Wildlife

 Taking a small break from housecleaning posts and before I start a rant  on “aesthetics” I thought I would share some photos of our very unkempt deck and all the activity that goes on out there.

This deck was here when we moved in and we added the rail because it is a pretty steep drop off the backside and we do have children around here and didn’t want any broken bones.  We also added the lights.  And we never go out there because it is just not in a convenient place.  You have to trek down the yard or go out through the garage — it just isn’t very useable.  I think patios and decks and things of that nature should be convenient to the back door.  This isn’t.

And then there are the mosquitos.  I try to be kind to all of God’s creatures but would I go straight to hell if I suggested all the mosquitos just drop dead?  I am sure they are useful in some way, just not sure what.

I digress.

Anyway, our deck is a very active place both day and night.  Our neighbor’s house has been denoted as a songbird sanctuary by the Audubon Society and trust me, the birds don’t stay in their yard.  They also lay claim to the foxes and again, the foxes don’t stay in their yard.

So, here are some of our birds — please don’t judge the shape of the deck — it will be cleaned up when it isn’t so hot.

They absolutely love that pot saucer and we have been keeping it filled.  I mean, it IS 107 here.

And, of course, I don’t want to leave these out —

So yes, our yard is very interesting.  The birds have different personalities — we have about 100 photinias out there and the cardinals live in half of them and the jays live in the other half and they don’t get along.  Actually nobody gets along with the jays.  They chase everything off.  Occasionally they lose to one of the foxes though.  

So far we have seen jays, cardinals, sparrows, and doves.  They are as much fun to watch as the foxes.  And they absolutely love the water.