Prologue:
We haven't used a bird feeder over the last 10 years because of our three indoor/outdoor cats.
I've always wanted a feeder. And not one, but several, visible from various windows.
Way back in the early 2000's...we took a chance and put up a big ol' feeder .
The squirrels came running in from all over the county and ate up all the food in one day.
One Single Day.
And over time, they chewed on the edges of the bird feeder itself.
I was incensed.
Years passed.
The cats became old and fat and lazy.
One day, I had a thought.
What if there was less of a spring in their step?
Less of a "booing booing" in their jump?
That would mean they would be less effective hunters!
The birds would have a flying chance!
If only, I thought, the cats would develop cataracts.
My camera was itching.
I decided to go for it.
But first, I bought a squirrel resistant bird feeder.
What follows is a true story.
March, 2008:
Rick and I are in the Home Depot, where I've talked him into helping me build a free-standing post for a bird feeder. I figured the post would be made from a 4x4 fence post, approximately 12 ft. long, and from it, we could attach various hooks to hang up the feeders.
In the garden section, we pass a display of ready made plant hangers, and I notice a 12 ft metal stand with 4 hooks.
I decide to give Rick a break and buy that instead.
Richard looks a little relieved. No building!
We head to Walmart. This will be a test run to see how well the feeder resists the squirrels, and I don't want to buy expensive bird feed.
Walmart lets me down. $12 for a big bag! Remembering the last bag that disappeared in One Day, I reach for the cheaper stuff.
Back at home, I order coax Brittany into holding up the feeder in the back yard as I move around the house from the kitchen window to the family room window and back again.
I just want to make sure I can photograph the site clearly. Finally I give her thumbs up.
Unfortunately the best place for the feeder is 30 ft from the window. It's the only place in the yard where the cats can't hide behind something and leap out at the birds.
I'll have to use the zooms.
And my zoom lens are a mess. They perform like Windows98 without the Service Pack upgrades and two Trojans to boot.
Richard returns, and frowns as I begin pounding the new feeder post into the ground. He takes charge so it can be done "properly." In his mind, there is a logical order to the way things ought to be. In my mind, things just go up and there you go!
1 Week later:
Still no birds.
Two weeks later:
Begin checking the pole for signs of cat pee. Maybe Rico is warning them off?
No, that wouldn't make sense.
3 weeks later:
Still nothing. I am resolute in my determination not to buy fancy bird feed.
Yet. there is a plus... no squirrels! A bonafide plus.
April:
The doves have moved in, but I'm not impressed. I am looking for birds of color.
Where are the finches?
I have no idea that the mourning doves will soon make me smile.
The ring neck doves have arrived and have begun chasing the mourning doves away. I have decided to sic Rico on the ring necks.
Rico just lays there, doing nothing.
The Middle of April:
I text Rick, Sam and Brittany: "BLUEJAY!"
I grab the camera, but he is gone.
May:
I am growing tired of the Blue jays. They visit every day.
Where are all the Other Birds?
Maybe I should give in and get the good seed.
Nah.
At least I figured out a way to photograph the Jay.
First thing to do was to remove the screen from the kitchen window.
Second thing to do was spray a little WD 40 around the edges so I could get the window open quietly.
Third thing to do was tape a sign reminding everyone that the screen was off.
Fourth thing to do was to tune out all the complainers in the house who were whining about the skeeters.
Good grief.
This is my window, and there is my mini-tripod:
Do you see it? My kitchen tripod is blue, made of heavy glass and easily supports extra long lens. We are nothing if not decoratively and professionally adept around here. Simply lean over the sink, balance zoom lens on the glass, steady thyself, focus, aim, SHOOT! Simple enough.
(ahem).
Sometime in May,
I text Rick again: "CARDINAL!"
(it only takes one word).
He is actually not very excited.
Unfortunately, I have yet to get a photograph of them. Rick put the screen back on the window.
And by the time I got open, the cardinal was GONE.
June, the first week:
Zoey has finally awakened.
(photo by Brittany)
It occurred to him there has been quite a bit of activity at the feeder lately.
(Took him 3 months to figure it out).
He decided to park himself on the stone wall near the bird feeder. Then he got a little sleepy in the warm sun.
Out of the blue, a hose rained down on him, blasting him right outta his comfort zone.
Gee, wonder where that came from.
Sometime in June:
I text Rick again: "PARROTS!"
Richard ain't happy. The local parrots are loud, squawking noise makers. We have several colonies of them around the neighborhood.
I am thrilled. Photo OP!
Earlier in the week, I had taken the screen back off the window again. Gently, I slide the window open so the parrots won't flee.
Focus, aim.. shoot. No. Blur... huh?
Check camera. readjust the dials.
Focus, aim, ...shooot, @#@#
Resolve to throw lens at insurance company representatives on their way to work
Run and grab stock lens instead.
Pray.
Parrot is gone.
%$#@
Parrot comes back. Shoot like mad.
Pray. Edit. Crop.
Here you go!
I am still holding out for the birds of color to show up for my cheap Walmart bird feed.
Stay tuned!
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