me, my email is sunnygoldfinch at gmail dot com.
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

0

Lazy Summer Day

It was an absolutely gorgeous afternoon - temperatures in the upper 70s, a breeze, clouds in the sky but not too many. So I spent some time under the crabapple tree.  It was just lovely.  The doves sat on the wire and cooed for me. And one by one, the overlords came to visit.  (Sometimes in groups, sometimes for a minute, sometimes longer.) And so I got a glamour shot of the Hunting Overlord. And a few not as glamorous. I got a truly lovely shot of the Long-Haired
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

1

Busy, Busy

Yesterday was a busy day in the yard.  I haven't really been able to figure out what factors contribute to the number of species/interactions I see, but whatever it is, yesterday was high. I have six bird feeders:  syrup for the hummingbirds, thistle for the goldfinches, two with sunflower seeds, and two with a traditional birdseed. Two of the feeders (the "duplicates") are on our east lawn (by the snow trees) so I don't see or photograph them much.  The others I can see when I am sett
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

0

Demon's Story

I adore my cats.  (I know this is news.)  All four of the current overlords were adopted as adults from shelters, which means they each came with foibles. When I lost my Lacey (who predated Mr. Spoon and was 17) in 2013, we *immediately* set about adopting a new princess.  (At the time, we also had the long-haired overlord and Prince Canine.)  I was looking on petfinder (dot com) and I found a most striking calico about four hours away.  Distance being no object, I insisted I wanted *that*
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

7

Photography Ain't Easy

It's definitely not easy when your subjects are independent li'l cusses which move very quickly. I was out early doing chores the other morning, when a neighbor kitten came to visit. He's a cutie pie and *very* curious. So, since I was tired and taking a break, I thought I'd try to get some shots of him. Here he is investigating the Jerusalem artichoke. Now, to be fair, I have trouble shooting outside in bright light because the polarization on my glasses interferes
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

4

Feline Follies

Last week, the overlords spent some time working on their skills in hiding and camouflaging their activities.  Some of them are better than others. Demon overlord demonstrates the general concept: Hunting overlord shows it can be done with panache even when hooman requires odd garb: Long-haired overlord, while it must be acknowledged that she faces some unique challenges, also seems to have missed the brief: But to be honest, she doesn't really seem to care very much.
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

2

The Demon and the Squirrel

I saw some bright yellow goldfinches earlier, so I stepped out to see if I could get a few photos. They flew away, but I saw a squirrel at the bottom of the feeder. Then I changed the focus. Oh my!  That squirrel is mighty foolish.  What is it thinking?!  (Why didn't I notice it before?!) So I moved a bit and got a couple more similar shots, but without the obstructions. What I didn't expect was what happened next. Oh no!  Run, squirrel! Apparently th
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

4

Spoon Life

I went out at mid-day today to check on the felines I serve.  I thought maybe I could get new cute pictures for @Grimalkin and others to admire! At first, I didn't have much luck: So I went and sat and looked at the garden.  I like my garden.  Yes, @OnceUponATime, the bottles are doing quite well, thank you!   Apparently, the hunting overlord likes the freshly mown grass, because she showed up to enjoy it. Shortly afterwards, the senior overlord emerged to investigate th
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

5

Garden Overlords

Ah, the clarion call of Demon overlord, who at 6:20 interrupted my slumber with demands to be released, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW." So I struggled up and trudged to the door, allowing the exit of my overlords. Then I escorted the Hound to "his" yard to take care of "his business." While all I really wanted to do was go back to sleep . . .  I proceeded out front to see what was what. We got (quite a bit of) rain overnight: So after deciding I didn't need to water
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

3

Gardening

I'm not really in the mood to write a post, I really just want to share pictures! Here's a wide angle of the garden.  We had an overnight visitor who dug up some stuff on the 4th of July.  I think most of the mayhem has been repaired. All the cherry varieties of tomatoes are blooming, and I'm starting to see fruit: I also have a couple little peppers: And the cucumbers and peas are blooming: Our cedar planters are generally looking healthy:
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

4

Stalkers

It's always an adventure! I looked across the yard this morning: Knowing that this is NOT a good thing, I went, got the camera, took a picture, and then went to break up the confab.  I didn't know *WHO* was in the crab apple tree, but I was sure something had been treed. So I went and spoke to the cats.  I told them to move along.  It made a big difference: That's correct - all I managed to do was get them to change sides. I was not pleased, but I wasn't totall
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

6

Summer Solstice

Well, happy solstice and full moon, World!   The last couple of days have been some of the warmest of the season for us - highs in the mid to upper 80s.  I swear I could see the plants shaking off their doldrums and saying, "Summer?  Are you really here?  Oh, wrap me in your arms and make me yours!!!" I realized that I really cannot see the progress everything is making because I am seeing it every day.  But we are getting finally into the legitimate growing season now, and things are
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

8

A question of balance

I am an animal lover.  I make no bones about that. For 20 or so years, I have been a believer in "indoor cats" only.  I know the stats on their health, I know it's good for birds, I understand the value. And then along came Fluffy Butt who, before she came to us, survived a harsh winter outdoors.  I don't know her whole story, but I know she is a tough little girl.  And she LOVES the outdoors.  I started letting her out for brief periods under supervision this winter - and she is a tot
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

4

Spring!

Spring has finally,  FINALLY sprung!  I am so thrilled . . . even if it means we are starting thunderstorm season. My zucchini are starting to grow! Mr. Spoon planted the Garden Tower with lovely herbs: The trees are in bloom (top cherry, bottom crabapple): The wildflowers are blooming: And Pigeon is thriving! Oh Happy Days!!!
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

1

Ahhhh - Mondays in spring

Pigeon says there's nothing like a nice clean cage to poop in. *sighs*  I JUST put down the clean papers. I have rocks (grit) and bird seed in my bathroom (and pigeon bird is too.)  Doesn't everyone? I'm actually pretty excited with the way things are going right now.    Pigeon seems to be growing and healthy, getting short periods of outside time under close supervision.  Felines are content (as much as felines can be.)  Canine is settling in nicely.  It's been almost a month sin
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

2

I would never . . . .

Last night, I kissed my husband and lovingly reminded him, "Be careful in the bathroom.  There's a pigeon on the toilet." Oh, profundities.  They pour from my mouth like . . . like . . . well, a simile escapes me. This morning, I announced, "There's two cats and a squirrel on the fence." This was shortly after I yelled out the front door, "Cat!!!  You leave those birds ALONE!" The plants are out, the pigeon has been fed, and I am sitting, contemplating whether I need to
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

0

The Pigeon and the Hawk

So - yesterday was one of THOSE days. Among our other roles, Mr. Spoon and I are volunteer transporters for a bird and turtle rehab facility which is about four hours away.  We generally go pick a bird up from the rescuer and relay it down to another transporter so that we aren't doing the full 8 hour trip ourselves. So I got a call yesterday that there was an injured raptor about an hour south of us.  Mr. Spoon was gone for the day, so I started packing up the supplies to take the old
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

2

It's Monday

Monday.  In the northlands.  May friggin-16th. What was pretty when it appeared in December is now just ANNOYING. All the plants are back indoors.  I won't even put them out today - it's too cold.  For some, that means re-acclimating later in the week. *sighs* On the good news side, the cucumbers are starting to form their true leaves: They'll eventually be going here: And I went ahead and transplanted basil on Friday: It looks lik
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

5

May 9th ?! Really?!

I really don't mean to be a whiner about our weather, but this is what I awoke to this morning: Here are my poor little goldfinches: This looks like many of the pictures I've taken before . . . in January, February, March . . . .  Mr Spoon has our screen house all ready.  The good news?!  The greenhouse only went to 35 and it was already warming up when I got up. Tulips are hardy little buggers, thankfully. It's melting now, and it will be gone
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

6

I'm Going Crazy

0545  Demon cat announces she's awake.  Repeatedly.  At the top of her lungs. 0547  Demon cat uses the litter box and scrapes her butt across the floor like a dog.  Entire house stinks. 0555  Demon inspects hooman using hooman litterbox.  Provides commentary - mostly, "Hurry up." 0605  Demon cat begins demands to go outside.  "It's raining," explanations are summarily dismissed. 0620  Demon cat ignores breakfast - screeches for hooman to give into demands. 0630  Demon ca
SpoonfulOSugar

SpoonfulOSugar

0


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