melissatwa's Journal, 09 Oct 20

I get the squirrels too, cc81004! They have access to one feeder, but I use a "baffle" to keep them out of the peanut tray and suet feeder. They would sit there all day indulging... Kind of like me at a Christmas treat buffet! 😁 Any critters are fun to watch at least! ❤️ 

I love grandpa! I can totally see why you call him that! Kind of gray like me now since I haven't had my hair colored since February! The stellar Jay's and autumn leaves are sure beautiful! Welcome fall! 🍁🍂🍁🍂🎃🎃🎃 

Bearnoggin, he is such a funny looking little bird. I was so thankful he cooperated and came to the closest feeder by the window and hung out just long enough for me to snap a picture yesterday. Under his wings he is completely white and so is his tail. Along with all that grey all over, he looks absolutely different from all the others, which makes him extra cool! Especially during the stress and strangeness of these days we are all living through, I find the birds to be a beautiful blessing!!! 😁  

Sorry- I didn't even see this. I don't use the bird feeder anymore because it ends up being just for squirrels. I haven't caught the culprit yet- but every morning I wake to soil all over my porch from a squirrel digging in all my flower containers to hide his acorns. He also brought a little crabapple or something and left it on the chair and knocked over some decor.  

Beautiful! We also abandoned our bird feeders because we started having a mouse problem. Pest control said that was the reason. Haven’t had any in 5 years since we took them down. DP they make this very fine netting you can get in the garden center to keep critters out of your plants. I used it on my ferns this year and kept them bird-free. You can’t see it and it really works without harming your plants. Thanks for posting these - beautiful foliage. 

Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing. 🙂 

Love those colors! The trees are on FIRE! 

Loved it. Thanks for sharing 

Thanks guys! ♥️ I do love the brightly colored leaves and I so enjoy feeling my birds. At this exact moment I am here with my coffee by the window watching about 6 jays squable over peanuts. Completely ignoring their antics, is a flicker woodpecker getting his breakfast at the suet feeder on the pole just above! They are such a cool blessing! 😁  

John and Princess, we have never had troubles with mice. The biggest fear around here are the nasty rats. So far, at this house, we have not had troubles. On my feeder pole I do have a "baffle" to keep the squirrels away. One feeder on a different pole is accessible to them but with a good deal of effort. They are so cute, but what a pain to have to clean up after them daily, Princess! Sounds like some netting would be a good solution to Mr Squirrel.  

I have mentioned before that we took our feeders down after the bears got into them. We did have a problem keeping squirrels off & bought a feeder that spun around & tossed the squirrels off. It was funny to watch. The feeder wasn't able to toss the bear off, though 😀 Our neighbors had problems with the bears earlier this year getting into their garbage cans they had put out for pickup. We don't have that problem cause we take our garbage to the dump ourselves. Country living 😏 

We've had mice troubles too, so I only put out enough feed that they will eat in one day. But bears?! Oh my!!! That would be enough for me to take them down too!!! We used to go camping when I was a kid and I remember the bears searching our camp site. I wasn't that scared in the safety of my grandparents but now as an adult I realize that ignorance was bliss when I found out bears are strong enough to rip a car door off! Cool to live in nature, but I have a healthy respect for it!!!  

Oh my! Yeah, bears are a little difficult to discourage when there is food they want. I lived the county life until I got married and moved to the city, so I do understand. Just today a huge red-tailed hawk flew in and parked himself about 6 feet from my window where I was sitting watching my feeder. I was too in shock and far away from my phone to get a picture. I DO mind feeding cats with my bird feeders, and chase off any lurkers, but if a hawk needs dinner, I'm fine with that and totally excited to see the beautiful thing!  

That is cool to see a hawk! It's sad they eat other birds, but life...they gotta eat too. Just wish they would only eat mice. I'm with you on cats! We have a few prowlers too.  

Beautiful photos! 

Good afternoon Melissa! I saw the Stellar Jay again but still couldn't get a pic! He is too fast for me! I sat outside waiting for 40 min this morning but he didn't come back. I really hope to get that pic one of these days!!! I did enjoy a nice sunrise although It's raining here now and will be for awhile. Hope your knees are calming down!! Have a peace filled day!  

Hi!! I'm sure you'll get a pic someday! ❤️I have a gang of 6 to 10 that come every morning to receive their peanut offering. They are back and forth all day for other food. BUT, the wild, squabbling flock is especially fun to watch getting their breakfast! 😁 Have a great rest of your day... And even the rain. It is here too.  

❤ 

Amazing! Enjoy!